🎬Writing this post was fun. It forced me to pause and think back. In 2025, I watched around 70 films in total. That is much lower than in previous years. Still, I managed to watch roughly one Tamil film every week. Some were good. Many were average. A few stayed with me long after the end credits.
Based on what I watched this year, and only films I personally saw, I have picked one clear winner and a handful of special mentions. This post is to provide some context.
For me, the best Tamil movie of 2025 is Bison (2025).
🥇Bison worked on many levels. It is intense, violent, emotional, and exhausting in parts, but also deeply honest. Dhruv Vikram’s transformation and commitment are impossible to ignore. This felt like a coming-of-age film for him as an actor. Mari Selvaraj once again tells a story rooted in caste, oppression, and survival. Some may find the violence overwhelming, and that is a valid reaction. I personally felt the pain was earned. Pasupathy’s performance as the father stayed with me the longest. Several scenes hit hard and lingered. For all its brutality, Bison never felt casual or exploitative. That balance is why it stands out to me this year.
Alongside Bison, a few films deserve special mention.
🐲Dragon (2025) was one of the pleasant surprises of the year for me. I walked in expecting a routine college drama and walked out with a film that spoke about failure, drifting, and second chances with honesty. Pradeep Ranganathan continues to mature as an actor, especially in moments where silence and body language do the heavy lifting. Among the two female leads, Anupama Parameswaran fits her role well, but it is Kayadu Lohar who stands out with a confident screen presence and quiet charm.
🏠Housemates (2025) is a reminder that simple ideas, when handled well, still work. No big stars. No noise. Just a tight screenplay and strong performances. The emotional weight in the final act, especially from Kaali Venkat and Vinodhini, elevated the film beyond a routine genre exercise. I walked in with no expectations and walked out satisfied. That itself says a lot.
🧳Tourist Family (2025) was warm and earnest. It had its flaws, and I struggled initially with the central premise. Once I let that go, the film slowly won me over. The choice to avoid flashbacks worked beautifully. The children were excellent, and the community moments felt lived in. It reminded me of older Tamil films that trusted emotions more than spectacle.
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👮 Sirai (2025) remained quiet and confident. It did not shout or preach. It showed the humane side of the police system without glorification. Vikram Prabhu was restrained, and LK Akshay Kumar was outstanding. The film’s strength lies in its honesty and its refusal to manipulate emotions. The final act was especially satisfying.
🥭All these films were rated Ripe on Mangoidiots, but Bison stood a step above the rest for me.
Have you seen these films? Did you agree with these choices? Which one stayed with you the longest, and which one disappointed you? Curious to hear your take.
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