From thrilling action films like Game Changer to gripping dramas like L2: Empuraan and Thug Life, the first half of 2025 saw a wide range of high-profile releases in South Indian cinema. Some films were well received by both critics and viewers, while others fell short.
Here is a curated list of the best South Indian films of 2025 (so far), along with platform details for online streaming services, as the second half of the year approaches.
Rekhachithram (Malayalam)
Jofin T. Chacko is the director of the film, which is available on SonyLIV.
Cast: Asif Ali, Anaswara Rajan, Manoj K. Jayan, Siddique, and Mammootty
Rekhachithram, which is set at the actual location where the 1985 movie Kathodu Kathoram was filmed, centres on CI Vivek Gopinath as he solves a missing girl case that dates back decades. This eerie mystery, which combines elements of nostalgia and fiction, has received high appreciation.
Kudumbasthan (Tamil)
Rajeshwar Kalisamy, director of Kudumbasthan, which is currently streaming on ZEE5.
Comedy-drama genre; cast: Guru Somasundaram, Saanve Meghana, and Manikandan
With its realistic depiction of lower-middle-class life, Kudumbasthan, a poignant social drama about a man overcoming caste barriers, job loss, and family pressures, resonated with viewers.
Choo Mantar (Kannada)
Navneeth is the director of this film, which is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Choo Mantar is a thrilling horror comedy that follows four friends as they search a haunted house for treasure, but instead run into unexpected horror. A great choice for those who enjoy spooky humour.
State vs. A Nobody (Telugu) - Court
Directed by Jagadeesh Ram, the film is streaming on Netflix.
A legal drama starring Rohini, Priyadarshi Pulikonda, and Sai Kumar. A compelling courtroom drama in which a defence attorney battles an ineffective legal system to clear a teenage boy accused of a horrible crime.
Veera Dheera Sooran: Part Two (Tamil)
Directed by SU Kumar Arun on streaming via Amazon Prime. Neo-noir is the genre of this film, which is an action-thriller.
Cast: Chiyaan Vikram, SJ Suryah, and Dushara Vijayan.
In this gritty, one-night action thriller, Vikram makes a comeback as a reformed hitman assigned to one final job. The film was praised for its compelling performances and well-written script.
Thudarum (Malayalam)
Directed by Tharun Moorthy, the film is currently streaming on JioHotstar.
This film is a crime thriller genre and has Mohanlal, Shobana, and Farhaan Faasil in the lead roles.
As a retired stuntman turned family man who is compelled to return to action after his son disappears, Mohanlal gives a powerful performance. An emotional rollercoaster full of suspense.
Tourist Family (Tamil)
Directed by Abishan Jeevinth, the film is streaming on JioHotstar. It is a proper comedy drama and has MS Bhaskar, Yogi Babu, and Sasikumar in the lead roles. This heartwarming comedy, which combines humour with potent social commentary, centres on a Sri Lankan family who are seeking asylum in Tamil Nadu.
HIT: The Third Case (Telugu)
Directed by Sailesh Kolanu, this film is streaming on Netflix.
An amazing action thriller that has Nani, Srinidhi Shetty, Rao Ramesh, and others in key roles. Nani plays a seasoned HIT officer on a mission to break up a ring of serial killers. With an exciting climax, it sets up subsequent instalments and is a deserving addition to the HIT Cinematic Universe.
Also Read: Kaithi 2: Anushka Shetty to come on board for the Karthi starrer
Padakkalam (Malayalam)
Directed by Manu Swaraj, this film is of a supernatural comedy genre. The cast has Niranjana Anoop, Sharaf U Dheen, and Suraj Venjaramoodu.
In this light-hearted body-swap comedy with a fantasy twist, chaos and laughter ensue when four college nerds confront a professor who is suspected of using black magic.
These nine films stand out as must-see entries that highlight the varied genius of South Indian cinema as we wait for the second half of 2025 to bring us more cinematic treasures.
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