Best Malayalam Drama Movies of All Time

Anjali Menon · 171 min · Anwar Rasheed Entertainments / Weekend Blockbusters

Bangalore Days begins with an intro from Kuttan (Nivin Pauly) introducing himself and his cousins namely Divya (Nazriya) and Aju (Dulquer) who share a very friendly relationship right from the childhood.They get separated after their schooling but are reunited at Bangalore after the marriage of Divya to Das. The story revolves around how their life turns at Bangalore.

Cast: Dulquer Salmaan, Nivin Pauly, Nazriya Nazim

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.3/10 on IMDb (23,587 votes), 100% on Rotten Tomatoes), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Jude Anthany Joseph · 150 min · Kavya Film Company / PK Prime Production

A disaster film set during the 2018 Kerala Floods where people from all walks of life faced catastrophic consequences and put in collective efforts to survive the calamity.

Cast: Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Asif Ali

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.3/10 on IMDb (16,440 votes), 100% on Rotten Tomatoes), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Sathyan Anthikad · 138 min

A satire on contemporary Kerala politics where brothers turn local leaders of rival parties, leading to distress for their aged and once-proud parents.

Cast: Sreenivasan, Jayaram, Thilakan

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (9.0/10 on IMDb (5,391 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Sibi Malayil · 124 min

The life of a young man turns upside down when he intervenes in a dispute in order to rescue his father (a cop) from a ruthless local outlaw.

Cast: Mohanlal, Thilakan, Kaviyoor Ponnamma

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.9/10 on IMDb (8,658 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Rojin Thomas · 158 min · Friday Film House

Oliver Twist (Indrans) wants to be tech-savvy and become a better companion to his two sons, who spend more time on their phones than with their loved ones.

Cast: Indrans, Sreenath Bhasi, Manju Pillai

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.8/10 on IMDb (15,837 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Jeo Baby · 100 min

After marriage, a woman struggles to be the submissive wife that her husband and his family expect her to be. The story follows her journey, as she changes herself and, even more so, changes the household.

Cast: Nimisha Sajayan, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Ajitha V.M.

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.1/10 on IMDb (10,146 votes), 100% on Rotten Tomatoes), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

I.V. Sasi · 187 min · Anugraha Cine Arts

Neelakandan (Mohanlal) is the heir to the Mangalasherry family who squanders away his father's largest and is a dependable menace to society. One of his victims is promising dancer Bhanu (Revathi) who vows never to dance again till his death following a public affront by Neelakandan and his cronies. Ironically they fall in love. Meanwhile, the vicious Shekaran (Napoleon) of a rival clan has sworn to avenge the death of his uncle, killed by Neelakandan's men. A reasonably watchable film that goes fairly awry towards the second half. Innocent is good as Neelakandan's long-suffering manservant.

Cast: Mohanlal, Napolean, Revathi

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.7/10 on IMDb (6,540 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

T Hariharan · 168 min · Grihalakshmi Productions

The film is set in 16th-century Northern Kerala. The plot unfolds at Puthooram, the house of great Kannappan Chekavar (Balan K. Nair). Kannappan Chekavar adopts the son of his estranged sister when the boy loses both his parents and brings him to Puthooram to live and learn with his cousins. The orphan boy, Chandu, a quick learner, earns the love and admiration of his uncle, while he is loathed by his cousin Aromal Chekavar (Suresh Gopi). As they grow up Chandu (Mammootty) is betrothed to Chekavar's daughter, Unniyarcha (Madhavi). Several events unfold where in Chandu finds himself being pushed to the corner by his cousin. He flees to the Kali under the guidance of Tulunadan expert and master Chekavar, Aringodar (Captain Raju).

Cast: Mammootty, Balan K Nair, Madhavi

AI verdict: Based on TMDb's aggregated score (7.0/10 on TMDb (34 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Bhadran · 150 min

A small-town criminal constantly clashes with his strict school headmaster father at the expense of their family lives.

