The Malayalam film industry has been producing movie-gold during the past decade and quite a few have made it into the top-100 movies list, including IMDb’s. But IMDb’s top-10 Malayalam movies has a lot of movies from the 80s and 90s, which goes to show that ‘Mollywood’ has been producing gems for a long time. Here are the movies, and the streaming platforms where you can view them.
10. Drishyam (2013) IMDb Rating-8.3
Synopsis: Georgekutty lives a happy life with his wife and daughters. However, things take a turn for the worse when his family commits an accidental crime, leaving him to protect them and their secret.
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Asha Sharath and Siddique.
This is one of the two films on the list which is from this century. This film became the first Malayalam film to collect Rupees 500 million in the box office; it went on to collect over 750 million worldwide and spawned multiple remakes across countries.
This film is available on Disney+Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video.
9. In Harihar Nagar (1990) IMDb Rating-8.6
Synopsis: Four young men Mahadevan, Govindankutty, Thomaskutty and Appukkuttan are enamoured by Maya, their new next-door neighbour. However, she is in town to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of her brother. While these four young men plot different methods to woo her, they unknowingly get caught up in a sinister plot.
Starring: Mukesh, Siddique, Jagadish and Ashokan.
This is the one of the two comedy films among this list. There are other comedy films also that make this list, but they tend to be more dark humor or political humor. This film is available on Disney+Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video.
8. Spadikam (1995) IMDb Rating-8.6
Synopsis: Chacko master, a school headmaster, is never happy with his son, Thomas, and always degrades him. However, having had enough of him, Thomas runs away from home only to return as a gangster after long. The film follows the unrest of the family as this father and son battle it out with words and actions.
Starring: Mohanlal, Thilakan, Spadikam George and Urvashi.
This critical hit made 5 crore rupees in the box office making it the highest-grossing Malayalam film in 1995. This film is available on Disney+Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video.
7. Chithram (1988) IMDb Rating-8.6
Synopsis: Vishnu agrees to pretend to be married to Kalyani, who wants to keep her father from learning that her fiance abandoned her. However, she doesn’t realise that Vishnu has a dark secret.
Starring: Mohanlal, Ranjini, Nedumudi Venu, M.G. Soman and Poornam Vishwanathan.
This film is available on Disney+Hotstar.
6. Kumbalangi Nights (2019) IMDb Rating-8.6
Synopsis: Saji, Bonny, Bobby and Franky are siblings who mostly do not get along. However, a series of events forces them to keep their animosity aside and support each other.
Starring: Fahadh Faasil, Shane Nigam, Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi and Anna Ben Nayarambalam.
This is the newest film to make it into this list. The movie talks about a lot of things happening in everyday life, of everyday people and brings about the discussion of toxic masculinity portrayed in our society. This film is featured on Amazon Prime Video.
5. Devasuram (1993) IMDb Rating-8.7
Synopsis: Neelakandan is the spoiled heir to the rich and well-known Mangalassery family. He squanders his father’s wealth although the people in his village love him. An altercation between his aide and Shekaran’s (his childhood rival) uncle, creates an issue that resonates throughout the film.
Starring: Mohanalal, Revathi, Napoleon and Innocent.
Mohanlal is a common actor in this list and this film is one of his finest. The man shows one of his best acting performances in this film. This movie is available for viewing on Amazon Prime Video.
4. Nadodikkattu (1987) IMDb Rating-8.7
Synopsis: After losing their jobs, Dasan and Vijayan decide to go to Dubai to try their luck. But they are tricked and end up in Chennai, where they are mistaken for crime investigation officers by criminals.
Starring: Mohanlal, Sreenivasan, Shobana, Innocent and Thilakan.
This film made Mohanlal and Sreenivasan the most bankable film duo in ‘Mollywood’ history. Having reached cult status, this satire film still holds up to this day. This film can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video.
3. Manichitrathazhu (1993) IMDb Rating-8.7
Synopsis: Nakulan and his family move into his supposedly haunted ancestral property. However, when his cousin starts behaving uncharacteristically, Nakulan enlists the help of his psychiatrist friend.
Starring: Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Shobhana and Thilakan.
This film was ahead of it’s time when it explored multiple personality disorder through a horror drama comedy. FIlled with memorable quotes and dialogue, this film has a cult following like no other. This film is available on Disney+Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video.
2. Kireedam (1989) IMDb Rating-8.9
Synopsis: Sethu aspires to become a police officer to fulfil his father’s dream (who himself is a police constable). However, his life turns upside down when he intervenes in a scuffle with a criminal to save his father’s life.
Starring: Mohanlal, Thilakan, Parvathy and Cochin Haneefa.
One of his finest performances, Mohanlal steals the show, but Thilakan and Parvathy challenge the actor in this heart-aching drama. With an ominous ending, this film has often been referred to as the greatest Malalayam film ever made. This film can be watched on Disney+Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video.
1. Sandesham (1991) IMDb Rating-9.0
Synopsis: Raghavan, a retired railway employee, wishes to live the rest of his life in peace with his family. However, he is forced to become a mediator and reconcile his two sons who feud over petty politics at their home.
Starring: Thilakan, Sreenivasan, Jayaram and Oduvil Unnikrishnan
This film is satirical take on the ongoing politics of a 90s Kerela and the nonsense pledges politicians make to improve their standing in society. This film is available on Disney+Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video.
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