Malayalam movies are known for taking on new topics or for presenting the same topics from a fresh perspective. These films have pushed the envelope of regional cinema and have given us some cinematic gems. There’s something for everyone when it comes to Malayalam cinema. Tired of watching the same old movies and shows on Netflix? You should try watching some of the best Malayalam movies on Netflix.
The new wave of Malayalam cinema has been giving us some of the best hits. You can bookmark this page for a list of new Malayalam movies on Netflix that you can watch this long weekend. Here is a list of the best Malayalam movies on Netflix that you just can’t miss. From thrillers to comedy, drama, and rom-coms, there is something for everyone.
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| Sr No | Movie | Year It Released | IMDb Rating |
| 1. | Uyare | 2019 | 8 |
| 2. | Irul | 2021 | 5.8 |
| 3. | Njan Prakashan | 2018 | 7.7 |
| 4. | Forensic | 2020 | 6.8 |
| 5. | Lilli | 2018 | 5.7 |
| 6. | Grandmaster | 2012 | 6.9 |
| 7. | Comrade In America | 2017 | 6.4 |
| 8. | Varane Avashyamund | 2020 | 6.9 |
| 9. | Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil | 2018 | 7.4 |
| 10. | Nayattu | 2021 | 8.1 |
| 11. | Angamaly Diaries | 2017 | 7.9 |
| 12. | Kappela | 2020 | 7.5 |
| 13. | Aalorukkam | 2018 | 6.5 |
| 14. | Vikrithi | 2019 | 7.4 |
| 15. | Maniyarayile Ashokan | 2020 | 4.7 |
| 16. | Love | 2020 | 7 |
| 17. | Kurup | 2021 | 7.1 |
| 18. | Sudani From Nigeria | 2018 | 8.2 |
| 19. | Kilometers and Kilometers | 2020 | 6.4 |
| 20. | Kuttavum Shikshayum | 2022 | 6.3 |
| 21. | Thottappan | 2019 | 6.9 |
| 22. | Minnal Murali | 2021 | 7.8 |
| 23. | Jana Gana Mana | 2022 | 8.3 |
| 24. | Vaashi | 2022 | 6.4 |
| 25. | Night Drive | 2022 | 6.7 |
1. Uyare (2019)
Starring Parvathy Thiruvothu, Asif Ali, and Tovino Thomas, Uyare has been regarded as one of the defining movies of the New Wave Movement in Malayalam cinema. The film tells the story of an aspiring pilot who survives an acid attack by her ex-boyfriend, which tampers with the career that she has worked hard for. This 2019 film was the first Malayalam film and the second Indian film to be released in South Korea. The film collected a box office revenue of ₹30 crores. The film has an IMDb rating of 8 out of 10.
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2. Irul (2021)
This mystery thriller film stars Fahadh Faasil, Soubin Shahir, and Darshana Rajendran in the lead roles. The film was released on Netflix and shot completely during the lockdown. The story revolves around a couple who finds shelter on a rainy night, at an empty mansion that only inhabits one other person – who may or may not be a serial killer. A classic whodunit movie, Irul is a terrifying psychological thriller. The film has an IMDb rating of 5.8 out of 10.
3. Njan Prakashan (2018)
This satirical comedy film stars Fahadh Faasil in the titular role alongside Sreenivasan (who also wrote the film) and Nikhila Vimal. The film revolves around a young nurse who strives to leave the country and live a better life and hopes to do so through his ex-girlfriend, who is moving to Germany. This 2018 film became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time at the time of its release. This film won the Asianet Film Award for Best Script Writer. The film has an IMDb rating of 7.7.
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4. Forensic (2020)
A psychological thriller film, Forensic stars Tovino Thomas, Mamta Mohandas, Saiju Kurup, Renji Panicker, Dhanesh Anand, and Reba Monica John. It follows the journey of a forensic official and an ACP as they chase down a serial killer who is adding victims to his list. This film was remade in Hindi with Vikrant Massey in the lead role alongside Radhika Apte, Prachi Desai, and Rohit Roy in 2022. The film has an IMDb rating of 6.8.
5. Lilli (2018)
This 2018 thriller is a mind-twisted film that will leave you boggled. It tells the story of a pregnant woman who gets kidnapped by three men who want to know the location of another young girl she knows. As the story progresses we get to know of a prostitution ring, a murder, and the betrayal Lilli has faced. The movie stars Samyuktha Menon, Dhanesh Anand, Aaryan Krishna Menon, and Kannan Nayar in the lead roles. The film is rated 5.7 on IMDb.
