Top 10 Must-Watch Tamil Thriller Movies That Will Keep You Hooked

Thriller movies always have a special fan base—especially in Tamil cinema. There’s something exciting about those edge-of-the-seat moments, twists, and suspense that people just love. If you missed these thrillers in theatres, don’t worry! Most of them are now streaming on OTT platforms. Here’s a list of the best Tamil thriller movies that you definitely shouldn’t miss. Perfect for a weekend binge!

Pizza (2012)

Pizza is one of the best Tamil horror-thriller movies, directed by Karthik Subbaraj and starring Vijay Sethupathi. He plays a pizza delivery boy whose life changes after he delivers to a haunted house. Strange and scary things start to happen, and the story takes many surprising twists, ending with an amazing climax. Most scenes take place inside a house at night, with the lights off, which makes the movie even more thrilling and spooky. Vijay Sethupathi’s acting is very natural and impressive. His performance adds a lot of value to this gripping Tamil thriller.

Director: Karthik Subburaj

Released date: 19 October 2012

IMDb:7.4/10

Where to Watch Pizza (Tamil Movie): The Tamil horror-thriller Pizza, starring Vijay Sethupathi, is currently available for streaming on Sun NXT and Disney+ Hotstar. Watch this gripping film online and enjoy the suspense-filled experience from the comfort of your home.

Why It Stands Out:Pizza impresses with its tight narration and fresh horror elements. Vijay Sethupathi delivers a natural, gripping performance, backed by sleek cinematography. With just a 2-hour runtime, it’s a critically acclaimed hit that kept audiences hooked without dragging.

Vellaipookal

Vellaipookal is a Tamil crime thriller movie starring the late actor Vivek in a serious role, different from his usual comedy roles. He plays Rudhran, a retired Indian police officer who travels to the United States to visit his son, who is married to an American woman. At first, everything seems peaceful, but suddenly people in the neighborhood start going missing. Rudhran starts investigating and the story takes many suspenseful twists and turns. The tension increases when his own son goes missing. The rest of the movie follows Rudhran as he tries to find out who is behind the disappearances and why they are happening. Vellaipookal is a gripping Tamil thriller with mystery, emotion, and a strong message. It’s a must-watch for fans of Tamil crime and suspense movies.

Director:Vivek Elangovan

Released date:19 April 2019

IMDb: 7.1/10

Where to watch vellaipookal:You can watch the Tamil crime thriller Vellaipookal on Amazon Prime Video.

Why It Stands Out:Vellaipookal keeps the suspense alive till the very end with a smartly written screenplay. The unexpected pairing of Vivek and Charlie works surprisingly well. It earned critical acclaim from both audiences and reviewers for its unique narrative style.

Demonte Colony

Demonte Colony is a Tamil horror thriller film directed by R. Ajay Gnanamuthu, starring Arulnithi in the lead role. The story is about four friends who visit a haunted house in a place called Demonte Colony. After they return from the house, strange things start happening to them. When they go back to their room, they realize they are trapped and cannot leave. Most of the movie takes place inside this room, creating a scary and tense atmosphere. Demonte Colony is a great watch for anyone who enjoys horror movies with suspense and unexpected twists.

Director:R.Ajay Gnanamuthu

Released date:22 May 2015

IMDb:7/10

Where to watch demonte colony:Demonte Colony is currently available on platforms like Sun NXT and VI Movies.

Why It Stands Out:Demonte Colony delivers edge-of-the-seat horror with a tightly crafted script. Despite being set mostly in a single room, the film maintains intense suspense throughout. Strong performances from the entire cast make it a standout in Tamil horror thrillers.

8 thootakal

8 Thootakal is a Tamil crime thriller movie with a gripping and emotional story. It is about a young and honest police officer, played by Vetri, who loses his service gun, which is already loaded with eight bullets. M.S. Bhaskar plays an important role in the film and gives a very natural and impressive performance.

The lost gun ends up with M.S. Bhaskar’s character, who is facing serious money problems and family pressure. In desperation, he uses the gun to rob a bank along with two men. During the robbery, he accidentally fires the gun, which sadly causes the death of a child.

