New Malayalam movies to stream in 2023

A new list of Malayalam movies to stream in 2023! Police procedurals, ghost stories, feel-good romance, psycho lawyers—you name it, we’ve got it. Be sure to bookmark this page and revisit it when you are hunting for something to watch over a weekend.

Malayalam movies to stream in 2023

Here are some categories for your easy perusal of Malayalam movies to stream in 2023. Needless to say, most of the films fit into more than one category.

Entertainers
Dark, Anti-Heroes
Feel-good movies
Thrillers
Social/Political commentary
Drama
Horror

Entertainers:

Thallumaala (2022)

Thallumaala (transl. Ballad of Brawls) is a visual treat—unique transitions, loud costumes, choreographed fights that are a treat in themselves, adipoli songs and an inventive non-linear plot progression. True to its name, this movie is a chain of petty fights and big ones. All pieces of the puzzle fit only at the end of the movie. Watch it with no breaks and thank me later. I loved it!

Minnal Murali (2021)

Director Basil Joseph has a knack for bringing small-town stories of close-knit communities to life. Minnal Murali (transl. Lightning Murali) is the story of a tailor Murali (Tovino Thomas) who gains superhero powers when struck by a lightning. He’s the good superhero—lungi clad, masked—saving his hometown Kurakkanmoola, but what if there’s a bad one around, hit by a lightning on the same day? Minnal Murali is a fun watch! It gave us our very own superhero who designs his own costume.

Streaming on Netflix

Dark/Anti-heroes:

Mukundan Unni Associates (2022)

Abhinav Sunder Nayak’s directorial debut Mukundan Unni Associates is wicked. It is a dark comedy thriller about a failing but cunning lawyer Mukundan Unni (Vineeth Sreenivasan) and his entry into the dubious world of insurance fraud and forgery. The enmity between Mukundan Unni and nemesis Adv. Venu (Suraj Venjaramoodu) is darkly comedic, as is his rapport with his side kick Adv. Robin (Sudhi Koppa). Aarsha Baiju as Meenakshi, Mukundan Unni’s love interest, gives a lovely performance. Outrageous laughs guaranteed.

Streaming on Disney Hotstar
 

Naradan (2022)

In Naradan, directed by Aashiq Abu, Tovino Thomas plays yet another grey character—an upcoming journalist Chandraprakash who sacrifices his ethics for success. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the financial backing of media houses, TRP manipulation and sensational news. It is a direct nod to several media houses in the present day; if you know you know.
 

Dear Friend (2022)

Dear Friend, directed by Vineeth Kumar, is the story of a group of close friends. The friend in question, Vinod (Tovino Thomas), disappears without a trace. Initially the other friends dismiss this development as a prank, but there’s money missing, and police at their doorstep, thus dividing the gang on where their loyalties lie. They go searching for their friend but the more lies they discover, the more they wonder whether they knew Vinod at all. In spite of the abrupt ending, Dear Friend makes you think about friends and the comfortable lies we weave around us.

Streaming on Netflix
 

Joji (2021)

Joji, directed by Dileesh Pothan (Maheshinte Prathikaram fame) and written by Syam Pushkaran (Kumbalangi Nights fame) is a crime drama inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Set in Covid ridden Kerala, it features the rich Panachel family, owners of rubber estates and businesses, dominated by the abusive patriarch Kuttappan. Joji (Fahadh Faasil), the youngest of the three sons does not get any respect in the family. This movie explores the making of a criminal mind as patriarchy and tyranny in domestic spaces choke you. It is the daughter in law Bincy (Unnimaya Prasad), who is mostly in the kitchen but pulling strings inconspicuously, who stole my heart. Joji is dark and unsettling—a great watch.

Irul (2021)

Naseef Yusuf Izuddin’s directorial debut Irul (transl. Darkness) is a thriller about three people in an isolated house. A writer who has written about a real-life serial killer (Soubin Shahir) plans a getaway trip with his girlfriend (Darshana Rajendran). Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the couple has to stay the night at a mysterious big house with an eccentric (maybe) house owner (Fahadh Faasil). Watch it for Jomon T John’s amazing cinematography of lights, shadows, and atmospheric mansion scenes. And also for the unreliable narration.

