The 50 Best Malayalam Movies (Non-commercial)
by BudStamperOK | created - 21 Sep 2012 | updated - 13 Oct 2012 | PublicA list of the 50 best (or my favorite) Malayalam movies from the late 70s until 2011. Some of the films may be classified as slightly commercial - example :Kaalapani. Most of the films are post-1975. I have little awareness of the Malayalam cinema before the 70s. Some of these movies really had some interesting story lines. But what I really like about the movies mentioned in the list are that they have little or no Hollywood or European influences. They are distinctly Malayali in their haphazardness.
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Peruvazhiyambalam (1979)
118 min | Drama
This is a National award winning and critically acclaimed film by P Padmarajan, based on his novel of the same name. The film explores the angst of a teenage mind remorseful of murder and the changes life brings in the aftermath.
Director: P. Padmarajan | Stars: Ashokan, Azeez, Adoor Bhawani, Geetha
Votes: 96
A young man kills the village goon who was bothering the women in his family. While he is being hunted by the police, the villagers who secretly admire the young man, send him from one place to another. The part where he is taken care of by a motherly and bovine prostitute (KPAC Lalita) is amusing and heart warming. I remember the film particularly for the ensemble cast and the introduction scene of the village goon played by Azeez to very edgy and minimalistic use of music.
2. Kodiyettam (1978)
137 min | Drama
Sankarankutty, a village simpleton, lives a carefree life, indulges in childish pursuits, lives off the money given to him by his sister (working elsewhere as a servant), and eats quite ... See full summary »
Director: Adoor Gopalakrishnan | Stars: Bharat Gopy, K.P.A.C. Lalitha, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, Azeez
Votes: 126
A slothful young man lives an irresponsible life much to the chagrin of his wife and sister.
3. Irakal (1985)
Not Rated | 142 min | Drama
Irakal (English: The Victims) is a 1985 Malayalam psychological thriller film written and directed by K. G. George and produced by the then prominent actor Sukumaran.The film is an in-depth... See full summary »
Director: K.G. George | Stars: Ashokan, Azeez, P.C. George, Bharat Gopy
Votes: 280
A young man returns home after being suspended for violently bullying his junior during a ragging incident. But the situation in his dysfunctional family pushes him to the edge of insanity. Pretty sensational debut by Ganesh in this K.G.George movie.
4. Oridathu (1987)
112 min | Drama
The movie narrates the story of a remote village and the incidents pertaining to the electrification during the post-independence period of India.
Director: Govindan Aravindan | Stars: Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Vineeth, Sithara
Votes: 59
The advent of electricity throws life into disarray in a remote village in Kerala. It is interesting that many years later, Ashutosh Gowariker made SWADESH where electricity lighting up the village is viewed as a sign of development.
5. Idavela (1982)
A Padmarajan story of mischief gone wrong during a Break (Idavela)
Director: Mohan | Stars: Idavela Babu, Ashokan, Nalini, Innocent Vareed Thekkethala
Votes: 31
Sexual jealousy leads to violence when four young men go away on an excursion and two of them fall in love with the same girl at a resort. Another great performance by Ashokan who was in Peruvazhiyambalam.
6. Ulsavapittennu (1989)
Not Rated | 113 min | Drama, Romance
Kuttan's family is heavily indebted by the wayward lifestyle of his elder brother, Ravi. However, Ravi's untimely death forces Kuttan to take the responsibility of the family. Watch the full movie, Ulsavapittennu online, only on Eros Now.
Director: Bharat Gopy | Stars: Mohanlal, Sukumaran, Jayaram, Parvathi
Votes: 231
A tragedy about the prince in a declining royal family who finds it tough to deal with the outside world after his elder brother's wayward ways leaves the family in debt . The final scene is heartbreaking. This film was directed by Bharat Gopi.
