9 Epic Telugu and Tamil Language Movies to Stream in the USA Right Now
Yes, RRR is a triumph, but have you seen Pushpa bro???
South Indian cinema has been captivating audiences for decades with its unique blend of drama, action, romance, and music.
It is known for its larger-than-life stories, colorful characters, and stunning cinematography; another aspect of South Indian cinema that truly stands out are its songs and dances (hello, RRR 2023 Oscar nomination for “Naatu Naatu”!).
The industry has been gaining massive popularity worldwide, with Telugu and Tamil language films being among the most watched. (And don’t worry, Malayalam and Kannada language movies, I see you! You’ll be getting a list of your own. I’ll also consider a Bollywood list.)
Telugu and Tamil language movies have successfully captured audiences not just in India but also globally. The US, with its diverse Telugu and Tamil population, has always been an avid market for these films.
As someone with a husband whose ancestors stretch back many, many generations across multiple states in South India (and who speaks and understands most of the languages and dialects), I have been fortunate to have been introduced to this cinematic world via him; my own helpful, handsome translator. He is also full of explanations in case my understanding of a cultural norm is not what it should be, for the purposes of understanding a plot point.
(He now complains a bit that I am TOO into South Indian cinema and he would probably not even be watching some of these movies even if he did live in India, but I digress. These movies SLAP.)
So here you all are: in light of RRR gaining such accolades and the audiences here finally taking notice of this truly awesome treasure trove of cinema, I’ve compiled some of my favorite recent Telugu and Tamil-language movies that can be watched and streamed in the US right now.
Pushpa | Watch in Telugu with English Subtitles
Pushpa is a 2021 Telugu language action-thriller film written and directed by Sukumar. The movie stars the incredibly talented Allu Arjun in the lead role, playing the character of Pushpa Raj, a smuggler who is known for his expertise in red sandalwood (“red sanders”) smuggling.
I cannot say enough good things about this movie; the first time my husband and I watched it we were in bed upstairs around 11pm. When the first song came on we stopped the movie, rounded up the rest of the fam, and corralled their confused faces downstairs to the big tv/sound system where we proceeded to be enraptured for 3+ hours well into the morning.
This movie is a BANGER. Every song is fire, and every actor does an amazing job. We are awaiting Part II with bated breath.
PS: Make sure to select the Telegu language version and don’t be confused if they are speaking Tamil in the beginning; the story starts off in Tamil Nadu. :)
PPS: This was quite a departure for Allu Arjun; although he has always been a spectacular dancer. Check this hit out from back in the day!
Mahaan | Watch in Tamil With English Subtitles
Mahaan is a 2022 Tamil language action-thriller film written and directed by Karthik Subbaraj.
The movie stars Vikram in the lead role, playing the character of Gandhi Mahaan, a commerce teacher who turns into a liquor baron after being abandoned by his family.
The film's plot revolves around Gandhi Mahaan and his son's journey, where the latter vows to seek revenge on his father for abandoning the family. (This is a vast oversimplification of the plot, obviously, but I don’t want to give too much away.)
This is another movie that had us glued to our seats for hours; the characters, the acting, the music, the plot…top notch.
Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu | Watch in Tamil With English Subtitles
Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu is a 2022 Tamil-language neo-noir gangster film directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon.
The film stars Silambarasan and the film's score and soundtrack were composed by internationally acclaimed Oscar winner A. R. Rahman.
The movie follows the life of Muthuveeran “Muthu”, a B.Sc graduate from a village in Naduvakurichi in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, who works hard to support his family. After the sudden death of his uncle, Muthu moves to Mumbai and starts a slow descent into the underworld.
The film is said to revolve around the plight of migrant workers and attempts to portray the tale of marginalised sections in society.
This movie is one that took the hubby and I by surprise; it looked pretty good from the preview but we were not prepared for just how well done it turned out to be. The cinematography in particular was utter perfection.
Maari | Watch in Tamil With English Subtitles
Maari is a 2015 Tamil language action-comedy film directed by Balaji Mohan.
The movie stars my precious bb angel Dhanush (can you tell he’s one of my favorite actors on this earth) in the titular role, playing a local pigeon-racing don in Chennai.
The film revolves around Maari's antics and how he tries to maintain his reputation in the underworld while dealing with rival gangs and the police. He is utterly ridiculous and this movie holds a special place in our hearts because Dhanush looks exactly like my husband did when he was growing up.
Let me just say that there are many wonderful, talented actors in Indian cinema in every state who can dance extremely well, but no one, in my opinion, goes quite as hard as Dhanush.
This guy may not be the biggest star, but his aura encompasses the entire screen. You won’t be able to take your eyes off him, especially during the dances.
Bonus points for his extreme choreo whilst wearing a lungi:
RRR | Watch in Telugu With English Subtitles
If you know, you know.
