# The best Malayalam movies of all time

From Chemmeen and Yavanika to Manichitrathazhu, the Mohanlal and Mammootty classics, Adoor's Vidheyan and Drishyam: the best of Kerala cinema according to Filmibeat.

- 789 votes · 15 items
- Apr 15, 2020 · N. Clark
- https://even.best/en/l/4511/the-best-malayalam-movies-of-all-time

## Top 15

1. **Manichitrathazhu (1993)** (80 · ▲83 ▼3) — Fazil. A psychological thriller about a haunted mansion, with Mohanlal and Shobana. Remade in several languages.
2. **Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989)** (62 · ▲66 ▼4) — T. Hariharan, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. Mammootty retells a northern Kerala ballad from the villain's side.
3. **Sandesham (1991)** (50 · ▲58 ▼8) — Sathyan Anthikad, written by Sreenivasan. Political satire about two brothers in rival parties.
4. **Thoovanathumbikal (1987)** (50 · ▲54 ▼4) — P. Padmarajan. Mohanlal torn between two women in Thrissur.
5. **Amaram (1991)** (46 · ▲52 ▼6) — Bharathan. Mammootty as a fisherman and father on the Kerala coast.
6. **Nadodikkattu (1987)** (41 · ▲51 ▼10) — Sathyan Anthikad. Mohanlal and Sreenivasan as two jobless friends who head for Chennai.
7. **Yavanika (1982)** (33 · ▲43 ▼10) — K. G. George. A whodunit set in a travelling theatre troupe.
8. **Thaniyavarthanam (1987)** (30 · ▲42 ▼12) — Sibi Malayil, written by Lohithadas. A teacher branded mad by his own village.
9. **Vadakkunokkiyanthram (1989)** (22 · ▲32 ▼10) — Sreenivasan. A comedy about a jealous husband with an inferiority complex.
10. **Njan Gandharvan (1991)** (21 · ▲32 ▼11) — P. Padmarajan. A celestial being falls for a young woman. His last film.
11. **Chemmeen (1965)** (21 · ▲29 ▼8) — Ramu Kariat. A tragic love story in a fishing village; the first South Indian film to win the national award for best film.
12. **Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal (1986)** (20 · ▲31 ▼11) — P. Padmarajan. A love story among the vineyards, with Mohanlal.
13. **Drishyam (2013)** (20 · ▲27 ▼7) — Jeethu Joseph. Mohanlal as a father who covers up a crime to protect his family.
14. **Vidheyan (1994)** (19 · ▲29 ▼10) — Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Mammootty as a cruel landlord and the servant who fears him.
15. **Perumthachan (1990)** (18 · ▲32 ▼14) — Ajayan, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. Thilakan as the legendary master carpenter.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.