7. Thakara (1979)
Drama, Romance
Thakara (Prathap Pothan) is an orphan. He is mentally immature, but kindhearted. He has a close relationship with Subhashini (Surekha), the dream girl of the village. Thakara was betrayed ... See full summary »
Director: Bharathan | Stars: Prathap Pothen, Surekha, Nedumudi Venu, K.G. Menon
Votes: 92
The debut movie of Nedumudi Venu, one of the great character actors of Malayalam cinema. A slightly retarded young man has a physical relationship with the village beauty. There is trouble between him and her violent father. Surekha was sensuous as the village beauty.
8. Sadayam (1992)
147 min | Drama, Thriller
Sadayam follows the final days of a condemned prisoner, for murdering two little girls.
Director: Sibi Malayil | Stars: Mohanlal, Augustine, Janardanan, Kaveri
Votes: 1,021
A disturbed painter (played by Mohanlal) murders two teenaged prostitutes because he believes they have no future. The film is about his life in jail before he is to be hanged.
9. Akkare (1984)
Not Rated | 118 min | Comedy, Drama
Gopi is having a moderate but highly respected life as a Tehsildar(regional land and tax officer) but his wife wants more.
Director: K.N. Sasidharan | Stars: Bharat Gopy, Madhavi, Mammootty, Nedumudi Venu
Votes: 108
I dont really understand the world this film is set in. I was a little kid when this film came out. a lot of the characters motivations and actions can be related to the Kerala of today. The constant need for self improvement to recover from the state of sloth that the characters find themselves in. Pretty messed up ideas of modernity and success. But there were problems with the sound recording and the film lacked finesse. But this was a problem with many of the films made by the "great" Malayalam filmakers of the 70s and 80s. None of them were technically proficient. But they were good writers and knew their people well.
10. Aalkkoottathil Thaniye (1984)
139 min | Drama, Romance
The impending death of an ailing schoolteacher forces a set of uncomfortable reunions between mourners.
Director: I.V. Sasi | Stars: Mohanlal, Mammootty, Seema, Balan K. Nair
Votes: 155
11. Kallan Pavithran (1981)
Comedy, Drama
Pavithran, a thief who was trying to sell stolen items meets a crooked merchant in the town. But an incident occurs afterward changing his entire life.
Director: P. Padmarajan | Stars: Nedumudi Venu, Bharat Gopy, Subhashini, Beena Sabu
Votes: 162
12. Oppol (1980)
143 min | Drama
6 year old Appu is jealous when his mother Malu, whom he knows as his elder sister, marries Govindan.
Director: K.S. Sethumadhavan | Stars: Balan K. Nair, Master Arvind, Menaka, Sankaradi
Votes: 41
13. Kadavu (1991)
104 min | Drama
Director: M.T. Vasudevan Nair | Stars: Santhosh Antony, Byon, Kunjandi, Monisha
Votes: 26
14. Rathinirvedam (1978)
124 min | Drama, Romance
Pappu, a teenager, is awaiting his Pre-Degree results to join an Engineering course. He gets attracted to his neighbor Rathi, who is a middle-aged woman, and falls hopelessly in love.
Director: Bharathan | Stars: Jayabharathi, Krishnachandran, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, K.P.A.C. Lalitha
Votes: 159
15. Ponthan Mada (1994)
119 min | Drama
Set in 1940s, the low-caste Ponthan Mada bonds with his colonial landlord Sheema Thampuran, who was expelled to British India from England during his youth for supporting the Irish Republican Army.
Director: T.V. Chandran | Stars: Janardanan, Salu Koottanad, Lakshmi Krishnamurthy, Mahesh
Votes: 1,016
16. Vidheyan (1994)
112 min | Drama
Thommy is a loyal servant of Bhaskar Patel. But Patel is a ruthless tyrant. Thommy struggles between his moral sense and his professional sense. He is finally redeemed without compromising his duty as Patel's servant.
Director: Adoor Gopalakrishnan | Stars: Mammootty, M.R. Gopakumar, Tanvi Azmi, Sabitha Anand
Votes: 1,509
17. The Play of God (1997)
Not Rated | 130 min | Drama
An adaptation of "Othello" set in the south Indian state of Kerala.
