top 50 tamil movies of all time to be watched before you die
by cityvile008 | created - 17 Sep 2011 | updated - 20 Dec 2012 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Anbe Sivam (2003)
Not Rated | 160 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Two men, one young and arrogant, the other damaged - physically but not spiritually - by life, are thrown together by circumstances, and find that they are in some ways bound together by fate.
Director: Sundar C. | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Madhavan, Kiran Rathod, Nassar
Votes: 25,311
anbe sivam
2. Server Sundaram (1964)
Not Rated | 165 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A poor waiter falls for a rich woman. With the help of his best friend, he becomes a successful film actor. But he is unaware that his friend and his ladylove love each other.
Directors: R. Krishnan, S. Panju | Stars: Goundamani, S.N. Lakshmi, Aachi Manorama, R. Muthuraman
Votes: 380
3. Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)
Not Rated | 136 min | Action, Drama, War
A little girl is told by her parents that she is adopted. Determined to find her real mother, she begs to be taken to Sri Lanka, where her mother works with a militant group of activists.
Director: Mani Ratnam | Stars: Keerthana Parthiepan, Simran, Madhavan, Nandita Das
Votes: 9,224
kanathil muthamital
4. Guna (1991)
Not Rated | 167 min | Drama, Romance
A neurodivergent individual escapes the family he despises and the asylum he is kept in by creating fantasies.
Director: Santhana Bharathi | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Roshini, Rekha, Varalakshmi S.
Votes: 3,184
5. Thalapathi (1991)
Not Rated | 157 min | Action, Crime, Drama
An orphan named Surya raised in a slum befriends a good crime boss named Devaraj and works for him. Their existence is threatened when a new honest district collector arrives.
Director: Mani Ratnam | Stars: Rajinikanth, Mammootty, Shobana, Arvind Swamy
Votes: 13,242
6. Edhir Neechal (1968)
Not Rated | 167 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
An orphan who lives by doing odd jobs in a building complex falls in love with one of the residents
Director: K. Balachander | Stars: Nagesh, Jayanthi, R. Muthuraman, Major Sundarrajan
Votes: 485
7. Roja (1992)
137 min | Drama, Romance, Thriller
A woman from a village in Tamil Nadu marries a sophisticated city dweller and moves with him to Kashmir, where all is rosy - until he gets kidnapped by militants.
Director: Mani Ratnam | Stars: Arvind Swamy, Madhoo, Pankaj Kapur, Nassar
Votes: 13,716
8. Ratha Kanneer (1954)
154 min | Drama
The story revolves around Mohanasundaram, a returned-from-abroad, westernized, rich man who shows arrogance and contempt towards anything part of Indian culture and anyone below his social standards.
Directors: R. Krishnan, S. Panju | Stars: M.R. Radha, S.S. Rajendran, M.N. Rajam, J.P. Chandrababu
Votes: 366
9. Thevar Magan (1992)
145 min | Action, Drama, Romance
The urbane son of a village chieftain struggles between his personal aspirations and those of his family.
Director: Bharathan | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Shivaji Ganesan, Nassar, Revathi
Votes: 8,027
10. Aayirathil Oruvan (2009)
Not Rated | 138 min | Drama
Aravindan borrows a huge sum of money for his sister's marriage. Soon, as he strives hard to repay the moneylender, he finds himself in the middle of a vicious debt trap.
Director: Sibi Malayil | Stars: Indrans, Irshad, Anu Joseph, Salim Kumar
Votes: 172
11. Mouna Ragam (1986)
146 min | Drama, Romance
Divya, a woman grieving over the death of her lover, is convinced into an arranged marriage with Chandra Kumar. Over a year the couple attempt to adjust to each other's presence and live with each other.
Directors: Ambili, Mani Ratnam | Stars: Revathi, Mohan, Karthik, V.K. Ramasamy
Votes: 4,272
12. Raaja Paarvai (1981)
Not Rated | 144 min | Drama, Romance
The story is about a blind violinist who falls in love with a rich girl and ends up facing many difficulties.
