Surya, a versatile actor in the Indian film industry, has worked his way up from the bottom to become one of the most respected and prolific actors in Kollywood, creating magic every time he appears on-screen. Although there are several outstanding films that deserve recognition, only a few have made it to the list of the best movies of Surya, which have been carefully selected for your viewing pleasure.

1. Vaaranam Aayiram

Director – Gautham Vasudev Menon
Genre – Drama
Streaming – MX Player

Gautham Vasudev Menon's directorial venture, Vaaranam Aayiram, has rightfully garnered love, accolades, and recognition over the years due to its exceptional storytelling. The film is a heartwarming portrayal of a coming-of-age story and the beautiful relationship between a father and his son, evoking a wide range of emotions throughout. From Harris Jayaraj's melodious music to Menon's brilliant direction and Suriya's outstanding performance, the film continues to be celebrated and cherished by audiences, even 12 years after its theatrical release. It is no surprise that Vaaranam Aayiram has secured the top spot on the list of Surya's best movies, primarily due to its enduring appeal.

2. Soorarai Pottru

Director – Sudha Kongra
Genre – Biopic / Drama
Streaming – Prime Video

Soorarai Pottru, directed by Sudha Kongara and featuring Suriya and Aparna Balamurali in lead roles, draws inspiration from the life of G. R. Gopinath, the founder of Air Deccan and a retired captain of the Indian Air Force. With a top-notch technical team, exceptional performances from the entire cast, and concise writing, Kongara has created a standout film in Surya's career that stands tall and remains one of the most remarkable movies of 2020.

3. Singam

Director – Hari
Genre – Action
Streaming – MX Player

Undoubtedly, the first movie of the Suriya-Hari cop trilogy stands out as one of the finest commercial films of Suriya's illustrious career. Director Hari weaves a simple yet engaging tale of a dynamic small-town cop pursuing a ruthless gangster, crafting a captivating character in Duraisingam that we can empathize with and root for throughout the film. Harmoniously blending commercial elements with an engaging storyline, Singam proves to be a highly entertaining movie suitable for all ages, and is definitely a must-watch. Anushka Shetty plays the female lead in the trilogy.

4. Ghajini

Director – A. R. Murugadoss
Genre – Action / Thriller
Streaming – MX Player

Although heavily debated for being either inspired or plagiarized from Christopher Nolan's Memento, Ghajini featuring Suriya and Asin in lead roles, directed by A.R. Murugadoss, emerged as a blockbuster hit. Regardless of the allegations, Ghajini was finely crafted to appeal to Tamil audiences, and Suriya's exceptional performance elevated it to one of the best movies of his career. The film's chart-topping songs continue to be fresh and enjoyable even today.

5. Kaakha Kaakha

Director – Gautham Vasudev Menon
Genre – Action / Thriller

Kaakha Kaakha set the trend for cop-based films in the Tamil cinema industry at the time of its release. A cop drama with a romantic twist, the film follows the life of an honest officer named Anbuselvan IPS and the consequences that arise when he confronts a notorious criminal. Revamping the conventional cat-and-mouse chase story, the movie boasts a powerhouse performance from Suriya, mesmerizing acting by Jyothika, Menon's brilliant storytelling, and Harris Jayaraj's excellent music. All these elements culminated in making Kaakha Kaakha one of the best movies of Suriya's career and one of the finest cop movies in Tamil cinema.