Top Rated kannada Movies of All time

Kannada Cinema, one of India's oldest film fraternities, is known for its rich and distinctive storytelling. Over the years, the industry has produced many gems that have not only stood the test of time but have also been instrumental in representing the region and its many diversities. Here, we present a list of the best Kannada films that range from art-house experiments to mega action sagas, and everything in between. In short, these are the films that are completely worth your time.

Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana

Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana

19 Nov 2021 | 2 hrs 31 mins

| Kannada | Crime, Drama | A

Rishab Shetty, Raj B. Shetty, Gopal Deshpande

Critic's Rating: 4.5
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Synopsis:For those who rave about City of God or Angamaly Diaries, here's our very own answer to that. Shiva and Hari leave a lasting impression in a film that give you many chances to hoot, whistle and even get up and dance along with the actors.

Thithi

Thithi

06 May 2016 | 2 hrs 4 mins

| Comedy | UA

Channegowda, Thammegowda S, Singri Gowda, HN Abhishek, Pooja SM

Critic's Rating: 4.5
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Synopsis:While the film is native and the thithi ceremony might be intrinsic to the culture in Mandya, the emotions and laughter resonate on a larger, more global scale. It is reminiscent of the cult comedy series The Gods Must Be Crazy.

Lifu Ishtene

Lifu Ishtene

09 Sep 2011 | 2 hrs 8 mins

| Romance

Diganth, Samyukta Horanadu, Sindhu, Ramya Barna, Achuth Kumar, Veena Sundar

Critic's Rating: 4.5
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Synopsis:Brilliant directorial debut by Pawan Kumar who has infused freshness in the story combined with excellent script and lively narration in `Lifu Ishtene'.

Kanasembo Kudureyaneri

Kanasembo Kudureyaneri

10 Dec 2010 | 1 hr 50 mins

| Drama

Vaijanatha Biradar, Umashree, Sadashiva Brahmavar, Shivaranjan and Pavithra Lokesh

Critic's Rating: 4.5
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Synopsis:Just enjoy the brilliant narration with apt sequences.

Naanu Nanna Kanasu

Naanu Nanna Kanasu

14 May 2010 | 2 hrs 20 mins

| Family

Prakash Rai, Ramesh Aravind, Amulya, Sitara, Rajesh, Achyuth Kumar, Kawaljith Singh, Veena Sundar and Ruthu

Critic's Rating: 4.5
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Synopsis:It's a masterpiece by director Prakash Rai who has brilliantly brought on to the big screen a story (Radha Mohan) that portrays the emotional bond between a father and daughter.

Aptha Rakshaka

Aptha Rakshaka

19 Feb 2010 | 2 hrs 20 mins

| Thriller

Vishnuvardhan, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Avinash, Ramesh Bhat, Vimala Raman, Sandhya, Bhavana, Komal

Critic's Rating: 4.5
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Synopsis:This is the 200th, and sadly, the last movie of Vishnuvardhan. Yet, it's a masterpiece by director P Vasu.

Mithya

Mithya

07 Mar 2025 | 1 hr 40 mins

| Kannada | Drama | UA

Athish S Shetty, Prakash Thuminad, Roopa Varkady

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Mithya is the journey of an 11-year-old boy, Mithun (Atish Shetty), who is coming to terms with the death of his parents. He is brought to his aunt’s house in Udupi from Mumbai. Can the new house feel like home?

Nodidavaru Enanthare

Nodidavaru Enanthare

31 Jan 2025 | 2 hrs 16 mins

| Kannada | Drama, Romance | UA

Naveen Shankar, Padmavati Rao, Apoorva Bharadwaj, Spandana Prasad

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Siddharth (Naveen Shankar) is an existentialist who leaves his home in pursuit of the unknown, on a quest to find himself.

Photo

Photo

15 Mar 2024 | 1 hr 38 mins

| Kannada | Drama, Social | U

Mahadev Hadapad, Veeresh Gonwar, Sandhya Arakere, Jahangeer MS

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Exactly four years ago, in 2020, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. The global shut down was so quick that people hardly had any time to process. But, humans were quick to adapt. From online challenges to online breathing exercises to Dalgona coffee, the world moved online very quickly. But, there was one section of society that was almost forgotten – the migrants and their journey back home.