Streaming on Netflix

Trance (2020)

Trance, directed by Anwar Rasheed (Ustad Hotel fame) follows the rise of a fraud motivational speaker (Fahadh Faasil) groomed by an agency as the next big pastor to attract Christian believers. Trance shows the commercialization of organized religion, substance abuse and big monies.

Streaming on Netflix
 

Also Read : 9 Malayalam movies that deserve more attention
 

Feel-good movies:

Pachuvum Athbhuthavilakkum (2023)

Set in Mumbai, Goa and Kerala, Pachuvum Athbuthavilakkum (transl. Pachu and the Magical Lamp) is an ultimate feel-good movie of the year. With a host of characters—an Ayurveda shop owner Pachu (Fahadh Faasil) who cannot find a wife through arranged marriage, a feisty Ummachi (Viji Venkatesh) who does not shy away from using the pepper spray, a cunning businessman (Vineeth), an adorable employee trying to learn Hindi (Althaf Salim), and a working woman Hamsadhwani (Anjana Jayaprakash) who inadvertently becomes part of a rescue mission to help a Marathi girl (Dhwani Rajesh) who dreams of going back to school. In his directorial debut, director Akhil Satyan has excelled in small blissful moments that make you laugh (Excellent comic timing) be it in the cutest romance or an unexpected chase. Pachu and Hamsadhwani will reel you into the movie, but it is Ummachi who will steal your heart.

Streaming on Amazon Prime
 

Thrishanku (2023)

Thrishanku, directed by Achyuth Vinayak, is a feel-good story about an unfortunate coincidence. Sethu’s sister Suma decides to elope on the same day that Sethu (Arjun Ashokan) and his girlfriend Megha (Anna Ben) were planning to elope. Plan elopement transforms into a quest for Suma with two sidekicks—Sethu’s uncles, the superstitious Chandran (Nandhu) and kind-of-progressive Biju (Suresh Krishna) who do not see eye to eye (and who have no idea of Sethu’s elopement). Meanwhile, Megha’s police officer father is furious, chasing the couple from Kerala to Mangalore, ignorant of the drama on the other end. Thrishanku is silly, funny, feel-good and chaotic. As one of the uncles remark midway—’This must be the first time in history that a guy ropes in his uncles to elope’

Streaming on Netflix
 

Poovan (2023)

Poovan (transl. Rooster) is a light hearted comedy drama about Hari (Antony Varghese), a light sleeper, and a baby chick (that grows into a rooster) adopted by his neighbour. Hari is in love with a woman out of his league, his sister has eloped with a man he didn’t approve (thus forcing him to create a friendship with the new brother in law) and his sleep schedule is ruined thanks to the rooster next door. With a simple story revolving around close-knit communities, romance, and friendship, Poovan promises many laughs in spite of hiccups in the script. Vineeth Vasudevan’s directorial debut is good start, winning you with its slice-of-life storytelling.

Streaming on Zee5
 

Hridayam (2022)

Vineeth Sreenivasan’s (Thattathin Marayath fame) Hridayam follows Arun Neelakantan’s (Pranav Mohanlal) college life, many loves and many friends. It is filled with small heartwarming scenes—Darshana (Darshana Rajendran) and Arun sneaking off from the college hostel for a night drive, Nithya (Kalyanai Priyadarshan) and Arun eating bun porotta and beef at a small eatery, Selva’s coaching group and dreams. The best part about Hridayam is no doubt the beautiful soundtrack composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab.

Streaming on Disney Hotstar
 

Social/Political commentary:

Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022)

Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey, directed by Vipin Das is a dark comedy about a newlywed couple. Darshana Rajendran as Jaya, a typical small-town woman whose opinions are dismissed, and Basil Joseph as Rajesh the awkward, abusive, egoistic husband give stellar performances. Anything more about the film would be a spoiler. But rest assured it isn’t one of those films that takes domestic abuse lightly. One of the many strengths of the film is how it manages to be funny while dealing with serious themes, without making the characters look like caricatures.

