The best Malayalam movies of all time
The top 3 according to 789 votes from people: Manichitrathazhu (1993) · Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989) · Sandesham (1991). (Updated Apr 15, 2020.)
From Chemmeen and Yavanika to Manichitrathazhu, the Mohanlal and Mammootty classics, Adoor's Vidheyan and Drishyam: the best of Kerala cinema according to Filmibeat.
Top 15
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1
Manichitrathazhu (1993)
Fazil. A psychological thriller about a haunted mansion, with Mohanlal and Shobana. Remade in several languages.
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2
Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989)
T. Hariharan, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. Mammootty retells a northern Kerala ballad from the villain's side.
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3
Sandesham (1991)
Sathyan Anthikad, written by Sreenivasan. Political satire about two brothers in rival parties.
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4
Thoovanathumbikal (1987)
P. Padmarajan. Mohanlal torn between two women in Thrissur.
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5
Amaram (1991)
Bharathan. Mammootty as a fisherman and father on the Kerala coast.
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6
Nadodikkattu (1987)
Sathyan Anthikad. Mohanlal and Sreenivasan as two jobless friends who head for Chennai.
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7
Yavanika (1982)
K. G. George. A whodunit set in a travelling theatre troupe.
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8
Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
Sibi Malayil, written by Lohithadas. A teacher branded mad by his own village.
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9
Vadakkunokkiyanthram (1989)
Sreenivasan. A comedy about a jealous husband with an inferiority complex.
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10
Njan Gandharvan (1991)
P. Padmarajan. A celestial being falls for a young woman. His last film.
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11
Chemmeen (1965)
Ramu Kariat. A tragic love story in a fishing village; the first South Indian film to win the national award for best film.
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12
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal (1986)
P. Padmarajan. A love story among the vineyards, with Mohanlal.
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13
Drishyam (2013)
Jeethu Joseph. Mohanlal as a father who covers up a crime to protect his family.
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14
Vidheyan (1994)
Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Mammootty as a cruel landlord and the servant who fears him.
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15
Perumthachan (1990)
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.
Is something missing?
Comments (8)
Sandesham is more relevant today than in 1991. Every election season someone shares those scenes on whatsapp lol
Padmarajan having 3 films here says everything. Thoovanathumbikal + rain + Johnson master's music = perfection
No Kireedam?? Sibi Malayil + Lohithadas + Mohanlal, that ending destroys me every time. Should be top 3 easily.
Kireedam is in my top 5 too but honestly Thaniyavarthanam is the darker and better Sibi-Lohi film imo
good list but where is Kumbalangi Nights. new gen cinema deserves at least one spot
Manichitrathazhu at number one is correct. Shobana in the climax is still unmatched, no remake came close.
Watched Drishyam because of the Hindi remake and then went back for this one. Mohanlal is on another level, so subtle.
Chemmeen should be higher, it literally put Malayalam cinema on the national map