Movies like Anbu Kattalai (1989)
The best movies like Anbu Kattalai (1989) are Padayappa (1999), Asuran (2019) and Fast Girls (2012). If Anbu Kattalai hooked you with its drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedAll Together Now (2020)6.7/10 from 229 votes
- NewestOmaha (2025)Released 2025
- In TamilPadayappa (1999)Also in Tamil
Padayappa (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
Worth the HypeMovies 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 drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFast Girls (2012)
A street smart runner develops an intense rivalry with an equally ambitious wealthy young athlete.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUndercurrent (1946)
After a rapid engagement, a dowdy daughter of a chemist weds an industrialist, knowing little of his family or past. He transforms her into an elegant society wife, but becomes enraged whenever she asks about Michael, his mysterious long-lost brother.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisSkater Girl (2021)
Prerna, a teenager growing up in rural India, comes of age when she’s introduced to the sport of skateboarding. As a result, she has to fight the odds to follow her dreams and compete in the national championship.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisVanya on 42nd Street (1994)
An uninterrupted rehearsal of Chekhov's 'Uncle Vanya' plays out by a company of actors. The setting: their run-down theater with an unusable stage and crumbling ceiling. The play is shown act by act with the briefest of breaks to move props or for refreshments. The lack of costumes, real props and scenery is soon forgotten.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both 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 drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisHurry Sundown (1967)
A ruthless Southern opportunist tries to buy his cousin's land, and when thwarted, brings several tragedies to the lives of his loved ones.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJonathan (2018)
Jonathan is a young man with a strange condition that only his brother understands. But when he begins to yearn for a different life, their unique bond becomes increasingly tested.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisAll Together Now (2020)
An optimistic, talented teen clings to a huge secret: she's homeless and living on a school bus. When tragedy strikes, can she learn to accept a helping hand?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDSP (2022)
A flower seller's son ends up in a tussle with a ruthless rowdy in Dindigul, forcing him to become a policeman and fight the odds.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMahaan (2022)
A man's family leaves him when he strays from the path of ideological living in his search for personal freedom. However, as he realizes his ambitions, he also misses the presence of his son in his life. Having fulfilled his dream of becoming a billionaire, does life give him a second chance to be a father?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBattleground (1949)
Members of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division are fighting for their country amidst the rugged terrain of Bastogne, Belgium, in December 1944. Holley and his American compatriots have already seen one of their own, Roderigues, perish under enemy fire. The men try to rebuff another series of Nazi attacks, but what they really need is a change in the weather. Without clear skies, they'll never get the air support they need.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Christmas Shoes (2002)
Two separate stories mesh - in the first, a young music teacher, Maggie Andrews, begins dying of a heart condition and her son Nathan tries to get a pair of Christmas shoes for her before she dies. In the second, lawyer Robert Layton and his wife Kate are slowly drifting apart and the matter comes to a head during Christmas when Kate takes over for Maggie for the school choir.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSoorarai Pottru (2020)
Nedumaaran Rajangam "Maara" sets out to make the common man fly and in the process takes on the world's most capital intensive industry and several enemies who stand in his way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNayakan (1987)
Velu Naicker, who witnesses the brutal murder of his father, kills a corrupt policeman and escapes to Mumbai, only to become a gangster.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisKid Galahad (1962)
After completing military service, Walter Gulick takes a job as a sparring partner at a gym, the owner of which sees potential in Walter as a professional fighter—and takes him under his wing.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
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 drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOmaha (2025)
A young girl and her brother are awoken by their father and loaded into the car on an early morning in 2008. As they road trip across the American West, she discovers the truth about their seemingly spontaneous journey.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChoodalani Vundi (1998)
Ramakrishna arrives in Kolkata and takes up residence in Padmavathi's housing colony. While at first he seems happy and easy-going, soon his real reason for returning to Kolkata is revealed. He wants revenge!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Kaliyoonjal (1997)
Kaliyoonjal movie portrays a brother to a disturbed sister. The sister, played by Shalini, is mentally disturbed if any thing goes against her will. She is possessive of her brother and creates a havoc when she gets angry. Enter Shobhana who marries Mammootty and Dileep, who plays Shobhana's brother and marries Shalini, and problems start up in the family.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Ival Droupadi (2014)
Ival Droupadi movie tells the story of Ajitha (Vani Viswanath) whose sister Anitha is brutally raped by a three member gang including a minister, a Police Commissioner and a rich businessman. (Anitha is in love with Sudhi (Shiju) who is a mimicry artist and their neighbour). As can be presumed, Anitha (Sujitha) commits suicide. The only witness to the brutal crime Raavunni (Mala Aravindhan) is murdered by the three-member gang. Ajitha, along with her father, tries to seek the help of the police, but to no avail. When she decides to take matters into her hands and seek vengeance for her sister`s death in her own way, her father, for the sake of her safety, dubs her a lunatic and manages to send her to a lunatic asylum.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Subhalekha (1982)
Sujatha, a lecturer, stands up against the dowry system when a rich man comes to her house with a marriage proposal. But she doesn't have the support of her family and her actions have serious consequences.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Tingu Rangadu (1982)
Tingu Rangadu is action drama based movie in which, Chiranjeevi is a carefree guy who lives with his grandmother (nirmalamma) and his cousin. One day he escapes from his house and landsup in a city. He gets into RamchandraRao (Jaggayya)’s house claiming to be his son, through his extra-marital relationship.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Bhoothakkannadi (1997)
Vidyadharan, a clocksmith, is a widower and lives for his only daughter. However, his life takes a turn for the worse when he kills a thug suspecting him for murdering a village girl.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Mukthi (1988)
Haridas is a district collector who tries to help people. However, he faces several challenges due to a rift between him and his brother who joins a corrupt political party.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Ponthan Mada (1994)
Set in 1940s,Ponthan Mada movie is about the irrational bonding of the low-caste Ponthan Mada with his colonial landlord Sheema Thampuran, who was expelled to British India from England during his youth for supporting the Irish Republican Army. Crossing the class boundaries, the two communicate through Thampuran's window, with Mada hanging from a palm tree.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Amruthavarshini (1997)
Grieving the death of his girlfriend, Ashok visits his pal Hemanth. But the journey of healing takes a detour when Ashok begins to fall for Hemanth's devoted wife, Veena, who reminds Ashok of his lost love. The dramatic tension soon simmers to a boil in this moving drama set in the gorgeous resort town of Kodaikanal in the state of Tamil.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Anbu Kattalai?
The closest matches to Anbu Kattalai are Padayappa (1999), Asuran (2019) and Fast Girls (2012). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Anbu Kattalai?
Start with Padayappa (1999), the closest match to Anbu Kattalai.
What is the highest-rated movie like Anbu Kattalai?
All Together Now (2020), rated 6.7/10 by 229 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Anbu Kattalai?
Omaha (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Tamil movies like Anbu Kattalai?
Yes: Padayappa (1999), Asuran (2019) and Kodi (2016).
How are movies similar to Anbu Kattalai chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Anbu Kattalai, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.