If you’re a fan of Malayalam cinema, you’re in for a treat! In this blog, we’ll check out some of the most exceptional Malayalam films that not only shattered box-office records but continue to captivate audiences through their OTT releases. We have shared a quick summary, info about the cast, release dates, IMDB ratings, directors, genre, and more for each film. Come join us as we celebrate these best Malayalam movies of 2023 that have made a lasting impact on both the box office and viewers’ hearts.
2018
In this movie, we are taken back to 2018, when a catastrophic flood wreaked havoc, affecting individuals from diverse backgrounds in Kerala. The narrative revolves around residents who united in the face of this unprecedented disaster and collaborated resiliently to overcome the challenges and ensure collective survival. This period of crisis saw people from various walks of life joining forces, emphasizing the strength of community and the human spirit in adversity. This Malayalam movie is considered one of the best movies of all time.
Cast: Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Asif Ali
IMDb Rating: 8.4
Where to watch: SonyLiv
Director: Jude Anthany Joseph
RDX: Robert Dony Xavier
Robert, Dony, and Xavier, who happen to be three close young friends, develop an elite alliance while improving their martial arts skills at a nearby training facility. However, an argument with an opposing gang forces them to part ways. A vicious assault a few years later brings the three of them back together.
Cast: Shane Nigam, Antony Varghese, and Neeraj Madhav
IMDb Rating: 7.2
Where to watch: Netflix
Director: Nahas Hidayath
Genre: Action and Thriller
Also Read: New Malayalam Movies on OTT with Release Dates
Kannur Squad
A police officer and his fellow officers embark on a difficult across-the-nation mission to bring down an illegally operating gang. He steers these individuals towards success by directing them using professional uncertainties.
Cast: Mammootty, Rony David Raj, Azees Nedumangad, Shabareesh Varma, Kishore, and Vijayaraghavan
IMDb Rating: 7.9
Where to watch: Disney+Hotstar
Director: Roby Varghese Raj
Genre: Thriller and Drama
Kaathal – The Core
Mathew Devassy, a retired bank secretary decides to contest in panchayat elections. His wife Omana shocks everyone by asking for a divorce, citing that Mathew is a gay man. The film follows Mathew’s personal struggles and the election following this revelation.
Cast: Mammootty, Jyothika, Sudhi Kozhikode, Pooja Mohanraj, RS Panickar, Joji John, Muthumani, Chinnu Chandni, Alex Alister, Kalabhavan Haneef, Anagha Maya Ravi, Josey Sijo
IMDB Rating: 8.2
Where to watch: JioCinema (rumoured)
Director: Jeo Baby
Genre: Drama
Romancham
Seven friends living in Bengaluru, India choose to give it their hand at fortune with an Ouija board. Shortly thereafter, the group finds themselves caught in a series of eerie incidents that drag them into a completely unanticipated world beyond the ordinary.
Cast: Soubin Shahir, Arjun Ashokan, and Sajin Gopu
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Where to watch: Disney+Hotstar
Director: Jithu Madhavan
Genre: Horror and comedy
Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam
A group of Malayali tourists take a nap on their journey back to Kerala by bus after touring Velankanni. When the bus stops in an isolated Tamil Nadu village, Sundaram pretends to be James, creating confusion amongst the passengers.
Cast: Mammootty, Ramya Pandian, and Ashokan
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Where to watch: Netflix
Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery
Genre: Drama and Comedy
Also Read: Upcoming Malayalam Movies on OTT
Garudan (2023)
Police officer Harish Madhav arrests a college professor Nishanth Kumar in a rape case. After being released after 7 years, Nishanth approaches the High Court accusing Harish Madhav of misconduct and asks for a retrial. He proceeds to defend himself on the case, as he has earned an LLB degree while in jail.
Cast: Suresh Gopi, Biju Menon, Siddique, Jagadish, Abhirami, Divya Pillai, Thalaivasal Vijay, Major Ravi, Dileesh Pothan, Nishanth Sagar, Krishna Vijayachandran, Kalabhavan Haneef, Dinesh Panicker, Arjun Nandhakumar.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Arun Varma
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Iratta
The tale concentrates on an investigator’s quest to discover the truth shortly after an investigating officer turns up dead. The look into the matter reveals disturbing links among the officer’s separated twin and their complicated past, disclosing hidden histories and unresolved disagreements that complicate the chilling search for justice.
Cast: Joju George, Anjali, Arya Salim, and Srikant Murali
IMDb Rating: 7.7
Where to watch: Netflix
Director: Rohit M. G. Krishnan
Genre: Crime and Drama
Purusha Pretham
Despite SI Sebastian’s brilliance, his trustworthiness is called into doubt when he accidentally leaves behind a body, causing problems and confusion as a woman claims the man who passed away is her husband.
