Most-awaited Tamil theatrical releases in May 2025; From Suriya’s Retro to Ace starring Vijay Sethupathi

As we complete one third of 2025, Tamil cinema’s report card seems to be middling with only sporadic successes. However, one hopes that this would change in May, given a set of films are slated to release in theatres. While the biggies like Coolie, Thug Life, and Idly Kadai are slated for second half, May will have its own share of interesting releases. Here are Tamil films scheduled to take over big screens in May 2025.

Most-awaited Tamil theatrical releases in May 2025

Retro – May 1

Starring Suriya in the lead role, Retro is an upcoming romantic action film helmed by Karthik Subbaraj. The film marks the first collaboration between the Pizza director and Pithamagan actor. Retro also stars Pooja Hegde, Jayaram, Joju George and others. With Santhosh Narayanan scoring the music, the single Kanima has become a viral hit on social media. Actor Shriya Saran will be making a cameo appearance in the film for a dance sequence.

Tourist Family – May 1

Tourist Family is a comedy family drama starring Sasikumar and Simran in the lead roles. Although the actors have earlier worked in Petta , they did not have any scenes together and Tourist Family marks their first collaboration together onscreen. The film is directed by debutant Abishan Jeevinth. It revolves around a family of four who are Sri Lankan Tamils seeking refuge in Tamil Nadu. The ensemble cast includes Yogi Babu, Mithun Jai Sankar, Kamalesh, MS Bhaskar, Ramesh Thilak, Bucks, Elango Kumaravel, and Sreeja Ravi.

DD Next Level – May 16

The fourth instalment in the horror comedy film franchise Dhilluku Dhuddu , titled DD Next Level, stars Santhanam in the lead role. Prem Anand, who helmed DD Returns, will be back in the director's chair for DD Next Level. The cast of DD Next Level features Gautham Menon, Selvaraghavan, Yashika Anand, Rajendran, and others. The film’s plot takes place on a cruise ship and an island.

Maaman – May 16

Soori, who delivered top performances as lead actor in Viduthalai and Kottukkaali , is set to team up with Vilangu director Prasant Pandiyaraj. The film features Aishwarya Lekshmi as the female lead, with Hridayam fame composer Hesham Abdul Wahab scoring the music. The cast of Maaman also features Rajkiran, Geetha Kailasam, Swasika, Bala Saravanan and others.

Ace – May 23

Vijay Sethupathi's Ace is helmed by Aarumugakumar, and marks the debut of Kannada actor Rukmini Vasanth. The film has music by Justin Prabhakaran, with Karan B Rawat as cinematographer. Fenny Oliver is the editor. Yogi Babu, Divya Pillai, Babloo Prithveeraj, BS Avinash, Muthu Kumar, Raj Kumar, Denes Kumar, and others are also part of the film.