Streaming on Disney Hotstar
 

Nna Than Case Kodu (2023)

Nna Than Case Kodu (transl. Sue me then) directed by Ratheesh Balakrishna Poduval is one of the funniest political satires I’ve watched. An ex-thief Rajan (Kunchacko Boban) sues a political leader, after being wrongly accused of theft. This movie is funny and thought provoking with memorable minor characters. You simply cannot help cheering on Rajan to fight and win this case. The title comes from the offhand remarks often passed onto to the oppressed, because the more powerful party knows that they would never sue. Lovely watch!

Streaming on Disney Hotstar
 

Puzhu (2022)

Puzhu, directed by Ratheena, is one of Mammotty’s brilliant performances of the year. He plays the role of Kuttan, a paranoid bigot, staying with his son in an apartment complex. He is unable to come to terms with the fact that his estranged sister Bharati (Parvathy) has moved into the same apartment building. Bharati’s elopement with a theatre artist KP (Appunni Sasi) belonging to a lowered caste, brought disgrace to her Brahmin family, something which Kuttan cannot forgive. Puzhu is a gripping narrative on oppressive social norms, gaslighting, oppressors crying victimhood, patriarchy and caste violence.

Streaming on Sony Liv
 

The Great Indian Kitchen (2022)

Everyone should watch the critically acclaimed The Great Indian Kitchen directed and written by Jeo Baby at least once in their life time. A newly wed wife (Nimisha Sajayan) tried to get accustomed to her new life at her husband’s (Suraj Venjaramood) house. With multiple scenes of the dinner table, kitchen, dosas, boiling sambar and dirty dishes piled up for washing, this movie will make you flinch, shocked, sad, angry. It will make you think about the kitchen-next-door or your own kitchen. It is an ode to the repetitive, unacknowledged household work that women put in, and rips apart patriarchal customs that chain women. The film won Kerala State Film Award for Best Film, and the Best Screenplay award.

Streaming on Amazon Prime
 

Ariyippu (2022)

Ariyippu (transl. Declaration), written and directed by Mahesh Narayanan (Take off fame) is set in Noida during the pandemic. It follows a couple working at a glove factory whose life is interrupted when a woman in a sexual video circulating on Whatsapp among the factory workers bears resemblance to the wife (Divya Prabha). Her husband (Kunchacko Boban) tries to prove her innocence while the wife is crushed by the forwarded video.< em>Ariyippu is about the pursuit of truth, misogyny, broken systems in power, violence faced by women at work and in domestic spaces, corruption and female agency. It is a relevant and compelling watch—Not to be missed.

Streaming on Netflix
 

Pada (2022)

Pada (transl. Army) directed by Kamal K. M, is based on a real life incident in Kerala in 1996. The Palakkad collector was held hostage by the Ayyankali pada (Kunchacko Boban, Joju George, Vinayakan, Dileesh Pothan) to bargain with the government about the Adivasi Land Amendment Bill. Pacy, gripping political thriller.

Streaming on Amazon Prime
 

Aavasavyuham (2022)

Aavasavyuham: The Arbit Documentation of an Amphibian Hunt, written and directed by Krishand refuses to stay in a box—”its mission statement is TikTok and spectacle.” The film is a mockumentary serving political, social and environmental commentary, with fantastical elements, allegory, a man who has a special connection to nature, and multiple storylines. Aavasavyuham (transl. Habitat) won the Kerala State Film Awards for best film and best screenplay in 2021

Streaming on Sony Liv

2018 (2023)

I don’t think anybody can watch 2018: Everyone is a Hero directed by Jude Anthany Joseph—about the floods that devastated Kerala in 2018—and not break into tears. With a big cast of characters, multiple storylines, and an impressive recreation of the floods, this movie leaves you glued to the screen. Several inspired scenes in the movie reminded me of what Kerala went through—the timely help by fishermen, the unavoidable causalities, and many stories from those who survived. This movie is a testament to how Kerala survived against all odds in 2018. It is also a reminder of what we lost.