Cast: Darshana Rajendran, Alexander Prasanth, and Jagadish
IMDb Rating: 7.2
Where to watch: SonyLiv
Director: Krishand
Genre: Thriller and Comedy
Neru
Sara, a blind sculptor is seeking justice for a terrible incident that happened to her. Police find it hard to find the identifier. But Sara, with her skills as a sculptor, makes a statue of her rapist and the police arrest Michael Joseph based on this. But he is soon granted bail and the family of Sara hires Vijayamohan, a lawyer who hasn’t attended trials for many years to bring justice to Sara.
Cast: Mohanlal, Priyamani, Anaswara Rajan, Sankar Induchoodan, Siddique, Jagadish, K. B. Ganesh Kumar, Santhi Mayadevi, Haritha G Nair, Sreedhanya, Harikrishnan, Aditi Ravi, Nandhu, Mathew Varghese, Dinesh Prabhakar, Krishna Prabha.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video (rumoured)
Director: Jeethu Joseph
Genre: Drama
Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum
A young man living in Mumbai who runs an Ayurvedic drugstore agrees to travel with his landlord’s mother from Kerala to Mumbai. However, a strange request sends him off on a journey of self-discovery.
Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Anjana Jayaprakash, Mukesh, Innocent, and Vineeth
IMDB Rating: 7.3
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Akhil Sathyan
Genre: Drama and comedy
Thankam
Muthu and Kannan are two gold brokers from Thrissur. Kannan goes to Mumbai to distribute the gold but is found dead in a hotel room. He had several wounds in his body and 8Kgs of gold was found missing. The investigation reveals a dark truth about Kannan and how he planned his own murder.
Cast: Biju Menon, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Aparna Balamurali, Girish Kulkarni, Kalaiyarasan, Vineeth Thattil, Indira Prasad, Anshuman Joshi, Kochu Preman, Thankam Mohan, Srikant Murali, Abdul Jabbar
IMDB Rating: 7.1
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Saheed Arafath
Genre: Crime, Drama
Ayisha
Ayisha relocates to the Persian Gulf to work as a maid for a successful Arab family, gradually picking up the palace social behaviour. A wonderful relationship blossoms between the Mama and Ayisha as as a consequence of a series of fascinating occurrences.
Cast: Manju Warrier, Mona Tawil, Krishna Sankar, and Radhika
IMDb Rating: 6.4
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Aamir Pallikkal
Genre: Drama and Comedy
Valatty: Tale Of Tails
Tomy, an adorable golden retriever, develops feelings towards his cocker spaniel neighbour Amalu. Despite their human owners’ dissatisfaction and attempts to drive them apart, Tomy and Amalu make the choice to elope and set out on an epic journey together.
Cast: Roshan Mathew, Raveena Ravi, Soubin Shahir, Sunny Wayne, Saiju Kurup, and Aju Varghese
IMDb Rating: 7.7
Where to watch: Disney+Hotstar
Director: Devan Jayakumar
Genre: Comedy and Adventure
B 32 Muthal 44 Vare
Five women and a transgender man coming from different socioeconomic classes face severe challenges in everyday circumstances, all of which stem from problems with their physical appearances. The tales they tell unfold every time they face these difficulties, shedding a spotlight on the impact of expectations from society and their road to self-acceptance.
Cast: Ashwathy, Neena Cheriyan, and Sajin Cherukayil IMDB Rating: 6.5
Where to watch: TBA
Director: Shruthi Sharanyam
Genre: Drama
Best Malayalam Movies of 2023
| Movie Name | Language | IMDb Rating | Release Date |
| 2018 | Malayalam | 8.4 | 5 May 2023 |
| RDX: Robert Dony Xavier | Malayalam | 7.2 | 25 August 2023 |
| Kannur Squad | Malayalam | 7.9 | 28 September 2023 |
| Kaathal – The Core | Malayalam | 8.2 | 23 November 2023 |
| Romancham | Malayalam | 7.5 | 3 February 2023 |
| Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam | Malayalam | 7.5 | 12 December 2022 |
| Garudan | Malayalam | 7.4 | 1 December 2023 |
| Iratta | Malayalam | 7.7 | 3 February 2023 |
| Purusha Pretham | Malayalam | 7.2 | 24 March 2023 |
| Neru | Malayalam | 7.9 | 21 December 2023 |
| Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum | Malayalam | 7.3 | 28 April 2023 |
| Thankam | Malayalam | 7.1 | 26 January 2023 |
| Ayisha | Malayalam | 6.4 | 20 January 2023 |
| Valatty: Tale Of Tails | Malayalam | 7.7 | 21 July 2023 |
| B 32 Muthal 44 Vare | Malayalam | 6.5 | 6 April 2023 |