Director: Jayaraj | Stars: Suresh Gopi, Lal, Manju Warrier, Biju Menon
Votes: 326
18. Mathilukal (1990)
120 min | Drama, Romance
Its a story of Basheer, an author who experiences his prison life. In it he finds friendship, loneliness, fear and finally love, but that remains questionable.
Director: Adoor Gopalakrishnan | Stars: Mammootty, Thilakan, Karamana Janardanan Nair, Murali
Votes: 1,655
20. Kanmadam (1998)
Not Rated | 162 min | Drama
Responsible for the accidental death of a man he met on the streets of Mumbai, Vishwam returns to Kerala to give the news to the latter's debt- ridden family, but instead falls in love with his sister.
Director: A.K. Lohithadas | Stars: Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Lal, Sreejaya Nair
Votes: 484
21. Padam Onnu Oru Vilapam (2003)
105 min | Drama
Shahina is studying in school but she can't go to school because she is pregnant. And she conceived from her divorced husband..
Director: T.V. Chandran | Stars: Meera Jasmine, M.R. Gopakumar, Mammukoya, Suja Karthika
Votes: 96
22. Dany (2002)
Not Rated | 108 min | Comedy, Drama
Dany, who lives an isolated life, meets Bhargavi. They both develop a camaraderie. But when Dany dies, Bhargavi fights to perform his Christian funeral rites amidst orthodox Hindus.
Director: T.V. Chandran | Stars: Mammootty, Vani Viswanath, Mallika Sarabhai, Siddique
Votes: 273
23. Kadhavaseshan (2004)
Drama
Renuka trying to find the reason for Gopi's suicude by going through his past.
Director: T.V. Chandran | Stars: Dileep, Jyothirmayi, Vijayaraghavan, Jagathy Sreekumar
Votes: 284
24. Kerala Cafe (2009)
140 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
A series of related and unrelated tales together linking them in subtle ways and discuss different shades of life.
Directors: Uday Ananthan, Lal Jose, Shaji Kailas, Anjali Menon, M. Padmakumar, Shankar Ramakrishnan, Anwar Rasheed, Revathi, Shyamaprasad, B. Unnikrishnan | Stars: Sathyan Anthikad, Augustine, M.A. Baby, Nandan Chalissery
Votes: 1,172
25. Pooram (1989)
124 min | Drama
The movie progress and narrates the incidents in a drama set for a month in a village in Kerala.
Director: Nedumudi Venu | Stars: Vishnu, Maathu, Thilakan, Mala Aravindan
Votes: 18
26. Mela (1980)
123 min | Drama
The story of Circus dwarf clown Govindhan, before and after the marriage. The movie shows the life of Circus artists and their problems
Director: K.G. George | Stars: Raghu, Sreenivasan, Mammootty, Anjali Naidu
Votes: 85
27. Ee Kannikoodi (1990)
Not Rated | 138 min | Mystery, Thriller
Investigation story of a prostitutes murder and path leading to it.
Director: K.G. George | Stars: Saikumar, Ashwini, Shyam Mohan, Thilakan
Votes: 247
28. Lekhayude Maranam: Oru Flashback (1983)
Not Rated | 172 min | Drama
The movie narrates the story of a poor Malayalee family reaches Madras to try luck for their daughter Shantamma in the film industry.
Director: K.G. George | Stars: Nalini, Bharat Gopy, Shubha, John Varghese
Votes: 133
29. Thaniyavartanam (1987)
Not Rated | 119 min | Drama
A school teacher living in a village belongs to a family with a history of lunatic males, and soon he falls prey despite being normal due to society misinterpreting his actions.