The 2023 Oscar-Nominated RRR is a highly acclaimed 2022 Telugu language action-drama film directed by S. S. Rajamouli.
The movie features an ensemble cast, including Jr. NTR, Ram Charan, Alia Bhatt, and Ajay Devgn in pivotal roles. (Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn are primarily Hindi/Bollywood Film actors but eh, sure, the movie is so good you kind of ignore that.)
The film's plot revolves around the fictional story of India's freedom fighters, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, who come together to fight against the evil of the British Raj.
The film has some breathtaking visuals, the action scenes are typical (when I say typical it is with a big grin because again if you know you know) of Telugu movies in that they are EPIC, and the film is just a visual spectacle that will surely entertain audiences for years to come.
Highly recommend. Then go read all of Shashi Tharoor’s books and/or watch his lectures and realize just how not over-the-top this oppression was in the case of the British characters, sadly.
Vada Chennai | Watch in Tamil With English Subtitles
Vada Chennai is a 2018 Tamil language crime-drama film directed by Vetrimaaran.
This is another film starring Dhanush in the lead role, playing the character of Anbu, a young man who gets drawn into a life of crime in the Chennai slums.
The film's plot revolves around his journey and the various gang wars and power struggles that he gets embroiled in. The movie has some great performances by the lead cast and features some intense action sequences.
Dhanush really pulled out all the stops for this one; he’s a fantastic actor no matter what, but Vada Chennai was a masterpiece.
We are all still praying that someday the sequel will appear. :(
Sarpatta Parambarai | Watch in Tamil With English Subtitles
Sarpatta Parambarai is a 2021 Tamil language sports-drama film directed by Pa. Ranjith. The movie stars Arya in the lead role, playing the character of Kabilan, a boxer from the North Madras neighborhood of Sarpatta.
The movie's plot revolves around Kabilan's journey to become a successful boxer, as he navigates through the various obstacles, including his personal life, caste issues, and the power struggles within the boxing community.
We looooved this movie; the depiction of the boxing matches is realistic and engaging, and who doesn’t love to root for an underdog?
Saani Kaayidham | Watch in Tamil With English Subtitles
Saani Kaayidham: A Powerful Tamil Crime Drama of Revenge and Justice
Trigger Warning: many of the movies I’ve recommended so far have pretty gratuitous violence in them, but this film can be extremely triggering for multiple reasons so please proceed with caution. It’s an amazing revenge story, but it is a LOT.
This 2022 Tamil-language action crime film tells the story of Ponni, a police constable, and her brother Sangayya seeking revenge against multiple injustices on Ponni and her family inflicted by upper-caste landlords.
Directed by Arun Matheswaran, the film stars Keerthy Suresh and director Selvaraghavan in lead roles. The film received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, and showcases IN CHILLING DETAIL the harsh reality of casteism and misogyny, and the importance of seeking justice against injustice.
Let’s just say that justice is ultimately served, but oof. What a ride. Again, 10/10 movie but exercise caution if you aren’t in the right place to see this one.
Velai Illa Pattadhaari (VIP) | Watch in Tamil With English Subtitles
Velai Illa Pattadhaari (VIP) is a 2014 Tamil language comedy-drama film directed by Velraj.
This is, yes, another movie with Dhanush in the lead role, playing the character of Raghuvaran, a talented engineer who struggles to find a job due to the lack of opportunities.
This movie hit close to home (hubby was originally a mechanical engineer) - the film's plot revolves around Raghuvaran’s journey to success as an engineer as he overcomes various obstacles, including a rival who tries to bring him down. The unemployment crisis in India among engineers (among many other industries and fields) since this movie released has only worsened.
The movie has some great performances, and Dhanush's portrayal of Raghuvaran is praised for its humor and charm.
PS: The film's sequel, VIP 2, was also released in 2017 and is worth watching if you enjoyed the first movie. It is quite a bit sillier, though, and I did not like the portrayal of his wife. :(
So these are just a few epic Telugu and Tamil language movies that can be streamed in the US right now. There are sooo many more, but this list will get you started in a big way.
Whether you are a fan of action, romance, drama, or comedy, there is something for everyone in these movies.*
For those who are eager to explore more movies from the South Indian cinema world, there are many other great Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam language movies to discover. Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu have a wealth of options, and of course there is also ZEE5.
(Stay tuned for upcoming posts where I will be listing some of my favorite Kannada and Malayalam language movies that can be streamed in the US.!)
The Tamil and Telugu film industries have produced some remarkable films in recent years, and these movies offer a glimpse into the rich culture and diverse themes of South India. These films are worth watching not just for their entertainment value but also for their unique storytelling and thought-provoking messages.
So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy some South Indian flavor!
Xoxo
*Please do take note of the trigger warnings though, as many of these films have scenes that are not for the faint of heart and I’m a bit of a gangster movie fan; for some you might be better off just enjoying the songs/music videos on YouTube.)