Cast: Mohanlal, Thilakan, Urvashi

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.6/10 on IMDb (6,973 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Priyadarshan · 159 min · Shirdi Sai Creations

Kalyani (Renjini) decides to marry her boyfriend against her father's (Poornam Vishwanathan) wish. But her boyfriend ditches her when he comes to know that she would be disinherited. Kalyani's father Ramachandra Menon, who stays in US, is unaware of the broken engagement and comes to India to spend his vacation with his newlywed daughter and son in law. This prompts Kaimail (Nedumudi Venu), who takes care of Kalyani, to hire a stranger named Vishnu (Mohanlal) to play the role of Kalyani's husband. But Kalyani's cousin Bhaskaran (Sreenivasan) is aware that Vishnu is not Kalyani's husband and tries to inform Menon about the truth with proof so that he can inherit Menon's wealth. Meanwhile Vishnu and Kalyani never get on well and keep on fighting. But later she develops an affection for him and wishes that she could marry him. But the arrival of a mysterious stranger (M. G. Soman) gives the story a twist as it unfolds Vishnu's past.

Cast: Mohanlal, Nedumudi Venu, Renjini

AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.6/10 on IMDb (6,279 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

P. Padmarajan · 151 min

Jayakrishnan falls in love with two girls, Radha and Clara, and fights his confusion about whom he should marry and spend his life with.

Cast: Mohanlal, Sumalatha, Parvathi

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.6/10 on IMDb (5,110 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Jeethu Joseph · 153 min · Aashirvad Cinemas

Six years after the terrible event that almost destroyed his family, Georgekutty is the proud owner of a movie theater and aspiring to write and produce his own hit film. Yet his wife Rani is ill at ease. She worries about Georgekutty, who's taken out a loan and started drinking. She worries about her daughters; Anju suffers epileptic fits and cowers in fear at the sound of a passing police siren, and young Anu's growing independence takes her away from her mother's watchful eyes. Even more worrying, the neighbors have started to gossip and the police have remained relentless in unearthing George's darkest secret. When someone from the past returns to the village, can Georgekutty save his family a second time?

Cast: Mohanlal, Meena, Murali Gopy

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AI verdict: Based on TMDb's aggregated score (7.6/10 on TMDb (142 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Madhu C. Narayanan · 135 min

The film revolves around four brothers who share a love-hate relationship with each other. Their relationship progresses to another level when Saji, Boney, and Franky decide to help Bobby stand by his love.

Cast: Shane Nigam, Soubin Shahir, Fahadh Faasil

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.5/10 on IMDb (19,661 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Sangeeth Sivan · 149 min

Fate brings a young man from rural Kerala to be the protector of a young Lama in Nepal, who is being chased by a dangerous cult.

Cast: Mohanlal, Siddharth Lama, Madhoo

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.4/10 on IMDb (5,180 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Blessy · 160 min

Will an unexpected turn of events change Rameshan's life forever and prevent him from witnessing his dream where his son becomes a reputable IAS Officer?

Cast: Mohanlal, Meera Vasudevan, Arjun Lal

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.4/10 on IMDb (4,670 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Dileesh Pothan · 120 min

Mahesh, a studio photographer and studio owner gets into a fight and loses. He ends up taking revenge which leads to certain realizations in his life.

Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Aparna Balamurali, Soubin Shahir

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.3/10 on IMDb (11,473 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Dijo Jose Antony · 162 min

As a college professor's brutal murder sparks student unrest, a cop launches an investigation while a lawyer seeks justice in the the courtroom.

Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Mamta Mohandas

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.3/10 on IMDb (21,448 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Alphonse Puthren · 156 min

A young man has three opportunities to find love. Will the third time be the charm?

Cast: Nivin Pauly, Sai Pallavi, Madonna Sebastian

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.3/10 on IMDb (24,675 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Salim Ahamed · 110 min

Pathemari features the life of Pallikkal Narayanan who migrated to the Middle-East in the early 1980s, when the Kerala Gulf boom was at its peak.

Cast: Mammootty, Jewel Mary, Joy Mathew

AI verdict: Based on TMDb's aggregated score (7.5/10 on TMDb (24 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Martin Prakkat · 124 min

Three police officers are forced to go on the run when they get tangled in the death of a youth, a few days before the election.

Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Joju George, Nimisha Sajayan

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AI verdict: Based on TMDb's aggregated score (7.5/10 on TMDb (46 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Zakariya Mohammed · 123 min

When a soccer club manager brings one of his injured foreign players home to recuperate, they form an unlikely bond despite their cultural differences.

