#1 of 37 #1 Tamil-language movie of 2016
2016 · Crime, Action
$4.4M worldwide · 68% of the chart's total
$3.9M US & Canada · 89% $485.7K elsewhere · 11%
Tamil box office · 2016
Tamil Box Office 2016: Highest-Grossing Tamil Movies
Kabali (2016) is the highest-grossing Tamil-language movie released in 2016, with $4.4M worldwide, ahead of Theri (2016) at $678.1K and Kaashmora (2016) at $354.6K. 37 Tamil-language films released in 2016 report a worldwide gross, $6.5M in all, 67% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 73% on 2015, whose releases took $24.4M. By genre, Action leads with $5.7M across 21 Tamil releases.
- 2016 releases with a gross
- 37
- combined worldwide
- $6.5M
- Kabali (2016), the #1
- $4.4M
- vs 2015
- −73%
#1 of 37 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Tamil Hits of 2016?
Kabali (2016) leads with $4.4M, 68% of the total. The top 5 together took $5.9M, 92% of what all 37 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
-
Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Tamil Release of 2016, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2016.
- 1 Jul 21, 2016 US and Canada: $3.9M Rest of the world: $485.7K Worldwide: $4.4M
- 2 Apr 14, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $678.1K
- 3 Oct 28, 2016 US and Canada: $328K Rest of the world: $26.7K Worldwide: $354.6K
- 4 May 5, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $336.8K
- 5 Oct 7, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $191.5K
- 6
Jan 28, 2016 US and Canada: $76.9K Rest of the world: $17.9K Worldwide: $94.8K - 7
Jan 14, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $94K - 8
Oct 28, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $41.7K - 9
Mar 10, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $27.2K - 10
Jan 29, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $24K - 11
Dec 9, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $23.9K - 12
Feb 18, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.4K - 13
May 27, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19.9K - 14
Jun 3, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $13.3K - 15
Dec 23, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.7K - 16
Feb 18, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $12.6K - 17
Mar 4, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.8K - 18
Jan 14, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $11.6K - 19
Apr 29, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.3K - 20
Feb 12, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.1K - 21
Feb 25, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.8K - 22
Sep 22, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.4K - 23
Jan 14, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.4K - 24
Jun 17, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.8K - 25
May 20, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.5K - 26
Feb 4, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.3K - 27
Jun 2, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.3K - 28
Nov 24, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.5K - 29
Mar 25, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.6K - 30
Jul 1, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5K - 31
Jul 7, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5K - 32
Sep 23, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.5K - 33
Aug 12, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7K - 34
Nov 18, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2K - 35
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Oct 7, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $508 - 36
Jan 14, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $373 - 37
Oct 7, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $282
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2016?
Of the top 10, Kaashmora (2016) earned the biggest share at home (92% in the US & Canada), while Irudhi Suttru (2016) made 19% of its gross abroad. Across all 37 films, $4.3M (67%) came from the US & Canada. 7 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Kabali (2016) $4.4M $3.9M US & Canada · 89% $485.7K elsewhere · 11%
- 2 Theri (2016) $678.1K No US & Canada figure reported
- 3 Kaashmora (2016) $354.6K $328K US & Canada · 92% $26.7K elsewhere · 8%
- 4 24 (2016) $336.8K No US & Canada figure reported
- 5 Remo (2016) $191.5K No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 Irudhi Suttru (2016) $94.8K $76.9K US & Canada · 81% $17.9K elsewhere · 19%
- 7 RajiniMurugan (2016) $94K No US & Canada figure reported
- 8 Kodi (2016) $41.7K No US & Canada figure reported
- 9 Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum (2016) $27.2K No US & Canada figure reported
- 10 Aranmanai 2 (2016) $24K No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 2016 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 37 films reached $100M. 37 films, 100% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $6.5M total.
100%
- $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 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- Under $10M 37 films, 100% of the list $6.5M · 100% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2016 Earned the Most?
July releases took the most, $4.4M from 3 films, led by Kabali (2016). August was the quietest month ($1.7K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Irudhi Suttru (2016) $233.2K Irudhi Suttru (2016)
- February Feb Miruthan (2016) $60.1K Miruthan (2016)
- March Mar Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum (2016) $44.6K Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum (2016)
- April Apr Theri (2016) $688.3K Theri (2016)
- May May 24 (2016) $364.2K 24 (2016)
- June Jun Iraivi (2016) $28.3K Iraivi (2016)
- July Jul Kabali (2016) $4.4M Kabali (2016)
- August Aug Wagah (2016) $1.7K Wagah (2016)
- September Sep Thodari (2016) $10.9K Thodari (2016)
- October Oct Kaashmora (2016) $588.6K Kaashmora (2016)
- November Nov Kavalai Vendam (2016) $7.7K Kavalai Vendam (2016)
- December Dec Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings (2016) $36.6K Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings (2016)
Last 10 years
How Does 2016 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2014 earned the most: $27.5M from 14 films, led by Naan Sigappu Manithan (2014). 2016 took $6.5M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 23 films | 23 | $4.1M | – | Azhagiya Tamil Magan (2007) $1M |
| 2008 29 films · +459% | 29 | $23M | +459% | Dasavatharam (2008) $16.4M |
| 2009 20 films · −69% | 20 | $7.1M | −69% | Aadhavan (2009) $1.6M |
| 2010 16 films · +23% | 16 | $8.8M | +23% | Enthiran (2010) $3.9M |
| 2011 18 films · −39% | 18 | $5.3M | −39% | Mankatha (2011) $1.1M |
| 2012 16 films · +313% | 16 | $21.9M | +313% | Nanban (2012) $15M |
| 2013 17 films · −49% | 17 | $11.1M | −49% | Raja Rani (2013) $2.7M |
| 2014 14 films · +148% | 14 | $27.5M | +148% | Naan Sigappu Manithan (2014) $12.7M |
| 2015 17 films · −12% | 17 | $24.4M | −12% | Kanchana 2 (2015) $17.6M |
| 2016 37 films · −73% | 37 | $6.5M | −73% | Kabali (2016) $4.4M |
By genre
Which Tamil Genres Earned the Most in 2016?
Action took $5.7M across 21 films, 88% of the total, ahead of Crime ($5.1M) and Drama ($4.6M). A film counts once for each of its genres.
2016 Tamil Box Office by Genre
-
Action $5.7M21 films · #1 Kabali (2016) -
Crime $5.1M3 films · #1 Kabali (2016) -
Drama $4.6M13 films · #1 Kabali (2016) -
Thriller $1.1M10 films · #1 Theri (2016) -
Comedy $789.9K19 films · #1 Kaashmora (2016) -
Romance $412K21 films · #1 Remo (2016) -
Horror $389K5 films · #1 Kaashmora (2016) -
Fantasy $354.6K1 film · #1 Kaashmora (2016) -
Sci-Fi $336.8K1 film · #1 24 (2016) -
Family $20.5K2 films · #1 Iraivi (2016)
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 2016: 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 37 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing Tamil-language movie in 2016?
Kabali (2016) leads with $4.4M worldwide, $3.9M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Theri (2016) at $678.1K and Kaashmora (2016) at $354.6K.
How much did Tamil-language movies released in 2016 earn?
37 Tamil-language films released in 2016 report a worldwide gross, $6.5M in all, or $174.7K per film on average. 2015 releases took $24.4M.
How many Tamil-language movies released in 2016 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Kabali (2016), earned $4.4M.
How is the 2016 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, and grouped by their release date in 2016. 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 2016 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.