Okay, let’s be real for a second – Best South Indian Movies aren’t just movies anymore; they’re events. Whether it’s the mass hysteria of Pushpa, the cultural storm of Kantara, or the global Oscar-winning moment of RRR, South cinema has officially taken over living rooms across India and beyond.
Gone are the days when Bollywood alone ruled the “big screen” conversations. Everyone, who never even watched a Telugu or Malayalam movie in his/her life is now proudly repeating lines such as “Thaggede Le!”. or singing or humming Naatu Naatu at party.
Or have you been wondering where to begin or what kind of films are the true definitions of the magic, here is a fun human-style list of the best South Indian movies that you must binge on.
⭐ 1. RRR (2022) – The Global Rockstar
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Language: Telugu
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Director: S.S. Rajamouli
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Cast: Ram Charan, Jr. NTR, Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn
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IMDb: 7.9/10
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. Or should we say, the tiger? (Remember that scene where Jr. NTR jumps out with wild animals? Goosebumps!).
RRR isn’t just another action drama. It’s Rajamouli saying: “Why limit cinema when you can make it larger than life?” With heart-pounding bromance, insane stunts, and that iconic “Naatu Naatu” dance that even Hollywood stars tried to copy, this film didn’t just win an Oscar – it won millions of fans worldwide.
Fun fact: It was made on a jaw-dropping budget of over ₹550 crores, making it one of India’s costliest films. Totally worth every penny.
⭐ 2. Baahubali Series (2015 & 2017) – The Gamechanger
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Language: Telugu
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Director: S.S. Rajamouli
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Cast: Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah
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IMDb: 8.0/10
Before RRR, there was Baahubali starring Prabhas. Honestly, this is the film that made non-South viewers sit up and say: “Okay wait… THIS is Indian cinema?”
From that breathtaking waterfall intro to the jaw-dropping climax (“Katappa ne Baahubali ko kyun maara?” literally shook the country), this two-part epic changed the way Indian movies are made.
Why watch it? Because it’s not just a movie. It’s myth, drama, action, and pure visual wonder rolled into one.
⭐ 3. Vikram (2022) – Kamal Haasan’s Roaring Comeback
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Language: Tamil
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Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj
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Cast: Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil
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IMDb: 8.3/10
If you thought Best South Indian Movies was only about fantasy epics, Vikram will prove you wrong. This slick, stylish action thriller is dark, gritty, and oh-so-addictive.
The screen was dominated by Kamal Haasan after a long time and the villain-hero relationships between Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil were even more delicious. Also, it belongs to the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), which is shaping into something as thrilling as the universe of Marvel to the Indian audience.
⭐ 4. K.G.F: Chapter 1 & 2 (2018, 2022) – Rise of Rocky Bhai
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Language: Kannada
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Director: Prashanth Neel
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Cast: Yash, Sanjay Dutt, Srinidhi Shetty, Raveena Tandon
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IMDb: 8.3/10
Few characters have made an entry as iconic as Rocky Bhai. With his stylish walk, cigarette flicks, and fearless attitude, Yash transformed into a nationwide sensation.
Chapter 2 cranked things up with Sanjay Dutt as Adheera and Raveena Tandon in a powerful role. If you love gangster dramas with high-voltage dialogues, this one’s for you.
Pro tip: Watch it with friends – it’s double the fun when everyone’s cheering “Rocky Bhaiiii!”
⭐ 5. Pushpa: The Rise (2021) – Swag Redefined
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Language: Telugu
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Director: Sukumar
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Cast: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil
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IMDb: 7.6/10
This one had the entire nation walking with a tilted shoulder. Allu Arjun as Pushpa Raj gave us one of the most stylish performances in recent memory. His catchphrase “Thaggede Le” (I won’t bow down) became everyone’s attitude for months.
Add to that Rashmika’s charm and Fahadh Faasil’s villainy, and you’ve got a masala entertainer that still trends on reels. And yes, Pushpa 2 is on its way – fans are counting days already.
