The South Indian film Industry is at par with its competitors – Bollywood and Hollywood. Recently, the Indian- Telugu language film RRR won numerous well-deserving accolades, bringing a lot of attention to South Indian cinema. 2022 proved to be their year and it seems like in 2023, Tollywood has resolved to be bigger and better than ever before. This list of Best South Indian movies of 2023 is proof! let’s take a look, shall we?
1. Thunivu – Netflix
Tamil movie, Thunivu is a crime action drama revolving around a large-scale bank robbery. The motive of the robbery however remains a mystery till the very end which kept the audience glued to their seat. Directed by K. Vinoth, the movie is a masterpiece and has won the hearts of many. Ajith Kumar’s world-class action and the realistic messages delivered through an extraordinary plot made Thunivu one of the highest-grossing South Indian movies of 2023 so far.
2. Varisu – Amazon Prime
Released on the same day as Thunivu, Varisu was in close competition with Thunivu. However, both movies turned out to be commercial successes providing full-on entertainment to audiences all across India. The Tamil movie starring Vijay and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles is a perfect blend of comedy action drama and romance and is a must-watch. It is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
3. Waltair Veerayya – Netflix
Waltair Veerayya is another blockbuster that you cannot miss. With Chiranjeevi, Ravi Teja and Shruti Hassan, the movie deals with two friends- a cop and a fisherman and the fisherman’s endeavours in smuggling. The movie marked the return of Chiranjeevi to the big screen after a long time. the mesmerizing dialogue delivery and the action-packed plot make this movie one of the best South Indian movies of 2023.
4. Vaathi – Netflix
A movie with an inspiring and eye-opening message, Vaathi is one of the best movies to have been released this year. Featuring Dhanush, Samyukta Menon and Samuthirakani, the movie narrates the fight of a common teacher against the excessive privatization of education. It sends several strong messages to the public and lays a special emphasis on the relationship between a student and a teacher. You can watch Vaathi on Netflix.
5. Ponniyin Selvan: II – Amazon Prime
The second installment of the very successful movie Ponniyin Selvan which came out in 2022 was released this year in April. Directed by Mani Ratnam, one of the South Indian film industry’s finest directors, this sequel was much awaited by the audience. Both movies are period dramas dealing with the chronicles of Aditha Karikalan of the Chola empire. Starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sobhita Dhulipala, Vikram and Trisha Krishnan, the movie gained a lot of attention for its mesmerizing visuals that will leave any viewer in a trance. The movie can be watched on Amazon Prime.
6. 2018: Everyone’s a Hero – Sony LIV
2018 the movie is a Malayalam thriller drama about the tragic floods that occurred in Kerala in 2018. It shows the problems faced by people from all walks of life during the flood. The real-life incidents narrated in the movie make us realize how tragic this tale of survival was. Not only is the script of the movie heartbreaking and emotionally stirring, but the making also adds to the essence of the movie. It invokes our natural instinct of humanity and of preservation and is easily one of the best South Indian movies of 2023. It is available to watch on Sony LIV.
7. Dasara – Netflix
Dasara is a Telugu language period drama set in the Singaneri coal mines of Telangana. It deals with the concepts of friendship, love, lust, casteism and alcoholism. The movie stars Nani, Keerthy Suresh and Deekshith Shetty in the main roles and is the directorial debut of Srikanth Odela. The audience was impressed by the skill that was put into the making of the movie as each frame of the movie is perfectly shot. Nani’s acting too was widely appreciated. With a budget of 65cr INR, the movie gained a whopping 118.5cr INR as a box office collection. It was a complete blockbuster hit. Watch Dasara only on Netflix.
8. Virupaksha – Netflix
A Telugu horror thriller, Virupaksha is a completely mind-boggling movie that will keep you on the edge of your seats. It tells the story of Surya who sets out to uncover the mystery behind a series of deaths in his village. It is a gripping tale with brilliant narration and well-carried-out cinematography. This, too was a hit among the masses and is now available to watch on Netflix.
9. Balagam – Amazon Prime
A simplistic feel-good movie that talks about familial bonds and how our strong native roots are important to us. It is not just a commercial entertainer but will take you on a nostalgic journey taking you back to simple times. With family dynamics woven in this mild-natured film, it is definitely a must-watch for all its beauty.
10. Viduthalai Part 1 – Zee5
When Vetri Maaran is associated with the film, the expectations are a little too high. But no worries, Viduthalai passes all that with ease. The story revolves around the life of a police officer who tries hard to remain righteous in the conflict between the government and a revolutionary group. The climax gives a hint about the second part and leaves the viewers eager for more.
11. Romancham – Disney Hotstar
Do you love horror? Then Romancham is for you. Do you also love comedy? Then Romancham is definitely for you. This laughter riot horror movie had audiences in splits even after scaring them. It’s difficult to pull off the horror-comedy genre but this movie does it well. The film focuses on a group of youngsters in Bengaluru who tries the Ouija board and things go hilariously wrong.
12. Por Thozhil – Sony LIV
This intense crime thriller that turns out to be a psychological serial killer movie will keep you on the edge of your seats. The screenplay and the effective writing do justice to this amazing plot. Ashok Selvan and Sarathkumar in leading roles is a treat for all moviegoers.
13. Maaveeran (yet to release on ott)
This Tamil movie is definitely one of a kind. A social commentary on the malpractices of the government mixed with a hint of fantasy is something more than ordinary. But with plots this interesting, the execution needs to be top-notch to balance everything out, and that’s where Madonne Ashwin’s vision shines. This entertainer will surely make your weekend better.
As Deepika Padukone at the Oscars said, “It’s just the tip of the iceberg”. Stay tuned to find out which other movies make it to our list of the Best South Indian Movies of 2023 and let us know if we’ve missed any! Until next time!