Tamil movies have grown steadily in the USA, with increasing box office numbers. In the early days, only Rajinikanth consistently delivered $1 million movies, dominating the market. Over time, Vijay gained popularity with hits like Mersal, Sarkar, and Bigil. With Leo, he entered the $5 million club, cementing his place as a top Tamil star in the USA.
Here is the List of Top 50 Highest Grossing Tamil Movies in USA:
| Rank | Movie | Gross | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PS-1 | 6,680,000 | 2022 |
| 2 | Jailer | 5,770,036 | 2023 |
| 3 | Leo | 5,690,997 | 2023 |
| 4 | 2.0 | 5,509,317 | 2018 |
| 5 | PS-2 | 5,320,000 | 2023 |
| 6 | Kabali | 4,585,808 | 2016 |
| 7 | Vikram | 2,818,620 | 2022 |
| 8 | GOAT | 2,780,000 | 2024 |
| 9 | Petta | 2,560,000 | 2019 |
| 10 | Enthiran | 2,408,824 | 2010 |
| 11 | Vettaiyan | 2,338,271 | 2024 |
| 12 | Kaala | 1,925,612 | 2018 |
| 13 | Mersal | 1,830,866 | 2017 |
| 14 | Indian 2 | 1,725,000 | 2024 |
| 15 | Darbar | 1,679,271 | 2020 |
| 16 | Thozha | 1,567,000 | 2016 |
| 17 | Lingaa | 1,514,298 | 2014 |
| 18 | 24 | 1,470,761 | 2016 |
| 19 | Amaran | 1,404,066 | 2024 |
| 20 | Beast | 1,376,971 | 2022 |
| 21 | I | 1,312,999 | 2015 |
| 22 | Sivaji | 1,300,000~ | 2007 |
| 23 | Sarkar | ~1,250,000 | 2018 |
| 24 | Vishwaroopam | 1,240,287 | 2013 |
| 25 | Thunivu | 1,226,271 | 2023 |
| 26 | Annaathe | 1,200,000~ | 2021 |
| 27 | Bigil | 1,150,305 | 2019 |
| 28 | Varisu | 1,141,590 | 2023 |
| 29 | Chekka Chivantha Vaanam | 1,000,000~ | 2018 |
| 30 | Dasavatharam | 750,000~ | 2008 |
| 31 | Kanguva | 745,000 | 2024 |
| 32 | Theri | 729,366 | 2016 |
| 33 | Kochadaiiyaan | 666,193 | 2014 |
| 34 | Uttama Villain | 642,301 | 2015 |
| 35 | Thaanaa Serndha Koottam | 640,000~ | 2018 |
| 36 | Baahubali (Tamil) | 632,603 | 2015 |
| 37 | Kaththi | 622,114 | 2014 |
| 38 | Vikram Vedha | 546,792 | 2017 |
| 39 | Vivegam | 522,091 | 2017 |
| 40 | Yennai Arindhaal | 515,629 | 2015 |
| 41 | Maharaja | ~500,000 | 2024 |
| 42 | Doctor | 500,000~ | 2021 |
| 43 | Ayalaan | 473,639 | 2024 |
| 44 | Thoongavanam | 469,337 | 2015 |
| 45 | Raayan | 441,662 | 2024 |
| 46 | Master | 442,959 | 2021 |
| 47 | Kaithi | 432,000 | 2019 |
| 48 | Vaathi | 420,000~ | 2023 |
| 49 | Valimai | 408,000 | 2022 |
| 50 | Captain Miller | 398,184 | 2024 |
| 51 | Arrambam | 380,141 | 2013 |
| 52 | Asuran | 379,728 | 2019 |
| 53 | Thuppakki | 375,000 | 2012 |
| 54 | Super Deluxe | 356,000 | 2019 |
| 55 | Singam 3 | 340,000 | 2017 |
| 56 | Manmathan Anbu | 318,000 | 2010 |
| 57 | Papanasam | 306,152 | 2015 |
| 58 | 7 am Arivu | 325,898 | 2011 |
| 59 | Singam II | 318,200 | 2013 |
| 60 | Masss | 303,611 | 2015 |
Note: Above numbers including all languages.
Other heroes are still building their market. Shiva Karthikeyan recently joined the $1 million club with Amaran, while others continue to expand their reach. Earlier Surya and Karthi entered into 1 million club with 24 and Thozha, both are bilingual Telugu projects, but failed to utilize the market.
Rajinikanth has 11 movies (Jailer, 2.O, Kabali, Petta, Kala, Vettaiyan, Darbar, Annathhe, Enthiran, Linga, Shivaji ) that have grossed over $1 million in the USA, while Kamal Haasan has 3 such movies (Vikram, Indian2, Vishwaroopam). Rajinikanth’s Jailer and 2.0 each collected over $5.5 million, and Kabali earned $4.5 million at a time when no other Indian star had a $10 million market in the USA.
Robot (2010) collected $2.5 million in the USA, which was a significant achievement at the time. Even today, it still remains in the top 10 highest-grossing Tamil movies in the USA.
Apart from Rajinikanth and Vijay’s Leo, only Mani Ratnam’s films Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1 and Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2 managed to collect $6.70 million and $5.32 million, respectively.
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