Streaming on Sony Liv
 

Malik (2021)

Malik (transl. Owner), directed by Mahesh Narayanan (Take off, Ariyippu fame), is a political thriller set in a fictional Ramadapally, a coastal town in Thiruvananthapuram where Muslims and Christians live in harmony. The movie begins with the arrest of the elderly Ahmadaali Sulaiman/Aliikka (Fahadh Faasil), a leader of sorts to the Muslim residents, on terrorism charges while leaving Kerala on Haj. Malik takes us through peaceful coexistence between the two religious communities, and the friendship between Sulaiman and David (Vinay Fort), both of which suffer cracks. Brimming with personal grievances, political moves, riots and revenge, Malik is an excellent watch.

Streaming on Amazon Prime
 

Freedom Fight (2022)

An anthology with five films that explore women’s agency, casteism, old age and social expectations. Kunjila Mascillamani’s Asanghadithar (transl. The Unorganised) based on a true story of sales girls fighting for access to toilets leaves you in awe of women who had to fight for their basic rights. Francies Louis’ Ration about the socio-economic divide between two friendly neighbours will make you feel like you have a fish bone through your heart.

Streaming on Sony Liv
 

Thriller-ish

Kaanekkaanne (2021)

It is nearly impossible to categorize this film written by Bobby and Sanjay (Traffic, Uyare fame) and directed by Manu Ashokan (Uyare fame). Unlike a thriller, the reveal happens long before the ending. Kaanekkanne (trasl. As I watch) opens with a tahsildar (Suraj Venjaramoodu) visiting his grandson after visiting a cemetery. We learn that his daughter passed away in an accident a year ago. His son-in-law (Tovino Thomas) is now married to Sneha (Aishwarya Lekshmi). Tovino as the indifferent, reclusive man chugging alcohol on the sly and underperforming at work, Aishwarya as the unhappy wife in a strained marriage but a doting mother to her stepson give strong performances. Suraj Venjaramoodu’s measured acting is deeply moving and steals your heart. This movie, told in flashbacks, is more than a mere thriller. It keeps you wondering, as you watch (a lovely choice of title btw), where we draw the line between right and wrong.

Streaming on Sony Liv
 

Cold case

Cold Case, directed by Tanu Balak, follows two parallel storylines—a police officer (Prithviraj Sukumaran) chasing the truth behind a skull fished out of a water body, and a journalist (Aditi Balan) investigating paranormal occurrences. It is spooky with occult practices, spirituality and superstitions, lending colour to an otherwise serious procedural.

Streaming on Amazon Prime
 

Nayattu (2021)

A survival thriller directed by Martin Prakatt. Nayattu (transl. the Hunt) follows three civil police officers (Kunchacko Boban, Joju George, Nimisha Sajayan) on the run. These officers are knee deep in mud with unscrupulous lawmakers and political issues. Nayattu is part-drama, part-socio-political commentary with brilliant performances from the lead cast.

Streaming on Netflix
 

Night Drive (2022)

Night Drive is a crime thriller directed by Vysakh. A young couple (Roshan Mathew and Anna Ben) meet with an accident on a night drive. They get caught up between the police investigation, egoistic officers, and political leaders.

Streaming on Netflix
 

Kooman (2022)

Directed by Jeethu Joseph (Drishyam fame), Kooman follows a egoistic under ranking police officer Giri (Asif Ali) who takes trivial arguments very personally. He is intoxicated by an urge for revenge, and his new secretive and dangerous hobby. Kooman is part drama, part thriller, with a slightly underwhelming ending, but it’ll leave you hooked to Giri’s manipulative moves.

Streaming on Netflix
 

12th Man (2022)

Another thriller from Jeethu Joseph (Drishyam fame). Eleven friends get together at a resort for a bachelor’s party and one ends up dead. A guest staying at the resort—the annoying Chandrasekhar (Mohanlal) who was a nuisance to the gang—decides to embark on a night’s investigation. Secrets spill, relationships crumble, and motives surface.

Streaming on Disney Hotstar
 

Drishyam

It is never too late to watch Drishyam 1 and Drishyam 2—family thriller drama. If you’ve seen the remakes in other languages, cleanse your mind and watch the original in Malayalam please. The police is sure that cable TV business owner Georgekutty (Mohanlal) and family have something to do with the disappearance of a high ranking official’s son. The alibis add up, the media is convinced, the people are in support of the man, but what happens when there’s more to the story that isn’t in favour of Georgekutty?

