The Malayalam film industry have always impressed us with it’s rich storytelling and fascinating characters. In 2024, the industry continued to deliver various films across different genres, from heartwarming dramas to intense thrillers. With fresh talent and experienced film makers, the Malayalam film industry have brought various fresh ideas that really connects the audience together.
Let’s take a look at one of the most popular Malayalam films that got everyone talking in 2024.
Table of Contents
1. Sookshmadarshini
IMBD rating– 7.9
Director– M. C. Jithin
Cast– Nazriya Nazim (Priyadarshini), Basil Joseph (Manuel), with key support from Sidharth Bharathan, Deepak Parambol, Akhila Bhargavan & Pooja Mohanraj
Genre– Comedy‑Mystery Thriller
Priyadarshini as is a curious home maker in a semi urban locality of Kerala. She returns from a Hiatus to discover her new neighbour Manuel and his elderly mother. When his mother disappears in a strange way, Priyadarshini’s role turned into a detective mode. She gathers a group of women from her neighbourhood and starts investigating. It all begin with a simple curiosity but turned into a mystery which is filled with hidden truths.
2. Kishkindha Kaandam
IMBD rating- 8
Director- Dinjith Ayyathan
Cast- Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali, Vijayaraghavan
Genre- Mystery Thriller
Ajayan, a forest officer lives with his elderly father Appu Pillai near a forest which was full of monkeys. After losing his first wife and their son Chachu in a tragedy, Ajayan marries again and brings his new wife Aparna to his house. Soon after her arrival, a licensed gun kept at the home goes missing. Aparna begins to observe strange behaviour of Appu Pillai and hears unususla sounds comin from the forest. Aparna and Ajayan are puzzled into a web of secrets and the past traumas. Slowly, the hidden truth behind family’s sorrow is revealed.
3. The Goat Life (Aadujeevitham)
IMBD rating- 7.9
Director- Blessy
Cast- Prithviraj Sukumaran, Blessy
Genre- Biographical Survival Drama
Nayali, a man from Kerala travels to the Gulf in the hope of earning money for his family but he is tricked and taken to a desert farm. He was forced there to work as a slave in the extreme heat, he was also treated inhumanely due to which he lost all his contacts from the outside world. Slowly, he begins to plan to run, risking everything for a chance at freedom. His journey becomes one of survival, willpower, and hope.
4. Manjummel Boys
IMBD rating- 8
Director- Chidambaram
Cast- Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Deepak Parambol, Balu Varghese
Genre– Survival Thriller (based on true events)
A group of close friends from Manjummel goes on holiday to Kodaikanal. Their trip takes a scary turn when one friend, Subhash, accidentally falls into the dangerous Guna Caves. The friends panic when they realize it will be almost impossible to rescue him. They ask locals and authorities for help, but they hesitate because of the cave’s dangerous history. Despite this, the friends unite for a tense and emotional rescue mission. The film shows the importance of friendship, loyalty, and courage in the face of fear. Based on a true story, it became one of the most loved Malayalam films of 2024.
5. Premalu
IMBD rating- 8.4
Director- Girish A.D
Cast– Naslen, Mamitha Baiju
Genre- Romantic Comedy
The movie follows Sachin, a charming but confused young man from Kerala who moves to Hyderabad for work. In Hyderabad, he meets Reenu, a strong and ambitious woman who initially ignores his attempts to flirt with her. Despite facing many rejections and awkward moments, Sachin stays determined and gradually becomes a more mature and reliable person. Their friendship grows into love, filled with emotional ups and downs. The film features humorous dialogue, great chemistry between the characters, and a relatable look at millennial relationships. “Premalu” has a feel-good tone and became very popular among young people.
6. Bramayugam
IMBD rating- 7.8
Director- Rahul Sadasivan
Cast- Mammootty, Arjun Ashokan, Sidharth Bharathan
Genre- Horror Thriller
Thevan, a folk singer and also an escaped slave finds safety in a mysterious old mansion deep inside the forest. The mansion was very quite and a mysterious man lives there which suggestes dark secrets. As Thevan stays there, strange and frightening events begin to happen, making him realize he is caught in a nightmare.
7. A.R.M (Ajayante Randam Moshanam)
IMBD rating- 7
Director- Jithin Laal
Cast- Tovino Thomas (in triple roles), Krithi Shetty, Basil Joseph, Aishwarya Rajesh
Genre- Fantasy, Adventure
Abraham Ozler: Resurrection of Mind (A.R.M.) is a psychological crime thriller directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas. The film follows a criminal psychologist named Abraham Ozler, played by Jayaram. After experiencing personal trauma, he returns to work to solve a series of strange murders. As he investigates, he finds out that these killings are part of a revenge plan linked to past injustices. The antagonist creates an intellectual challenge for Ozler, turning the investigation into a dangerous mind game. Flashbacks reveal hidden connections between the victims and Ozler himself. With strong direction, emotional depth, and suspense, the film mixes crime with self-reflection. A.R.M. provides both a thought-provoking and emotional experience.
8. Turbo
IMBD rating- 6
Director- Vysakh
Cast- Mammootty, Raj B. Shetty, Anjana Jayaprakash, Shabareesh Varma
Genre- Action Comedy
The movie akes place between Idukki and Chennai.Jose called Turbo was a short tempered fearless jeep driver. Turbo goes to Chennai to help his friend in trouble with money. This started a small issue but quickly became a fight against a bank scam run by a villian, Vetrivel. Turbo discovers layers of corruption while trying to protect Indulekha, who has been wrongly accused in the scam. The film is filled with action, style and Mammootty’s strong screen presence.
