Year Ender 2024: 10 Best Tamil films; Amaran, Maharaja, The Greatest of All Time, and more

As a movie buff who has spent countless hours in the dark, engrossed in the magic of celluloid, I must say that 2024 was indeed a golden year for Tamil cinema! The diverse array of films from different genres showcased the versatility and talent of our beloved Tamil film industry.

2024 saw Tamil cinema delivering an impressive array of movies spanning various genres, leaving no doubt unanswered as to its versatility and prowess. From gripping crime stories to pulse-pounding thrillers, filmmakers pushed boundaries and kept us on the edge of our seats all year long. As we venture into 2025, let’s take a moment to reminisce about some standout Tamil films from 2024 that left indelible impressions on viewers.

10 best Tamil films of 2024

1. Maharaja

  • Release date: June 14, 2024
  • Ratings: 8.5/10 on IMDb

The film “Maharaja,” featuring Vijay Sethupathi and Anurag Kashyap, is one of the top Tamil movies from 2024. Directed by Nithilan Saminathan, this story focuses on a single father who works at a local salon. One fateful day, troublemakers invade his home, causing chaos in his life. He subsequently reports the incident to the police and pursues justice in an unconventional manner. Although the initial half of the movie left audiences puzzled, the ending scene was a real jaw-dropper. If you haven’t seen this film yet, I recommend catching it on Netflix!

2. The Greatest of All Time

  • Release date: September 5, 2024
  • Ratings: 5.8/10 on IMDb

Titled “The GOAT,” starring Thalapathy Vijay, was among the top-earning Tamil films of 2024. Directed by Venkat Prabhu, this movie delves into the life of a retired secret agent who suffers an unimaginable tragedy when his son dies in an accident. Years pass, and he learns that his son is not gone but has been kidnapped by some criminal elements. With renewed determination, he embarks on a rescue mission to safeguard his family from a looming danger lurking closeby. This action-packed film can now be streamed on Netflix.

3. Amaran

  • Release date: October 31, 2024
  • Ratings: 8.5/10 on IMDb

The movie titled “Amaran,” featuring Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi, is inspired by the true events of Major Mukund Varadarajan’s life. It chronicles his experiences in the Indian Army, detailing the sacrifices he made for his country. Moreover, it delves into the romantic aspect of his life with wife Indhu Rebecca Varghese. This movie, directed by Rajkumar Periasamy, garnered positive reviews and emerged as one of Tamil cinema’s biggest successes. For those who haven’t yet seen Amaran, you can stream it on Netflix starting from December 5.

4. Meiyazhagan

  • Release date: September 27, 2024
  • Ratings: 8.4/10 on IMDb

If you appreciate light-hearted dramas, consider watching Meiyazhagan. This film, featuring Karthi and Arvind Swamy, may start off slowly but gains momentum from the get-go in its first half. The movie tells the tale of a middle-aged man who revisits his hometown after many years. Initially apprehensive, he begins to reminisce about all the happy times he spent there. He also encounters an upbeat individual who keeps him amused with his laid-back demeanor. If you haven’t seen it yet, give it a watch on Netflix.

5. Vaazhai

  • Release date: August 23, 2024
  • Ratings: 7.8/10 on IMDb

Under the guidance of director Mari Selvaraj, the movie titled Vaazhai is a heart-touching drama based on true stories. The narrative centers around a young banana plantation worker, who despite being an intelligent student, is forced to balance his labor duties with his education to survive financially. This film promises to evoke tears as it reaches its poignant finale.

6. Raayan

  • Release date: July 26, 2024
  • Ratings: 6.5/10 on IMDb

Raayan signifies a significant achievement in Dhanush’s acting career, making it his 50th film role and his second directorial venture. The movie unfolds the tale of a dedicated brother who tirelessly works for his family’s well-being. Yet, after experiencing treachery from his own brothers, he and his sister embark on a mission to seek retribution against them. If you haven’t had the chance to catch this gripping action drama in cinemas, consider streaming it on Amazon Prime Video instead.

7. Aranmanai 4

  • Release date: May 3, 2024
  • Ratings: 5.1/10 on IMDb

Under Sundar’s direction, Aranmanai 4 starred Tamannaah Bhatia and Raashii Khanna as its principal actors. This horror drama flick garnered a mix of positive and negative feedback from the audience. Yet, it emerged as one of the biggest earners of 2024, raking in over Rs 100 crore at the box office. If you’re a fan of horror comedies, don’t miss out on Aranmanai 4; you can stream it on Disney+ Hotstar or JioCinema.

8. Lubber Pandhu

  • Release date: September 20, 2024
  • Ratings: 8.2/10 on IMDb

“Lubber Pandhu” is a sports drama movie produced by Tamizharasan Pachamuthu. The main characters in the film are played by Harish Kalyan, Swasika, and others in significant roles. The plot revolves around the rivalry of two individuals, Gethu and Anbu, in street cricket. However, the narrative shifts when Anbu develops feelings for Gethu’s daughter. This movie can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar.

9. Andhagan

  • Release date: August 9, 2024
  • Ratings: 6.8/10 on IMDb

If you are a fan of crime thriller movies, then do watch Thiagarajan’s Andhagan. This film is the Tamil remake of Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Andhadhun. It follows the story of a visually impaired man who works as a piano player. Little does anyone know that he just pretends to be blind. However, his life turns upside down when a woman makes him blind after she learns his truth. This film is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.

10. Vettaiyan

  • Release date: October 10, 2024
  • Ratings: 7.3/10 on IMDb

During the festival of Dussehra, Vettaiyan, starring Rajinikanth, made its debut in cinemas. This film, directed by TJ Gnanavel, also showcased Amitabh Bachchan and Fahadh Faasil in significant roles. While it received a mix of opinions from viewers, it grossed more than 250 crores at the box office. If you haven’t had a chance to catch this action-drama in theaters yet, you can stream it anytime on Amazon Prime Video.

Of all the excellent Tamil movies from 2024, which ones have you seen so far? Feel free to share your opinions about them in the comments section below.

Read More

2024-12-02 13:39