Director: Singeetam Srinivasa Rao | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Madhavi, Y.G. Mahendran, L.V. Prasad
Votes: 260
13. Sumaithangi (1962)
Not Rated | 160 min | Drama
A young man is forced to make several sacrifices throughout his life. He gives up his job and his love and is eventually pushed to breaking point.
Director: C.V. Sridhar | Stars: Gemini Ganesan, Devika, L. Vijayalakshmi, K. Sarangapani
Votes: 36
sumaithaangi
14. Indian (1996)
Not Rated | 185 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
A veteran freedom fighter enraged with the rising crime and corruption in the society murders all the wrong doers one by one using an ancient martial arts technique.
Director: S. Shankar | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Sukanya, Manisha Koirala, Urmila Matondkar
Votes: 13,864
INDIAN
15. Moondram Pirai (1982)
143 min | Drama, Romance
A young woman regresses to childhood after suffering a head injury in a car crash. Lost, she ends up trapped at a brothel before being rescued by a lonely school teacher who falls in love with her.
Director: Balu Mahendra | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Y.G. Mahendran, Silk Smitha
Votes: 3,228
16. Mahanadi (1994)
162 min | Crime, Drama
An innocent man is framed in a financial scam and imprisoned. After his release, he learns that his daughter was sold into prostitution and he struggles to free her.
Director: Santhana Bharathi | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Sukanya, Poornam Vishwanathan, Mahanadhi Shobana
Votes: 4,454
17. Pathinaru Vayathinile (1977)
Not Rated | 139 min | Drama, Romance
The movie revolves around the struggle and vulnerability of 16-year old Mayil (Sridevi) when in love.
Director: Bharathiraja | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Rajinikanth, Gandhimathi
Votes: 1,243
18. Muthal Mariyathai (1985)
Not Rated | 163 min | Drama
A friendship between a middle-aged upper-caste man in a village and a boatman's daughter raises eyebrows.
Director: Bharathiraja | Stars: Shivaji Ganesan, Radha, Renjini, Sathyaraj
Votes: 519
19. Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989)
157 min | Action, Comedy, Drama
Appu and Raja are twins who were separated at birth, grow up in different localities. Appu's quest for revenge begins upon learning that his father was killed by four criminals.
Director: Singeetam Srinivasa Rao | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Nagesh, Srividya, Gautami
Votes: 4,562
20. Parasakthi (1952)
Not Rated | 188 min | Drama
Brothers Chandrasekaran, Gnanasekaran and Gunasekaran are Indian immigrants living in Burma. Things take a turn when their brother-in-law dies in an accident and their father dies of shock.
Directors: R. Krishnan, S. Panju | Stars: Pandari Bai, Doraiswamy, Shivaji Ganesan, T.P. Muthulakshmi
Votes: 354
21. Anjali (1990)
Not Rated | 150 min | Drama
After a few years, Chitra learns that her child, who was believed to be dead, is alive but is suffering from a mental illness. However, her family faces many challenges while looking after her child.
Director: Mani Ratnam | Stars: Shamili, Revathi, Raghuvaran, Tarun
Votes: 3,177
22. Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988)
169 min | Drama, Musical
Udhayamoorthi (Kamal Haasan), son of an orthodox Carnatic Musician, Marthandam Pillai, voices for social causes against his father's will and in a way gains the trust of local people and brings self-awareness in neighboring villages.
Director: K. Balachander | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Seetha, Gemini Ganesan, Aachi Manorama
Votes: 770
24. Amaidhi Padai (1994)
Not Rated | 172 min | Action, Crime, Drama
An ambitious and unscrupulous man becomes a major politician using unethical means, but his illegitimate son is posted as police inspector in his constituency and vows to stop his father's illegal activities.