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9. Marco
IMBD rating- 7.5
Director- Haneef Adeni
Cast– Unni Mukundan, Siddique, Jagadish, and Kabir Duhan Singh.
Genre- Action Thriller
Marco is the adopted son of a powerful gold-trading family. He is drawn into a violent quest for revenge after his blind foster brother, Victor, sees a murder and is killed to keep him silent. To get justice for Victor, Marco returns home and uncovers a complex plot involving corrupt family members and criminal groups. As Marco investigates, he finds links between Victor’s killer, Russell, and powerful figures. This leads Marco down a dangerous path that tests his loyalty and toughness. Each step closer to the truth results in more deaths, leading to a bloody confrontation where Marco seeks revenge. However, this revenge has serious consequences. The family faces division, and Marco struggles with his sense of right and wrong. The story ends with a suspenseful cliffhanger, suggesting that the fallout from these events will continue and may set up a sequel.
10. All We Imagine as Light
IMBD rating- 7.5
Director- Payal Kapadia
Cast– Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam
Genre– Drama
This film tells the story of three Malayali women, a nurse, a cook, and a migrant, living in Mumbai. It is shot in Malayalam, Hindi, and Marathi. The movie combines real-life scenes with poetic storytelling. It looks at issues of identity, strength, and belonging in a busy city where many people feel alone. Mumbai serves as an important backdrop, highlighting the challenges the women face, such as gender inequality, economic hardship, and social displacement. The film premiered at Cannes 2024 and is the first Indian film in 30 years to win the Grand Prix.
11. Rifle Club
IMBD rating- 7.1
Director- Ashiq Abu
Cast- Dileesh Pothan, Anurag Kashyap, Vani Viswanath, Vineeth Kuman, Hanumankind
Genre- Action, thriller, comedy
A thriller-drama with action elements, featuring the Malayalam debuts of rapper Hanumankind and director-actor Anurag Kashyap. The story centers on a group of misfits who defend a rifle club building. It builds tension and action in a confined space with a ticking clock. The film focuses on visual storytelling, using slow-motion scenes, moody lighting, and strong performances. Critics praised its style but noted that the story could be stronger. Despite these issues, the film did well at the box office, earning around ₹30 crore, which suggests a sequel could happen. Overall, “Rifle Club” is a stylish and energetic film that emphasizes atmosphere.
12. Nunakkuzhi
IMBD rating- 6.8
Director- Jeethu Joseph
Cast- Basil Joseph, Grace Antony, Nikhil Vimal, Siddique
Genre- Crime, comedy, drama
This crime-comedy features Basil Joseph, Grace Antony, and Nikhila Vimal. The story follows Basil’s character, who unknowingly gets mixed up in a complicated plan with petty criminals and funny misunderstandings. His life becomes chaotic when his innocence leads him to cover for shady friends, with each twist becoming funnier than the last. Grace and Nikhila add charm and humor as they get pulled into the fun. The film keeps audiences entertained with its clever writing and situational humor. Viewers laughed with the chaos instead of at it.
13. Gaganachari
IMBD rating- 6.9
Director- Arun Chandu
Cast- K.B. Ganesh Kumar, Gokul Suresh, Aju Varghese
Genre- Science fiction comedy drama
“Gaganachari” is a sci-fi mockumentary set in the flooded, dystopian Kerala of the 2040s. It mixes comedy with imaginative storytelling. In this future world, petrol is banned, beef is replaced by a synthetic product called “geef,” and surveillance is everywhere. Victor Vasudevan, a retired military officer, is known as an “alien hunter.” He lives in a small bunker with two quirky bachelors, Allen and Vaibhav. A documentary crew comes to film Victor’s strange experiences with aliens. Things change when a real alien named Aniyamma shows up, causing chaos and curiosity. The film includes nostalgic pop culture references, quirky humor, and commentary on climate change, authoritarian control, and society’s absurdities. Despite its low budget, “Gaganachari” stands out in Malayalam cinema for its creativity, tight storytelling, and unique style.
14. Pallotty 90’S Kids
IMBD rating– 7.6
Director- Jithin Raj
Genre- Coming of age children’s drama
Set in suburban Kerala in the 1990s, the film tells the story of two close young friends, Unni and Kannan. They go on childhood adventures, experience first crushes, play games, and share homemade gifts. The story switches between their innocent past and the present, where adult Unni returns to give Kannan the Harley motorcycle he promised long ago. Another storyline follows Manjula, a non-resident Indian (NRI) who reconnects with his mother, highlighting changes in relationships. “Pallotty 90’s Kids” captures the magic of childhood and the bittersweet nature of memories through simple moments of friendship, loss, and fulfillment.
15. I am Kathalan
Genre- Cyber thriller
IMBD rating- 6.8
Director- Girish A.D.
Cast- Naslen K Gafoor, Lijomol Jose, Anishma Anilkumar, Dileesh Pothan
The movie explores the journey of Kathalan who was a mentally challenged man with a pure heart. He was deeply in love with a woman names Lathika. Despite his limitations, he expresses his love with innocent gestures and unwavering loyalty. The story takes a heart touching turn when society’s harsh realities and misunderstandings begin to create obstacles in their bond. As Kathalan tries to protect Lathika from emotional and physical harm, the film unties themes of love, sacrifice, and acceptance. The film beautifully portrays the emotional struggles of someone who is different yet capable of feeling deeply.
Which one of these movies have you already watched and which one are you planning to watch next ?? Let me know in the comments.
