#1 of 552 Highest-grossing Tamil-language movie ever
2018 · Sci-Fi, Action
$36.9M worldwide
$4.2M US & Canada · 11% $32.8M elsewhere · 89%
Tamil box office · All time
Highest-Grossing Tamil Movies of All Time
2.0 (2018) is the highest-grossing Tamil-language movie in our database, with $36.9M worldwide, ahead of Vikram (2022) at $29.8M and Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022) at $21.9M. 552 Tamil-language films in our database report a worldwide gross, $388.9M in all, 6% of it from the US & Canada. By genre, Action leads with $283.8M across 302 Tamil releases.
- films with a reported gross
- 552
- combined worldwide
- $388.9M
- 2.0 (2018), the #1
- $36.9M
- earned in the US & Canada
- 6%
#1 of 552 Top 5
What Are the Highest-Grossing Tamil Movies Ever?
2.0 (2018) leads with $36.9M, $7.1M ahead of Vikram (2022). The top 5 were released between 2008 and 2022 and took $122.7M together; 3 earned more than half of their gross outside the US & Canada.
- Number 1
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Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
All 552 Tamil Movies, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 552. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada.
- 1 Nov 29, 2018 US and Canada: $4.2M Rest of the world: $32.8M Worldwide: $36.9M
- 2 Jun 2, 2022 US and Canada: $1.8M Rest of the world: $28.1M Worldwide: $29.8M
- 3 Sep 30, 2022 US and Canada: $4.3M Rest of the world: $17.6M Worldwide: $21.9M
- 4 Apr 17, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.6M
- 5 Jun 13, 2008 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $16.4M
- 6
Jan 13, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $15M - 7
Feb 24, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $13.3M - 8
Apr 11, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.7M - 9
Dec 29, 2017 US and Canada: $34.2K Rest of the world: $11.8M Worldwide: $11.8M - 10
Jan 10, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.1M - 11
May 12, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.3M - 12
Aug 13, 2025 US and Canada: $2.5M Rest of the world: $5.1M Worldwide: $7.5M - 13
May 11, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.2M - 14
Aug 18, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.3M - 15
Apr 28, 2023 US and Canada: $3.8M Rest of the world: $1.2M Worldwide: $5M - 16
Apr 28, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.5M - 17
Jun 29, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.5M - 18
Jul 21, 2016 US and Canada: $3.9M Rest of the world: $485.7K Worldwide: $4.4M - 19
Sep 5, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4M - 20
Oct 1, 2010 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.9M - 21
Apr 9, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.8M - 22
Mar 10, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.3M - 23
Aug 12, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.2M - 24
Mar 12, 2020 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.8M - 25
Sep 25, 2013 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.7M - 26
Jan 11, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.5M - 27
Oct 21, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.5M - 28
Oct 17, 2019 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.4M - 29
Oct 10, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.4M - 30
Oct 18, 2017 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3M - 31
Nov 6, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3M - 32
Nov 10, 2015 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.2M - 33
Nov 13, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1M - 34
Jul 5, 2013 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1M - 35
Aug 29, 2003 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M - 36
Jan 10, 2019 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M - 37
Oct 31, 2013 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M - 38
Sep 29, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M - 39
Oct 31, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M - 40
Jan 8, 2020 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M - 41
Aug 20, 2013 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M - 42
Jun 5, 2019 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.6M - 43
Oct 17, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.6M - 44
Jul 26, 2024 US and Canada: $453K Rest of the world: $1.1M Worldwide: $1.5M - 45
Jan 10, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M - 46
Jun 6, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M - 47
Apr 9, 2025 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M - 48
May 1, 2018 US and Canada: $39.2K Rest of the world: $1.4M Worldwide: $1.4M - 49
Jan 15, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4M - 50
Dec 18, 2009 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4M
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Biggest Tamil Movies Make Their Money?
Of the top 10, Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022) earned the biggest share at home (20% in the US & Canada), while Balloon (2017) made 100% of its gross abroad. Across all 552 films, $23.3M (6%) came from the US & Canada. 6 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 2.0 (2018) $36.9M $4.2M US & Canada · 11% $32.8M elsewhere · 89%
- 2 Vikram (2022) $29.8M $1.8M US & Canada · 6% $28.1M elsewhere · 94%
- 3 Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022) $21.9M $4.3M US & Canada · 20% $17.6M elsewhere · 80%
- 4 Kanchana 2 (2015) $17.6M No US & Canada figure reported
- 5 Dasavatharam (2008) $16.4M No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 Nanban (2012) $15M No US & Canada figure reported
- 7 Valimai (2022) $13.3M No US & Canada figure reported
- 8 Naan Sigappu Manithan (2014) $12.7M No US & Canada figure reported
- 9 Balloon (2017) $11.8M $34.2K US & Canada · <1% $11.8M elsewhere · 100%
- 10 Jilla (2014) $11.1M No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many Tamil Movies Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 552 films reached $100M. 542 films, 98% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $388.9M total.
