Malayalam cinema has been unquestionably the most important film industry in India as evaluated by the quality of films produced since it enjoyed a rebirth in the last decade, with an inflow of new-age directors generating some innovative work. In this article we are going to discuss about 10 of the best malayalam movies of all time, which every cinephile should have on their list.
If the 2000s were the worst decade for Malayalam films, the 1970s and 1980s were unquestionably the finest, with the advent of New Wave and Middle cinema, respectively.
Malayalam cinema is slowly but gradually shattering the mold it was given, and it has recently been putting out films that are not only brilliant, but also have international appeal. Malayalam cinema has produced some outstanding films, particularly in the recent decade. Films like 22 Female Kottayam and The Great Indian Kitchen have opened the road for a bigger audience and a more enjoyable viewing experience.
If you enjoy regional films or are a Malayali who wants to see more Malayalam films, you should definitely add these ten best Malayalam movies we have curated in the list given below.
Table of Contents
Take a look at our list of 10 best Malayalam movies of all time –
1. Nadodikkattu
IMDB – 8.8
Mohanlal and Sreenivasan play Ramdas and Vijayan, respectively, in ‘Nadodikkattu.’ They decide to travel to Dubai to build their fortunes after losing their employment in Kerala. However, they are conned and wind up in the nearby Tamil Nadu, where a bunch of traffickers mistakes them for two criminal investigators.
Nadodikkattu focuses on societal issues that plagued Kerala in the 1980s, such as rampant unemployment and poverty. This caustic Malayalam satire depicts the challenges of unemployed millennials seeking work in the Middle East, and it takes a penetrating look at the eccentricities and inferiority complexes of middle-class culture. It is among the most popular and one of the best Malayalam movies of all time.
2. Kumbalangi Nights
IMDB – 8.6
Madhu Narayanan’s directorial debut, ‘Kumbalangi Nights,’ is one of the best mainstream films of the past decade, delving into cultural taboos and defying stereotypes while never losing its grasp on the entertainment quotient.
Progressive themes for the middle-class milieu include so-called alpha guys sobbing their hearts out, bringing home the widow and kid of a murdered best friend, and a mute brother falling in love with an American black lady. Fahadh Faasil, who plays the antagonist Shammi, is the film’s highlight package.
3. The Great Indian Kitchen
IMDB – 8.3
The Great Indian Kitchen is a must-see for all society’s moral guardians who have established beliefs about gender roles in the home. The film follows a newlywed lady (Nimisha Sajayan) as she tries to be the obedient wife that her husband (Suraj Venjaramood) and family demand of her.
The ironically titled film delivers a horrible mixture of patriarchy, male chauvinism, hypocrisy, and lets the audience slowly digest it by repeating the tasks and tribulation of its female protagonist, and is perhaps one of the best Malayalam movies to come out in recent times.
4. Pranchiyettan & The Saint
IMDB – 8.3
This satirical comedy follows a prosperous businessman named Prachi as he converses with a statue of St. Francis of Assisi. Pranchi, a devout follower of the saint, has imaginative talks with him, which result in the saint appearing and providing him counsel.
He is wealthy, yet he is dissatisfied and wants to be more renowned than he is. This film will undoubtedly leave you in splits as an all-around entertainment.
5. Ustad Hostel
IMDB – 8.2
Ustad Hostel is directed by Anwar Rasheed. Faizi, an only kid and ambitious cook, is the character of the story. Unfortunately, his parents do not consider that real employment. Faizi intends to go as his father refuses to assist him in starting a company. However, his father apprehends him and seizes all of his belongings, including his passport and money.
In a dire predicament, he seeks aid from his sister, who advises him to go to his grandfather. Grandpa owns a tiny restaurant in Kerala that provides the best biryani in the state. Faizi learns and unlearns what he knows about life here.
6. Sudani From Nigeria
IMDB – 8.2
This National Award winner for Best Feature Film in Malayalam, another directorial debut, is one of the best feel-good films of our time. It has a huge heart and is sure to bring tears to even the most stoic of people’s eyes. The movie was directed by Zakariya Mohammad and is one of the best Malayalam movies of all time.
The title refers to Majeed’s (Soubin Shahir) top international player Samuel “Sudu,” who gets involved in an accident and is forced to rest at Majeed’s residence while he heals. Majeed and his mother form a great relationship with Samuel over time as they share their personal life experiences. Even the people of the town and neighbors get fond of the kind foreigner who doesn’t speak their language.
7. Mumbai Police
IMDB – 8.0
Mumbai Police, Prithviraj’s action thriller, is a gripping story of a guy who loses his memories in an accident. He enlists the support of his friends and coworkers over the following several days in an attempt to retrace his movements before the catastrophe.
He’s crucial to his friend’s murder inquiry and must remember it at all costs. This film will have you on the edge of your seat with an unexpected twist. Which makes it one of the best Malayalam movies of all time.
8. MUNNARIYIPPU
IMDB – 7.9
‘Munnariyippu’ is a complex film that deconstructs the narrative and rejects certain traditions, making it a visually interesting exploration. Mammootty’s superb acting and understated mannerisms improve the film’s quality.
He loses all traces of his rockstar status and carefully adopts Raghavan’s whole personality.
Venu’s second directorial effort concerns a young female journalist who sets out to write a biography on prisoner C. K. Raghavan (Mammootty), who claims he never committed the crimes for which he is serving a life sentence.
9. Big B
IMDB – 7.7
Big B is one of Malayalam cinema’s most magnificent action-thriller films, telling the story of a social worker mother (Nafisa Ali) who raised her four adopted boys as her own. The four siblings live apart, and it is her heinous murder that brings them back together.
Mammooty portrays Bilal, the wayward son, and does an excellent job in the role, anchoring the picture. It’s a tale of vengeance, fraternity, love, and a lot of family drama. Which makes the movie one of the best Malayalam movies of all time.
10. 22 Female Kottayam
IMDB – 7.4
22 Female Kottayam was one of the most radical films in Malayalam cinema’s lengthy history, changing the way women were represented. Tessa, a nurse in Bangalore, is the protagonist of the film.
She starts chatting to an agent (Cyril) she likes in the hopes of traveling to the Gulf. They fall in love and live together, but she soon discovers his deception. When Cyril gets into a confrontation with a man who appears to be the son of a major politician, he is forced to flee for a few days, and an unexpected visitor enters Tessa’s life.
It was tough to choose films in this category because there are so many excellent Malayalam films to choose from. Yet, some of the best Malayalam movies of all time are mentioned above. Let us know about your favorite Malayalam movie in the comment section.
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