The rest of the story follows the police officer as he tries to find his missing gun and the person who used it in the crime. It is a must-watch for fans of Tamil crime thrillers.

Director:Sri Ganesh

Released date:7April 2017

IMDb:7.5/10

Where to watch 8 thootakal:You can watch the Tamil crime thriller 8 Thottakkal on several OTT platforms in disney+hotstar and Zee5.

Why It Stands Out:8 Thottakkal stands out for its gripping suspense and well-written script. M.S. Bhaskar delivers a powerful performance, especially in a memorable long single-shot canteen scene. The film’s tight screenplay and emotional depth make it a must-watch crime thriller.

Kuttram23

Kuttram 23 is a medical crime thriller movie directed by Arivazhagan. The film stars Arun Vijay as ACP Vetrimaaran, a police officer. The story starts with a pregnant woman going missing and a priest being murdered in a church. As the investigation continues, more pregnant women are found trying to commit suicide.

Things get serious when the police officer’s brother’s wife, who is also pregnant, tries to kill herself. All these women had taken treatment from the same hospital. ACP Vetrimaaran starts a deep investigation to find out the truth.

Kuttram 23 keeps you hooked from start to finish and is perfect for those who enjoy crime and mystery movies.

Director:Arivazhagan

Released date:2 March 2017

IMDb:7.4/10

Where to watch kuttram23:You can watch the Tamil crime thriller Kuttram 23 on ZEE5 OTT platform.

Why It Stands Out:
Kuttram 23 is a gripping investigative thriller with a well-structured script and engaging screenplay. The film blends suspense and action effectively, keeping viewers hooked throughout. Arun Vijay delivers a strong and convincing performance in the lead role.

Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru (D-16)

Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru is a Tamil crime thriller movie directed by Karthick Naren. It stars Rahman as Deepak, a retired police officer. The story starts with Deepak telling a murder case from his past to his friend’s son, who wants to become a police officer like him.

The movie shows how Deepak and a young officer work together to find clues and solve the murder. The story has many twists and keeps you guessing. Most scenes are shot at night, adding to the suspense. The background music and smart direction make this film a great watch for anyone who enjoys crime and mystery movies.

Director:Karthick Naren.

Released date:29 December 2016

IMDb:8.2/10

Where to watch D-16:You can watch Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru (D-16) on ZEE5 and disney+hotstar.

Why It Stands Out:
Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru is a brilliantly narrated neo-noir suspense thriller with an engaging plot. Rahman’s natural performance, expressive dialogue delivery, and investigative depth elevate the film. Its smart screenplay makes it one of the most memorable Tamil thrillers.

Raatchasan

Raatchasan is a Tamil psychological thriller movie directed by Ram Kumar. Vishnu Vishal plays Arun, a police officer. The story starts with schoolgirls being murdered in a brutal way, and their bodies are found in certain places. Things get worse when Arun’s niece also goes missing and is later found killed by a psycho killer.

The rest of the movie shows how Arun finds the killer by following clues, facing many twists and surprises. The movie is full of suspense and keeps you guessing. The background music by Ghibran adds excitement and makes every scene more intense, especially toward the climax.

Director: Ram Kumar

Released date:5 October 2018

IMDb:8.3/10

Where to watch raatchasan:You can watch Raatchasan on platforms SunNxt, disney+hotstar.

Why It Stands Out:
Raatchasan is a spine-chilling thriller packed with suspense, unexpected twists, and a gripping storyline. The crisp screenplay, powerful performances, and Ghibran’s extraordinary background score make it intensely engaging from start to finish. A standout in Tamil crime thrillers.

Dairy

Diary is a Tamil mystery thriller movie. Arulnithi plays Varadhan Annadurai, a new police officer. He tries to solve an old case about a honeymoon couple who were brutally killed and robbed in Ooty 16 years ago on February 29.

