23 Best Telugu Movies on Netflix (March 2024)

Being one of the largest in India in its scope and reach, the Telugu film industry produces more than 200 movies per year. Known as Tollywood in short, the industry is based in Hyderabad, Telangana, which also holds the Guinness World Record for the largest film production facility in the world, Ramoji Film City. Netflix knows the importance of regional cinema in India and its wide reach outside the country. No matter if you are new to exploring Telugu cinema or are already a hardcore fan, the streaming service has quite the collection to keep you entertained.

23. Guntur Kaaram (2024)

A movie propelled by the past, ‘Guntur Kaaram’ follows Veera Venkata Ramana (Mahesh Babu), who was abandoned by his mother Vasundhara Reddy (Ramya Krishnan) when he was just ten years old. Twenty-five years later, Ramana is asked by his grandfather, Vasundhara’s father, to sign documents severing all ties with his mother. This is supposed to help his mother, who is now a politician, win the upcoming elections. A reunion looms, and only the film will reveal whether it will be teary-eyed or fiery-eyed. Will Ramana let go of his anger for her mother? Or will he take the documents as an opportunity to be reunited with his mom after such a long time? ‘Guntur Kaaram’ is directed by Trivikram Srinivas. It can be streamed here.

22. Dasara (2023)

In the village of Veerlapally, dominated by coal mines, the men’s existence revolves around alcohol. ‘Dasara’ unfolds as Dharni sacrifices his unrequited love for Vennela, who loves his best friend Suri. Turning to coal theft for survival, Dharni pledges to secure Suri a job at the Silk Bar. This pits him against the village Sarpanch’s son, Nambi, leading to a brutal jail incident. Rajanna intervenes, prioritizing Suri over political aspirations. Tragedy strikes on Suri and Vennela’s wedding night, leaving Dharni devastated and Vennela a widow in this poignant tale directed by Srikanth Odela. You can watch it here.

21. Virupaksha (2023)

Directed by Karthik Varma Dandu, ‘Virupaksha’ is a gripping thriller that is set in the remote village of Rudravanam which is subjected to supernatural events and mysterious deaths. While a priest declares that the village has to be locked down until the problem is solved, an outsider named Surya (Sai Dharam Tej), who falls for Nandini (Samyuktha Menon) who lives in Rudravanam, is revealed to be one who has some kind of connection with the happenings. He is even addressed as Virupaksha, a form of the Hindu god Shiva, by the priest. Can he rid the village of its misery? What dark secrets does Rudravanam hold? Be a part of this mythological thriller right here.

20. Virata Parvam (2022)

Starring Rana Daggubati, Sai Pallavi, Nandita Das, and Priyamani, ‘Virata Parvam’ is a period action drama that is set against the backdrop of the Naxalite movement (a conflict between the Naxals, a Maoist group, and the central government) in India and follows Vennela (Pallavi) who falls for a Naxal leader named Ravi Shankar (Daggubati) aka Comrade Ravanna after reading his poems. However, Shankar is on the run from the government, and trust can be a compromise. Will Vennela’s love be rewarded? To find out, you can stream the film here.

19. Bheeshma (2020)

Starring Nithiin Reddy as Bheeshma Prasad and Rashmika Mandanna as Chaitra, this film is a must-watch for those looking for something light and fun. Bheeshma is a meme creator who is frustrated with being single. When he meets Chaitra, he falls in love with her instantly. Bheeshma is known for his silly one-liners at the oddest of times.

The romantic entertainer is directed by Venky Kudumula, who sticks to what he does best. However, the story is also set against a background of war between two companies- one, an organic foods company, and the other, a corporation using chemically enhanced crops. But the film, in general, is kept on a lighter note with the dramatic theatrics that come with Venky’s films. Feel free to check it out here.

18. Spyder (2020)

The thriller directed by A.R. Murugadoss was filmed in Telugu and Tamil simultaneously with the film stars Mahesh Babu, Rakul Preet Singh, and the multifaceted S.J. Surya. Shiva (Mahesh Babu) is an Intelligence Bureau officer who spies on people’s calls and messages to help them.

