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15 Must-watch South Indian movies according to IMDb ratings -777 Charlie to Praana
From 777 Charlie to Praana Let's have a look at some of the best South Indian movies according to IMDb ratings that every movie buff should watch at least once in their lifetime.
A movie enthusiast merely cannot afford to miss out on the joy of watching movies be it in any language Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, or Malayalam. South Indian movies started to become one of the favorites ever since the release of Baahubali (weren't you shocked when Mama stabbed Amarendra Baahubali - damn!)
Obviously, there were some pretty engaging comedy and emotional all-time popular movies, but people harshly critiqued all those movies. However, Baahubali marked the beginning of a new era, and South Indian cinema has taken over the industry by storm ever since. Seeing its last few releases, we know we are in for a thrill. If you, too, are exhausted with your Hindi and International movie watch lists, we have just the thing to cheer you up. Here are the 15 best South Indian movies as per IMDb to watch (the weekend is nearly there, get your popcorn ready!)
Top 15 Best-rated South Indian Movies As Per IMDb
1. 777 Charlie (2022)
- Movie Genre: Drama, Adventure, Comedy
- Running Time: 136 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Rakshit Shetty, Charlie, Sangeetha Sringeri
- Director: Kiranraj K
- Writers: Kiranraj K, K.N. Vijay Kumar, Satheesh Muthukulam
- Year of release: 2022
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: JioCinema
- IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
A brilliant performance by Rakshit Shetty and the wholesome bond between him and the dog made this movie at the top of the list of best South Indian movies. Directed by Kiranraj K, this movie is a roller coaster journey of a boy named Dharma. Dharma is stuck in a routine full of negativity and leads a lonely lifestyle. He spends every day in the lap of loneliness and pessimism. One fine day, a pup named Charlie enters his life. The dog loves him unconditionally and gives the boy a new perspective on life. This movie covers adventure, drama, and comedy and is a definite must-watch!
2. Praana (2019)
- Movie Genre: Drama, Crime, Horror
- Running Time: 107 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Nithya Menen
- Director: V.K. Prakash
- Writer: Rajesh Jayaraman
- Year of release: 2019
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Plex
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Directed by V.K.Prakash, this thriller movie will make you want to sleep with your lights on at night. This best South Indian movie centers around the life of a young woman portrayed by actress Nithya Menen. This woman decides to live an antisocial life in an old, lonely mansion away from the hustle-bustle and chatter of the city. Hardly does she know what plans the nature surrounding her has for her. The story is full of twists and will make you jumpy for sure. This movie covers crime, drama, mystery, thriller, and horror. Don't forget to re-check all the doors and windows of your house before sleeping - just saying!
3. C/o Kancharapalem (2018)
- Movie Genre: Drama
- Running Time: 152 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Radha Bessy, Subba Rao Vepada, Praneeta Patnaik
- Director: Venkatesh Maha
- Writer: Venkatesh Maha
- Year of release: 2018
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
Directed by Venkatesh Maha, this drama movie covers everything from love, struggle, hate, and family to religion and has bagged one win with six nominations. This South Indian movie showcases four unconventional love stories set in a town surrounding the people and village of Kancherapalem. As the plot thickens, the entire drama folds.
Primarily starring Radha Bessy, Subba Rao Vepada, Praneeta Patnaik, and many more renowned actors and actresses as leads, this compelling movie brings out an overwhelming experience for their audiences. Together they came forward to deliver one of the best South Indian movies.
4. Peranbu (2018)
- Movie Genre: Drama
- Running Time: 147 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Mammootty, Sadhana, Anjali
- Director: Ram
- Writer: Ram
- Year of release: 2018
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Written and directed by Ram, this drama movie has bagged three awards and five nominations. The movie plot revolves around a single father who tries to raise his daughter. The daughter is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The movie highlights the brighter side of the father-daughter bond even as she is beginning to realize her sexuality.
Primarily starring Mammootty and Anjali and many more renowned actors and actresses as leads, this absorbing movie brings out every ounce of emotion possibly known to humans. The movie is full of the positive scope of better opportunities, thus making it fourth on the best South Indian movies list.
5. Soorarai Pottru (2020)
- Movie Genre: Drama, Action
- Running Time: 153 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Suriya, Paresh Rawal, Urvashi
- Director: Sudha Kongara
- Writer: Sudha Kongara, Shalini Ushadevi, Vijay Kumar
- Year of release: 2020
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Directed by Sudha Kongara, this drama movie has bagged eight awards and five nominations. The book Simply Fly inspires the plot of this movie, revealing the story of Nedumaaran Rajangam, whose friends call him Maara. He is a son of a simple teacher who wants to make the common man fly. In this process, he takes one of the most capital-intensive industries in the world. With his sheer willpower and dedication and his friends and family supporting him, he takes down the numerous enemies who stand in his way. Primarily starring Suriya, Paresh Rawal, Aparna Balamurali, and many more renowned actors and actresses as leads, this inspirational movie brings out the struggles of a common man in a world of rich democracies. The movie is full of realistic scenes, thus securing fifth place on the best South Indian movies list.
