Introduction
Best Tamil action movies are a thrilling ride through the heart of Kollywood’s cinematic prowess. With a legacy stretching back to its golden era, these films have evolved into a captivating blend of intense action and compelling storytelling. From iconic classics to contemporary blockbusters, Tamil action cinema offers a diverse range of genres, from crime dramas to martial arts epics.
Also Read: Best Tamil Action Movies List with high IMDB Rating in 2024
In this article we are going to disclose Top 15 best tamil action movies with high IMDB Rating, best cinematography, best VFX, and with best direction, So be with us till the end. Let’s start…
1. Petta
Kaali, a mysterious older man, becomes the warden of a boys’ hostel in a college town, where he clashes with troublemaker Michael. He forms an unlikely friendship with Anwar, who is dating Anu, daughter of a local healer. When tensions escalate, Kaali’s past as Petta Velan, a respected figure with a troubled history, resurfaces, leading to a journey for justice. This culminates in a showdown with powerful politician Singaar Singh, revealing shocking truths.
| IMDB Rating | 7.1/10 |
| Genre | Action/Drama |
| Release Date | 10 January 2019 |
| Director | Karthik Subbaraj |
| Actors | Rajinikanth, Vijay Sethupathi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, M. Sasikumar |
| Running Time | 170 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
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2. Leo
Parthiban, or Parthi, is a guy who lives in a peaceful town called Theog in Himachal Pradesh. He’s known for two things: rescuing animals and running a cozy café. He lives with his wife Sathya and their kids, Siddhu and Chintu. But things take a dark turn when robbers attack Parthi’s café one night. Parthi tries to stop them peacefully, but when they threaten his family, he fights back. This gets him a lot of attention in the news.
| IMDB Rating | 7.2/10 |
| Genre | Action/Crime |
| Release Date | 18 October 2023 |
| Director | Lokesh Kanagaraj |
| Actors | Vijay, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Trisha |
| Running Time | 164 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
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3. Theri
Joseph Kuruvilla, a peaceful baker in Kerala, once served as DCP Vijay Kumar in Chennai. He faced tragedy when a powerful politician’s vendetta claimed his family. Faking his death to protect his daughter, Nivi, Joseph resurfaced years later to seek justice. With allies like Annie, he fought corruption and violence, ultimately bringing down his enemies.
| IMDB Rating | 7.3/10 |
| Genre | Action/Thriller |
| Release Date | 14 April 2016 |
| Director | Atlee Kumar |
| Actors | Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Amy Jackson |
| Running Time | 150 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
4. Mersal
In a gripping tale of justice and redemption, a motley crew including an ambulance driver, a medical middleman, a hospital staffer, and a surgeon get caught up in the schemes of Dr. Maaran, who is actually a magician named Vetri seeking revenge. Vetri’s journey begins with a tragic past where corrupt doctors, led by Daniel and Arjun, caused his family immense pain. Teaming up with Maaran, Vetri sets out to expose the corruption in the medical world. Their adventure is full of danger, including intense showdowns and daring escapes.
| IMDB Rating | 7.5/10 |
| Genre | Action/Thriller |
| Release Date | 18 October 2017 |
| Director | Atlee Kumar |
| Actors | Vijay, S. J. Suryah, Kajal Aggarwal, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Nithya Menen |
| Running Time | 163 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
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5. Mahaan
In 1968, Mohandoss fights against alcohol while his son Gandhi Mahaan is hooked on gambling. Forced by circumstances, Gandhi aids friend Sathyavan in gambling. Mohandoss urges Gandhi to lead the anti-alcohol campaign. In 1996, Gandhi, now a teacher, encounters a beggar’s wisdom, prompting a change in perspective. He indulges in a hedonistic lifestyle, venturing into the liquor business with friends Rocky and Sathya. By 1998, their enterprise flourishes, but internal conflicts arise. Over the years, Gandhi’s wealth grows, but so do complications, including the arrival of his estranged son, Dada, bent on dismantling the liquor mafia.
