Tamil Cinema The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made  

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This list of the best Tamil movies ever made has been ranked by fans and critics. These good Tamil films entertain fans and international audiences around the globe. Tamil cinema, also known as Kollywood, comes from India, featuring the Tamil language. The top Tamil movies are hugely popular and widely loved.

What are the best Tamil movies of all time? This list of the top Tamil films includes the greatest movies in the history of Tamil cinema. It includes popular titles like Baashha, Mouna Ragam, and Thalapathi, as well as newer titles like Vishwaroopam and controversial Tamil films like Anima and Persona.

Vote up your favorite Tamil movies to move them to the top of the list, or click Rerank below to make your own list of these hit Tamil movies.

1
2,614 522
Nayakan is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Kamal Haasan, Nassar, Tinnu Anand Nayakan, also known as Nayagan, is a 1987 Indian Tamil crime drama film written and directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan. It is loosely based on the real-life Bombay underworld don ...more

2
1,864 560
Mouna Ragam is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Revathi, Karthik, Kanchana Mouna Ragam is a 1986 Indian Tamil romantic drama film written and directed by Mani Ratnam, and produced by G. Venkateswaran. The film narrates the life of Divya Chandramouli, who is robbed of ...more

3
1,840 311
Love is God is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Kamal Haasan, Nassar, R. Madhavan Anbe Sivam is a 2003 Indian Tamil drama film written by Kamal Haasan and directed by Sundar C. The film follows the events of an unexpected journey from Bhubaneswar to Chennai which is ...more

4
1,324 391
Moondram Pirai is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Silk Smitha Moondram Pirai is a 1982 Indian Tamil drama film written, directed and filmed by Balu Mahendra. The film features Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in the lead roles, while Silk Smitha, Poornam ...more

5
2,008 405
Thalapathi is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Rajinikanth, Mammootty, Amrish Puri Thalapathi is a 1991 Indian Tamil crime drama film written and directed by Mani Ratnam and produced by G. Venkateswaran under the banner of G. V. Films. It stars Rajinikanth, Mammootty and ...more

6
1,658 339
Indian is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Kamal Haasan, Aruna Irani, Johnny Lever Indian is a 1996 Tamil language Indian action-thriller directed by Shankar and produced by A. M. Rathnam. The film stars Kamal Haasan in dual roles with Manisha Koirala, Urmila Matondkar, ...more

7
1,505 323
Thevar Magan is listed (or ranked) 7 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Kamal Haasan, Nassar, Revathi Thevar Magan is a 1992 Indian Tamil drama film produced by, written by and starring Kamal Haasan in the title role. It was directed by Bharathan and also stars Sivaji Ganesan, Nassar, Revathi ...more

8
2,057 569
Baashha is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Rajinikanth, Vijayakumar, Nagma Baashha is a 1995 Indian Tamil action drama film starring Rajinikanth, Nagma and Raghuvaran. The film was directed by Suresh Krissna, and features music by Deva. Rajinikanth won Filmfans ...more

9
1,319 359
Roja is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Nassar, Pankaj Kapur, Janagaraj Roja is a 1992 Tamil-language Indian political drama-romance film co-written and directed by Mani Ratnam. It stars Arvind Swamy and Madhoo in the lead roles. The film was subsequently dubbed in ...more

10
963 194
Mudhalvan is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
SanthoshRajan added Sushmita Sen, Cochin Haneefa, Vadivelu Mudhalvan is a 1999 Tamil political thriller film co-written, directed and co-produced by S. Shankar. The film features Arjun, Manisha Koirala and Raghuvaran in the lead roles with Manivannan, ...more

11
1,114 275
Kannathil Muthamittal is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Prakash Raj, Siddharth, R. Madhavan Kannathil Muthamittal is a 2002 Tamil drama film directed and produced by Mani Ratnam. It features P. S. Keerthana, Madhavan and Simran in the leading roles with Nandita Das, J. D. Chakravarthy, ...more

12
1,254 322
Anniyan is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Vikram, Prakash Raj, Nassar Anniyan is a 2005 Indian Tamil psychological thriller film written and directed by Shankar and produced by V. Ravichandran of Oscar Films. The film attempts to highlight increasing social apathy ...more

13
968 310
Sivaputrudu is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Vikram, Simran, Karunas Pithamagan is a 2003 Indian Tamil drama film written and directed by Bala. The film stars Vikram, Suriya, Laila and Sangeetha in the lead and Simran making a pivotal cameo as herself. Produced ...more

14
941 306
Anjali is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Revathi, Prabhu, Raghuvaran Anjali is a 1990 Tamil language feature film directed by Mani Ratnam. It stars Raghuvaran, Revathi, Master Tarun, Baby Shruti and Baby Shamili in the leading roles. The background score and ...more

15
1,041 281
Bombay is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Prakash Raj, Sonali Bendre, Nassar Bombay is a 1995 Indian Tamil drama film directed by Mani Ratnam, starring Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala, with music composed by A. R. Rahman. The film is centred on events, particularly ...more