6. Randhawa (2019)
- Movie Genre: Drama
- Running Time: 130 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Suriya, Paresh Rawal, Urvashi
- Director: Sudha Kongara
- Writers: Sudha Kongara, Shalini Ushadevi, Vijay Kumar
- Year of release: 2019
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Written and directed by Sunil Acharya, this thriller movie is jam-packed with action! This movie centers around the protagonist Robert, and his thirst for the truth. He embarks on a journey to a distant village called Odeyana Samudra on a mission to find his true identity. Watch the movie as the continued plot twists keep enhancing your excitement level. Primarily starring Shreya Anchan, Raashi Balakrishna, Lakshmi Hegde, and many more renowned actors and actresses as leads, this engaging movie keeps you at the edge of your seat.The movie has a superb screenplay and an immensely thrilling storyline, thus closing on sixth place on the best South Indian movies list.
7. K.G.F.: Chapter 1 (2018) + Chapter 2 (2022)
- Movie Genre: Drama, Action, Crime
- Running Time: 168 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Yash, Srinidhi Shetty, Ramachandra Raju
- Director: Prashanth Neel
- Writer: M Chandramouli, Raaghav Vinay Shivagange, Prashanth Neel
- Year of release: 2022
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Written and directed by Prashanth Neel, this criminal drama movie has bagged twelve awards and one nomination! Chapter one of this series focuses on a gangster who goes undercover as a servant. Set in the 1970s, he is determined to assassinate the owner of an infamous gold mine. Chapter two of this series focuses on Rocky - a new overlord - who fights his way towards unchallenged leadership. Primarily starring Yash, Srinidhi Shetty, Ramachandra Raju, Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, and many more renowned actors and actresses as leads, the movie delivers intense drama and action-packed scenes. The movie screenplay, cinematography, performances, and dialogue delivery make it exceedingly engaging, thus falling seventh on the best South Indian movies list.
8. Kaithi (2019)
- Movie Genre: Drama, Action, Adventure, Crime
- Running Time: 145 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Karthi, Narain, Arjun Das
- Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj
- Writers: Lokesh Kanagaraj, Pon Parthiban, Sanjeev Tiwari
- Year of release: 2019
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Disney Plus Hotstar
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, this drama thriller movie has bagged eight awards and four nominations! This movie revolves around the life of an ex-convict, Dilli, who wishes to meet his daughter soon after leaving the prison. But he finds himself in the middle of a drug raid that an inspector plans to interrupt him. Primarily starring Karthi, Narain, Arjun Das, and many more renowned actors and actresses as leads, the movie takes place in just one night. The movie is entertaining and action-packed, thus gaining the eighth position on the best South Indian movies list.
9. Jersey (2019)
- Movie Genre: Drama, Sport
- Running Time: 157 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Nani, Shraddha Srinath, Sathyaraj
- Director: Gowtam Tinnanuri
- Writer: Gowtam Tinnanuri
- Year of release: 2019
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Disney Plus Hotstar
- IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, this sports drama movie has bagged eight awards and four nominations! This movie features the life of a former cricketer, Arjun, who has not been very lucky in his cricketing career but decides to revive his career in the late 30s against everyone's skeptical mindset. Primarily starring Nani, Shraddha Srinath, Sathyaraj, and many more renowned actors and actresses as leads, the movie delivers a strong message of pursuing your dreams despite the circumstances. The movie also has a Bollywood remake (2022) starring Shahid Kapoor, Pankaj Kapur, and Mrunal Thakur in lead roles.
10. Asuran (2019)
- Movie Genre: Drama, Action
- Running Time: 141 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Dhanush, Manju Warrier, Prakash Raj
- Director: Vetrimaaran
- Writers: M.S. Manimaran, Vetrimaaran, Suka
- Year of release: 2019
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Directed by Vetrimaaran, this action drama movie has bagged fourteen awards and three nominations! The story of this movie was from a novel called Vekkai written by a famous Tamil novelist, Poomani. It revolves around the love, bond, and the urge of an underprivileged father to save his teenage son after his son kills an upper-caste wealthy landlord. Primarily starring Dhanush, Manju Warrier, Prakash Raj, and many more renowned actors and actresses as leads, the movie is both critically and commercially acclaimed. The movie is a feature benchmark, thus closing in the tenth position on the best South Indian movies list.
