21 Best Tamil Movies of 2024: Where to Watch Them

As we step into 2024, Tamil cinema continues to captivate audiences with its vibrant storytelling and diverse genres. This year has seen an impressive lineup of films that not only entertain but also provoke thought and evoke emotion. From gripping dramas to light-hearted comedies, the best Tamil movies of 2024 showcase the talent and creativity of filmmakers who push boundaries and explore new narratives.

Maharaja, a film featuring the charismatic Vijay Sethupathi, takes viewers on a thrilling journey of vengeance, while Meiyazhagan offers a poignant exploration of personal transformation through unexpected encounters. The heartwarming tale of Vaazhai brings to life the struggles of a young boy and his family, reminding us of the beauty found in everyday challenges.

Moreover, films like Viduthalai Part 2 and Amaran delve into deeper societal issues, reflecting the changing landscape of Tamil cinema where stories often mirror real-life struggles. Each film not only aims to entertain but also serves as a commentary on contemporary issues, making this year particularly significant for audiences seeking meaningful cinema.

Join us as we explore the best Tamil movies of 2024, celebrating the artistry that defines this dynamic industry and the stories that resonate with viewers around the world.

Maharaja

Directed by: Nithilan Saminathan
Starring: Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas, Natty Subramaniam, Abhirami Gopikumar, Divyabharathi, Singampuli, Aruldoss, Munishkanth, Sachana Namidass, Manikandan and Bharathiraja
Where to watch: Netflix

The film follows Maharaja, a barber in Chennai, who goes to the police station to retrieve his stolen dustbin only for the police officers to find his intentions to be something else.

It stands out as a compelling revenge drama that successfully blends societal issues with commercial cinema elements. Vijay Sethupathi delivers a standout performance, embodying a well-crafted role that showcases his range and depth. The film’s tightly constructed screenplay by Nithilan Swaminathan rejuvenates the revenge genre with morally challenging revelations and gripping sequences.

Merry Christmas

Directed by: Sriram Raghavan
Starring: Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi, alongside Ashwini Kalsekar, Luke Kenny, and Pari Maheshwari Sharma
Where to watch: Netflix

The film follows on Christmas Eve, Albert returns home after several years of being away. Grieving for and adjusting to the loss of his mother, he steps out seeking cheer in the city’s Christmas Eve festivities. He meets the beautiful and mysterious Maria, and her little daughter who is mute. The night fans into long walks and conversations, sparking unexpected, but undeniable, magnetism between Albert and Maria. For Maria, Albert is everything she could have asked for… And for Albert, Maria is nothing short of a Christmas miracle. But things soon take a dark turn and an evening of romance turns into a nightmare.

Meiyazhagan

Directed by: C. Prem Kumar
Starring: Karthi, Arvind Swamy, Rajkiran, Sri Divya, Devadarshini, Jayaprakash, Sriranjani, Ilavarasu, Karunakaran and Saran Shakthi
Where to watch: Netflix

Life is always beautiful with all twist and turns. We cannot definitely judge on our future life but running Our current life and collecting our past life is wonderful. All members come through our life plays a important role. Certain people stick with us with loads of love and improve, few look out for our wealth and few play an empty role.

It received critical acclaim from critics who praised the lead cast’s performances (especially Karthi and Aravind Swamy), storyline, Govind Vasantha’s background score, emotional scenes and Premkumar’s screenplay and direction.

Kottukkaali (The Adamant Girl)

Directed by: P. S. Vinothraj
Starring: Soori, Anna Ben, Jawahar Sakthi, Poobalam Pragatheeswaran, Sai Abinaya
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, aha

A family takes their daughter, believed to be possessed but in love with a man from a different caste, on a journey to an exorcist. Accompanied by her betrothed, the trip unveils tensions between tradition and personal freedom, exposing her silent rebellion.

