Movies like Appu (2000)
The best movies like Appu (2000) are Darbar (2020), Kodi (2016) and The Quiller Memorandum (1966). If Appu hooked you with its thriller and action, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedVikram Vedha (2017)7.2/10 from 249 votes
- NewestOscar Shaw (2026)Released 2026
- In TamilDarbar (2020)Also in Tamil
Darbar (2020)
Aaditya, the commissioner of Mumbai Police, sets out to catch Ajay, a drug peddler. However, he uncovers a deeper controversy linked to an international drug lord and must mete out justice.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisKodi (2016)
A young politician finds himself in a position where he has to contest against his girlfriend, who is ambitious. Circumstances force his look-alike twin to also get involved in this political battle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Quiller Memorandum (1966)
After two British Secret Intelligence Service agents are murdered at the hands of a cryptic neo-Nazi group known as Phoenix, the suave agent Quiller is sent to Berlin to investigate.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisMaanagaram (2017)
Upon moving to Chennai, four lives get intertwined as they strive to achieve success in the city. However, when a vicious gangster threatens them, the group must work together to defeat him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Truth About Emanuel (2013)
A troubled young woman becomes obsessed with her mysterious new neighbor, who bears a striking resemblance to the girl's dead mother.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNo Name on the Bullet (1959)
When hired killer John Gant rides into Lordsburg, the town's folk become paranoid as each leading citizen has enemies capable of using the services of a professional killer for personal revenge.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKaala (2018)
Karikaalan consistently fights to keep the people of Dharavi, a slum in Mumbai, safe from the clutches of mighty politicians and the land mafia don, Hari Dhadha.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAsuran (2019)
A family from the underprivileged class is on the run after the teenaged son kills a rich man from the upper caste. Can the pacifist father be able to save his hot-blooded son?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPadayappa (1999)
Padayappa, a mechanical engineer whose father gives up his property to his foster brother, and then dies of shock soon after. Neelambari initially loves Padayappa, but plans to humiliate him after his family humiliates her father. The rest of the plot deals with Padayappa overcoming all the obstacles placed by Neelambari.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTime Without Pity (1957)
Alec Graham is sentenced to death for the murder of his girlfriend Jennie, with whom he spent a weekend at the English country home of the parents of his friend Brian Stanford. Alec’s father, David Graham, a not-so-successful writer and alcoholic who has neglected his son in the past, flies in from Canada to visit his son on death row. David then goes on a quest to try and clear his son’s name while battling “the bottle.”
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTheri (2016)
When an honest cop, Vijay Kumar's family is ruthlessly slaughtered by a politician and his aides, he decides to change his identity and commits his life to bring his daughter up in a serene atmosphere. But some freak events end up compromising his identity and what he does to save his daughter and avenge the death of his family unfurls as Theri.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOscar Shaw (2026)
After retiring from the police force, a relentless detective haunted by the tragic loss of his closest friend sets out on a perilous quest for vengeance, seeking redemption and fighting to restore justice to the streets he once swore to protect.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPor Thozhil (2023)
Loganathan, a senior cop is asked to mentor Prakash, an academically bright but faint-hearted rookie and this unlikely duo team up to investigate a series of murder cases, and realize all of them are interlinked and that a psychopath serial killer is on the run.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisEach Dawn I Die (1939)
A corrupt D.A. with governatorial ambitions is annoyed by an investigative reporter's criticism of his criminal activities and decides to frame the reporter for manslaughter in order to silence him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChief of Station (2024)
After learning that the death of his wife was not an accident, a former CIA Station Chief is forced back into the espionage underworld, teaming up with an adversary to unravel a conspiracy that challenges everything he thought he knew.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Hitch-Hiker (1953)
Roy and Gilbert's fishing trip takes a terrifying turn when the hitchhiker they pick up turns out to be a sociopath on the run from the law. He's killed before, and he lets the two know that as soon as they're no longer useful, he'll kill again. The two friends plot an escape, but the hitchhiker's peculiar physical affliction, an eye that never closes even when he sleeps, makes it impossible for them to tell when they can make a break for it.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMaanaadu (2021)
A Muslim man, who is stuck in a time loop, has to stop a political rally from taking place in order to save the state's chief minister and prevent religious violence.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisVikram Vedha (2017)
A notorious gangster Vedha surrenders himself to encounter specialist Vikram whom he challenges every step of the way by narrating his life events in the form of riddles that needs to be solved in order to capture him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & thriller
Worth the HypeMovies like this24 (2016)
Scientist turned Entrepreneur Dr. Sethuraman tries to safeguard his newly invented time travel device from falling into the hands of his Evil Twin Brother Aathreya.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & thriller
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKavan (2017)
A budding journalist passionate about ethical, noble, hard-hitting journalism understands the more flourishing ghetto of sensationalism & news fabrication that the Entertainment TV Channel he belongs to, thrives on. When caught in a dilemma of whether to hold for a while or rise in protest, a situation forces him to make a decision that puts him out of work but… there begins his work.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSaravarsham (1982)
Sumesh is depressed due to the fact that he is impotent and cannot have children. However, he learns that he has an illegitimate half-sister and soon tries to form a bond with her and her family.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & thriller
Sesham Kazhchayil (1983)
Sankar Mohan (Master Sujith) is a spoilt child of a wealthy widower Mr. Varma (Ummer). Fed up about having to change schools multiple times due to his behaviour, Mr. Varma appoints a teacher Lathika (Menaka) to homeschool Sankar. The duo get along well; but eventually the child starts getting possessive about Lathika. Meanwhile Lathika starts falling for Sankar's swimming coach (Mammootty) who is a playboy much to the chagrin of Shankar.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Maniyara (1983)
Noorjahan and Sabna get married into the same family. While Sabna brings good dowry with her, poor Noorjahan is treated like a servant by her mother-in-law.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Naanayam (1983)
Two stepbrothers take over their parents' business after their demise. They face many problems when their father's enemies plot against them.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Chakravalam Chuvannappol (1983)
Blind Vasu's sister Prabha commits suicide as her lover ditched her. Vasu wants to restore his eyesight to recognise the person and kill him.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Oru Mukham Pala Mukham (1983)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Koodevide? (1983)
Alice is a teacher at a boarding school in Ooty. A prodigal and unruly son of a Member of Parliament Xavier Puthooran, Ravi Puthooran joins the school in Alice's class. Alice manages to mentor him into a good student.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Aa Raathri (1983)
Ravi and Indu are a happily married couple who live in Trivandrum. On a train journey back from Ernakulam they meet a girl Radha. She ran away from home to escape from her abusive stepfather and her only hope is to find her cousin Venu in Trivandrum, but is unaware of his wherabouts. Ravi and Indu take her in to their house and decides to help her find Venu.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Like Appu and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Appu?
The closest matches to Appu are Darbar (2020), Kodi (2016) and The Quiller Memorandum (1966). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Appu?
Start with Darbar (2020), the closest match to Appu.
What is the highest-rated movie like Appu?
Vikram Vedha (2017), rated 7.2/10 by 249 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Appu?
Oscar Shaw (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Tamil movies like Appu?
Yes: Darbar (2020), Kodi (2016) and Maanagaram (2017).
How are movies similar to Appu chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Appu, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.