The Tamil film industry, part of the South film Industry, is famous for producing remarkable films that have permanently altered the landscape of Indian cinema. Thalapathy Vijay, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Suriya, and Ajith Kumar, along with other actors, have starred in top Tamil films recognized for their impressive acting, plots, script, and overall presentation.
If you're also a Tamil movie enthusiast, then surely we can both appreciate your excellent taste in films. With that said, let's delve into the handpicked selection of the top 10 tamil movies ever made just below!
1. Soorarai Pottru
IMDb Rating - 8.7/10
Where to watch - Amazon Prime
We will kick off the list with top 10 tamil movies that were honored with the prestigious National Award. Indeed, we are referring to Soorarai Pottru featuring Suriya in the main role.
The movie follows Nedumaaran Rajangam as he dreams of starting an airline company that offers affordable travel for passengers. Soorarai Pottru also portrays the touching connection between a father and son that could bring tears to many.
Sudha Kongara Prasad directs the Tamil film, which can be streamed on Amazon Prime. The success of Soorarai Pottru led to the creation of a Hindi remake starring Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar. The title of the movie is Sarfira and it was released on July 12.
2. Varisu
IMDb Rating - 6/10
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
If you are looking for an entertaining family drama movie with a large audience, you definitely need to watch this Thalapathy Vijay film. Varisu is definitely among the top 10 tamil movies to see, offering all the elements that you can relax and appreciate for a duration of 3 hours. The film includes vibrant dance scenes, thrilling action, and above all, the strong connection between a son and his parents.
The storyline focuses on Rajendran Palanisamy finding out he has pancreatic cancer. As he chooses to pass on his business to one of his sons, Varisu reminisces about his third son, Vijay, in a flashback story.
When Vijay attempts to depart, Rajendran's physician discloses Vijay's cancer diagnosis, prompting him to opt to remain for his father's birthday. Vijay becoming the new company head causes a conflict that fractures the entire family. The remainder of the narrative focuses on Vijay bringing everyone back together and repairing fractured connections.
3. Love Today
IMDb Rating: 8/10
Where to watch: Netflix
Love Today, directed by Pradeep Ranganathan, is definitely among the top 10 tamil movies. The movie is abundant in humor, laughter, and plenty of romance. Furthermore, Raveena Ravi and Yogi Babu play important roles in the movie.
The fantastic chemistry between the actors, clever scripts, and captivating plot in Love Today will definitely charm you into loving the movie.
4. Iruvar
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar
Despite the quality of modern films, it is undeniable that the timeless allure of classic movies is incomparable. Maybe that's the reason we say old is valuable. Next on the list of the top 10 tamil movies is Iruvar, starring Mohanlal.
This acclaimed Mani Ratnam film features an outstanding ensemble, with Mohanlal and Prakash Raj in the key roles. The film narrates the story of two companions, Anandan and Tamizhselvan. Anandan, a hopeful actor in the late 1940s, faces challenges in securing quality acting roles in Madras, where he encounters his closest companion, Tamizhselvan.
However, Tamizhselvan is a rationalist author who strongly supports Dravidian principles. With the assistance of his writing skills, Anandan secures his first acting opportunities, propelling him to stardom. The remainder of the film centers on how power, money, and reputation drive a wedge between the characters, affecting their friendship.
5. Yennai Arindhaal
IMDb Rating: Rating: 7.3/10
Where to watch: Hotstar
Following that, there is a popular Tamil film Yennai Arindhaal starring Thala Ajith Kumar in the main role. The movie, helmed by Gautham Menon, renowned for his exceptional police dramas, showcases Ajith Kumar's top-notch acting abilities. Yennai Arindhaal is regarded as one of the top 10 tamil movies due to its blend of high-quality action scenes and emotional depth.
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6. Nayakan
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Another classic Tamil film starring Kamal Haasan is Nayakan, which was released in 1987. Skipping this without a doubt one of the top 10 tamil movies ever made is considered a wrongdoing. The movie, helmed by Mani Ratnam, highlights the challenges faced by an ordinary individual as he battles a corrupt police officer who coerces him into unethical activities. He later becomes a respected leader, admired by numerous individuals. Nayakan is based on the real-life tale of Varadarajan Mudaliar, a Tamil gangster from Mumbai in the 1980s.
7. Mersal
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
The movie, helmed by Atlee, features Thalapathy Vijay in three different characters, alongside Nithya Menen, Kajal Aggarwal, and Samantha. The film released in 2017 turned out to be a huge hit at the box office. The actor and director teamed up again for Bigil, which came out in 2019.
Mersel's plot revolves around Maaran, a physician who is wrongfully accused of killing his coworker. He later finds out that the true perpetrator is someone who bears a strong resemblance. The movie goes deeper into his journey from that point on.
8. Vikram
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Where to watch: Zee5
Vikram is the second installment in Lokesh Kanagaraj's Universe (LCU). The film stars Kamal Haasan once again playing the same character he portrayed in 1986. Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathi are also significant characters in Vikram.
Vikram centers on a special agent who probes a murder carried out by a masked gang of serial murderers. Nevertheless, a complex network of hints quickly guides him to the narcotics boss of Chennai, shaping the film's storyline. Vikram was a huge success at the box office due to its expertly orchestrated stunts and action sequences.
9. Leo
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Where to watch: Netflix
The final movie of 2023 features Thalapathy Vijay. Leo is the third installment in Lokesh Kanagaraj's LCU franchise, showcasing Vijay in a completely new and unique persona. Trisha, the main female character who has worked with Vijay numerous times, teamed up with him again in Leo, delighting fans with their on-screen connection. Despite the lack of confirmation for Leo's sequel, fans are hopeful that Vijay's character from Leo will appear in upcoming LCU movies.
Therefore, we have reached the conclusion of the list featuring the top 10 tamil movies, including timeless classics and recent releases. Why are you hesitating? Select your preferred film, take your popcorn container and begin watching.
10. Jai Bhim
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Jai Bhim, released in 2021, is considered among the top 10 tamil movies, achieving widespread global acclaim for its direction, storyline, acting, and social impact. It was ranked among the top Indian films of 2021.
Rajakannu and Sengeni, a married couple belonging to a marginalized tribe, experience a drastic change in their lives when Rajakannu is taken into custody for an accused theft. A human rights lawyer takes matters into his own hands and assists a woman in searching for her missing husband, who has disappeared while in police custody, in order to help them achieve justice.
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