6. Grandmaster (2012)
This 2012 neo-noir action thriller stars Mohanlal in the lead role alongside Priyamani, Narain, Anoop Menon, Babu Antony, Jagathy Sreekumar, and Arjun Nandhakumar. The movie is based on the book The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie. It was the first Malayalam film to release on Netflix, and the first Malayalam film to be released with English subtitles outside Kerala. It is rated 6.9 on IMDb.
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7. Comrade In America (2017)
This action thriller stars Dulquer Salmaan and Karthika Muralidharan in the lead roles. It tells the story of a communist who travels from Kerala to the United States illegally via the Mexican border to stop his girlfriend from marrying another man. The film has a refreshing outlook and was praised for being perhaps the first Malayalam film to be shot in Mexico. The film is rated 6.4 on IMDb.
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8. Varane Avashyamund (2020)
This romantic comedy-drama film was produced by Dulquer Salmaan and stars Suresh Gopi, Shobana, Dulquer Salmaan, and Kalyani Priyadarshan. The film tells the story of a single mother and her daughter, who only wants to get married via an arranged marriage. Things begin to change when a Major and a young man move into their apartment complex. The movie was praised for being a clean family comedy. It is rated 6.9 on IMDb.
9. Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil (2018)
This action thriller film stars Antony Varghese, Vinayakan, and Chemban Vinod Jose in prominent roles. The premise is a sub-jail and the story revolves around remanded prisoners. It follows a man who works in a finance company and his life changes overnight as he is forced to survive the odds. The movie collected ₹11.5 crores at the box office. It is rated 7.4 on IMDb.
10. Nayattu (2021)
A 2021 Malayalam political thriller film, Nayattu stars Kunchako Boban, Joju George, Nimisha Sajayan, Jaffar Idukki, Anil Nedumangad, and Hakkim Shajahan in prominent roles. It was widely praised for being a great police procedural, a thriller, and a socio-political commentary on today’s India. Against the backdrop of politics and bureaucracy, the film revolves around three police officers and the things they face in order to avoid being arrested. The film is rated 8.1 on IMDb.
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11. Angamaly Diaries (2017)
This crime drama film features 86 debutant actors, with Antony Varghese, Anna Rajan, Kichu Tellus, Ullas Jose Chemban, Vineeth Vishwam, Bitto Davis, Tito Wilson, Sarath Kumar, and Sinoj Varghese playing the lead roles. This black comedy follows a young man who wants to be a powerful leader to rule the town of Angamaly. The film was praised for its unique storyline and also for the climax, which was an uncut 11-minute long take featuring around 1000 artists. The film is rated 7.9 out of 10 on IMDb.
12. Kappela (2020)
A romantic drama film, Kappela stars Anna Ben, Sreenath Bhasi, and Roshan Mathew in lead roles. The movie tells the tale of young love that blossoms between a girl from a village and an auto driver when she accidentally dials the wrong number and ends up talking to him. It is rated 7.5 on IMDb.
13. Aalorukkam (2018)
This 2018 film follows an aging man who has been on the hunt for his son, for the last 16 years and is now on his deathbed. However, his son has transitioned into a woman and is living with her family, a truth that the old man can’t seem to accept. This film was praised worldwide and won National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues. While the lead actor, Indrans won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 2018. It is rated 6.5 on IMDb.
14. Vikrithi (2019)
This comedy-drama stars Suraj Venjarammoodu and Soubin Shahir in lead roles and talks extensively about internet culture and how it can ruin someone’s life. The film is based on the real-life events of a hearing/speech-impaired man, who went viral when a picture of him sleeping was taken and shared online by a passenger, assuming he was drunk. The film is rated 7.4 on IMDb.
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15. Maniyarayile Ashokan (2020)
This romantic comedy film stars Jacob Gregory, Anupama Parameswaran, Krishna Sankar, and Shine Tom Chacko in lead roles. The movie revolves around the life of a man who desperately wants to marry. However, he is past the marriageable age. Bad luck, unforeseen circumstances, and life threaten to make his marriage a distant dream. The film has a rating of 4.7 on IMDb.
16. Love (2020)
Unlike the name, Love is anything but romantic. This 2020 black comedy psychological thriller film revolves around the lives of a married couple who is facing marital problems. Things escalate and what ensues is a series of disastrous events. The film won the Kerala State Film Award under the Special Jury Film Category. It stars Rajisha Vijayan and Shine Tom Chacko in lead roles. The film was shot on a budget of ₹2.5 crores. It is rated 7 on IMDb.