During his investigation, Varadhan travels on a bus from Ooty to Coimbatore. On the bus, he experiences strange and eerie things that are connected to the murder case. Most scenes happen at night inside the bus, making the movie very suspenseful and exciting. Diary will keep you watching till the very end.

Director: Innasi Pandiyan

Released date: 26 August 2022

IMDb:7.2/10

Where to watch dairy: you can watch mystery thriller tamil dairy movie on platform aha.

Why It Stands Out:
Diary offers a fresh take on the thriller genre with an engaging script and unique storytelling. The horror scenes shot inside the bus are especially chilling, and Arulnithi delivers a top-notch performance. It’s a perfect watch for late-night thriller fans.

Por thozil

Por Thozhil is a gripping Tamil psychological thriller, similar to the hit film Raatchasan. The movie stars Ashok Selvan as Prakash, a newly appointed DSP, who gets the opportunity to work alongside the experienced SP Loganathan, played by Sarathkumar. Together, they investigate a chilling case involving the brutal murders of several young women in and around Trichy, all connected by a distinct and haunting modus operandi. Por Thozhil keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with intense suspense and unexpected twists, maintaining mystery about the identity of the serial killer until the very end.

Director: Vignesh Raja

Released date:9 June 2023

IMDb:8/10

Where to watch Por thozil :You can stream the Tamil psychological thriller Por Thozhil (2023) on Sony LIV.

Why It Stands Out:
Por Thozhil keeps you interested from the very beginning with its strong investigation scenes. The suspense about who is behind the murders is well handled with twists and surprises. It’s a great watch for anyone who loves crime thrillers.

Maharaja

Maharaja is an intense emotional thriller marking the 50th film of acclaimed actor Vijay Sethupathi. Known for his powerful performance, Vijay Sethupathi carries the film entirely on his shoulders. He plays Maharaja, a quiet barber whose life is shattered when a truck crashes into their home, killing his wife. Miraculously, his daughter survives thanks to a dustbin they later name “Lakshmi.” The story takes a gripping turn when Maharaja reports to the police that his beloved dustbin has been stolen. Initially dismissed, the police eventually take his claim seriously. A key question unfolds—why doesn’t Maharaja directly reveal his daughter’s brutal assault to the authorities? The film explores the intense clash between Maharaja and the gang responsible for harming his daughter. Told through a non-linear narrative, Maharaja keeps audiences on the edge of their seats with suspenseful twists leading up to an unexpected climax. This Tamil thriller is a must-watch for fans of emotionally charged, suspense-filled cinema.

Director:Nithilan Swaminathan

Released date:14 June 2024

IMDb: 8.4/10

Where to watch: Maharaja is available for streaming on Netflix.

Why It Stands Out:
Maharaja is a well-crafted thriller with a strong script and gripping screenplay. Vijay Sethupathi delivers a top-notch performance that adds depth to the story. The film was praised by both critics and audiences, and it performed well at the box office.

Conclusion:

These Tamil thriller movies stand out for their well-written scripts, engaging storytelling, and strong performances. If you’re searching for gripping, power-packed films with quality content and solid entertainment, this list has you covered. Don’t miss adding these must-watch thrillers to your watchlist!

📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which Tamil thriller movie has the highest IMDb rating?
As of now, Maharaja holds the highest IMDb rating among Tamil thriller films with a score of 8.4, followed closely by Ratsasan (8.4) and Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru (D16) (8.3).

2. What are some Tamil thriller movies similar to Ratsasan?
If you enjoyed Ratsasan, you might also like Por Thozhil, which offers a similar intense and investigative thriller experience.

3. Which Tamil thriller movies are best for first-time viewers?
For those new to the genre, highly recommended titles include Ratsasan, Pizza, D16, and Diary—all known for their gripping stories and strong suspense elements.

4. Are English subtitles available for these Tamil movies?
Yes, most Tamil thriller movies are available on major OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and others with English subtitles.

5. What are some recent Tamil thriller movie releases to check out?
Some recent and noteworthy Tamil thriller releases include Por Thozhil, Eleven, and 10 Hours, all offering fresh stories with high suspense and engaging narratives.

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