Here’s a curated list of the best new Malayalam movies (released in the last 2–3 years, up to 2025) that have garnered critical acclaim and audience praise for their storytelling, performances, and originality.
Genre: Period Drama / Nostalgia
Why it made the list: Director Vineeth Sreenivasan crafts a love letter to the 1980s and 90s Malayalam film industry. While it runs slightly long, the chemistry between the leads and the homage to old-school filmmaking will melt your heart. It is a slow, warm blanket of a movie. list of best malayalam movies new
Director: Senna Hegde
Genre: Absurdist Comedy / Drama Here’s a curated list of the best new
Winner of three National Film Awards, including Best Feature Film, this is a gripping chamber drama that functions as a "whodunnit" with deep social commentary. While it runs slightly long, the chemistry between
Why it stands out: It is rare for a mainstream superstar of Mammootty’s stature to back a subject like this. The film avoids being preachy or melodramatic. Instead, it treats the subject with immense dignity and silence, allowing the audience to sit with the emotions of the characters. It is a landmark film in Indian cinema regarding LGBTQ+ representation in a mainstream format.
Though it released with less fanfare compared to the blockbusters above, Romeo (starring Dileesh Pohan and Neeta Pillai) has been praised for its satirical take on the modern entertainment industry and the obsession with social media fame. It offers a sharp critique wrapped in an engaging narrative.