Highlights•Perylene compounds show antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and feline coronavirus.•Replication of multiple SARS-CoV-2 subvariants is suppressed by perylene compounds.•Perylene compounds block the fusion of SARS-CoV-2 with the host cell.•Expressions of cellular stress-related genes is not affected by perylene compounds.•Photosensitization is the major mechanism underlying their anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity.