Since the dawn of the entertainment industry in India, the Malayalam film industry has contributed to many great movies defining new standards in the Indian movie industry.
While Bollywood films mostly invested in formula movies, Mollywood went ahead with creative cinema which was both appreciated at the box office as well as by the critics.
The popularity and success of the Malayalam movie industry can be anticipated with the fact that many Bollywood movies were actually the remake of some hit Malayalam movies such as Ramji Rao Speaking remade as Hera Pheri, Punjabi House remade as Chup Chup Ke, Boeing Boeing remade as Garam Masala, Manichitrathazhu as Bhool Bhulaiyaa and the latest Drishyam starring Mohanlal was remade recently with the same title starring Ajay Devgn.
These are just a few of the many Malayalam movies that were either copied or remade in Bollywood as well as other regional languages.
The main reason behind following the trend of Malayalam cinema is the quality of art and creativity that filmmakers in this part of the region bring in. Malayalam movies are the best examples of the pure blend of art, culture, fresh screenplay, youthfulness, and creativity.
Today, we bring you FilmyKeeday’s list of top 15 Best Malayalam movies produced in the last decade: 2005 to 2015-16
List of 15 Best Malayalam Movies of Recent years
Bangalore Days (2014)
Bangalore Days is a Malayalam romantic comedy film directed by Anjali Menon starring Dulquer Salmaan, Navin Pauly, and Nazria Nazim as cousins along with Fahadh Faasil, Isha Talwar, Parvathy Menon, Nithya Menen in pivotal roles.
The movie revolves around the lives of the three cousins who share a strong bond since their childhood.
As they grow up, these 3 childhood buddies part ways into their future lives but destiny brings them back together in Bangalore.
The rest of the story is about their days in Bangalore coping up with each other’s problems and helping out one another to overcome those problems. The movie is full of youth, romance and some hints of comedy that will keep you entertained for the whole movie.
Also Read: 15 Brilliantly crafted Indian Neo-Noir Films
Munnariyippu (2014)
Munnariyippu stars megastar Mammootty as a convict who claims that he is in the prison for the crimes he never committed.
This Malayalam mystery thriller Film is directed by successful cinematographer Venu. The film also includes Aparna Gopinath as a Journalist who wants to write an autobiography on convict C.K. Raghavan played by Mammootty.
With a long supporting cast including veteran Nedumudi Venu, Joy Matthew, Prathap Pothan, Sreeraman, Renji Panicker, and even Prithviraj Sukumaran, the movie offers a lot of suspense and thrilling moments.
The rest of the story winds up on whether C.K. Raghavan can prove his innocence or not.
Also Read: Indian Movies with Blow your Mind with climax Twists
Mumbai Police
Mumbai Police is one of the Best crime thrillers in the whole Indian movie industry because the movie unveils shocking suspense at the end.
The movie stars Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role as ACP Antony Moses along with actor Jayasuriya and Rahman as his colleagues and supporting cast for the movie.
In the movie, the trio represents the Mumbai Police, a title given to them because they often get into trouble together and are the most feared by the crime lords of the city.
The movie starts off with Assistant Commissioner Aaryan Jacob played by Jayasuriya getting murdered and the case of solving the murder is handed over to ACP Antony Moses who suffers from partial Amnesia after an accident.
The movie then brings us so many twists as Antony aka Rascal Moses unveils the mystery behind the murder of one of his best friends, colleague, and integral part of the Mumbai Police.
Drishyam
Drishyam is a 2013 Malayalam drama thriller directed by Jeethu Joseph starring megastar Mohanlal in the lead role.
The popularity and the success of the movie can be anticipated by the fact that this movie was remade into multiple languages such as Tamil starring Kamal Hassan, Telugu starring Daggubati Venkatesh, Kannada starring V. Ravichandran and in 2015, Drishyam was remade into Hindi starring Ajay Devgn to reprise the role portrayed by Mohanlal in the original movie.
The movie tells us about the struggles in the life of Cable TV service provider Georgekutty played by Mohanlal and how he cope up with them with his smartness and knowledge grasped after watching a lot of different films on TV in his small office.
Ustad Hotel
Ustad Hotel is one of the best cross-generation movies of the Malayalam film industry directed by Anwar Rasheed and starring Dulquer Salmaan and Thilakkan in the lead roles.
The film revolves around Faizal portrayed by Dulquer Salmaan and his grandfather Karim played by Thilakkan who runs a small but famous restaurant in Kozhikode.
Faizal nicknamed Feyzee studies the art of cooking in Switzerland against his father’s wishes and is forced to work as a cook at his grandfather’s restaurant in Kozhikode, Kerala.
While working with his grandfather, he comes to know about the hardships that his grandfather faces and helps him recover and rebrand Ustad Hotel.
The Film is also available in Hindi, You can check the list of Best Malayalam Movies in Hindi Dubbed Versions.
Celluloid
Celluloid is a biopic that displays the life of J.C. Daniel who is credited as the father of Malayalam Cinema.
This Malayalam movie is directed by Kamal and stars Prithviraj Sukumaran playing the lead role of J.C. Daniel with a supporting cast of Sreenivasan, Mamta Mohandas and Chandni in pivotal roles.
The movie is a must watch for all those cinema lovers who can actually witness how a single man’s passion creates history. The movie also focuses on the hardships that he suffers while producing the movie because of the caste differences in that era.
1983
1983 holds a significant event in the hearts of almost every Indian. Children or the adults, when asked what happened in that year, would instantly blurt out that Kapil Dev lifted the World Cup for India in 1983. And yes, 1983 is a movie based on Cricket.
1983 is a Malayalam sports drama film directed by Abrid Shine starring Navin Pauly in the lead role alongside Anoop Menon, Nikki Galrani, Joy Matthew, Srinda Ashab, Saiju Kurup, and Neeraj Madhav in pivotal roles.
The movie revolves around a father who sees an opportunity to fulfill his dream of playing cricket for India in his son. To know whether he gets success in his dream or not, you must watch this movie.
Keerthi Chakra
Keerthi Chakra is a war drama directed by A.K. Ravindram aka Major Ravi starring Mohanlal as his first role as Major Mahadevan.
The movie focuses on some true events based on the insurgency in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir. Keerthi Chakra is one of the Best Movies on Indian Army.
Keerthi Chakra was both critical and commercial success at the box office. The movie is also dubbed into Tamil as Aran with some additional scenes for Prakash Raj.
It also encouraged Major Ravi to launch a couple of more movies starring Mohanlal as Major Mahadevan.
Classmates
Classmates is a 2006 romantic thriller directed by Lal Jose that revolves around college life in Kerala and the politics associated with the campuses.
Classmates stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kavya Madhavan, Jayasuriya, Narain, Jagathy Sreekumar, Balachandra Menon, and Indrajith (Prithviraj’s brother) in pivotal roles.
The movie begins as a day-to-day college life with romance, competition, election brawls, and pranks with fellow students and teachers.
However, everything changes after the death of Murali portrayed by Narain.
The mystery unveils itself when the chemistry class including P. Sukumaran played by Prithviraj, Satheesan played by Jayasuriya, Thara played by Kavya Madhavan and Pius played by Indrajith get together at their class reunion after 10 years as per the wish of Murali.
Watch the movie to find out how the real culprit behind Murali’s death.
Memories
Another Prithviraj starrer Memories also makes into our list of top Malayalam movies in the last decade. Written and directed by Jeethu Joseph, Memories is a crime thriller movie that is based on serial killings of several young married men.
The movie stars Prithviraj as a police officer named Sam Alex who is given the charge of solving the case and arresting the killer behind all the murders.
In spite of his alcoholism, Sam Alex is entrusted by his superior Mr. Aravindhaksha Menon played by Vijayraghavan because of his quick wittiness and given the fact that the present police team is unsuccessful in solving the case or finding any clues whatsoever.
The rest of the movie includes many mysteries and suspense while Sam Alex finds the man behind all these killings.
Neram
Neram is a of kind Indian comedy thriller that stars Navin Pauly and Nazriya Nazim in the lead roles while the supporting cast includes Manoj K. Jayan, Shammi Thilakan, and Lalu Alex.
The movie also marks the debut of director Alphonse Putharen who has written, directed, and edited Neram.
Neram is made simultaneously both in Malayalam and Tamil languages and marks the debut of Navin Pauly in the Tamil film industry.
The full movie is set on the events that happen in a single day and consists of humor, romance, brilliant narration, and an interesting climax that makes the movie a great entertainer.
Also Read: Best Tamil Romantic Movies of All the Time
Pranchiyettan & the Saint
Written, directed, and produced by Ranjith, Pranchiyettan & the Saint is a Malayalam satirical comedy film starring Mamooty as Pranchiyettan with Priyamani, Innocent, Siddique, Khushboo, Jagathy Sreekumar and Biju Menon in pivotal roles.
The film focuses around the conversation between Thrissur-based Rice merchant Pranchiyettan & St. Francis of Assisi and unfolds some of the past life and journey of Pranchiyettan. The movie is a must-watch for those who enjoy satirical comedy with a hint of innocence and romance as added flavors.
Ayalum Njanum Thammil
Ayalum Njanum Thammil is a 2012 Malayalam drama film directed by Lal Jose starring Prithviraj in the lead role.
The story of the movie is inspired by a Japanese movie named Red Beard. The whole movie revolves around the medical profession and tries to teach the basic morals of life.
Prithviraj Sukumaran who plays Dr. Ravi Tharakan is a spoiled brat who looks medical profession as just a mode of making money while his mentor Dr. Samuel played by Prathap Pothen makes him realize the true power of his profession.
The movie takes several twists and turns in Dr. Ravi Tharakan’s life which changes him completely making him a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon.
North 24 Kaatham
North 24 Kaatham is a Malayalam movie written and directed by debutante Anil Radhakrishnan Menon.
The movie revolves around a journey that brings three different people unknown to each other together facing different situations and overcoming problems throughout their time together.
The movie stars Fahadh Faasil, Nedumudi Venu, and Swathi Reddy in the lead roles Fahadh Faasil plays software geek, Harikrishnan, who is suffering from Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder whereas Nedumudi Venu plays a veteran Gopalan.
Who is made aware of his wife’s deteriorating health and Swathi Reddy plays Narayani who is a social worker. All three come together while on a train to Trivandrum.
The rest of the story is about missing the train and coping with the hartal day.
Premam
Premam is a romantic film starring Nivin Pauly, Sai Pallavi, Madonna Sebastian, and Anupama Parameswaran in the lead roles. Premam is written and directed by Alphonse Putharen.
Premam is a romantic comedy film that shows the life of the character in three parts and how he finally finds his love. There are many funny and romantic moments in this film.
Premam is one of the most successful films in Malayalam Cinema. Nivin Pauly became very famous in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra after the Premam’s success.
Picket 43
Picket 43 is yet another movie directed by Major Ravi on our list. The movie is about an Indian soldier who guards at a Picket alone in Kashmir and his friendship with a Pakistani soldier at the opposite end of the border.
Picket 43 stars Prithviraj Sukumaran as Hareendranath Nair as the Indian soldier while Javed Jaffery plays Mushraff who happens to be the Pakistani soldier.
The movie focuses on the strong friendship they build in spite of being from two different enemy nations. The movie talks about hardships, loneliness, suspicions interpersonal relations, and emotions of two people from different countries.
The movie is the perfect example displaying the true experience of what a soldier goes through guarding a picket in Kashmir.
Also Read: Best Malayalam Films of all the Time
Your Turn!
Share your Favorite Malayalam film of recent years in the Comment section, if your favorite is not on the list then you can add them in the comments.
