MovieCrow Annual Rankings - Best Tamil Movies of 2018

Out of approximately 180 movies released between January and December this year, we’ve listed the top 15 films that have more than saved the Tamil film industry from being a dud this year, for the first half of this year was majorly disappointing, only to be followed with a 48 day industry-wide lull (due to the TFPC Strike).

The second half however picked up the pace very quickly and majority of the films listed here, feature from that part of 2018.

Vada Chennai (MC Rating - 74%)

Despite a delayed release, Vada Chennai left an indelible impression among movie-buffs this year, for the film was a perfect example of how powerful characters and restrained performances add to the success of a story. Vetrimaaran's first part of the gangster trilogy left everyone wanting for more.

96 (MC Rating - 73%)

It has been a while since Tamil films saw a well-behaved and tender-hearted love story and it would not be a stretch to say that 96 in addition to being that, took the viewers down a nostalgic lane. Director Premkumar gave us a romance that was brilliantly acted.

Pariyerum Perumal (MC Rating - 72%)

Director Maari Selvaraj made an impressive debut with a movie that reiterated caste inequality in our Tamil society. However, instead of adopting to a completely dark theme that films of such nature are usually expected to do, Pariyerum Perumal remained hopeful and that's probably what worked for the film as well.

Ratsasan (MC Rating - 70%)

Ratsasan was probably the first thriller movie in many years that made the viewers watch it with a slit-eye, and it was not even a horror movie. The film was an experience in itself and it maintained a palpable tension throughout.

2.0 (MC Rating - 69%)

2.0 is the closest we've come to experiencing a high quality '3D film' in Tamil cinema. Proving that a story-line revolving around robots (as opposed to humans and robots in the prequel) can be worthwhile too, the film lived very much to the expectations of being the 'visual wonder' it promised to be.

Nadigaiyar Thilagam (MC Rating - 68%)

Just like Baahubali, Nadigaiyar Thilagam though predominantly made for the Telugu audience, worked quite well with the Tamil audience as well. The film that chronicled the life of actress Savithri and her dynamic relationship with actor Gemini Ganesan, probably reintroduced those names to the millennial generation this year.

Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (MC Rating - 67%)

From a director who made the reference point of gangster films in Tamil (Nayagan), Chekka Chivantha Vaanam came across as a step away from his usual style and in lieu with the popular taste.

Merku Thodarchi Malai (MC Rating - 66%)

Very rarely is a mainstream actor seen in a film that moves along like a book or a novel and Merku Thodarchi Malai was one of them. By focusing on the everyday lives of people from a particular region, director Lenin Bharathi gave us a poignant tale of a man and his land.

Kaala (MC Rating - 65%)

One of the better gangster films of 2018, Kaala was yet again a typical Pa. Ranjith film and was highly spoken for the strong female characters it came with. The director through his film made a clear statement that he is anti-establishment and by using Rajinikanth (who is believed to be pro-establishment), ended up raising quite the eye-brows.

Seethakaathi (MC Rating - 64%)

Seethakaathi's takers were niche like the subject it dealt with - the field of theater. Despite being one of the last releases this year, the film managed to break into the top 10 mainly because of its original content and rarely seen outlandish nature.

Kolamaavu Kokila (MC Rating – 63%)

If 2018 was the year of thrillers, it was also the year of Nayanthara. She headlined Kolamaavu Kokila all by her own and though her characterization seemed repetitive from a previous film, the strong supporting characters, good writing and music that went viral helped in the film's popularity.

Irumbu Thirai (MC Rating - 63%)

In an age of growing digitization, a film about data privacy and Cybercrime hit like a sound reality check. The fact that the film was worthwhile to watch as well, worked as an added benefit.

Kanaa (MC Rating - 62%)

Women actors providing capable shoulders for carrying a film is already an ongoing trend, but what was different about Kanaa was a debut director betting on a genre rarely exploited with leading ladies in Tamil cinema. However, Arunraja Kamaraj seems to have delighted everyone with an endearing sports drama.

U Turn (MC Rating - 62%)

One of the earlier thrillers from the year, U Turn was heroine-centric, supernatural and remake of a hit film, all turned into one. The movie was fairly engaging and was good enough to keep the audience hooked to the screens.

Pyaar Prema Kaadhal (MC Rating - 61%)

One of the biggest surprises this year was Pyaar Prema Kaadhal, which was the only romantic movie besides 96 to leave a mark. The breezy tale of a meaningful relationship was provided by a debut director (Elan) and he succeeded in achieving what he set out for, in his first film.

Notable Mentions

• Despite being a dubbed film, Padmaavat with its visually enriching 3D experience and an exemplary performance from Ranveer Singh, appealed to the Tamil audience and hence makes it our list of mentions.
• A.R. Murugadoss's directorial film Sarkar had an interesting take on voting system in India and deserves a word of mention for Vijay's strong performance and getting people to talk about section 49P. 
• Jyothika's Kaatrin Mozhi, the remake of Tumhari Sulu, brought back family audiences to the theatres. Jyothika was impressive as an ambitious homemaker-turned-RJ.
  
• Tamizh Padam 2, C.S. Amuthan's follow up film after Tamizh Padam  created immense impact with its hilariously clever marketing leading upto spoof film. Actor Siva's return in particular worked very well for the film. 
• Imaikaa Nodigal was a well made mainstream thriller with exciting characters and apt casting. Director Anurag Kashyap's debut performance in Tamil kept us engaging till the climax. 
• Naachiyaar which is a story of a tough policewoman saving an underprivileged rape suspect, saw director Bala back in form. The movie's interesting core and not-too dark treatment (for a Bala film) was accepted with open arms by the audience.