Thanks to PS Vinothraj’s masterful direction and exceptional performances by Anna Ben and Soori. The film intricately portrays the oppressive dynamics of patriarchy and caste through subtle symbolism, like Meena’s silent resilience mirrored by the trapped rooster. Anna Ben delivers a career-defining performance, embodying Meena’s steadfast spirit with minimal dialogue, while Soori’s portrayal of the volatile Pandi adds layers to the narrative. The absence of music enhances the raw and unfiltered storytelling, immersing viewers in the dysfunctional family’s reality.

Vaazhai

Directed by: Mari Selvaraj
Starring: Ponvel M., Raghul R., Kalaiyarasan, Nikhila Vimal, J. Satish Kumar, Dhivya Duraisamy, Karnan Janaki, and Nivedita Rajappan
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

12-year-old Sivanaindhan lives with his mother, sister, and friend in the village of Plantain Plantations. Hoping to seek a merry life, he lugs Plantains even during school holidays. Will his hard work pay off?

Amaran

Directed by: Rajkumar Periasamy
Starring: Sivakarthikeyan, Sai Pallavi, Rahul Bose and Bhuvan Arora
Where to watch: Netflix

It is an adaptation of the book series India’s Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh, which contains a segment based on Mukund. The film follows Indhu Rebecca Varghese, Mukund’s wife, who narrates the life of the Major on her way to New Delhi to receive the Ashoka Chakra, which was awarded posthumously to Mukund.

Viduthalai Part 2

Directed by: Vetrimaaran
Starring: Soori, Vijay Sethupathi, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Bhavani Sre, Rajiv Menon, Ilavarasu, Balaji Sakthivel, Saravana Subbiah, Chetan and Munnar Ramesh, Manju Warrier, Kishore, Anurag Kashyap, Bose Venkat, Vincent Asokan and Ken Karunas
Where to watch: ZEE5

The direct sequel to Viduthalai Part 1 (2023), it is the second of a two-part adaptation of Jeyamohan’s short story Thunaivan. Can a simple, law-abiding, and peace-loving young school teacher transform into a people`s leader, forming a small political party, engaging in armed rebellion, and rallying people to revolt?

Lubber Pandhu

Directed by: Tamizharasan Pachamuthu
Starring: Gethu Dinesh, Harish Kalyan, Sanjana Krishnamoorthy, Swasika, Bala Saravanan, Kaali Venkat, Geetha Kailasam, Devadarshini, TSK, Jenson Diwakar, and Pradeep Durairaj
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

Set against the rural backdrop, the film explores the exciting world of gully cricket focusing on the intense rivalry between two star players, Gethu and Anbu. When Anbu, gets romantically involved with Gethu`s daughter their rivalry escalates into a dramatic clash. The story builds to a climactic showdown where their skills and emotions are put to the ultimate test.

Lover

Directed by: Prabhuram Vyas
Starring: Manikandan, Sri Gouri Priya, Kanna Ravi, Saravanan, Geetha Kailasam, Harish Kumar, Nikhila Sankar, Rini, Pintu Pandu, Arunachaleswaran, and Harini
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

After six years of love, longing and togetherness, Arun and Divya start to drift apart. Will their love endure their differences, or does love need to endure so much?

Garudan

Directed by: R. S. Durai Senthilkumar
Starring: Soori, M. Sasikumar, Unni Mukundan, Roshini Haripriyan, Sshivada, Revathi Sharma, Samuthirakani, Vadivukkarasi, R. V. Udayakumar and Mime Gopi
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

It follows Sokkan, a trusted confidante of two childhood friends Aadhi and Karuna, whose loyalty is changed by a dynamic between betrayal and survival.

Black

Directed by: KG Balasubramani
Starring: Jiiva, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Vivek Prasanna, Yog Japee and Swayam Siddha
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

It is an adaptation of the 2013 American film Coherence, directed by James Ward Byrkit. The film follows newlyweds Vasanth and Aranya who goes on a vacation but realize they are stuck in a black hole which changes timeline each time they pass it.

Thangalaan

Directed by: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Vikram, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Malavika Mohanan, Daniel Caltagirone
Where to watch: Netflix 

During the British Raj, a fierce tribal leader Thangalaan and his tribe assist Lord Clement, a British General, to trace gold in their village. While searching for the gold, the villagers earn the wrath of Aarathi, an apparent sorceress.

