South Cinema 2025: The Top 7 Box Office Kings

New Delhi, December 30, 2025: As 2025 comes to a close, South Indian cinema has once again proven its global dominance, shattering box office records and pushing creative boundaries. From the mystical forests of Karnataka to the high-octane streets of Chennai, this year was a celebration of “Pan-India” blockbusters and unexpected regional hits.

Here are the top 7 highest-grossing South Indian films of 2025, ranked by their worldwide collections.

1. Kantara: Chapter 1 (Kannada)

Worldwide Collection: ₹852 Crore+

Rishab Shetty’s prequel to the 2022 phenomenon is the undisputed king of 2025. This historical epic explored the origins of the Bhuta Kola tradition with even more stunning visuals and raw intensity. Despite a competitive release window, it became the highest-grossing South Indian film of the year, solidifying the Kannada film industry’s (KFI) place on the world stage.

2. Coolie (Tamil)

Worldwide Collection: ₹518 Crore

Superstar Rajinikanth teamed up with director Lokesh Kanagaraj for this high-octane action drama. While the film received mixed critical reviews regarding its length, the “Thalaivar” charm ensured massive footfalls. It remains the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025, buoyed by an ensemble cast that included a surprise cameo by Aamir Khan.

3. Mahavatar Narsimha (Pan-India/Animated)

Worldwide Collection: ₹326 Crore

In a historic win for Indian animation, this mythological epic centered on the Narasimha avatar of Lord Vishnu became a massive sleeper hit. Produced on a modest budget of ₹40 Crore, its high-quality VFX and faithful storytelling resonated across all age groups, making it a rare animated entry in the top charts.

4. Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (Malayalam)

Worldwide Collection: ₹303 Crore

Malayalam cinema made history this year with Lokah, which became the industry’s first film to cross the ₹300 Crore mark globally. Starring Kalyani Priyadarshan as a woman who discovers supernatural abilities, this Dulquer Salmaan-produced superhero flick proved that content-driven cinema can compete with big-budget spectacles.

5. They Call Him OG (Telugu)

Worldwide Collection: ₹295 Crore

Pawan Kalyan returned to the screen with a roar in this stylish gangster drama. While it saw a slight dip after a record-breaking opening day, the “Power Star” craze pushed the film to nearly ₹300 Crore. Its depiction of the Mumbai underworld and 1940s Japan received significant praise for its technical finesse.

6. L2: Empuraan (Malayalam)

Worldwide Collection: ₹268 Crore

The much-awaited sequel to Lucifer saw Mohanlal reprising his role as Khureshi Ab’raam. Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, this political thriller performed exceptionally well in overseas markets (Middle East and North America), cementing its status as a massive commercial success for Mollywood.

7. Sankrathiki Vastunam (Telugu)

Worldwide Collection: ₹259 Crore

Venkatesh Daggubati kicked off the year with this family-centric action-comedy during the Pongal/Sankranti season. Its relatable humor and “victory” Venkatesh’s classic comic timing made it a favorite among family audiences, helping it beat several big-budget summer releases to stay in the top seven.