| IMDB Rating | 7.6/10 |
| Genre | Action/Thriller |
| Release Date | 10 February 2022 |
| Director | Karthik Subbaraj |
| Actors | Vikram, Simran, Dhruv Vikram, Bobby Simha |
| Running Time | 162 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
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6. Por Thozhil
In 2010, rookie cop Prakash teams up with veteran detective Loganathan and tech-savvy Veena to solve a series of gruesome murders. They suspect a psychopath is at large, targeting young women randomly. As they delve deeper, they uncover chilling connections to past crimes. Their investigation leads them to suspects Kennedy and Muthu Selvan, culminating in a dramatic showdown to save an innocent life.
| IMDB Rating | 8/10 |
| Genre | Action/Thriller |
| Release Date | 9 June 2023 |
| Director | Vignesh Raja |
| Actors | R. Sarathkumar, Ashok Selvan, Nikhila Vimal |
| Running Time | 147 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
7. Kaththi
Kolkata prisoner Kathiresan helps police capture Vivek Banerjee but escapes. In Chennai, he falls for Ankitha’s deception before assuming the identity of Jeevanandham to evade the law. Learning of Jeevanandham’s mission against corrupt businessman Chirag, Kathiresan fights for justice, even resorting to drastic measures like blocking Chennai’s water supply.
| IMDB Rating | 8.1/10 |
| Genre | Action/Thriller |
| Release Date | 22 October 2014 |
| Director | A.R. Murugadoss |
| Actors | Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Sathish |
| Running Time | 156 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
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8. Thuppaki
Jagadish Dhanapal, an Indian Army specialist, returns to Mumbai from Kashmir and unexpectedly falls for Nisha, a modern boxer disguised as traditional. Amidst their budding romance, Jagadish uncovers a terrorist plot targeting Mumbai. He confronts betrayal within his ranks and faces the mastermind behind the attacks. As he delves deeper, he uncovers betrayal within his own ranks.
| IMDB Rating | 8.1/10 |
| Genre | Action/Thriller |
| Release Date | 13 November 2012 |
| Director | A.R. Murugadoss |
| Actors | Vijay, Kajal Aggarwal |
| Running Time | 170 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
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9. Vikram Vedha
SSP Vikram, an upright police officer, sees the world in clear-cut terms of right and wrong. However, his beliefs are challenged when he crosses paths with the enigmatic gangster Vedha Betal. As Vikram’s team, led by his close friend SSP Abbas, pursues Vedha, they resort to questionable tactics to cover up their missteps. Vedha’s voluntary surrender marks the beginning of a series of revelations as he narrates tales from his life, exposing Vikram to the complexities of morality. Through Vedha’s stories, Vikram confronts the shades of gray that blur the lines between justice and corruption.
| IMDB Rating | 8.2/10 |
| Genre | Action/Thriller |
| Release Date | 21 July 2017 |
| Director | Pushkar, Gayatri |
| Actors | R. Madhavan, Vijay Sethupathi, Shraddha Srinath |
| Running Time | 147 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
10. Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru
Sasi, a dedicated cop, takes charge of turning old criminal cases into digital files. While doing this, he finds a really scary murder case from years ago. Curious, he calls Theeran Thirumaran, the cop who worked on the case. In 1995 when Theeran, a young police trainee, falls in love with his neighbor Priya. But his life takes a dark turn when a group of robbers brutally kills people in a house along a Tamil Nadu highway.
| IMDB Rating | 8.2/10 |
| Genre | Action/Crime |
| Release Date | 17 November 2017 |
| Director | H. Vinoth |
| Actors | Karthi, Rakul Preet Singh, Abhimanyu Singh |
| Running Time | 163 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
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11. Vikram
Chief of police Jose enlists Amar and his team to stop vigilantes who killed Stephen Raj. They discover Karnan, believed dead, was the vigilante leader. Karnan’s supposed vices were a cover for his covert operation. Sandhanam, with Rolex’s backing, seeks missing drug containers. Bejoy, a vigilante, reveals his tragic backstory. Amar realizes Karnan’s true identity and motive: to dismantle the drug syndicate.
| IMDB Rating | 8.3/10 |
| Genre | Action/Thriller |
| Release Date | 3 June 2022 |
| Director | Lokesh Kanagaraj |
| Actors | Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil |
| Running Time | 174 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
12. Asuran
In a 1970s village, Sivasaami and his son, Chidambaram, face oppression from a powerful landlord, Narasimhan. Their Dalit family refuses to sell land for Narasimhan’s factory, leading to violence. Sivasaami’s older son is killed, prompting the family to flee. Sivasaami’s past reveals a life of betrayal and vengeance against injustice. In the present, Sivasaami and Chidambaram confront Narasimhan’s brutality, rallying their community for justice.