He is determined to save the people of Hyderabad from a psychopath on the loose, Bhairavudu/Sudalai (S.J. Surya). Bhairavudu is a sadistic serial killer who derives joy from people grieving their loved ones. The plot thickens as Shiva and Bhairavudu/Sudalai’s paths cross time and again, lending various twists to the plot. Will Shiva finally be able to keep the people of Hyderabad safe? You can watch the movie here to find out.

17. Manu (2018)

This 2018 drama/mystery starts with the eponymous leading character, a painter, being wooed by a woman called Nila. The two of them do hit it off well, but a small misunderstanding ends up causing a massive quarrel between the two at a bar. When Nila leaves the bar, Manu witnesses three gangsters harassing an old man and ends up saving him from them. Soon enough, he comes to know that these gangsters have now targeted Nila. Manu has no clue as to who they are and what they want from Nila. He needs to find them soon before they cause some irreversible damage. The premise of this film is great, and its visuals also work like a charm. However, the main problem with this film is its slow pace, which makes it a rather tedious watch. But do not let our opinion keep you from watching it here.

16. Salaar (2023)

Also known as ‘Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire,’ this epic action film is directed by Prashanth Neel and stars Prabhas, of ‘Baahubali’ fame, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Sriya Reddy, and Shruti Haasan. It begins with the story of young best friends Deva (Prabhas) and Varadharaja (Prithviraj), and then, after showing that they are now enemies, starts exploring what led to their enmity. In the middle of this is a girl named Aadhya (Shruti Haasan), who is staying with Deva, who is responsible for protecting her as she is the target of those who want to hurt her father as a form of revenge. With her within reach, they can extract that revenge from her. How these two stories intersect and whether the two former friends can come together again is what we see in this film. You can watch the film here.

15. Sir (2023)

Starring Dhanush and Samyuktha Menon, ‘Sir’ is a period drama directed by Venky Atluri. The story is set in the 90s and revolves around an assistant teacher who is transferred from a private school to a government one to serve full-time. The issues he comes across are overwhelming, including how the education of the kids is being turned into a commodity of profit by the powerful without any regard for their future and well-being. What follows is his fight against this conspiracy that poses a threat to the very future of the state and the country. To find out whether he is able to accomplish anything, you can watch ‘Sir’ here.

14.  Eega (2012)

Director S. S. Rajamouli made his power of imagination very clear with this movie back in 2012. While the plot is a straightforward reincarnation story, only Rajamouli could have thought of a human being reincarnated as an ‘eega’, i.e., the fly (English). Starring Nani, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Kiccha Sudeep, the movie tells the story of three people, namely Nani (Nani), Bindu (Samantha), and Sudeep (Kiccha Sudeep). Nani loves Bindu, and while she doesn’t reveal it to him, she has feelings for him too. This chemistry cannot be digested by powerful industrialist Sudeep, who has a taste in beautiful women and desires Bindu. He thus kills Nani, who is then reincarnated as a housefly. However, this doesn’t stop Nani from coming back for the woman he loved in his past life. What follows is the way he takes revenge on Sudeep and saves Bindu. A revenge story unlike any other, ‘Eega’ is available for you to watch here.

13. Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi (2018)

An entertaining buddy comedy, the Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam directorial ‘Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi’ is the story of four friends who take a trip to the Indian coastal town of Goa, which is rather famous for its beaches. In their moments of fun and frolic, one of these four characters loses a valuable ring. Now, the only way in front of them to retrieve the ring is by participating in a short filmmaking competition, winning it, and using the money to buy something similar. Despite having the premise of a slapstick comedy, this film avoids cliches with great panache and brings us a fresh and exciting story. You may watch it here.

12. Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020)

This film is written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas and became one of the highest-grossing films in the Telugu film industry. The story follows a young man, Bantu, played by Allu Arjun, who is despised by his father, Valmiki (Murali Sharma), and seeks his validation. When he learns that his biological father is Ramachandran, a rich businessman and not Valmiki, he tries to create a space for himself in the family that he truly belongs to.

‘Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo’ is the perfect package for entertainment as it captures the whole range of emotions and spice, including drama, action, romance, and swag. The actors’ performances have impressed the critics and are one of the most talked-about aspects of the film. You can stream ‘Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo’ here.

11. Adhugo (2018)

adhugo

‘Adhugo’ is the hilarious pursuit of a village behind Bunty, the little pink piglet! Bunty is the apple of his owner, Chanti’s eye. The innocent animal and his friend lead a peaceful life when some people, each having their selfish motives, crash land on them. The young lover Abhishek wants to apologize to his girlfriend after giving the piglet as a surprise gift. Six Pack Shakti is a fitness freak in the town who wants the piglet as a pet. Gutka Gangaraju and Sharjah Shankar try to steal the piglet to participate in an illegal animal racing tournament. With so many people having so many intentions to try and take away the piglet, ‘Adhugo’ races towards a hilarious culmination of the race. The interesting thing is Bunty becomes a sign of good luck for all of them because of his strange birthmark. Can his lucky charm save him from the greedy people running after him? To find out, you can stream ‘Adhugo’ here.

10. Evvarikee Cheppoddu (2019)

Hari (Rakesh Varre) and Harathi (Gargeyi Yellapragada) fall in love but belong to different castes. This poses a problem, especially with Harathi’s father, who is very conservative in his outlook. How Hari manages to get Harathi’s father’s approval forms the story. Although love stories can be predictable, this story manages to back it up with an important social message supported by strong performances by the actors. The film delicately deals with the sensitive issue of caste discrimination with a humorous touch. Rakesh Varre also happens to be the producer of the film and has teamed up with Basava Shankar for direction and screenplay. You can watch the movie here.

9. Oh! Baby (2019)

‘Oh! Baby’ is a fantasy comedy film revolving around Savitri, also known as Baby (Samantha Akkineni), who magically gets a chance to relive her twenties after she gets a picture clicked in a studio. The film is a remake of Miss Granny, a South Korean film. What would you do if you were given a chance to relive your bygone years? This comic journey of a seventy-year-old builds on the juxtaposition of someone who looks young but has the soul of a septuagenarian. ‘Oh! Baby,’ directed by B.V. Nandini Reddy, is counted as one of Samantha’s finest performances of her career. You may watch the film here.

8. Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya (2020)

The title of the film translates to “The Angry Form of Uma Maheswara,” premiered on Netflix on the 30th of July 2020. The comedy-drama is a remake of the Malayalam film Maheshinte Prathikaaram. This is Venkatesh Maha’s second directorial venture after the film C/O Kancharapalem. The story is about a soft-spoken and simple photographer, Mahesh (Satyadev), who is beaten up and insulted by a bully when he intervenes to stop a conflict taking place in the town marketplace. This incident changes him; he takes an oath that he will not wear slippers until he has exacted his revenge, but it is not as easy as he thinks. He is constantly tested by people and circumstances to see if he stays true to his oath. The naivety of the protagonist is touching, and one can see the huge impact subtle changes in his life have on him. Feel free to check out the movie here.

7. Major (2022)

Directed by Sashi Kiran Tikka, ‘Major’ (simultaneously released in Telugu and Hindi) tells the real-life story of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, played by Adivi Sesh, who served in the National Security Guards, India’s counter-terrorist unit. He was martyred during the November 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, the worst in the country’s history. While showcasing the life of Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the movie delves into the horrific tragedy that transpired during the 60-hour siege that cost the lives of 166 people and injured many more. However, Major Unnikrishnan’s life is a lot more than the attacks, and ‘Major’ proves it. You can stream it here.

