Listing his movies that are available on specific .
(2000) solidified his reputation as the "Ilayathalapathy" (Young Commander). The Action Evolution: 2000s Mass Superstardom vijay tamil movie list
| Year | Film | Director | Notes | |------|------|----------|-------| | 1996 | Poove Unakkaga | Vikraman | Blockbuster, musical hit | | 1997 | Kadhalukku Mariyadhai | Fazil | Critically acclaimed | | 1998 | Ninaithen Vanthai | K. Selva Bharathy | Average | | 1998 | Priyamudan | S. A. Chandrasekhar | Hit | | 1999 | Nenjinile | S. A. Chandrasekhar | Average | | 1999 | Minsara Kanna | K. S. Ravikumar | Family comedy hit | | 2000 | Kannukkul Nilavu | Fazil | Moderate | | 2001 | Friends | Siddique | Comedy blockbuster | | 2001 | Badri | P. A. Arun Prasad | Average | | 2002 | Shahjahan | Ravi Raja | Musical hit | Listing his movies that are available on specific
| Year | Film | Director | Notes | |------|------|----------|-------| | 2017 | Bairavaa | Bharathan | Average | | 2017 | Mersal | Atlee | Blockbuster, first ₹250cr+ worldwide | | 2019 | Sarkar | A. R. Murugadoss | Political thriller, Super Hit | | 2019 | Bigil | Atlee | Sports-action melodrama, Blockbuster | | 2021 | Master | Lokesh Kanagaraj | Post-COVID blockbuster | | 2022 | Beast | Nelson Dilipkumar | Mixed reviews, average recovery | | 2022 | Varisu | Vamshi Paidipally | Pongal blockbuster, family drama | | 2023 | Leo | Lokesh Kanagaraj | Part of LCU, Blockbuster | | 2024 | The Greatest of All Time (GOAT) | Venkat Prabhu | Sci-fi action, released Sep 2024 | Selva Bharathy | Average | | 1998 | Priyamudan | S
Even the biggest stars face slumps, and Vijay was no exception. The period between 2012 and 2014 was marred by critical failures and commercial disappointments such as Nanban (though a commercial success, it was a multi-starrer remake), Thalaivaa , Jilla , and Puli . Critics began to write him off, stating that the actor was trapped in a repetitive formula.
Since his debut as a child actor in the 1980s, Joseph Vijay —affectionately known as "Thalapathy"—has evolved into one of the most powerful icons of Tamil cinema. With a career spanning over 68 lead roles, he has transitioned from a romantic hero to a "mass" entertainer with significant social and political influence.