Saramsha

Saramsha

15 Feb 2024 | 2 hrs 12 mins

| Kannada | Drama | UA

Deepak Subramanya, Surya Vasishta, Sruthi Hariharan, Shweta Gupta, Aasif Kshatriya, Ravi Bhat

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Overall, the film leaves you with a haunting feeling that you end up getting after reading a good book or watching a great play or even having a pleasant conversation with a dear one!

Daredevil Musthafa

Daredevil Musthafa

19 May 2023 | 2 hrs 40 mins

| Kannada | Comedy, Drama | U

Poornachandra, Nagabhushan, Mandya Ramesh, Shobaraj, S. Umesh, Shishira Baikady, Aditya Ashree, Prerana Gowda

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Daredevil Musthafa is a Kannada comedy drama starring Mandya Ramesh,Aditya Ashree, and Poornachandra Mysuru among others.

Bisilu Kudure

Bisilu Kudure

21 Apr 2023 | 1 hr 34 mins

| Kannada | Drama | UA

Sampath Maitreya, Malavalli Saikrishna, Kari Subbu

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:

19.20.21

19.20.21

03 Mar 2023 | 2 hrs 30 mins

| Kannada | Crime, Drama

Rajesh Natranga, Balaji Manohar, Avinash, Krishna Hebbale, Shrunga B.V., Mahadev Hadapad

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:

GG: Gandhada Gudi

GG: Gandhada Gudi

28 Oct 2022 | 1 hr 37 mins

| Kannada | Adventure, Family | U

Puneeth Rajkumar, Amoghavarsha

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Gandhada Gudi is a Kannada docudrama film directed by Amoghavarsha JS. Released on October 28, 2022, it stars himself and Puneeth Rajkumar in lead roles.

Kantara

Kantara

30 Sep 2022 | 2 hrs 30 mins

| Kannada | Adventure, Drama, Thriller | UA

Rishab Shetty, Achyuth Kumar, Sapthami Gowda, Pramod Shetty, Kishore Kumar G.

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:

Dollu

Dollu

26 Aug 2022 | 1 hr 46 mins

| Kannada | Drama

Karthik Mahesh, Nidhi Hegde, Babu Hirannaiah, Chandra Mayur

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:What is heartening about Dollu is that it chooses to tell a tale that is native to Karnataka, showcasing the truth about traditional arts, and yet has a universal appeal. One walks out of the theatre feeling positive, empowered and optimistic, which is the film's biggest win.

K.G.F: Chapter 2

K.G.F: Chapter 2

14 Apr 2022 | 2 hrs 48 mins

| Kannada | Action, Drama, Crime | UA

Yash, Sanjay Dutt, Srinidhi Shetty, Raveena Tandon, Prakash Raj, Achyuth Kumar, Rao Ramesh

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:The film belongs as much to filmmaker Prashanth Neel as it does to Yash. Both of them have managed to deliver a sequel that seems more immersive than the first part.

James

James

17 Mar 2022 | 2 hrs 2 mins

| Kannada | Action, Thriller | UA

Puneeth Rajkumar, Shiva Rajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar, Priya Anand, Sarath Kumar, Meka Srikanth, Rangayana Raghu, Tilak Shekhar

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:For all of who wanted to see their favourite Appu in his Power-packed Star avatar one last time, James does not disappoint. There are shortcomings, but this film eventually hits the bull's eye in the heart for fans.

Old Monk

Old Monk

25 Feb 2022 | 2 hrs 9 mins

| Kannada | Comedy, Romance | UA

Srini, Aditi Prabhudeva, S. Narayan, Sujay Shastry, Sudev Nair, Sihi Kahi Chandru, Aruna Balaraj

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:MG Srinivas has been proving himself as a director who gives quality content with every film. With Old Monk, he does not disappoint. The film marks his return to the romantic genre once again after Srinivasa Kalyana. And marriage is the essential theme of this story, which is reminiscent of some of the old-school comedies that one used to see in the 80s and 90s with actors like Anant Nag and Ramesh Aravind in the lead.

Kotigobba 3

Kotigobba 3

15 Oct 2021 | 2 hrs 20 mins

| Kannada | Action | UA

Kichcha Sudeepa, Madonna Sebastian, Shradha Das, Aftab Shivdasani, P. Ravi Shankar, Nawab Shah

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Kotigobba 3 does not disappoint fans of the masala film genre, with a more classy than ‘massy’ approach.