⭐ 6. Drishyam (2013, Malayalam) – The Smartest Thriller Ever
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Language: Malayalam
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Director: Jeethu Joseph
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Cast: Mohanlal, Meena
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IMDb: 8.3/10
In case you are fond of cunning, convoluted thrillers, Drishyam will make your head spin. It is about a regular man, played by the legend Mohanlal, who takes extreme measures to save his family after some unplanned robbery.
It is so close to the story that this film was also adapted in Hindi, Tamil, and even Chinese! Nothing however is as good as the original nothing.
⭐ 7. 96 (2018, Tamil) – When Love Hurts in the Best Way
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Language: Tamil
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Director: C. Premkumar
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Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Trisha Krishnan
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IMDb: 8.5/10
You do not always need explosions and superheroes all you need is a silent movie of two people who used to be in love. 96 is just that.
It is a reunion of decades of Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha in this movie, and the nostalgia, unspoken words, and sheer emotions will make you your eyes fill. This movie will resonate with you in case you have experienced a first love.
⭐ 8. Jersey (2019, Telugu) – Cricket + Emotions = Perfection
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Language: Telugu
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Director: Gowtam Tinnanuri
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Cast: Nani, Shraddha Srinath
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IMDb: 8.5/10
Forget the Bollywood remake for a second. The original Jersey is a heartfelt story about a father who returns to cricket, not for glory, but for his son.
Nani presents a career best performance, being both vulnerable and passionate. It is the type of a film that will cause you to shed tears, smile and shedding more tears.
⭐ 9. Kantara (2022, Kannada) – A Cultural Phenomenon
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Language: Kannada
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Director: Rishab Shetty
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Cast: Rishab Shetty, Sapthami Gowda
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IMDb: 8.2/10
No movie captured India’s folklore quite like Kantara. Rishab Shetty has directed and acted in this film, and it combines mysticism, village politics and jaw-dropping action.
That climax? One word: goosebumps. This isn’t just cinema – it’s an experience deeply rooted in Indian tradition.
⭐ 10. Eega (2012, Telugu) – The Revenge of a Fly
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Language: Telugu
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Director: S.S. Rajamouli
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Cast: Nani, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Sudeep
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IMDb: 7.7/10
It was only Best South Indian Movies cinema that might consider such a thing: a man, reborn into a fly, to avenge. Sounds bizarre? Maybe. But is it fun? Absolutely!
Rajamouli once again demonstrates that there are no boundaries in imagination. The combination of humor, creativity and emotions makes Eega memorable.
| Movie | Year | Language | IMDb Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRR | 2022 | Telugu | 7.9 |
| Baahubali: 1 & 2 | 2015/2017 | Telugu | 8.0 |
| Vikram | 2022 | Tamil | 8.3 |
| K.G.F: Chapter 1 & 2 | 2018/2022 | Kannada | 8.3 |
| Pushpa: The Rise | 2021 | Telugu | 7.6 |
| Drishyam | 2013 | Malayalam | 8.3 |
| 96 | 2018 | Tamil | 8.5 |
| Jersey | 2019 | Telugu | 8.5 |
| Kantara | 2022 | Kannada | 8.2 |
| Eega | 2012 | Telugu | 7.7 |
Best South Indian Movies: So, Where Should You Start?
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Love grand spectacles? Begin with RRR or Baahubali.
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Craving raw mass action? Go for K.G.F or Pushpa.
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Prefer emotional stories? Try 96 or Jersey.
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Want thrills and suspense? Drishyam and Vikram will not disappoint.
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In the mood for something unique? Buckle up for Kantara or Eega.
Final Thoughts – Best South Indian Movies
The South Indian films are beautiful in the fact that they are versatile. You are one minute viewing a huge battlefield with hundreds of warriors (Baahubali) and the next minute are shedding tears over a childhood love affair (96).
The thing is that they are so addictive because of the balance, of the visuals that are too large-than-life and the emotions of personal connection. And that is the reason why the Best South Indian Movies no longer can be considered regional blockbusters but they can be global pop culture.
Therefore, bring your popcorn (and perhaps your tissues) and indulge in this list and let South Indian filmmaking give you a ride that you are not going to forget soon.
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