Top 10 Tamil Movies On Netflix That You Shouldn't Miss In 2023

Netflix India’s regional library of content is rather thin but if the latest spate of OTT releases and their reception is anything to go by, these are wonderful times for both filmmakers and moviegoers to experiment and embrace all types of cinema. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Malayalam cinema simply did well with their direct OTT releases. Though there was immense hype behind the Tamil direct OTT releases, the overall content has been quite underwhelming. 

In fact, latest projects involving big stars of Tamil cinema have been rather disappointing. Vijay starrer Beast, Suriya starrer Etharkum Thunindhavan, and Sivakarthikeyan starrer Don, all streaming on Netflix are fine examples of such low grade star outings. At the mean time, Netflix has gained some great independent films from Tamil cinema.  So here’s a look at all that’s actually going to be worth your time. We pick the top 10 best Tamil movies on Netflix streaming now: 

1. Kuthiraivaal (2022)

Produced by Pa. Ranjith and directed by Jason & Shyam Sunder, Kuthiraivaal (Horse Tail) is a Kafka-esque tale that doesn’t follow any of the regular Tamil cinema. The movie revolves around Saravanan (Kalaiarasan), a very lonely and depressed bank employee. One morning as such he wakes up to find a horse tail grown on his back. Naturally, Saravanan is confused, and he embarks on a journey to understand the reason behind the growth of the tail.

2. Kadaseela Biryani (2021)

Nishanth Kalidindi’s Kadaseela Biriyani is yet a very delightful offering that manages to find humour in the most dark situations. The narrative focuses on three brothers born to a bandit-like mother and a peacenik father. When the father is murdered by a powerful businessman, the sons seek revenge.

3. Mandela (2021)

Madonne Ashwin, who’s worked before as a writer on critically acclaimed movies like Kurangu Bommai, makes his directorial debut with Mandela. The plot focuses on an insignificant barber who becomes the deciding vote in a local body election. The movie is held together by Yogi Babu’s outstanding performance. In fact, it’s amazing to see Yogi Babu in such a well-written role, and the actor very effortlessly plays the role, abetted by his strengths (his deadpan delivery is awesome). Or else, he is largely cast in silly comedic roles and is often subjected to body-shaming. 

4. Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal (2020)

The trailers and posters of the movie might lead you into believing it to be an ordinary boy-meets-girl romance. Director Desingh Periyasamy’s Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal is literally anything but that. The movie’s title is actually inspired by a song in Mani Ratnam’s adventure drama Thiruda Thiruda (1993). Like Mani Ratnam’s movie, Periyasamy’s narrative also revolves around two rootless young criminals, who get caught in a threatening plot. 

5. Andhagaaram (2020)

Vignarajan’s directorial debut is a suspenseful arbitrary thriller which eventually in the due course fizzles out due to silly twists and turns. But thanks to two amazing performers, Vinod Kishan and Arjun Das, and the exceptional aesthetic choices, Andhagaaram mostly remains engaging. The movie revolves around three individuals from different walks of life, and a very interesting thread that connects these three. 

6. K.D. (2019)

Madhumitha’s K.D. chronicles the journey of a decent, benevolent 80-year old K.D. (Mu Ramaswamy) trying to run away from his family when he finds out they’re out to kill him, and the orphaned, humorous and loving 8-year old Kutty. A very gentle, heartwarming story, K.D. tugs at your heart and is sprinkled with life lessons abound without proclaiming. 

7. Sillu Karuppatti (2019)

Anthology films rarely work, specially the ones that deal with love and relationships. Although, Halitha Shameem’s lovely quartet of romance tales in Sillu Karruppatti sets a new standard for Tamil as well as Indian cinema. The four stories focus on conflict-ridden yet hope-filled fiction of love. 

8. Bahubali (2015-17)

The two Bahubali movies make you more than suspend incredulity. It takes you to the dimension of the possible: enormous waterfalls, a mythic kingdom, a rising to the clouds city, water to air transport, palace intrigues, surprising war sequences and so much more.

All choreographed and shot with such nimbleness that it makes you marvel at human prowess and skill.

9. Merku Thodarchi Malai (Western Ghats) (2018)

Lenin Bharathi’s stirring docu-drama is a major work among the new wave of Tamil films that focus on the state’s cultural, economic, as well as political reality. Unlike many enlightening Tamil social dramas, Merku Thodarchi Malai is a little less concerned about (contrived) plot mechanics. In fact, it actually serves as an anthropological record, slightly documenting the rituals, livelihood and dreams of the landless labourers.

10. Sila Samayangalil (Sometimes) (2018)

Priyadarshan’s Netflix release benefits from cheerful characters and specific observation of human condition. The storyline is very natural. Seven frustrated strangers anticipate the results of an HIV test.