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.
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