Puksatte Lifu

Puksatte Lifu

24 Sep 2021 | 2 hrs 5 mins

| Kannada | Comedy, Drama | UA

Sanchari Vijay, Matangi Prasan, Achyuth Kumar, Rangayana Raghu, Arvind Kuplikar

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Shahajahan, an honest key maker, finds himself becoming an unlikely accomplice to a bunch of policemen who are thieves themselves. What follows then is a rollercoaster ride filled with many laughs and some shocks.

Roberrt

Roberrt

11 Mar 2021 | 2 hrs 48 mins

| Kannada | Action, Thriller, Drama | UA

Darshan, Asha Bhat, Jagapati Babu, Vinod Prabhakar, Devaraj, Chikkanna, Shivraj K R Pete, P. Ravi Shankar, Ravi Kishan

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:There may be a song or two extra that could have been taken out to make the film tighter, but those can be overlooked as the film eventually entertains. Fans expected a festive spread from Roberrt and the film delivers that.

Dia

Dia

07 Feb 2020 | 2 hrs 13 mins

| Kannada | Drama, Romance | UA

Pruthvee Ambaar, Pavithra Lokesh, Deekshith Shetty, Kushee

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Dia silently loves her college senior Rohith, and her introverted nature makes it hard for her to express her feelings for him. Does fate play Cupid to their love story? Where does happy-go-lucky Adi fit into this story?

Rangasthala

Rangasthala

12 Jul 2019 | 2 hrs 30 mins

| Kannada | Drama, Romance | UA

Ram Charan, Jagapati Babu, Prakash Raj, Aadhi, Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Chitti Babu (Ram Charan) is a partially deaf, happy-go-lucky man who doesn’t let his disability deter him.

Devaki

Devaki

05 Jul 2019 | 2 hrs 8 mins

| Kannada | Thriller | UA

Priyanka Upendra, Kishore Kumar G., Sanjeev Jaiswal

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:There are some films that speak the language of the heart. Devaki is one such. After a while, a heroine-centric film in Sandalwood arrives that is high on emotional quotient.

Premier Padmini

Premier Padmini

26 Apr 2019 | 2 hrs 25 mins

| Kannada | Drama | UA

Jaggesh, Sudha Rani, Madhoo Shah, Pramod

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Torn between finding oneself and learning to let go, this narrative is actually quite refreshing.

Chambal

Chambal

22 Feb 2019 | 1 hr 52 mins

| Kannada | Action, Drama, Thriller | UA

Sathish Ninasam, Sonu Gowda, Roger Narayan, Kishore Kumar G., Pawan Kumar

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Films about the prevalent system that are told without filters are barely any in Kannada and this sets the film apart. The film does have that little trigger that acts as a catalyst in making you feel uneasy about the world around you. Go ahead, this is worth a watch.

Katheyondu Shuruvagide

Katheyondu Shuruvagide

03 Aug 2018 | 2 hrs 14 mins

| Kannada | Romance, Drama | UA

Diganth Manchale, Pooja Devariya, Ashwin Rao Pallakki, Babu Hirannaiah, Aruna Balaraj

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Those looking at a getaway for three hours in a cinema hall for some laughs, a little tears and a story that is soulful and satisfying, this is definitely recommended.

Aa Karaala Ratri

Aa Karaala Ratri

13 Jul 2018 | 2 hrs 2 mins

| Kannada | Thriller, Suspense | UA

Rangayana Raghu, Jayaram Karthik, Veena Sundar, Naveen Krishna

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:If you want to know about the secret that lies inside the suitcase and why the home turned to ashes, then you must sit through the film to watch the climax, which will leave you dumbstruck.

Mugulu Nage

Mugulu Nage

01 Sep 2017 | 2 hrs 37 mins

| Romance | U

Ganesh, Apoorva Arora, Ashika Ranganath, Nikitha Narayan, Amulya, Achyuth Kumar, Dharmanna Kadur, Chandan Achar, Rangayana Raghu

Critic's Rating: 4.0
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Synopsis:Yogaraj and Ganesh first got together to make a film about heartbreak. With Mugulu Nage, the combination has grown and learnt to move on, which in many ways is quite akin to the film itself.