The year 2022 has witnessed a slew of Tamil films, including action entertainers like Vikram, romcoms like Thiruchitrambalam, spy thrillers like Sardar and epic period dramas like Ponniyin Selvan: I, taking the box office by storm. We pick eight Tamil blockbusters of the year that brought audiences back to theatres in the post-pandemic period.

Etharkkum Thunindhavan

Written and directed by Pandiraj, this action thriller film, known as ET, was among the first Tamil blockbusters of the year. Etharkkum Thunindhavan stars Suriya in the lead role alongside Priyanka Arul Mohan, Vinay Rai, Sathyaraj, Saranya Ponvannan and Ilavarasu. It shows one advocate (played by Suriya) going after a minister’s son (played by Vinay Rai), who runs a pornography racket.

Etharkkum Thunindhavan was praised for its portrayal of extra-judicial killings and courtroom atmosphere. Released on March 10, the film went on to gross around Rs 200 crore at the box office.

Watch it on: Netflix

Beast

Headlined by Thalapathy Vijay, this action entertainer by Nelson Dilipkumar became a massive hit. Beast also features Pooja Hegde, Selvaraghavan, Ankur Vikal, Shaji Chen and Aparna Das in prominent roles. It showcases how a former RAW field agent (played by Thalapathy Vijay) comes out of retirement to save civilians taken hostage by a bunch of terrorists at a shopping mall.

Released on April 13, Beast went on to gross close to Rs 250 crore at the box office worldwide. The mass entertainer is filled with over-the-top action sequences and a budding romance.

Watch it on: Netflix

Vikram

In Lokesh Kanagaraj’s spy action thriller Vikram, Kamal Haasan plays the titular character alongside Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil, Kalidas Jayaram, Narain, Chemban Vinod Jose and Suriya. The film follows a black-ops squad, led by Agent Vikram (played by Kamal), which aims to bring down a drug syndicate led by Sandhanam (played by Vijay Sethupathi).

The action entertainer is filled with stylised action sequences, well-woven characters and Anirudh Ravichandar’s musical score. Released on June 3, Vikram managed to earn more than Rs 450 crore at the worldwide box office and became one of the biggest blockbusters of 2022.

Watch it on: Disney+Hotstar

Ponniyin Selvan: I

Ponniyin Selvan: I, known as PS1, is the first part of Mani Ratnam’s epic historical action drama film series based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s iconic novel Ponniyin Selvan. It has a stellar star cast of Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Jayaram, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, Vikram Prabhu and Prakash Raj.

Set in the 10th century, Ponniyin Selvan: 1 follows the rise of the Chola dynasty in the south of India. Released on September 30, it grossed over Rs 500 crore at the worldwide box office and became the biggest Tamil blockbuster of 2022.

Watch it on: Amazon Prime Video

Love Today

This romantic comedy-drama written, directed and headlined by Pradeep Ranganathan became a massive critical and commercial success at the box office. The film also features Ivana, Raveena Ravi, Yogi Babu, Sathyaraj and Raadhika Sarathkumar in prominent roles. It chronicles how a young couple face trouble after exchanging their mobile phones with each other at the request of the girl’s father.

Released on November 4, Love Today is praised for its depiction of millennial relationships, the effect of technology and self-aware humour. The film earned over Rs 100 crore against a budget of 5 crore and became one of the surprise hits of 2022.

Watch it on: Netflix

Thiruchitrambalam

This romcom, starring Dhanush in the titular role, was among the most-loved Tamil films of the year. Written and directed by Mithran R Jawahar, the movie also features Nithya Menen, Bharathiraja, Prakash Raj, Raashii Khanna and Priya Bhavani Shankar. It follows the love life of a food delivery executive (Dhanush) who lives with his strict father and sassy grandfather.

Released on August 18, Thiruchitrambalam’s simplistic storytelling along with the highly-relatable characters makes it an endearing watch. The movie earned more than Rs 110 crore at the box office.

Watch it on: Sun NXT

Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu

Gautham Vasudev Menon’s neo-noir exploration of the gangster genre in Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu, backed by A. R. Rahman’s score, has been one of the massive hits of the year. Starring Silambarasan, Siddhi Idnani, Raadhika Sarathkumar, Neeraj Madhav and Siddique in prominent roles, the movie depicts the life of a young low-caste village boy who gets involved in underground activities and ends up becoming a mob boss.

Released on September 15, Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu was highly praised for its originality and character development and grossed over Rs 60 crore at the box office.

A sequel of the film is already in development.

Special mention: Sardar

P. S. Mithran’s espionage thriller Sardar became the last Tamil blockbuster of 2022. The movie stars Karthi in a dual role with Raashii Khanna, Rajisha Vijayan, Chunky Panday, Laila, Rithvik, Munishkanth, Yugi Sethu, Avinash and Balaji Sakthivel in prominent roles. The film showcases how a rogue RAW agent and his police officer son (both played by Karthi) join forces for the good of the country.

Released on October 21, the film went on to garner over Rs 100 crore at the box office and is still going strong. The producers have already announced that there will be a sequel to the film.