16
816 216
Sethu... is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Vikram, Sriman, Sivakumar Sethu... is a 1999 Indian Tamil romantic drama film written and directed by debutant Bala. The film stars Vikram and Abitha in the lead roles with Sivakumar and Sriman in other pivotal roles. ...more

17
823 303
Gunaa is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Kamal Haasan, Girish Karnad, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Gunaa is a 1991 Tamil drama film directed by Santhana Bharathi and written by Sab John. The film stars Kamal Haasan, newcomer Roshini in lead roles with Rekha, S. P. Balasubramaniam, Girish ...more

18
807 173
Apoorva Sagodharargal is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Kamal Haasan, Nassar, Srividya Apoorva Sagodharargal is a 1989 Tamil dramedy film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. It starred Kamal Hassan in three roles, as a mechanic, a circus clown who is a dwarf and a police officer, ...more

19
808 196
Thillu Mullu is listed (or ranked) 19 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
arun added Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Madhavi Thillu Mullu is a 1981 Tamil comedy film directed by K. Balachander. The film features Rajinikanth, Madhavi in lead roles while 'Thengai' Srinivasan, Nagesh, and Sowkar Janaki play supporting ...more

20
807 291
Paruthiveeran is listed (or ranked) 20 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Karthi, Priyamani, Sujatha Paruthiveeran is a 2007 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Ameer Sultan. The film stars Karthi in his feature film debut as the titular character, with Priyamani as the female lead and ...more

21
762 276
Kuruthipunal is listed (or ranked) 21 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Kamal Haasan, Nassar, Geetha Kuruthipunal is a 1995 Tamil action thriller film directed by veteran cinematographer P. C. Sreeram. The film stars Kamal Haasan in the lead role, with Arjun and Nassar in supporting roles. The ...more

22
842 255
Ghajini is listed (or ranked) 22 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
VarunVjn added Nayantara, Asin, Manobala Ghajini is a 2005 Indian Tamil psychological thriller film directed by A. R. Murugadoss released on 29 September 2005. The film stars Suriya, Asin, Nayantara, Pradeep Rawat and Riyaz Khan. It ...more

23
1,901 600
Thuppakki is listed (or ranked) 23 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Vijay, Kajal Aggarwal, Jayaram Thuppakki is a 2012 Indian Tamil action film written and directed by AR Murugadoss. It features Vijay and Kajal Aggarwal in the lead roles, Vidyut Jamwal as main antagonist, as well as Jayaram ...more

24
513 134
16 Vayathinile is listed (or ranked) 24 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
SanthoshRajan added Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Sridevi 16 Vayathinile is a 1977 Tamil feature film directed by Bharathiraja. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Sridevi and Rajinikanth. The film also marks the debut of the famous South Indian comedian ...more

25
667 163
Michael Madana Kama Rajan is listed (or ranked) 25 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
arun added Kamal Haasan, Nassar, Urvashi Michael Madhana Kama Rajan is a 1990 Tamil comedy film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and written by Kamal Haasan, with Crazy Mohan penning the dialogues. The film also feature large ...more

26
641 265
Vaagai Sooda Vaa is listed (or ranked) 26 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
K. Bhagyaraj, Vimal, Ponvannan Vaagai Sooda Vaa is a 2011 Tamil romantic comedy drama film directed by A. Sarkunam, directing his second film after Kalavani. It features Vimal and newcomer Iniya in the lead roles, with ...more

27
812 233
Kaaka Kaaka is listed (or ranked) 27 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Jyothika, Ramya Krishnan, Gautham Menon Kaakha Kaakha is a 2003 Tamil crime thriller film written and directed by Gautham Menon. Starring Suriya, Jyothika and Jeevan, the film featured music composed by Harris Jayaraj and ...more

28
448 151
Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaano... is listed (or ranked) 28 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
m.a.jaycechan added Vijay Sethupathi Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom is a 2012 Indian Tamil Black Comedy film directorial debut for Balaji Tharaneetharan. Featuring Vijay Sethupathi and Gayathrie Shankar in the lead roles, The plot ...more

29
468 114
Kaaka Muttai is listed (or ranked) 29 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
GopalKrishnan1 added Dhanush, Silambarasan, Babu Antony

30
636 162
Jigarthanda is listed (or ranked) 30 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
arun added Siddharth, Pratap K. Pothen, Lakshmi Menon Jigarthanda is a 2014 Tamil musical gangster film written and directed by Karthik Subbaraj. Produced by Kathiresan's Group Company, it features Siddharth, Bobby Simha and Lakshmi Menon in the ...more

31
462 157
Dasavathaaram is listed (or ranked) 31 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
m.a.jaycechan added Kamal Haasan, Mallika Sherawat, Asin Dasavathaaram is a 2008 Indian Tamil science fiction disaster film, directed by K. S. Ravikumar. It stars Kamal Haasan, who wrote the screenplay and story of the film, in ten distinct roles. ...more