Raayan

Directed by: Dhanush
Starring: Dhanush, S. J. Suryah, Sundeep Kishan, Kalidas Jayaram, Dushara Vijayan, Selvaraghavan, Prakash Raj, and Aparna Balamurali, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Saravanan, Dileepan and Divya Pillai
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

In the film, a fast-food truck owner in North Chennai struggles to protect his family when they inadvertently get muddled in a war between two rival gangs resulting in unforeseen circumstances.

Kadaisi Ulaga Por

Directed by: Hiphop Tamizha Aadhi
Starring: Hiphop Tamizha Aadhi, Nassar, Natty Subramaniam, Anagha, N. Azhagam Perumal, Harish Uthaman, Munishkanth, Singampuli, Kalyan Master, Elango Kumaravel, Thalaivaasal Vijay and Mahanadi Shankar
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

In a dystopian future, political conflicts arise in India due to trade blockades by international forces, resulting in civil unrest.

Raghu Thatha

Directed by: Suman Kumar
Starring: Keerthy Suresh, M. S. Bhaskar, Ravindra Vijay, Devadarshini, Jayakumar Parameswaran Pillai, Rajeev Ravindranathan, Anandsami, Rajesh Balachandiran and Aadhira Pandilakshmi
Where to watch: ZEE5

This is the hilarious story of a rebellious young woman, Kayalvizhi, who is forced to choose between principle and patriarchy.

Demonte Colony 2

Directed by: R. Ajay Gnanamuthu
Starring: Arulnithi, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Archana Ravichandran, Tsering Dorjee, Arun Pandian, Meenakshi Govindarajan and Sarjano Khalid
Where to watch: ZEE5

The sequel to Demonte Colony (2015). A group of friends who return to a cursed location, driven by curiosity and the quest to uncover the truth behind the malevolent spirits that reside there.

Captain Miller

Directed by: Arun Matheswaran
Starring: Dhanush, Shiva Rajkumar, Sundeep Kishan, Priyanka Mohan, Aditi Balan, Edward Sonnenblick and John Kokken
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

A Captain along with his unconventional outlaws execute daring heists until one day he must decide whether to continue running or confront the challenges.

Ayalaan

Directed by: R. Ravikumar
Starring: Sivakarthikeyan, Rakul Preet Singh, Sharad Kelkar, Isha Koppikar, Karunakaran, Yogi Babu, David Broughton-Davies, Bhanupriya, and Bala Saravanan, with Siddharth (voice)
Where to watch: Sun NXT

An alien teams up with a good-hearted young man to stop a ruthless industrialist whose project may lead to the destruction of the planet.

Blue Star

Directed by: S. Jayakumar
Starring: Ashok Selvan, Keerthi Pandian, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, Prithvi Rajan, Bagavathi Perumal, Elango Kumaravel, Lizzie Antony, Saju Navodaya
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Set in the 1990s, the film is based in Arakkonam and follows the rivalry between two groups belonging to different castes against the backdrop of cricket. The plot follows their transition from enemies to friends and the trope between the different teams, while addressing the sport’s segregation and inequalities, explored when both the team captains are exposed to discrimination and segregation from another world of cricket.

Neela Nira Sooriyan

Directed by: Samyuktha Vijayan
Starring: Samyuktha Vijayan, Kitty Krishnamoorthy, Gajaraj, Masanth Natarajan
Where to watch: Theatre

The film revolves around a high school teacher Aravind who hails from a small town in Tamil Nadu and has to undergo a courageous journey to transition from male to female in a conservative community.

Miss You

Directed by: N. Rajasekar
Starring: Siddharth, Ashika Ranganath, Ponvannan, Jayaprakash, Anupama, Bala Saravanan, Karunakaran, Lollu Sabha Maaran, and Sastika Rajendran
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

A young man finds himself unexpectedly falling for a woman he initially despised. Their emotional journey explores the depth behind her refusal and the rollercoaster of feelings that unfolds.