Cast: Soubin Shahir, Samuel Abiola Robinson, Savithri Sreedharan

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AI verdict: Based on TMDb's aggregated score (7.2/10 on TMDb (36 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Dileesh Pothan · 136 min

Prasad and Sreeja are a couple planning to set up a new life in Kasargod. On a bus journey they end up being robbed by a thief also named Prasad and this lands them up in a police station.

Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Nimisha Sajayan

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AI verdict: Based on TMDb's aggregated score (7.2/10 on TMDb (62 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Anwar Rasheed · 151 min

Faisi wants to go to UK to become a professional chef but circumstances force him to assist his grandfather in a small restaurant in Kozhikode city, changing his outlook on life forever.

Cast: Dulquer Salmaan, Thilakan, Siddique

AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.2/10 on IMDb (17,161 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Chidambaram · 135 min

A group of friends get into a daring rescue mission to save their friend from Guna Caves, a perilously deep pit from where nobody has ever been brought back.

Cast: Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.2/10 on IMDb (29,256 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Mahesh Narayanan · 139 min

A group of Malayali nurses stranded in Iraq, must survive their capture by the extremists and reach out to the rescue team headed by the Indian government.

Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Fahadh Faasil

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AI verdict: Based on TMDb's aggregated score (7.3/10 on TMDb (54 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Jeethu Joseph · 164 min · Aashirvad Cinemas

Georgekutty (Mohanlal) is a cable-TV network owner in a remote hilly village in Kerala. He lives a happy life with his wife and two daughters. The first half revolves around the depiction of their happy family. Anju (Ansiba), Georgekutty's daughter, goes on a school trip between the proceedings. After a few days, a guy who had been at the school trip with her meets Anju. He blackmails her with a video of her that he had captured during the school trip. In the course of events he is accidentally killed by Rani (Meena) and Anju. Georgekutty on returning home is appraised of the events and thus begins a cat and mouse game as the murdered person is the son of IG Geeta Prabhakar (Asha Sharath) and Prabhakar (Siddique). How the family weathers the storm that ensues during the murder investigation forms the rest of the story leading to a deeply satisfying and unexpected climax.

Cast: Mohanlal, Meena, Asha Sarath

AI verdict: Based on TMDb's aggregated score (7.5/10 on TMDb (228 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Martin Prakkat · 130 min · Finding Cinema

Charlie is a young guy who always loves traveling and believes in enjoying life to the fullest. He considers life to be a celebration and tries to bring happiness in the lives of people around him. Tessa is a graphic artist with a sensitive outlook towards life. The film depicts the love story of Charlie and Tessa, and how their love influences the lives of the people around them.

Cast: Dulquer Salmaan, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Aparna Gopinath

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AI verdict: Based on aggregated scores (8.1/10 on IMDb (14,948 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Padmakumar M · 138 min

Joseph is a retired police officer with adept investigative skills. He accidentally gets involved in a crime case after his ex-wife’s unexpected demise.

Cast: Joju George, Irshad, Athmeeya Rajan

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AI verdict: Based on TMDb's aggregated score (7.5/10 on TMDb (42 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval · 134 min · Moonshot Entertainments

Story of a conventional, conservative small town villager and his son who has to move away from home due to his profession. Their relationship gets an endearing twist when an AI humanoid enters their lives and fills in their emptiness.

Cast: Suraj Venjaramoodu, Soubin Shahir, Sooraj Thelakkad

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AI verdict: Based on TMDb's aggregated score (7.5/10 on TMDb (42 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Dinjith Ayyathan · 125 min

Strange events unfold in a monkey-inhabited village, driving a newlywed couple and forest officials to embark on a mission to uncover the root of the unusual disturbances.

Cast: Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali, Vijayaraghavan

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AI verdict: Based on TMDb's aggregated score (7.7/10 on TMDb (55 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.

Vineeth Sreenivasan · 172 min · {{Unbulleted_list / Merryland Cinemas / Big Bang Entertainments

The emotional journey of Arun, his carefree bachelor days in engineering college, and how he matures through various phases of life.

Cast: Pranav Mohanlal, Darshana Rajendran, Kalyani Priyadarshan

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AI verdict: Based on TMDb's aggregated score (7.1/10 on TMDb (60 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.