If you are overwhelmed by this Telugu movies list from 2000 to 2020 exclusive, start with these five pillars:
| Year | Movie | Star Cast | Notable For | |------|-------|-----------|--------------| | 2015 | Baahubali: The Beginning | Prabhas, Rana, Anushka, Tamannaah | Pan-Indian epic; global phenomenon | | 2015 | Srimanthudu | Mahesh Babu, Shruti Haasan | Social drama; hit | | 2015 | Kick 2 | Ravi Teja, Rakul Preet Singh | Action comedy | | 2016 | Janatha Garage | Mohanlal, NTR Jr, Samantha | Environmental action | | 2016 | A Aa | Nithiin, Samantha | Family romance | | 2016 | Pelli Choopulu | Vijay Deverakonda, Ritu Varma | Indie rom-com; National Award | | 2017 | Baahubali 2: The Conclusion | Prabhas, Rana | ₹1800+ crore gross; global record | | 2017 | Arjun Reddy | Vijay Deverakonda, Shalini Pandey | Raw cult classic; launched new wave | | 2017 | Fidaa | Varun Tej, Sai Pallavi | Village romance; blockbuster | | 2017 | Mahanati | Keerthy Suresh, Dulquer Salmaan | Savitri biopic; National Award | | 2018 | Rangasthalam | Ram Charan, Samantha | Period action drama; critical & commercial hit | | 2018 | Bharat Ane Nenu | Mahesh Babu, Kiara Advani | Political drama | | 2018 | Geetha Govindam | Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika | Romantic comedy blockbuster | | 2018 | Taxiwaala | Vijay Deverakonda, Priyanka Jawalkar | Horror comedy | | 2019 | Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo | Allu Arjun, Pooja Hegde | Family action blockbuster | | 2019 | Maharshi | Mahesh Babu, Pooja Hegde | Social drama | | 2019 | Jersey | Nani, Shraddha Srinath | Sports drama; cult classic | | 2019 | Brochevarevarura | Nivetha Thomas, Sree Vishnu | Crime comedy | | 2020 | Sarileru Neekevvaru | Mahesh Babu, Rashmika | Action masala | | 2020 | Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (Jan 2020) | Allu Arjun, Pooja Hegde | Sankranthi blockbuster | | 2020 | Bheeshma | Nithiin, Rashmika | Romantic comedy | | 2020 | V | Nani, Sudheer Babu | Action thriller (direct OTT release) |
Note: 2020 saw many theatrical releases halted due to COVID-19. Only early 2020 releases included.
This period saw filmmakers becoming more ambitious, shooting in exotic foreign locations, while also producing timeless romantic classics that appealed to the youth.
1. Bommarillu (2006) Starring: Siddharth, Genelia D'Souza A breath of fresh air in an era of violence. Bommarillu tackled father-son dynamics and the pressure of parental expectations. It remains one of the most beloved romantic dramas in Telugu history and a perennial favorite on television. telugu movies list 2000 to 2020 exclusive
2. Magadheera (2009) Starring: Ram Charan, Kajal Aggarwal Directed by S.S. Rajamouli, this was the turning point for VFX in Indian cinema. The reincarnation story blended historical grandeur with modern action. It shattered Pokiri’s records and proved that Telugu cinema could handle epic scales on par with Hollywood. It stands as the first "Industry Hit" of the modern era.
3. Arundhati (2009) Starring: Anushka Shetty A rare female-centric blockbuster. This horror-fantasy proved that a strong script and visual grandeur could sell a film without a male superstar lead. It was a massive commercial success and technically brilliant.
Below is a curated, year-by-year list highlighting notable and influential Telugu films released from 2000 through 2020. This selection favors breakthrough hits, critically acclaimed works, major star vehicles, and films that shaped trends in the Telugu film industry.
While commercial masala continued, filmmakers began exploring new genres. The term "Blockbuster" changed from "100 days" to "100 Crores." If you are overwhelmed by this Telugu movies
Key Films:
The industry exploded onto the national stage. The definition of a "hero" shifted from an invincible superman to a flawed, realistic man.
1. Pellichoopulu (2016) Starring: Vijay Deverakonda, Ritu Varma A small-budget gem that redefined indie cinema. It was a realistic take on modern relationships, unemployment, and marriage. It proved that content was king and inspired a wave of "multiplex movies."
2. Arjun Reddy (2017) Starring: Vijay Deverakonda A polarizing but revolutionary film. It broke the "hero worship" template by presenting a protagonist with severe flaws and anger issues. Its raw, unfiltered storytelling sparked a cultural shift and was later remade in Hindi as Kabir Singh. Note: 2020 saw many theatrical releases halted due
3. Rangasthalam (2018) Starring: Ram Charan A rustic village drama set in the 1980s. It was a masterclass in storytelling, art direction, and sound design (Dolby Atmos). It proved that audiences still craved authentic rural stories if presented with conviction.
4. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) Starring: Prabhas The film that answered "Why Kattapa killed Baahubali." It became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time (at that point), effectively erasing the line between "South Indian Cinema" and "Bollywood."
5. Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020) Starring: Allu Arjun Released just before the pandemic, this film became a sensation for its music (courtesy of Thaman S) and Allu Arjun’s stylish performance. It was the last major theatrical blockbuster before the world shut down.
6. Jersey (2019) Starring: Nani A sports drama that is often cited as one of the most emotionally satisfying films of the decade. It focused on a failed cricketer seeking redemption at age 36, winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu (Hindi).