Top 10 South Indian Movies of All Time
From record-shattering epics to quiet masterpieces, the best South Indian movies of all time have redefined Indian cinema and won fans across the globe.
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This list spans Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada classics, mixing blockbuster spectacle with timeless storytelling. Whether you love grand action or intimate drama, these are the South Indian movies every film lover must watch.
The full ranking — 10 picks
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1
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion
TeluguS. S. Rajamouli's 2017 Telugu epic answered Indian cinema's most famous question, why Kattappa killed Baahubali, and became the first Indian film to gross over Rs 1000 crore worldwide. It remains among the highest-grossing films in India and set a new benchmark for scale and VFX. Starring Prabhas, Rana Daggubati and Anushka Shetty, it is the defining South Indian blockbuster.
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2
RRR
TeluguRajamouli's 2022 fictional saga imagines a friendship between real freedom fighters Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, played by Ram Charan and Jr NTR. Its song Naatu Naatu won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, the first for an Indian film. The movie introduced global audiences to Telugu cinema's spectacle and was a worldwide phenomenon.
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3
Nayakan
TamilMani Ratnam's 1987 Tamil crime epic stars Kamal Haasan as a slum dweller who rises to become a respected Bombay underworld don, loosely inspired by Varadarajan Mudaliar and The Godfather. TIME magazine named it one of the All-Time 100 Best Films, one of only three Indian films on that list. It won three National Awards and ran over 175 days in theatres.
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4
KGF: Chapter 2
KannadaYash returns as the gangster Rocky in this 2022 Kannada sequel that turned a regional franchise into a nationwide obsession. Darker and bigger than the original, it became one of the highest-grossing Indian films and proved Kannada cinema could dominate the pan-India box office. Its stylised action and Ravi Basrur's thunderous score made it a cultural moment.
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5
Drishyam
MalayalamJeethu Joseph's 2013 Malayalam thriller stars Mohanlal as Georgekutty, an ordinary man who outwits the police to protect his family after a cover-up. The first Malayalam film to collect Rs 50 crore, it was remade in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi, with every version a blockbuster. Its airtight screenplay made it one of India's most influential thrillers.
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6
Baahubali: The Beginning
TeluguThe 2015 first chapter of Rajamouli's saga introduced the kingdom of Mahishmati and ended on the cliffhanger that gripped a nation for two years. It was a critical and commercial landmark that broke box office records and won the National Award for Best Feature Film. The film redefined what Indian fantasy spectacle could achieve.
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7
Jai Bhim
TamilThis 2021 Tamil legal drama stars Suriya as a lawyer fighting for a tribal woman whose husband disappears in police custody. Based on a true case, it became one of the highest-rated Indian films on IMDb and drew praise for tackling caste injustice and custodial violence. It is regarded as one of the most powerful socially conscious films from the South.
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8
Kumbalangi Nights
MalayalamMadhu C. Narayanan's 2019 Malayalam drama follows four estranged brothers in a fishing village near Kochi as they slowly rebuild their bond. Praised for its naturalistic storytelling and a memorable Fahadh Faasil performance, it is widely considered one of the finest examples of new-wave Malayalam cinema. Its warmth and authenticity earned it a devoted following.
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9
96
TamilC. Prem Kumar's 2018 Tamil romance reunites two high-school sweethearts, played by Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha, decades after they drifted apart. Celebrated for its restraint, soulful music by Govind Vasantha and aching nostalgia, it is regarded as one of the finest modern love stories in Indian cinema. It was remade in Telugu and Kannada.
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10
Mahanati
TeluguNag Ashwin's 2018 Telugu biographical film tells the life story of legendary actress Savitri, with a National Award-winning performance by Keerthy Suresh. It blends classic-era nostalgia with a moving portrait of a star's rise and fall. Critically acclaimed and bilingually released, it stands among the best biopics in Indian cinema.
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About this list
Top 10 South Indian Movies of All Time runs from 1 to 10. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion takes the top spot, and Mahanati closes it out at number 10. It was first published on 23 June 2026 and last revised on 6 August 2026.
Spotted something out of date, or an entry you would rank differently? Tell us — the order on this page is revised as the picks change.
Frequently asked questions
What is number 1 on Top 10 South Indian Movies of All Time?
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion is ranked number 1 on Top 10 South Indian Movies of All Time. S. S. Rajamouli's 2017 Telugu epic answered Indian cinema's most famous question, why Kattappa killed Baahubali, and became the first Indian film to gross over Rs 1000 crore worldwide.
How many entries are on this list?
There are 10 entries, ranked from 1 to 10. The top 5 are Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, RRR, Nayakan, KGF: Chapter 2 and Drishyam.
How is this ranking decided?
The order on this page is the published ranking for Top 10 South Indian Movies of All Time, from 1 (highest) down to 10. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion is number 1 and Mahanati is number 10. The introduction at the top of this page explains the thinking behind the picks. It was last revised on 6 August 2026.
When was this list last updated?
This list was last updated on 6 August 2026. It was first published on 23 June 2026.
Which category does this list belong to?
It sits in the Entertainment category. Bollywood, web series, awards, film and celebrity rankings. Every Entertainment list is at trendingpunjabi.com/top/category/entertainment, and all TrendingPunjabi top lists are at trendingpunjabi.com/top/.