6. Cinema Bandi (2021)

When Veerababu (Vikas Vashisht), a rickshaw driver, finds an expensive video camera that someone forgot in his rickshaw, he, along with Ganapathi (Sandeep Varanasi), a friend of his, who is a still photographer, decides to make a cinema. As for the cast, they have their whole village to themselves. Meanwhile, Sindhu (Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy), the owner of the camera, returns to the village with her friends, making inquiries. What follows is a humorous and beautiful string of events that is bound to bring a smile to your face. Will Veerababu’s cinema become a reality? You can watch ‘Cinema Bandi,’ directed by Praveen Kandregula, here and find out for yourself.

5. Shyam Singha Roy (2021)

This Rahul Sankrityan directorial is a feast for the eyes. Set across two timelines underscored by the theme of reincarnation, ‘Shyam Singha Roy’ tells the story of two characters, Vasu and Shyam Singha Roy, both played by actor Nani. While Vasu is pursuing his passion for filmmaking in present times, Shyam Singha Roy defends himself as a social reformer in the 1960s. But how are these two characters connected? Saying anything more would be a disservice to the film itself. So watch it right away if you haven’t already. It is one of the best Telugu films to have come out of 2021. You can watch ‘Shyam Singha Roy’ here.

4. Mallesham (2019)

Starring Priyadarshi, Jhansi, Ananya Nagalla, and Ananda Chakrapani, ‘Mallesham’ is a biographical drama movie inspired by the life of Chintakindi Mallesham. The Raj R directorial follows Chintakindi, a sixth-standard school dropout who is motivated to help his mother and other people like her in the village by designing a weaving machine. While the far-fetched idea seems impossible to achieve for someone with so little formal education, Chintakindi is unlike most people and is determined to achieve his goal. When the going gets tough, the school dropout puts everything on the line and ends up revolutionizing the weaving industry in the process. If you, too, want to be a part of the revolution, you can stream the film here.

Read More: Best Tamil Movies on Netflix

3. Awe! (2018)

‘Awe!’ is the story of five women hailing from five different backgrounds and are entangled in five different predicaments. The movie, which is touted as a psychological thriller, has some brilliant performances and nearly flawless writing. It has an amazing animation-powered title track to introduce each of the five female protagonists. They include a biker girl turned psychiatrist, a girl-next-door, a chef, a magician, and a junkie.

Even though these women have nothing to do with each other, they are connected by a fragile string, Kali. She is a troubled woman who decides to commit suicide and plans a mass murder along with her hara-kiri. The mysterious connection between Kali and her deadly mass murder plan with the five women makes ‘Awe!’ a brilliant thriller. The movie takes the viewers from comedy to horror and then to drama before culminating in a mind-blowing climax. To experience it, you may watch it here.

2. C/o Kancharapalem (2018)

‘C/o Kancharapalem’ is a feel-good slice-of-life anthology written and directed by Venkatesh Maha. Sometimes, if not most of the time, we rejoice in seeing people like ourselves onscreen and not superheroes or convicts on the run or trials or robots. This movie softly caresses us through its four unconventional love stories set in Kancharapalem, a small neighborhood in Visakhapatnam City, Andhra Pradesh, India, and reminds us that deep down, we are all the same and that love is beyond judgment. You can stream the film here.

1. RRR (2022)

Topping the list is ‘RRR’ directed by S.S. Rajamouli. It is the third Indian movie and the first Telugu movie to receive a Golden Globe that it got for ‘Naatu Naatu’ as the best original song, along with a Best Foreign Language Film nomination. The song also got an Oscar for the same at the 95th Academy Awards, which made it the first Indian song to achieve the feat. Set during the British Raj, the movie tells the story of two Indian guys, Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan), who is an officer in the British army, and Komaram Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao Jr.), who is a revolutionary, and how their lives get interconnected in more ways than one. While it is a huge miss not to have watched it in the theaters, ‘RRR’ offers the perfect cinema experience replete with emotions that you can easily stream here.

Read More: Best Indian Movies on Netflix

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