32
816 303
adukalam is listed (or ranked) 32 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
adukalam

33
341 116
Mullum Malarum is listed (or ranked) 33 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
SanthoshRajan added Rajinikanth, Shobha, Venniradai Moorthy Mullum Malarum is a 1978 Indian Tamil drama film directed by J. Mahendran and produced by Venu Chettiar. The film, which features Rajinikanth, Sarath Babu, Fatafat Jayalaxmi and Shoba, marked ...more

34
479 159
AARILIRUNTHU AARUBATHU VARAI is listed (or ranked) 34 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
AARILIRUNTHU AARUBATHU VARAI

35
668 262
Ayan is listed (or ranked) 35 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
VarunVjn added Tamannaah Bhatia, Prabhu, Karunas Ayan is a 2009 Tamil action film co-written and directed by K. V. Anand. The film, starring Suriya, Prabhu, Tamannaah and Akashdeep Saighal in lead roles, was produced by M. Saravanan and M. S. ...more

36
328 171
Sindhu Bhairavi is listed (or ranked) 36 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
arun added Sindhu Bhairavi is a raga in Hindustani and Carnatic classical music, belonging to the Asavari thaat.

37
385 156
Raam is listed (or ranked) 37 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Murali, Jiiva, Pratap K. Pothen Raam is a 2005 Indian Tamil drama film written and directed by Ameer Sultan. The film stars Jiiva, Gajala, Kunal Shah and Saranya Ponvannan in lead roles, whilst Rahman, Ganja Karuppu, and ...more

38
610 188
Madrasapattinam is listed (or ranked) 38 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Amy Jackson, Arya, Nassar Madrasapattinam is a 2010 Indian Tamil period drama film, written and directed by A. L. Vijay. The film stars Arya and Amy Jackson, while Nassar, Cochin Hanifa and Alexx O'Nell play other ...more

39
557 197
Velai Illa Pattatahri (vip) is listed (or ranked) 39 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
senapathy18 added Velai Illa Pattatahri (vip)

40
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Mankatha is listed (or ranked) 40 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
m.a.jaycechan added Trisha, Ajith Kumar, Andrea Jeremiah Mankatha is a 2011 Indian Tamil action thriller film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu. It features Ajith Kumar in the lead role, starring in his 50th film, along with an ensemble cast ...more

41
853 285
Vishwaroopam is listed (or ranked) 41 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Kamal Haasan, Rahul Bose, Andrea Jeremiah Vishwaroopam is a 2013 Indian Tamil spy thriller film written, directed and co-produced by Kamal Haasan who also enacts the lead role. The film has Rahul Bose, Shekhar Kapur, Pooja Kumar, Andrea ...more

42
763 335
SIVAJI the BOSS is listed (or ranked) 42 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
SIVAJI the BOSS

43
410 160
Waves is listed (or ranked) 43 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Sukumari, R. Madhavan, Vivek Directed by Mani Ratnam, starring Madhavan and Shalini, the film explores the tensions of married life and the maturing of love. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by A. R. Rahman. The ...more

44
455 136
Subramaniapuram is listed (or ranked) 44 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Swathi Reddy, Jai, Samuthirakani Subramaniapuram is a 2008 Tamil film produced, written, and directed by M. Sasikumar. The low-budget film received critical acclaim for its original script, expert direction, screenplay, ...more

45
735 272
Nanban is listed (or ranked) 45 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
achucoul added Vijay, Ileana D'Cruz, Manobala Nanban is a 2012 Indian Tamil coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Shankar. It was a remake of Rajkumar Hirani's 3 Idiots, which itself was adapted from the novel Five Point Someone – ...more

46
347 221
I Have Found It is listed (or ranked) 46 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ajith Kumar, Mammootty Kandukondain Kandukondain is a 2000 Tamil musical and romantic film based on Jane Austen's novel Sense and Sensibility. Directed and co-written by Rajiv Menon, the film features an ensemble cast ...more

47
458 158
Sigappu Rojakkal is listed (or ranked) 47 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, K. Bhagyaraj Sigappu Rojakkal is a 1978 Tamil thriller film starring Kamal Haasan and Sridevi. Directed by P. Bharathiraja, music by Ilaiyaraaja and cinematography by P. S. Nivas In an era of over-dramatised ...more

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324 73
Papanasam is listed (or ranked) 48 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
loga-kanan added Papanasam

49
369 147
Angadi Theru is listed (or ranked) 49 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Sneha, Anjali, A. Venkatesh Angaadi Theru is a 2010 Indian Tamil romantic drama film written and directed by Vasanthabalan, starring debutant Mahesh and Anjali in the lead roles. The title refers to the Ranganathan Street ...more

50
515 286
Will You Cross the Skies for M... is listed (or ranked) 50 on the list The Best Tamil Movies Ever Made
Trisha, Silambarasan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa is a 2010 Tamil romantic drama film directed and written by Gautham Vasudev Menon, featuring Silambarasan and Trisha Krishnan in the lead roles. The film, distributed by ...more