11. Mahanati (2018)
- Movie Genre: Drama, Biography
- Running Time: 177 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Keerthy Suresh, Dulquer Salmaan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu
- Director: Nag Ashwin
- Writers: Nag Ashwin, Sai Madhav Burra, Padmavathi Visweswar
- Year of release: 2018
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Directed by Nag Ashwin, this drama movie has bagged sixteen awards and nine nominations! The story of this movie showcases the life of a South Indian actress, Savitri. She was the first female superstar and the queen of the movie industry during the 50s and the 60s. Primarily starring Keerthy Suresh, Dulquer Salmaan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and many more renowned actors and actresses as leads, the movie is a beautiful biography. The movie is purely cinematic, thus winning its place in the eleventh position on the best South Indian movies list.
12. Visaaranai (2015)
- Movie Genre: Drama, Crime, Thriller
- Running Time: 117 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Dinesh, Samuthirakani, Anandhi
- Director: Vetrimaaran
- Writers: Chandrakumar, Vetrimaaran
- Year of release: 2015
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Directed by Vetrimaaran, this criminal drama movie has bagged eleven awards and seven nominations! The movie is based on the real-life story of a person who went ahead to write his experience into a book called Lockup in Tamil. This plot centers on the struggle of four immigrants waiting for justice as the local police torture and force them to accept a crime they did not commit. Primarily starring Dinesh, Samuthirakani, Anandhi, Murugadass, and many more renowned actors and actresses as leads, this masterpiece movie will surely make you feel an intense chill. The movie screenplay is extensively gripping with continued surprise, thus falling twelfth on the best South Indian movies list.
13. Drishyam 2 (2021)
- Movie Genre: Drama, Crime, Thriller
- Running Time: 160 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba
- Director: Jeethu Joseph
- Writer: Jeethu Joseph
- Year of release: 2021
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Primarily starring Mohanlal, Meena, and Ansiba. Written and directed by Jeethu Joseph, this crime thriller drama movie has bagged seven nominations! The storyline of the movie Drishyam 2 is a continuation of Drishyam, which was released in 2013. The first part hugely won the hearts of the viewers, urging Jeethu Joseph for a sequel. While the plot of Drishyam 2 remains mostly similar, i.e., Georgekutty trying to protect his family, the suspense element loaded with gripping and nail-biting storytelling will definitely keep you hooked until the end. Thus, falling on our list of must-watch South Indian movies!
14. Vikram Vedha (2017)
- Movie Genre: Drama, Action, Crime
- Running Time: 154 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Madhavan, Vijay Sethupathi, Shraddha Srinath
- Director: Gayatri, Pushkar Gowtham Selvaraj
- Writer: Manikandan K., Gautam Siddharth, Gayatri
- Year of release: 2017
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Disney Plus Hotstar
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
The storyline of this drama movie revolves around a no-nonsense badass police officer, Vikram, and a smuggler-murderer, Vedha. When Simon, Vikram's partner, kills Vedha's trusted assistants, Vedha engages in a troubling mind game of hide seek, leading to changing Vikram's life. The wow factor of the movie is its well-crafted screenplay. Combine it with a perfect pace of events, sharp dialogues, and rock-solid characterizations. Overall, you will certainly be thrilled and at the edge, making this Neo-Noir South Indian film a must-watch!
15. Bangalore Days (2014) - Special mention
- Movie Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
- Running Time: 171 mins
- Movie Star Cast: Dulquer Salmaan, Nivin Pauly, Nazriya Nazim
- Director: Anjali Menon
- Writer: Anjali Menon
- Year of release: 2014
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Disney Plus Hotstar
- IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Written and directed by Anjali Menon, this wholesome movie has bagged twelve awards and two nominations! A simple, no-nonsense movie that unfolds the lives of three cousins cum best friends, Aju, Divya, and Kuttan. Once separated after school, the trio reunites in Bangalore and dives into a roller coaster journey of dreams and discoveries. Primarily starring Dulquer Salmaan, Nivin Pauly, Nazriya Nazim, and many more renowned actors and actresses as leads, this virtuous movie will make you feel all the emotions. It will take you down the memory lane reminiscing your friendships, laughter, fights, fun, and (eventually) growing up. The movie modestly is too pleasant to miss out on, thus honorably falling in on the best South Indian movies list.
Some of the best South Indian movies contain action, drama, emotions, and humor - in short, these movies are like gift hampers! From larger-than-life pictures to celebrating smaller joys of life, South Indian movies give a plethora of content to their audiences.
This list was our take on the 15 best South Indian movies (fun fact: most of these movies are also dubbed in Hindi. The point is to binge-watch these super entertaining movies irrespective of the language, plus there are always subtitles to the rescue!)
Which is your all-time favorite South Indian movie? Let us know in the comments below, and we'll straightaway jump in to watch it.
Also Read: 17 Most popular Bollywood films that are a remake of Korean movies
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