Director: Manivannan | Stars: Manivannan, Ranjitha, Sathyaraj, Kasthuri Shankar
Votes: 548
25. Azhakan (1991)
154 min | Drama, Romance
Three women, four children, and many more people besides have deep love for a hotel owner, yet choosing the right partner for this man takes some doing.
Director: K. Balachander | Stars: Mammootty, Bhanupriya, Geetha, Madhoo
Votes: 230
26. Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi (1987)
Not Rated | 145 min | Comedy, Drama
Two mischievous brothers fall for the same girl.
Director: Manivannan | Stars: Nadia Moidu, Nizhalgal Ravi, Prabhu, Sathyaraj
Votes: 124
27. Aan Paavam (1985)
Not Rated | 136 min | Comedy
An error during an arranged marriage pre-meeting triggers a socially-unaccepted romance.
Directors: R. Pandiaraajan, Pandiarajan | Stars: Janagaraj, Janakaraj, Kollangudi Karuppayee, Kollangudi Karuppayi
Votes: 389
28. Agni Natchathiram (1988)
Not Rated | 146 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Two men having the same father , but different mothers hate each other and often get into fights. But they are forced to join hands when their father's life is endangered.
Director: Mani Ratnam | Stars: Karthik, Prabhu, Vijayakumar, Amala Akkineni
Votes: 1,433
29. Tik Tik Tik (1981)
Not Rated | 164 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
A fashion photographer gets embroiled in a series of grisly murders
Director: Bharathiraja | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Madhavi, Radha, Swapna
Votes: 293
30. Antha Ezhu Natkal (1981)
137 min | Drama
A poor musician enters the city dreaming to become a music director finds his lady- love as the wife of his producer.
Director: Bhagyaraj | Stars: Ambika, Bhagyaraj, Goundamani, Rajesh
Votes: 219
31. Kadalikka Neramillai (1964)
Not Rated | 159 min | Comedy, Romance
Ashok is in love with his boss' daughter, Nirmala. To convince Viswanathan, he seeks his best friend Vasu's help, who disguises as his father.
Director: C.V. Sridhar | Stars: Ravichandran, Kanchana, T.S. Balaiah, Nagesh
Votes: 437
evergreen comedy film
32. Idhayam (1991)
130 min | Drama, Romance
A village boy who comes to town to study Medicine, falls in love with a city girl, but never discloses his love.
Director: Kathir | Stars: Chinnijayanth, Prabhu Deva, Janakaraj, Aachi Manorama
Votes: 177
34. Anbulla Rajanikant (1984)
Not Rated | 138 min | Action, Drama, Family
A disabled child in a group home starts corresponding with a matinee idol
Director: K. Nataraj | Stars: Rajinikanth, Ambika, Bhagyaraj, Meena
Votes: 208
35. Andha Naal (1954)
130 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
After an engineer is shot dead, several people around him relate different versions and the related incidents that may have led to the murder.
Director: Sundaram Balachander | Stars: Shivaji Ganesan, Pandari Bai, Jawar N. Sitaraman, T.K. Balachandran
Votes: 478
the first tamil film without a single song " crime story "
36. Chinna Thambi (1991)
144 min | Drama, Romance
A rich girl is guarded by her possessive brothers due to an astrologer's prediction, that she will marry a man from a lower caste, against their wishes. Can they stop the wheels of fate?
Director: P. Vasu | Stars: Prabhu, Kushboo, Aachi Manorama, Radha Ravi
Votes: 236
37. Yaar Nee? (1966)
152 min | Mystery, Thriller
Through a series of mysterious unfortunate incidents, a doctor is inclined to believe that he's being haunted by the ghost of a woman he was in love with in a past life, and the woman's ... See full summary »
Director: Sathyam | Stars: Jaishankar, Jayalalitha J, Aachi Manorama, S.V. Ramadoss
Votes: 55
38. Mullum Malarum (1978)
Not Rated | 143 min | Drama
A boorish villager butts heads with a newly appointed engineer from the city.
