All through the years, South Indian cinema has brought forth an innumerable selection of blockbuster films with women holding the narrative. From historical dramas to fantasy thrillers, these movies have not only sold at the box office but proved the strength of female-centric storytelling. Here are the top five highest-grossing films with women in the lead and where to binge-watch them. Highest-Grossing South Indian Female-Oriented Films.
Kotha Lokah – ₹93 crore+ (6 Days)
The newest entry on the list is Kotha Lokah-Chapter 1: Chandra, led by Kalyani Priyadarshan. A fusing of folklore with super-hero elements, the Malayalam film has already crossed ₹93 crore globally within its first week. Reportedly Netflix has acquired the digital rights and would premiere the film in September 2025.
Mahanati- ₹84.5 crore
Released in 2018, Mahanati portrayed the poignant life story of the legendary actress Savitri, with Keerthy Suresh delivering an award-winning performance. The film grossed around ₹84.5 crore and constitutes a benchmark biographical drama in Indian cinema. It is currently available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Rudhramadevi- ₹82 crores
Anushka Shetty’s magnificent portrayal of the Kakatiya warrior queen saw Rudhramadevi become a huge success, grossing approximately ₹82 crores. The fusion of historical narrative and grand visual spectacle entertained audiences. The film is available for viewing on Prime Video and Sun NXT.
Arundhati- ₹68.5 crores
The supernatural thriller Arundhati, featuring Anushka Shetty in the lead role, became a cult hit. The box office collections were about ₹68.5 crore thanks to the gripping mix of horror and fantasy. Currently, the movie cannot be found on major OTT platforms, but clips and segments are available on YouTube.
Bhaagamathie- ₹64 crore
Yet another Anushka Shetty-led thriller, Bhaagamathie held the audience captive with its mix of mystery, politics, and horror. Strong ₹64 crores was collected by the film. It is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
ALSO READ: Top 10 South Indian Movies Releasing in September 2025
From Mahanati’s emotional storytelling to Kotha Lokah’s contemporary superhero twist, these films showcase how women-led narratives can reach both commercial and critical acclaim. The movies, which cover various genres and showcase stellar performances, have become milestones for South Indian cinema.
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