Here's a comprehensive list of 50 must-watch films, both old and new, that represent Malayalam cinema at its best.

Slideshows

50 must-watch Malayalam films on OTT with subtitles

Team CE

Updated:23rd Sep, 2020 at 1:25 PM

Avanazhi (Eros Now) IV Sasi's high-voltage crime classic that gave as much importance to its female characters as its iconic protagonist 'Inspector Balram', a cop played by Mamootty.

Amen (YouTube Movies/SunNXT) Lijo Jose Pellissery's colourful film has Fahadh as a timid clarinet player who is pushed around a lot. The film feels like reading a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel.

Android Kunjappan (Prime) This one has a level of poignancy found in Pixar animation films or something like E.T. Suraj Venjaramoodu proves yet again why he is one of the finest.

Annayum Rasoolum (Hotstar) Rajeev Ravi's film remains one of the most realistic and emotionally overpowering romance dramas ever made, thanks to the understated performances of Fahadh and Andrea.

Ayyappanum Koshiyum (Prime) It's a masterclass on making a three-hour film about a tense confrontation between two individuals snowballing into something far uglier.

Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar (Hotstar) Mohanlal plays the scion of a royal family trained to be a politician who eventually becomes a threat to the corrupt political big-shots sitting in power.

Chithram (Hotstar) It is the quintessential Priyadarshan film which is both funny and heartbreaking. It takes us through a fun-filled ride before delivering a heavy emotional blow in the finale.

Devasuram (Prime) Another influential IV Sasi classic, Devasuram can be called the 'grandfather' of Ayyappanum Koshiyum. Mohanlal and Napolean play vengeful rivals baying for each other's blood.

Driving Licence (Prime) A policeman engages in an unpleasant battle of wits with his favourite matinee idol when the latter humiliates him. The film also works as a small satire on the film industry

Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu (Hotstar) Arguably the finest psychological thriller ever made in Malayalam powered by Joshiy's immaculate direction & Padmarajan's delightfully nail-biting screenplay.

Ee Ma Yau (YouTube/Prime) With a potent mix of dark humour and gloom, Ee Ma Yau is one of Lijo Jose Pellissery's best films. It's also one of his most stunningly shot films (courtesy of Shyju Khalid)

Esthappan (YouTube) G Aravindan's Kerala State award-winning film is a one-of-a-kind experience with an enigmatic central character who is open to various interpretations.

Godfather (Hotstar) With delightfully staged gags, witty one-liners, and an immensely talented cast, Siddique-Lal's Godfather is an unforgettable comedy that still remains fresh as ever.

Iyer the Great (Hotstar) Bhadran directed this chilling, technically superior (for the time) sci-fi thriller where Mammootty plays a man who one day develops the ability to foresee disasters.

Kaalapani (Hotstar) With a stellar ensemble cast featuring acting heavyweights from Indian cinema, Priyadarshan's magnum opus is one for the ages.

Kattukuthira (Hotstar) An intense drama of love, caste politics and revenge spanning two generations, Kattukuthira features one of Thilakan's most outstanding performances.

Kireedam (Prime) Thilakan and Mohanlal deliver devastating performances as a father and son with high hopes. But what does one do when forces beyond control start acting up and shatter all dreams?

Koode (Hotstar) The best things about Anjali Menon's Koode are its strong character development and detailing. Every object inside a room, and every gesture and facial tic tells a story.

Kottayam Kunjachan (Hotstar/Prime) A good-hearted rowdy gets out of prison only to find himself in circumstances that could land him back in the same place. One of Mammootty's most entertaining roles

Kumbalangi Nights (Prime) Kumbalangi Nights is a brilliantly written, once-in-a-blue-moon film that's a perfect example of the right people coming together at the right time. The best film of 2019.

Kunjiramayanam (Hotstar) Basil Joseph's directorial debut is that film you pop in whenever you are feeling down. A laugh riot from start to finish, the film doesn't have a single dark or dull moment.

Manichithrathazhu (Prime) Another memorable comedy classic with horror elements that was remade in Tamil (Chandramukhi) and Hindi (Bhool Bhulaiyya). But none of the remakes could hold a candle to the

Mathilukal (YouTube) A faithful adaptation of Vaikom Muhammed Basheer's story of the same name, Adoor Gopalakrishnan's life-affirming drama is also a love story of a unique variety.

Mattoral (Hotstar) KG George explores marital bonds, gender politics, womanhood, consent, and suburban ennui in this nuanced, socially relevant drama devoid of any other unnecessary distractions.

Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (Eros Now) Priyadarshan's funniest film features Mohanlal, Sreenivasan, Jagathy, Kuthiravattom Pappu, Maniyanpilla Raju, Mukesh and others at the top of their game.

Mukham (Hotstar) Mohanlal and Nassar star in this thought-provoking, one-of-a-kind psychological thriller revolving around a faceless, woman-murdering serial killer holding a city hostage.

