The year 2025 is proving to be just as spectacular. A new wave of cinema includes Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra , a groundbreaking superhero film starring Kalyani Priyadarshan as the industry's first female superhero, which has already crossed ₹100 crore globally. Meanwhile, young star Naslen has cemented his place as a box office draw with hits like Premalu and Alappuzha Gymkhana .
Yet, the overall synergy is positive. Kerala’s filmography—once confined to festival circuits and state-run theaters—is now a global, searchable, and shareable archive. A teenager in Dubai or a cinephile in London can instantly watch a popular video explaining the symbolism in Ee.Ma.Yau. (2018) or enjoy a comedy clip from In Harihar Nagar (1990).
New releases continue to arrive on streaming platforms regularly. Recent additions include Love Insurance Kompany (LIK) on Amazon Prime Video, Vaazha 2 on JioHotstar, and Bharathanatyam 2 on Netflix. Other notable OTT releases include Prathichaya (JioHotstar), Super Jimni (ManoramaMAX), and Happy Raj (Amazon Prime Video). Films like Madhuvidhu and Bhishmar are also appearing across multiple platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, JioHotstar, and ZEE5.
The following table highlights the top-performing films in terms of domestic and worldwide gross as of early 2026: Film Title Worldwide/Domestic Gross Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra ₹300–304 crore L2: Empuraan ₹268.05 crore Manjummel Boys ₹167.65 crore (Domestic) ₹238 crore Sarvam Maya ₹153 crore kerala mms sex videos hot
(1965)—the first South Indian film to win the —established a legacy of social realism.
The 1970s and 80s are often hailed as the golden age of Malayalam cinema, a period that saw the rise of brilliant auteurs who brought international recognition to the industry. Filmmakers like G. Aravindan and Adoor Gopalakrishnan emerged as masters of art-house cinema. Gopalakrishnan's Elippathayam (1982) won the prestigious Sutherland Trophy at the London Film Festival and was named the Most Original Imaginative Film of 1982 by the British Film Institute. Adding to this global acclaim, Murali Nair's Marana Simhasanam won the Caméra d'Or at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival, solidifying Malayalam cinema's place on the world map.
Recent trailers include Kalyanamaram , Kanimangalam Kovilakam , Naalpathukalile Pranayam , and Sambhavam Adhyayam Onnu . Mammootty Kampany has even unveiled the trailer of Malayalam's first musical horror comedy Karakkam , featuring atmospheric visuals, quirky character dynamics, and a pulsating musical score that balances supernatural thrills with laugh-out-loud moments. The year 2025 is proving to be just as spectacular
— Starring Dulquer Salmaan, Nivin Pauly, and Nazriya Nazim, this uplifting story of three cousins who move to the city to discover themselves became a fan favorite.
Over the years, some of the major literary figures in Malayalam have lent depth to screenwriting in Malayalam. Writers such as Uroob, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, Ponkunnam Varkey, P. Kesavadev, Thoppil Bhasi, M.T. Vasudevan Nair, and contemporary writers like P.F. Mathews, S. Hareesh, and Santhosh Echikkanam have shaped the kinds of stories Malayalam cinema tells.
The popularity of Malayalam cinema on Instagram is immense, with over 2,231万 (22.31 million) reels under the "Malayalam Cinema" tag. Popular content includes dialogues, comedy scenes, and emotional moments. Yet, the overall synergy is positive
In the modern era, the industry has continued to break new ground. Survival thriller Manjummel Boys (2024), based on a true story, became a box-office phenomenon. With a modest budget of ₹200 million, it went on to gross ₹2.4 billion ($29 million), becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever. Other recent hits like Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) , the true story of an immigrant laborer forced into slavery, and Aavesham , a comedy-action film, have also achieved massive commercial success, proving that fresh, unconventional stories can find a wide audience.
— An unexpected hit romantic comedy from 2024. Streaming on JioHotstar.
: Recent successful films include the survival drama The Goat Life (2024) and the black comedy (2024). 15 Greatest Malayalam Films of the Last 15 Years
