List: Of Malayalam Movies

These films are widely regarded as must-watches by audiences and critics alike, often appearing at the top of the IMDb Top Rated Malayalam Movies Manichitrathazhu

: A legendary psychological thriller that blended folklore with science, starring Mohanlal and Shobana.

: A cult classic political satire famous for its witty dialogue and realistic portrayal of family dynamics.

: A poignant drama about a young man's dreams being shattered by a single incident, featuring one of Mohanlal's best performances.

: A landmark film in Indian cinema based on Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai's novel, exploring a forbidden romance in a fishing village. Thoovanathumbikal

: A romantic cult classic directed by Padmarajan, celebrated for its unique treatment of love and rain. 🎬 Recent & Upcoming Hits (2024–2026) list of malayalam movies

Malayalam cinema has recently seen a massive surge in box office performance and global recognition with "new-age" storytelling. Top Rated Malayalam Movies - IMDb

Top rated Malayalam movies * 1Sandesham. 9.0 Rate. 4Manichithrathazhu. 5Nadodikkattu. 6Kumbalangi Nights. 7Drishyam 2. 8Devasuram.

These films are frequently cited as the gold standard of Malayalam cinema for their scripts and performances.

(1991): A political satire about two brothers in rival parties, holding a top IMDb rating of 9.0.

(1989): A powerful tragedy starring Mohanlal as a young man whose life is upended by a single incident. Manichithrathazhu These films are widely regarded as must-watches by

(1993): An iconic psychological thriller that blended folklore and science, widely considered one of the best in Indian cinema.

(2013): A groundbreaking thriller about a common man protecting his family, which spawned remakes in multiple languages. Kumbalangi Nights

(2019): A modern masterpiece exploring family dynamics and toxic masculinity with a high IMDb rating of 8.5. 2. Recent Hits (2024–2025)

The last two years saw a massive global expansion for the industry with several "industry hits." The top 25 Malayalam Movies of all time - IMDb

Malayalam cinema, often called "Mollywood," has evolved from its humble beginnings in 1928 with Vigathakumaran into a global powerhouse known for its raw realism and high-concept storytelling. This list of Malayalam movies spans the industry's greatest hits, recent blockbusters from 2024–2025, and highly anticipated titles for 2026. The "Golden Era" Classics & All-Time Greats Malayalam Movies — Curated List Recent notable films

Malayalam cinema is famous for its character-driven narratives that avoid typical "masala" tropes in favor of human emotion.

Manichitrathazhu (1993): A psychological thriller featuring Shobana's legendary performance; it remains a benchmark for the genre.

Kireedam (1989): A tragic drama starring Mohanlal that explores the downfall of an aspiring police officer.

Sandesham (1991): A sharp political satire that remains relevant decades after its release.

Mathilukal (1990): Directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan and starring Mammootty, this film is a poetic adaptation of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer's novel.

Thoovanathumbikal (1987): A cult classic romantic drama known for its unique atmosphere and the iconic rain-soaked settings. Recent Hits & Blockbusters (2024–2025)

The last two years have seen unprecedented commercial success for Mollywood, with several films crossing the ₹100-crore mark internationally. Top Rated Malayalam Movies - IMDb

Malayalam Movies — Curated List

Recent notable films (2016–2025)

  • Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016)
  • Kammatipaadam (2016)
  • Angamaly Diaries (2017)
  • Lucifer (2019)
  • Jallikattu (2019)
  • Virus (2019)
  • Joji (2021)
  • Malik (2021)
  • Minnal Murali (2021)
  • Thuramukham (2023)

Landmark Films of the Revival:

  • Meesa Madhavan (2002) – Launched the career of Dileep and brought back slapstick comedy.
  • Traffic (2011) – A non-linear thriller that changed the grammar of Malayalam screenwriting. It proved that a film without a "superstar" could become a blockbuster.
  • Beautiful (2011) – Redefined romance and friendship for the urban youth.
  • Ustad Hotel (2012) – A heartwarming tale of a chef that went viral globally.

A. List of Malayalam Horror Movies

  • Manichitrathazhu (1993) – The gold standard of Indian horror-comedy.
  • Bhoothakalam (2022) – A slow-burn psychological horror that genuinely terrifies.
  • Rorschach (2022) – A psychological revenge thriller with horror undertones.
  • Romancham (2023) – A horror-comedy based on real-life Ouija board incidents.