Streaming on Disney Hotstar, Amazon Prime
 

Also read :: 7 best Korean dramas on Netflix
 

Drama:

Home (2021)

Home, directed by Rojin Thomas, is a feel-good family drama with characters that’ll stay in your mind forever. A technologically challenged sixty something father Oliver Twist (Indrans) tries to connect with his son but accidentally puts him in trouble. Be it the frustrated elder son trying to finish his movie script (Sreenath Bhasi), talkative mother (Manju Pillai), wannabe Youtuber younger son (Naslen), Oliver’s paranoid friend (Johny Antony) who thinks he is going to die, every character leaves a mark. Indrans as the loving, doting, innocent but unacknowledged father is a gem. The movie looks at family dynamics, warmth in relationships, mental illness without judgement, and home. There are several heartwarming and funny scenes—Oliver trying to solve his son’s girlfriend troubles (after a master class by his younger son on how Instagram Stories expose the psyche of couples), the younger son’s Youtube intros and more.

Streaming on Amazon Prime
 

Bheemante Vazhi (2021)

Bheemante Vazhi (trans. Bheeman’s path) directed by Ashraf Hamza is a comedy revolving around widening a road. The colourful cast of characters in the rural neighbourhood have varied opinions about this project. Sanju/Bheeman (Kunchacko Boban) struggles to get everybody’s permission to start the construction work. A light hearted drama with feisty women, many laughs and a surprising climax.

Streaming on Amazon Prime
 

Bheeshma Parvam (2022)

In Bheeshma Parvam (transl. Chapter of Bheeshma), set in 1980s Kerala, directed by Amal Neerad (Big B fame) stars Michael/Michaelappan (Mammooty), the patriarch of the Anjoottikkaran family in the lead. It is a typical family saga in a stylized production, complete with strife, action, betrayal, religious sentiments, communal hatred and abundant enemies.

Streaming on Disney Hotstar
 

Horror:

Bhoothakalam (2022)

Bhoothakalam (transl. Past/Age of ghosts), written and directed by Rahul Sadasivan, is clever and terrifying. It follows a depressed school teacher (Revathy) and her unemployed son (Shane Nigam). Their strained relationship in a house with strange night-time occurrences provides the perfect background for a psychological horror tale. There are no big reveals or ghosts jumping at you or masked actors trying to scare you. The beauty of the movie is in the subtle, quiet scenes that make you tremble. It made me suspicious of my own house and house keys. Minutes felt like hours. I spent the night tossing in bed, disturbed by the mind games and situational horror of the movie. I began hearing sounds which I don’t know to this day whether they were a figment of my imagination. I almost forgot—I had company while watching the movie at night and yet it messed with my head. Very good!

Streaming on Sony Liv
 

Purusha Pretham (2023)

With Purusha Pretham (transl. The Male Ghost), a police procedural, director Krishnand once again proves what a brilliant filmmaker he is. It is a cop drama that is equal parts witty and thrilling, stirred with unreliable narration and morally ambiguous characters. A boastful police officer Super Sebastian who spins his tales of adventures(Alexander Prashanth), his loyal side kick Dileep (Jagadish) and a mysterious widow (Darshana Rajendran) will have you spinning theories in your head before the film ends. Purusha Pretham is a treat with green and red colour palettes, tall tales and systemic shortcomings of how we deal with unidentified corpses.

Streaming on Sony Liv
 

Kumari (2022)

Those who love stories told by grandmothers would love Kumari, a mythological fantasy film written and directed by Nirmal Sahadev. Set in a world of cursed generations, fighting gods, arranged marriages and black magic, this is the story of women trapped in prophecies and superstitions. Intense atmosphere, storytelling thick with folklore, thrilling twists and mystic turns—Kumari is a treat to the senses.

Streaming on Netflix
 

Romancham (2023)

Jithu Madhavan’s directorial debut Romancham (transl. Goosebumps) took the box office by storm. It is a comedy horror following a group of bachelor friends in Bangalore who play the Ouija board and get addicted to it. Romancham is hilarious with a fresh cast and an amazing sound track. What’s even better?—The movie is inspired by real events and characters.

Streaming on Disney Hotstar
 

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