48% 52%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $10M to $100M 10 films, 2% of the list $186.5M · 48% of the gross
- Under $10M 542 films, 98% of the list $202.4M · 52% of the gross
By decade
Which Decade's Tamil Movies Earned the Most?
Films released in the 2010s lead with $191.3M from 273 titles, led by 2.0 (2018). Each column links to the decade's biggest year.
Biggest years
Which Years Had the Highest-Grossing Tamil Movies?
2022 releases earned the most: $101.1M from 43 films, led by Vikram (2022). The 10 biggest years, each linking to its chart.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 43 films | 43 | $101.1M | Vikram (2022) $29.8M |
| 2018 40 films | 40 | $53.4M | 2.0 (2018) $36.9M |
| 2014 14 films | 14 | $27.5M | Naan Sigappu Manithan (2014) $12.7M |
| 2015 17 films | 17 | $24.4M | Kanchana 2 (2015) $17.6M |
| 2008 29 films | 29 | $23M | Dasavatharam (2008) $16.4M |
| 2012 16 films | 16 | $21.9M | Nanban (2012) $15M |
| 2017 39 films | 39 | $19.6M | Balloon (2017) $11.8M |
| 2023 47 films | 47 | $15.8M | Ponniyin Selvan: Part II (2023) $5M |
| 2024 38 films | 38 | $13.5M | The Greatest of All Time (2024) $4M |
| 2025 22 films | 22 | $12.9M | Coolie (2025) $7.5M |
By genre
Which Tamil Genres Earned the Most?
Action took $283.8M across 302 films, 73% of the total, ahead of Drama ($156.9M) and Thriller ($123.4M). A film counts once for each of its genres.
All-Time Tamil Box Office by Genre
-
Action $283.8M302 films · #1 2.0 (2018) -
Drama $156.9M259 films · #1 Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022) -
Thriller $123.4M176 films · #1 Vikram (2022) -
Crime $91.1M85 films · #1 Vikram (2022) -
Comedy $85.2M176 films · #1 Kanchana 2 (2015) -
Adventure $58M19 films · #1 Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022) -
Sci-Fi $46.6M14 films · #1 2.0 (2018) -
Romance $40.9M151 films · #1 Don (2022) -
Fantasy $39.7M11 films · #1 2.0 (2018) -
Horror $32.6M29 films · #1 Kanchana 2 (2015)
Archive
Tamil Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1965 to 2025 with its total and its biggest film. 2022 leads with $101.1M, led by Vikram (2022).
2020s 6 years · $157.8M
2010s 10 years · $191.3M
- 2019 $12.8M #1 Bigil (2019)
- 2018 $53.4M #1 2.0 (2018)
- 2017 $19.6M #1 Balloon (2017)
- 2016 $6.5M #1 Kabali (2016)
- 2015 $24.4M #1 Kanchana 2 (2015)
- 2014 $27.5M #1 Naan Sigappu Manithan (2014)
- 2013 $11.1M #1 Raja Rani (2013)
- 2012 $21.9M #1 Nanban (2012)
- 2011 $5.3M #1 Mankatha (2011)
- 2010 $8.8M #1 Enthiran (2010)
2000s 9 years · $38.1M
1990s 3 years · $31.6K
1980s 3 years · $25.3K
1960s 1 year · $443K
FAQ
Tamil Box Office All Time: Questions & Answers
The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 552 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing Tamil-language movie of all time?
2.0 (2018) leads with $36.9M worldwide, $4.2M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Vikram (2022) at $29.8M and Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022) at $21.9M.
How much have Tamil-language movies earned at the box office?
552 Tamil-language films in our database report a worldwide gross, $388.9M in all, or $704.5K per film on average.
How many Tamil-language movies have made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, 2.0 (2018), earned $36.9M.
How is the all-time Tamil box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?
Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact, and so are films whose stored language is most likely wrong.
How often is the all-time Tamil box office chart updated?
Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.