#BingeRewind: Regional content that captured our heart in 2025!

They say content is king, and art truly transcends languages, and 2025 proved it beyond any doubt. The year witnessed regional cinema rise to new heights, showcasing its storytelling prowess, rich cultural roots, and raw authenticity that triumphed over standard formulas, which we as audiences are tired of! From timeless folklores to mind-blowing psychological thrillers, and high-octane mass actioners, regional films offered it all and captivated us like never before!

Also Read: 8 Malayalam movies that will make for the perfect Christmas watch!

​Here are the standout regional movies of 2025 that defined the year at the box office!

Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 (Kannada) - Prime Video 

A highly anticipated prequel that stunned viewers with its gorgeous visuals, Kantara: Chapter 1traces the origins of the legend that audiences were first introduced to in the original film and explored themes such as human-nature relationship, greed, and divinity. Rishab Shetty’s conviction and the story’s raw energy turned the experience into a major cultural event, proving that local stories, too can have universal appeal! Kantara: The Legend Chapter 1 collected approximately Rs. 850 crore worldwide.

Jarann (Marathi) - Zee 5

​This horror-psychological thriller was lauded by the audience for its slow-burn tension and the way it curated its dark world of mental health issues, black magic and superstition in the rural Maharashtra setting. Powerful performances by veterans Amruta Subhash and Anita Date-Kelkar also lent the film its emotional grounding, impressing critics and audience alike. The Hrishikesh Gupte directorial earned Rs. 9 crore against the budget of 5 crore.

Laalo - Krishna Sada Sahaayate (Gujarati) - TBA 

A film that reeked of pure intent, Laalo is a heartwarming spiritual drama that centres on a simple rickshaw driver Laalo whose unwavering faith in Lord Krishna guides him through a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing. Thanks to its positive word of mouth and relatability, the film became a family favourite for its soulful music and the traditional values it stood for. Directed and starring Ankit Sakhiya, Laalo went on to become the highest-grossing Gujarati film of all time, collecting Rs. 93.05 crore. 

Coolie (Tamil) - Prime Video 

Exploring the crowd-favourite gritty themes of gold smuggling and industrial labour unions, Coolie featured a charismatic but morally grey protagonist, played by Rajinikanth, navigating the dangerous power structures of the underworld. The highly anticipated collaboration between the superstar and the modern master of action thrillers, Lokesh Kanagaraj, was loved by the audience as it offered stylish, neo-noir visuals, exciting action sequences and Anirudh Ravichander’s unfailing BGM services. As expected, the film went on to become a massive box office success, raking Rs. 514 crore globally.

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (Malayalam) - Jio Hotstar 

​Lauded as India’s finest superhero film by the critics, Lokah followed a young woman, Chandra (Kalyani Priyadarshan), who uncovers mystical skills while facing personal hurdles as evil surfaces in the world. The film was praised for its smart writing and Dominic Arun’s solid direction, which built a vivid world full of character and charm, rather than solely relying on over-the-top CGI, integrating it with Malayalam cinema’s signature emotional depth. It made history as the highest-grossing Malayalam film to date, crossing the Rs. 300 crore mark against a budget of Rs. 30 crores.

​Vash Level 2 (Gujarati) - Netflix 

​A direct sequel to the 2023 psychological horror sensation Vash, which also inspired Bollywood’s Ajay Devgn and R Madhavan starrer Shaitaan, Vash Level 2 offered a chillingly intense world that categorically refused to rely on jump scares to evoke horror. The sequel saw Atharva’s (Hitu Kanodia) daughter Aarya, essayed by Janki Bodiwala, still under the lingering curse of the black magician Pratap (Hiten Kumar) and how Atharva is once again forced to confront the evil that has cast mass hypnosis on schoolgirls in a bid for revenge and greater power. Director Krishnadev Yagnik’s ability to build a sense of inescapable dread solidified Gujarati cinema's growing reputation for high-quality horror, which earned approximately Rs. 16 crore on a limited budget.

Sabar Bonda (Marathi) - TBA 

A film that has been making India proud on the global stage finally released in India and quickly earned the tag of “India’s Call Me By Your Name.” Directed by Rohan Kanawade, this Marathi film is not just about two boys finding solace in each other against a sun-drenched summer landscape, but also about how people navigate grief and loneliness. How loss can become a path toward self-discovery, or even something unexpectedly beautiful shared with another. In that sense, the film transcends language to speak directly to the soul.

Which other titles do you think deserved a place on this list? Tell us in the comments below!

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