| IMDB Rating | 8.4/10 |
| Genre | Action/Drama |
| Release Date | 4 October 2019 |
| Director | Vetrimaaran |
| Actors | Dhanush, Manju Warrier, Ken Karunas |
| Running Time | 140 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
13. Vada Chennai
In North Madras, a tight-knit group takes down a crime boss, but betrayal tears them apart. Years later, in 2000, a new prison warden threatens the status quo controlled by Senthil. Anbu, a skilled carrom player, gets caught in the power struggle. Flashbacks reveal Anbu’s turbulent past, including a violent encounter with Pazhani in 1996. As tensions escalate, a carrom tournament becomes the battleground for old grudges. Anbu must choose between loyalty to Guna and a chance at redemption. In the chaos, Anbu’s journey of self-discovery unfolds amidst the shadows of the past and the promise of a better future.
| IMDB Rating | 8.4/10 |
| Genre | Crime/Action |
| Release Date | 17 October 2018 |
| Director | Vetrimaaran |
| Actors | Dhanush, Andrea Jeremiah, Ameer, Samuthirakani |
| Running Time | 164 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
14. Thani Oruvan
In 1980, Sengalvarayan’s loyalty to his political leader Tamizhvanan led to a fortuitous event when his wife gave birth safely in Tamizhvanan’s car. Sixteen years later, Sengalvarayan’s son Pazhani’s academic success is overshadowed by a moral dilemma when he takes the blame for a murder committed by Tamizhvanan, hoping to secure a political seat for his father. Fast forward to 2015, where a group of rookie cops, led by Mithran, uncover a complex web of corruption orchestrated by the enigmatic scientist Siddharth Abhimanyu, who turns out to be Pazhani.
| IMDB Rating | 8.4/10 |
| Genre | Action/Thriller |
| Release Date | 28 August 2015 |
| Director | Mohan Raja |
| Actors | Jayam Ravi, Arvind Swamy, Nayanthara |
| Running Time | 158 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
15. Aaranya Kaandam
In a Singaperumal, an aging gangster, faces a big decision when a lucrative drug deal comes his way. His ambitious sidekick, Pasupathy, wants to take on the risky job himself and asks for a loan. But things get complicated when a drug courier dies unexpectedly, leaving behind a stash of cocaine. In the midst of all this, Subbu, a girl trapped by Singaperumal, hatches a clever plan to escape. Her actions set off a chain of events that shake up the criminal world, testing friendships and loyalties.
| IMDB Rating | 8.5/10 |
| Genre | Action/Crime |
| Release Date | 10 June 2011 |
| Director | Thiagarajan Kumararaja |
| Actors | Jackie Shroff, Ravi Krishna, Sampath Raj |
| Running Time | 116 minutes |
| Language | Tamil |
Frequently Asked Questions on Best Tamil action Movies
Q. What are some popular Best Tamil action movies list?
A. Some Best Tamil action movies list are “Thuppaki,” “Vikram Vedha,” “Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru,” “Vikram,” “Asuran,” “Vada Chennai,” “Thani Oruvan,” and “Aaranya Kaandam”.
Q. Who are some of the top actors in Best Tamil action movies?
A. Tamil action movies feature many talented actors. Some of the top actors known for their roles in action films include Rajinikanth, Vijay, R. Madhavan, Suriya, Vikram, Dhanush, and Kamal Haasan.
Q. What makes Tamil action movies best?
A. Tamil action movies often blend elements of drama, romance, and comedy with intense action sequences. They also frequently incorporate social or political themes, making them both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Q. What are some recent best Tamil action movies worth watching?
A. Recent best Tamil action movies are “Leo,” “Mahaan,” “Por Thozhil,” “Vikram,” “Vada Chennai,” and “Asuran.”
Q. Where can I watch these Best Tamil action movies?
A. These Best Tamil action movies are available on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hotstar, ZEE5, and MX Player.