17. Kurup (2021)
This 2021 Malayalam film directed by Srinath Rajendran stars Dulquer Salman, Sobhita Dhulipala, and Tovino Thomas in lead roles. The movie revolves around the life of Kurup who weaves a web of lies, fake deaths, and identity theft. However, a policeman gets a whiff of his plans and starts following him. This biographical crime thriller film is loosely based on fugitive, Sukumara Kurup. The film was shot on a budget of ₹27 crores. It is rated 7.1 on IMDb.
18. Sudani From Nigeria (2018)
This 2018 Indian Malayalam-language sports drama film written and directed by Zakariya Mohammed stars Soubin Shahir and Samuel Abiola Robinson in lead roles. The film revolves around the life of a local football club manager who lets one of his injured players stay at his house. This sports film revolves around the bond both of them create over time. The film collected ₹30 crores at the box office. It is rated 8.2 on IMDb.
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19. Kilometers and Kilometers (2020)
This comedy-drama film encapsulates road trips like no other. The film follows the journey of a tour guide from Kerala who takes an American tourist on a journey through India. The travel helps them reshape their understanding of each other and their cultures. Directed by Jeo Baby, the film stars Tovino Thomas, Joju George, India Jarvis, Sidhartha Siva, and Basil Joseph. It is rated 6.4 on IMDb.
20. Kuttavum Shikshayum (2022)
Directed by Rajeev Ravi, this police drama film stars Asif Ali, Sunny Wayne, Alencier Ley Lopez, Sharaf U Dheen, and Senthil Krishna in lead roles. The film revolves around a jewellery robbery that occurred in Kasaragod in 2015. The film takes on from there and follows a police inspector and his team who are on a nationwide hunt for the culprits. It is rated 6.3 on IMDb.
21. Thottappan (2019)
This movie won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Screenplay. Directed by Shanavas K Bavakkutty, the movie stars Vinayakan, Dileesh Pothan, Priyamvada Krishnan, and Roshan Mathew in prominent roles. The movie follows the life of a small-time crook who decides to raise the daughter of his partner in crime. The affection that forms between them manages to tug your heart. It is rated 6.9 on IMDb.
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22. Minnal Murali (2021)
This superhero film directed by Basil Joseph stars Tovino Thomas and Guru Somasundaram in prominent roles. The movie follows the life of a young tailor who gains superpowers after he is struck by lightning. The accident makes him a superhero his village desperately needs. Think of a superhero movie packed in an Indian context. The movie is a refreshing watch. It is rated 7.8 on IMDb.
23. Jana Gana Mana (2022)
This 2022 legal thriller film directed by Dijo Jose Antony stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Pasupathi Raj, G. M. Sundar, Mamta Mohandas, and Sri Divya in lead roles. The movie follows the events that occur after a professor’s death causes an uproar across the nation. However, as the story unfolds a police officer gets in trouble. The film was praised for its narrative style, cast performances, and technical aspects. It is rated 8.3 on IMDb.
24. Vaashi (2022)
This courtroom drama film directed by Vishnu G. Raghav stars Tovino Thomas and Keerthy Suresh in the lead roles. The movie follows the life of two lawyers who find themselves embroiled in a case that affects them deeply. The case brings them face to face with their own dilemmas outside the courtroom. The movie collected ₹4 crores at the box office. It is rated 6.4 on IMDb.
25. Night Drive (2022)
Directed by Vysakh, this crime thriller film stars Indrajith Sukumaran, Anna Ben, Roshan Mathew, and Siddique. The film follows the life of a young couple who just want to enjoy a long drive at night. Their endeavour falls through when they meet with an accident and face punishment. However, things go from bad to worse when the investigation follows. It is rated 6.7 on IMDb.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is there a remake of Forensic?
A: The 2020 Malayalam movie Forensic was remade in Hindi with the same title. The Hindi film stars Vikrant Massey, Radhika Apte, and Prachi Desai in prominent roles.
Q: Is Grandmaster based on a real story?
A: Grandmaster is based on a book by Agatha Christie. Agatha Christie is known for writing detective fiction. The movie is based on The A.B.C. Murders.
Q: Has Kappela won any State Awards?
Kappela has won two awards – the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Debut Director.
Q: Is Vikrithi based on a real incident?
Vikrithi is based on true events that occurred on a Kochi Metro train. A picture of a sleeping man was taken and shared online by a passenger assuming he was drunk. In reality, the man had hearing and speech impairment.
Q: Who played the lead role in Kurup?
Dulquer Salmaan played the role of the fugitive, Sukumara Kurup.
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