Best Malayalam Movies Of 2025

Malayalam cinema in 2025 continued its strong run of content-driven films, blending realism, experimentation, and fresh storytelling. From intense thrillers and grounded dramas to feel-good entertainers and bold new ideas, the industry once again proved why it remains one of the most respected film spaces in India. Here’s a curated list of the best Malayalam movies of 2025 that stood out for their storytelling, performances, and impact, making them must-watch films for every cinema lover.

1. Identity

Director: Akhil Paul and Anas Khan

Actor: Tovino Thomas

Identity is a thriller about a sketch artist helping a witness catch a serial killer, but frequent genre shifts and too many twists make the story confusing, without revealing anything. The action and production values stand out.

2. Rekhachithram

Director: Jofin T. Chacko

Actor: Asif Ali

Rekhachithram (2025) follows a suspended cop investigating a decades-old murder linked to a vanished aspiring actress, blending past and present in a gripping mystery.

3. Dominic and the Ladies Purse

Director: Gautham Vasudev Menon

Actor: Mammootty

Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse (2025) follows a former cop turned detective who takes up a simple lost-purse case, only to uncover a dark, layered mystery filled with secrets, twists, and sharp investigation.

4. Ponman

Director: Jothish Shankar

Actor: Basil Joseph

Ponman (2025) is a tense Malayalam drama-thriller about a gold broker caught in conflict after a wedding loan goes wrong, using the story to critique dowry and explore survival, integrity, and human flaws.

5. Officer On Duty

Director: Jithu Ashraf

Officer on Duty (2025) is a gritty crime thriller about a demoted cop whose small case leads to a dark criminal network, forcing him to confront his past trauma in a brutal fight for justice.

6. Alappuzha Gymkhana

Director: Khalid Rahman

Actor: Naslen K. Gafoor

Alappuzha Gymkhana (2025) is a light, realistic sports drama about a group of friends who take up boxing to chase college dreams, celebrating friendship, failure, and growing up.

7. Thudarum

Director: Tharun Moorthy

Actor: Mohanlal

Thudarum (2025) follows a former stuntman turned taxi driver whose life turns violent after police seize his car, pushing him into a fight for dignity, family, and justice.

8. Padakkalam

Director: Manu Swaraj

Padakkalam (2025) is a fantasy comedy about engineering students who uncover their professor’s magical power to control bodies, leading to chaotic, funny battles on campus.

9. Ronth

Director: Shahi Kabir

Ronth (2025) is a gritty crime thriller that follows a night patrol of two cops, where a routine duty turns deadly, exposing police corruption, trauma, and the heavy cost of the job.

10. Lokah

Director: Dominic Arun

Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra (2025) is a Malayalam superhero film about a mysterious woman with supernatural powers, blending Kerala folklore with stylish action and a strong female lead.

11. Dies Irae

Director: Rahul Sadasivan

Dies Irae (2025) is a Malayalam horror-thriller about a man haunted by a sinister force after taking a memento from his deceased ex, unraveling dark secrets and exploring guilt, obsession, and madness.

12. Eko

Director: Dinjith Ayyathan

Eko (2025) is a Malayalam mystery-thriller about a fugitive dog breeder on the Kerala-Karnataka border, weaving suspense, secrets, and human-animal bonds in a character-driven story.

13. Kalamkaval

Director: Jithin K. Jose

Actor: Mammootty

Kalamkaval (2025) is a Malayalam crime thriller about a police hunt for a cunning serial killer targeting women, inspired by real-life crimes, featuring a tense cat-and-mouse chase.

14. Sarvam Maya

Director: Akhil Sathyan

Sarvam Maya (2025) is a Malayalam fantasy-comedy about an atheist musician who befriends a ghost, together exploring love, closure, and the search for meaning.