Mumbai Police (Hotstar) It's not every day that you see a superstar taking on a role that breaks the stereotypical 'hero' image. The fast-paced investigation drama is elevated by its clever plotting.

Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal (Hotstar) Through this poignant love story which was way ahead of its time, writer-director Padmarajan presented ideas and characters that challenged conventions.

Nirmalyam (Hotstar) Given the nature of its content, it's a miracle that Nirmalyam exists today, that too without a single cut. If made today, it probably would not have seen the light of day.

North 24 Kaatham (Hotstar) A moving drama in which Fahadh Faasil plays an OCD-afflicted software engineer who embarks on an unexpected trip that brings about significant changes in his life.

Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (Hotstar) The first of a series of investigative thrillers featuring one of Mammootty's iconic characters, CBI officer Sethurama Iyer, who is tasked to investigate a suicide.

Perumthachan (Hotstar) A supreme example of actor Thilakan’s versatility and acting prowess, Perumthachan is a masterpiece powered by Santosh Sivan’s splendid camera work & Johnson’s evocative score.

Rajavinte Makan (Eros Now) The Thambi Kannanthanam film that immediately catapulted Mohanlal into superstardom. Mohanlal played a powerful gangster named Vincent Gomes to perfection.

Ramji Rao Speaking (Hotstar) Another comedy gold from the Siddique-Lal duo (Godfather). Their directorial debut later spawned two sequels and several remakes, most notably Priyadarshan's Hera Pheri.

Sandesham (Hotstar) A brilliantly staged and acted political satire adored by many Malayalis, Sandesham is a comic masterpiece with one-liners and images that remain relevant to this day.

Season (Eros Now) Padmarajan's enthralling crime drama has Mohanlal dealing with a shady foreign tourist who puts everyone's lives in jeopardy. The film has one of the best opening & ending sequences

Spadikam (Prime) Thilakan and Mohanlal play father and son once again in this iconic 'mass' entertainer from director Bhadran. Mohanlal's Aadu Thoma ranks highly among the macho male characters.

Sudani from Nigeria (Netflix) It's impossible to not warm up to this rewarding film about friendship and parenthood. Soubin plays a football manager who develops a strong bond with a Nigerian player.

Thazhvaram (Hotstar) Often described as Malayalam's first 'western', Bharathan's atmospheric revenge thriller has Mohanlal's character looking for his erstwhile friend who who had murdered his wife.

Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (Hotstar) Fahadh's second collaboration with director Dileesh Pothan after Maheshinte Prathikaram has set a gold standard in nuanced storytelling in contemporary times.

Thoovanathumbikal (Hotstar) One of the most addictive romantic films of all time, along with the superior Namukku Parkaan Munthirithoppukal (which pushed boundaries a couple of notches further)

TP Balagopalan MA (Hotstar) Balagopalan represents that typical struggling, endearing hero seen in many Sathyan Anthikad films. One of the heartwarming Anthikad classics that always cheers one up.

Traffic (Hotstar) An accident binds multiple characters living in the same city in this nail-biting drama from Rajesh Pillai. Malayalam's first hyperlink cinema similar to Hollywood's Syriana.

Ustad Hotel (Hotstar) A young man, in the process of becoming a chef, also learns about life & relationships. A crowd-pleasing entertainer anchored by Anjali Menon's script & Anwar Rashid's direction

Uyare (Netflix) A story of survival, hope and determination, Uyare is an exercise in restrained, sensitive filmmaking, proving that it's possible to tell a serious, poignant story without melodrama.

Vaasthavam (Hotstar) A film about greed, ambition, and big things with small beginnings, and how some relationships are irrevocably transformed by decisions made under desperate circumstances.

Vadakkunokkiyanthram (Prime) Sreenivasan's Thalathil Dineshan represents every insecure guy who harbours suspicions about his wife. The actor also directed this film which is both funny & disturbing.

Vanaprastham (Hotstar) By playing a down-on-his-luck Kathakali artiste who enters into a strange romantic liaison with an aristocratic woman, this is an acting masterclass by Mohanlal.

Vidheyan (YouTube) Adoor Gopalakrishnan's high-intensity drama about the complicated bond between a master and his servant presented one of Malayalam's most memorable villains in Bhaskar Patelar.

Virus (Prime) Pulling off a survival thriller based on actual events is not an easy feat. But Aashiq Abu has done just that with a carefully researched script based on Kerala's Nipah outbreak.

Other must-see titles that available online without subtitles: Nadodikkattu (1987), Moonnam Mura (1988), Dasharatham (1989), Aparan (1988), Irakal (1985), Irupatham Noottaandu (1987) ...

Also available on OTT are New Delhi (1987), August 1 (1988), Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), and Varnyathil Aashanka (2017).