Many good films are being released in Tamil cinema, but not all of them are fully accepted by the public and become successful. Similarly, many big-budget films starring big actors are also being released commercially.
These films also do not achieve significant box office collections, and therefore, they too do not become successful. Only one or two films unexpectedly emerge and achieve tremendous success.
If we look at the films in Tamil cinema that grossed 100 crores or more in the year 2025, only a specific seven films have managed to collect 100 crores.
The year 2025 has been a transformative period for Tamil cinema, a year defined by high-stakes sequels, the rise of "Tier-2" stars entering the elite club, and a few high-profile heartbreaks. While several massive projects were released, only a select few managed to cross the coveted ₹100 crore (1 billion INR) milestone globally.
As we look back at the cinematic landscape of 2025, it is clear that star power alone was no longer a golden ticket; the audience demanded a blend of innovation, pacing, and visual grandeur. Here is a detailed exploration of the Tamil films that grossed over 100 crores in 2025.
1. Coolie (₹514 – ₹550 Crore)
* Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj
* Key Cast: Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Shruti Haasan
* Release Date: August 14, 2025
The biggest event of the year was undoubtedly the collaboration between "Superstar" Rajinikanth and master craftsman Lokesh Kanagaraj. Breaking away from his Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), the director delivered a standalone action-thriller titled Coolie.
The Performance:
Despite receiving mixed reviews regarding its script, the film’s "opening power" was unprecedented. It grossed over ₹500 crore, making it Rajinikanth's third film to reach this milestone after 2.0 and Jailer. The film's success was largely attributed to the electrifying chemistry between Rajinikanth and Telugu superstar Nagarjuna, alongside Anirudh Ravichander’s viral background score. It dominated the overseas market, particularly in North America and Malaysia, proving that Rajinikanth's global reach remains unmatched.
2. Good Bad Ugly (₹250 – ₹300 Crore)
* Director: Adhik Ravichandran
* Key Cast: Ajith Kumar, Trisha, Sunil
* Release Date: April 10, 2025
After a disappointing start to the year with the lukewarm reception of Vidaamuyarchi, Ajith Kumar staged one of the most successful comebacks in recent history with Good Bad Ugly.
The Performance:
Directed by Adhik Ravichandran (fresh off the success of Mark Antony), the film was an action-comedy that played to Ajith’s strengths: charisma and self-deprecating humor. It crossed the ₹200 crore mark within its first week and eventually settled in the ₹250–300 crore range. This film became Ajith's highest-grossing solo lead film to date, satisfying fans who were looking for a high-energy entertainer rather than a somber thriller.
3. Dragon (₹150 – ₹152 Crore)
* Director: Ashwath Marimuthu
* Key Cast: Pradeep Ranganathan
* Release Date: May 2025
Pradeep Ranganathan, the wunderkind of Tamil cinema, proved that the success of Love Today (2022) was no fluke. With Dragon, he solidified his status as a "100-crore star."
The Performance:
Dragon was a psychological action-drama that resonated deeply with Gen-Z and millennial audiences. Made on a significantly lower budget compared to the Rajinikanth and Ajith starrers, its ROI (Return on Investment) was among the highest in 2025. The film's success in urban centers and its strong performance in Kerala and Karnataka helped it sail past the ₹150 crore mark, marking a shift where younger actors are now rivaling the "Top 4" in box office consistency.
4. Vidaamuyarchi (₹135 – ₹150 Crore)
* Director: Magizh Thirumeni
* Key Cast: Ajith Kumar, Trisha, Arjun Sarja
* Release Date: February 6, 2025
Initially planned for a late 2024 release, Vidaamuyarchi finally hit the screens in February 2025. It was a high-stakes survival thriller filmed extensively in Azerbaijan.
The Performance:
The film had a strong opening, grossing nearly ₹95 crore in its first four days. However, due to its niche "marriage story meets action flick" narrative, it struggled to maintain momentum in rural centers. While it comfortably crossed the ₹100 crore mark globally, it was categorized as an underperformer relative to its massive budget and the long wait time fans endured. Nevertheless, it remains one of the few Tamil films of 2025 to achieve a nine-figure gross.
5. Kuberaa (₹115 – ₹132 Crore)
* Director: Sekhar Kammula
* Key Cast: Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna
* Release Date: Mid-2025
Dhanush continued his streak of bilingual successes with Kuberaa. Shot simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu, the film benefited from the combined star power of Dhanush and Nagarjuna.
The Performance:
Directed by Sekhar Kammula, known for his emotional depth, the film was a "class" hit rather than a "mass" hit. It performed exceptionally well in major cities and overseas. Its steady run allowed it to breach the ₹100 crore club, proving that Dhanush’s experimental choices still find a significant audience.
The Surprise Miss: Thug Life
One of the most talked-about statistics of 2025 was the performance of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life. Despite the "dream team" collaboration, the film reportedly ended its theatrical run around ₹93–97 crore, narrowly missing the ₹100 crore milestone. Critics pointed to a predictable second half as the primary reason for the lack of repeat audiences, though it saw a massive second life on digital streaming platforms.
Summary Table: Tamil Cinema's 2025 Elite Club
| Rank | Movie Title | Lead Actor | Estimated Global Gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coolie | Rajinikanth | ₹514 - 550 Crore |
| 2 | Good Bad Ugly | Ajith Kumar | ₹250 - 300 Crore |
| 3 | Dragon | Pradeep Ranganathan | ₹150 - 152 Crore |
| 4 | Vidaamuyarchi | Ajith Kumar | ₹135 - 150 Crore |
| 5 | Kuberaa | Dhanush | ₹115 - 132 Crore |
Conclusion
2025 was a year of "The Big Comebacks." While the industry faced challenges—including the rising cost of production and the "OTT vs. Theatre" debate—the success of films like Coolie and Good Bad Ugly proved that the theatrical experience is still very much alive in Tamil Nadu. The most significant takeaway of the year was the rise of Pradeep Ranganathan, whose entry into the 100-crore club suggests that a new era of Kollywood stardom is officially here.
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