Tamil cinema audiences witnessed several memorable films in the first half of 2023 and the first half of the year has so far been a monumental one for the industry. There have been several big-budget ventures that went on to become blockbusters raking in the moolah for the superstars and the producers, while a number of small films surprised fans by ringing the cash registers turning out to be box office money-spinners. From fans rushing to see their favorite stars on the big screen to watch films on the basis of their content, it has truly been a significant and momentous first half of the year for the audiences and the Tamil film fraternity.

Below is the list of big-budget blockbusters and successful small ventures released in the first half of 2023:

VARISU

Release Date: January 11, 2023
Cast: Vijay, Rashmika Mandanna, R Sarathkumar, Prabhu, Prakash Raj, Shaam, Srikanth, Yogi Babu, Jayasudha, Sangeetha Krish, Samyuktha Shanmughanathan, Nandini Rai, Ganesh Venkatraman, Sriman, VTV Ganesan Bharath Reddy, Sanjana and others
Director: Vamshi Paidipally
Music: Thaman S
Producer: Raju, Shirish (Sri Venkateswara Creations)

THUNIVU

Release Date: January 11, 2023
Cast: Ajith Kumar, Manju Warrier, Samuthrakani, John Kokken, Veera, Bucks, and others.
Director: H. Vinoth
Music: Ghibran
Producer: Boney Kapoor (Bayview Projects LLP) and Zee Studios

DADA

Release Date: February 10, 2023
Cast: Kavin, Aparna Das, Bhagyaraj, Aishwarya Baskaran, VTV Ganesh, Pradeep Antony, Harish K, Fouziee
Director: Ganesh K Babu
Music: Jen Martin
Producer: S. Ambeth Kumar (Olympia Movies)

VAATHI

Release Date: February 17, 2023
Cast: Dhanush, Samyuktha, Sai Kumar,Tanikella Bharani,Samuthirakani,Thotapalli Madhu, Narra Srinivas, Pammi Sai, Hyper Aadhi, Shara, Aadukalam Naren, Ilavarasu, Motta Rajendran, Hareesh Peradi, Praveena and others.
Director: Venky Atluri
Music: G. V. Prakash Kumar
Producer: Naga Vamsi S (Sithara Entertainments) - Sai Soujanya (Fortune Four Cinemas)

AYOTHI

Release Date: March 3, 2023
Cast: Sasi Kumar, Yashpal Sharma, Preethi Asrani, Pugazh
Director: R. Manthira Moorthy
Music: N. R. Ragunanthan
Producer: R. Ravindran (Trident Arts)

PATHU THALA

Release Date: March 30, 2023
Cast: Silambarasan TR, Gautham Karthik, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Kalaiyarasan, Teejay Arunasalamm, Anu Sithara and others
Director: Obeli. N. Krishna
Music: A. R. Rahman
Producer: K. E. Gnanavelraja (Studio Green) and Jayantilal Gada (Pen Studios)

VIDUTHALAI: PART 1

Release Date: March 31, 2023
Cast: Soori, Vijay Sethupathi, Bhavani Sre, Chetan, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Rajiv Menon, Ilavarasu, Munnar Ramesh, Saravana Subbiah
Director: Vetri Maaran
Music: Ilaiyaraaja
Producer: Elred Kumar (RS Infotainment)

PONNIYIN SELVAN: 2

Release Date: April 28, 2023
Cast: Chiyaan Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Prabhu, R Sarath Kumar, Vikram Prabhu, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jayaram, Prakash Raj, Rahman, and Radhakrishnan Parthiban
Director: Mani Ratnam
Music: A. R. Rahman
Producer: Subaskaran Allirajah (Lyca Productions) and Mani Ratnam (Madras Talkies)

GOOD NIGHT

Release Date: May 12, 2023
Cast: Manikandan, Meetha Raghunath, Ramesh Thilak, Bucks, Balaji Shakthivel
Director: Vinayak Chandrasekaran
Music: Sean Roldan
Producer: Nazerath Pasilian, Magesh Raj Pasilian, Yuvaraj Ganesan (Million Dollar Studios and MRP Entertainment)

PICHAIKKARAN 2

Release Date: May 19, 2023
Cast: Vijay Antony, Kavya Thapar, Dato Radha Ravi, Y Gee Mahendran, Mansoor Ali Khan, Hareesh Peradi, John Vijay, Dev Gill, Yogi Babu
Director: Vijay Antony
Music: Vijay Antony
Producer: Fatima Vijay Antony (Vijay Antony Film Corporation)


POR THOZHIL

Release Date: June 9, 2023
Cast: Sarath Kumar, Ashok Selvan, Nikhila Vimal
Director: Vignesh Raja
Music: Jakes Bejoy
Producer: Sameer Nair, Deepak Segal, Mukesh R.Mehta, C.V.Sarathi, Poonam Mehra and Sandeep Mehra (Applause Entertainment, E4 Entertainments and Eprius Studio)

MAAMANNAN

Release Date: June 29, 2023
Cast: Udhayanidhi Stalin, Vadivelu, Fahadh Faasil, Keerthy Suresh
Director: Mari Selvaraj
Music: A. R. Rahman
Producer: Udhayanidhi Stalin (Red Giant Movies)