Director: J. Mahendran | Stars: Rajinikanth, Sarath Babu, Jayalakshmi, Shoba
Votes: 966
39. 7/G Rainbow Colony (2004)
Not Rated | 186 min | Drama, Romance
A neighborhood good-for-nothing attempts to romance the new girl in town.
Director: K. Selvaraghavan | Stars: Ravi Krishna, Sonia Agarwal, Suman Shetty, Vijayan
Votes: 3,015
40. Nammavar (1994)
Not Rated | 178 min | Drama
A new professor cleans up a crime-ridden college
Director: K.S. Sethumadhavan | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Gautami, Nagesh, Karan
Votes: 891
41. Moodupani (1980)
131 min | Crime, Thriller
A successful businessman develops a hatred towards women as a result of his troubled childhood, which involved the separation of his parents owing to his father's affection towards a prostitute.
Director: Balu Mahendra | Stars: Prathap Pothen, Shobha, Malasia Bhaskar, Gandhimathi
Votes: 2,125
42. Gentleman (1993)
Not Rated | 160 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
Due to a past tragedy , a small business owner by day becomes modern day Robin Hood by night takes from the rich to provide education for the poor.
Director: S. Shankar | Stars: Arjun Sarja, Madhoo, Subhasri, M.N. Nambiar
Votes: 2,686
43. Pithamagan (2003)
Not Rated | 139 min | Action, Drama
Chittan, a social outcast, has grown up in a cemetery. A drug dealer finds him a job in a cannabis farm. In prison, he meets a conman, Shakti. This friendship transforms him from his stony existence.
Director: Bala | Stars: Vikram, Suriya, Laila, Sangeetha
Votes: 7,493
44. Gauravam (1973)
Drama
Emotional drama of two lawyers - uncle and nephew - Shivaji Ganesan in dual role. Uncle obsessed with legalities alone whereas the nephew intent on looking at the moralities too.
Director: Vietnam Veetu Sundaram | Stars: Pandari Bai, Chendamarai, Shivaji Ganesan, Jayakumari
Votes: 134
45. Market Street (2010)
151 min | Drama
The story on the lives of a salesgirl and sales boy of a popular Saree store in Chennai.
Director: Vasanthabalan | Stars: Angadi Theru Mahesh, Anjali, A. Venkatesh, Pandi
Votes: 1,402
46. Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal (1989)
Not Rated | 150 min | Comedy, Drama
A singer (Bharathi) who is tricked into marriage by his mother-in-law, his wife (Gowri )is enormously possessive about his fame and his female fans. One day they encounter into a fight and ... See full summary »
Director: K. Balachander | Stars: Rahman, Sithara, Geetha, Chi Gurudutt
Votes: 206
47. Mouna Geethanagal (1981)
Not Rated | 137 min
The story of a divorced husband eager to reunite with his ex-wife and son.
Director: Bhagyaraj | Stars: Bhagyaraj, Saritha
Votes: 71
48. Varumayin Niram Sigappu (1980)
Not Rated | 138 min | Drama
Poetical forces play in the life of an unemployed yet well educated young man.He finds the depth and the beauty of his principles yet fate leaves him in destitution
Director: K. Balachander | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Prathap Pothen, Dilip
Votes: 1,117
49. Chinna Thambi (1991)
144 min | Drama, Romance
A rich girl is guarded by her possessive brothers due to an astrologer's prediction, that she will marry a man from a lower caste, against their wishes. Can they stop the wheels of fate?
Director: P. Vasu | Stars: Prabhu, Kushboo, Aachi Manorama, Radha Ravi
Votes: 236
50. Avargal (1977)
167 min | Drama
The movie revolves around the trials and tribulations of Anu (Sujatha). Anu is a happy-go-lucky girl who is in love with her boyfriend. Her life changes when her father gets transferred to ... See full summary »
Director: K. Balachander | Stars: Sujatha, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Ravi Kumar
Votes: 186
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