Its black-and-white visual style and artistic storytelling received critical acclaim. 7. Aavesham (2024) – IMDb Rating: 7.8/10 Genre: Action/Comedy
8.3 Genre: Crime Thriller / Mystery
The highest-rated legacy movies on the IMDb Malayalam List are primarily character-driven tragedies, political satires, and structural masterpieces from directors like Sathyan Anthikad, Sibi Malayil, and Fazil.
Home is a 2021 drama movie directed by Rojin Thomas and stars Indrans, Sreenath Bhasi, Manju Pillai, Nalsen, and others in importa... top imdb rated malayalam movies
Drishyam is a masterclass in screenwriting and arguably one of the most influential Indian thrillers of the 21st century. The story follows Georgekutty, an uneducated but film-smart cable TV operator who goes to extreme lengths to protect his family from law enforcement after an accidental crime.
Sandesham remains the definitive political satire of Kerala. Written by Sreenivasan, the film hilariously dissects how blind political obsession can destroy families and societies. The plot follows two brothers who belong to rival political parties, turning their household into a comical war zone. Decades after its release, the film's dialogues remain deeply embedded in the pop culture and political discourse of Kerala. 5. Manichitrathazhu (1993) ~8.8/10 Genre: Psychological Thriller / Horror Director: Fazil Cast: Shobana, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi
| Rank (All-Time) | Movie Title (Year) | IMDb Rating | Director(s) | Where to Watch / Availability | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 | (1991) | 9.0 | Sathyan Anthikad | Prime Video, JioHotstar | | 2 | Kireedam (1989) | 8.9 | Sibi Malayil | Prime Video, JioHotstar | | 3 | Nadodikkattu (1987) | 8.8 | Sathyan Anthikad | [Check OTT Platforms] | | 4 | #Home (2021) | 8.8 | Rojin Thomas | Prime Video | | 5 | Manichitrathazhu (1993) | 8.7 | Fazil | Prime Video, JioHotstar | | 6 | Kumbalangi Nights (2019) | 8.5 | Madhu C. Narayanan | Amazon Prime Video | | 7 | Drishyam (2013) | 8.3 | Jeethu Joseph | Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar | | 8 | Bangalore Days (2014) | 8.3 | Anjali Menon | JioHotstar | | 9 | Premam (2015) | 8.3 | Alphonse Puthren | JioHotstar | | 10 | Jana Gana Mana (2022) | 8.3 | Dijo Jose Antony | Netflix | | - | Manjummel Boys (2024) | 8.4 | Chidambaram | Disney+ Hotstar | | - | Kishkindha Kaandam (2024) | 8.6 | Dinjith Ayyathan | JioHotstar | | - | Thudarum (2025) | 7.5 | Tharun Moorthy | JioHotstar | Home is a 2021 drama movie directed by
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Directed by Sathyan Anthikad, Sandesham is an unparalleled political satire that critiques blind partisan loyalty in Kerala. The plot focuses on two brothers who belong to opposing political parties, causing immense distress to their retired father. The film remains highly relevant for its critique of youth wasting their lives on political exploitation rather than productive societal contributions. Kireedam (1989) — IMDb: 8.9 Sandesham remains the definitive political satire of Kerala
Films like Kumbalangi Nights explore complex themes of masculinity and class without being preachy. Emerging Trends (2025-2026)
Malayalam cinema offers a rich and diverse viewing experience. Whether you prefer a chilling psychological mystery, a heartwarming family drama, or a tense political thriller, these top IMDb-rated movies provide an excellent gateway into one of the most vibrant film industries in the world. To help you choose your next movie, let me know:
(1989) – : A tragic drama starring Mohanlal, exploring how a single incident of violence can derail a young man’s promising future. Thaniyavartanam