Director: Sibi Malayil | Stars: Mammootty, Thilakan, Mukesh, Kaviyoor Ponnamma
Votes: 3,151
30. Piravi (1989)
110 min | Drama
Raghu, the only son of Raghava Chakyar was born late for him. So he poured his entire love and affection on him. Raghu, studying in an engineering college in a far away city has to arrive ... See full summary »
Director: Shaji N. Karun | Stars: Premji, Archana, Lakshmi Krishnamurthy, V.K. Sriraman
Votes: 294
31. Paithrukam (1993)
Not Rated | 130 min | Drama
The ideological clash between a devout Brahmin priest and his atheist son wrecks their family.
Director: Jayaraj | Stars: Suresh Gopi, Narendra Prasad, Geetha, Jayaram
Votes: 313
32. Parinayam (1994)
163 min | Drama
A 17-year-old widow, Unnimaya, who was married to an old man, is ostracized by the community. She falls in love with Madhavan, a Kathakali artist, but problems arise when she becomes pregnant.
Director: T. Hariharan | Stars: Mohini, Vineeth, Manoj K. Jayan, Thilakan
Votes: 143
33. Nakhashathangal (1986)
140 min | Action, Drama
The story is about Ramu (Vineeth), a 16-year-old boy who is staying with his annoying uncle, who gets angry and often treats Ramu like a slave. On a trip to the pilgrim town of Guruvayoor ... See full summary »
Director: T. Hariharan | Stars: Jayachandran, Monisha, Saleema, Vineeth
Votes: 153
34. Utharam (1989)
Drama, Mystery, Thriller
One fine morning, not any different from every other day, a promising poet shoots herself. Leaving no trace of motive, her husband's best friend and journalist, Balu embarks on a journey to find the truth.
Director: V.K. Pavithran | Stars: Mammootty, Sukumaran, Parvathi, Suparna Anand
Votes: 705
36. Kanathaya Penkutty (1985)
105 min | Crime, Mystery
When a school girl goes missing and later found dead on the train tracks, rural SP Basheer and his team initiates an investigation where everyone is either a suspect or a witness.
Director: K.N. Sasidharan | Stars: Bharat Gopy, Jayabharathi, Mammootty, Ramachandran
Votes: 142
37. Venal Kinavukal (1991)
Comedy, Drama
Director: K.S. Sethumadhavan | Stars: Sudheesh, Yadu Krishnan, Krishna Prasad, Sudhish Shankar
Votes: 19
39. Kaiyum Thalayum Purathidaruthu (1985)
Comedy, Drama
Director: Sreekumar | Stars: Devan, Nedumudi Venu, Bharat Gopy, Mukesh
Votes: 13
40. Rangam (1985)
Appunni (Mohanlal) a kathakali artist is the cousin of Chandramathi (Shobhana) she is a classical dancer and is in love with Chandramathi.Madhavan (Raveendran) son of Karunakarapanickker (... See full summary »
Director: I.V. Sasi | Stars: Mohanlal, Raveendran, Shobana, Adoor Bhasi
Votes: 52
41. Sukrutham (1994)
Not Rated | 148 min | Drama
Ravishankar, a journalist suffering from blood cancer, falls into depression and loses all hopes of living. However, his life changes for the better when he meets a doctor friend.
Director: Harikumar | Stars: Mammootty, Gautami, Manoj K. Jayan, Oduvil Unnikrishnan
Votes: 230
42. Kariyila Kattu Pole (1986)
Not Rated | 137 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Deputy Superintendent of Police Achuthankutty tries to solve the mystery of film director Harikrishnan's death. Three women are the main suspects.
Director: P. Padmarajan | Stars: Mohanlal, Mammootty, Rahman, Karthika
Votes: 554
43. Aranyakam (1988)
Crime, Drama, Thriller
When feudal lords try to exploit the tribal people, a group of naxals put up resistance. The feudal lords decide to suppress the resistance. Who will emerge triumphant in the fight for justice?
Director: T. Hariharan | Stars: Saleema, Devan, Vineeth, Parvathi
Votes: 120
44. Chaappa Kurish (2011)
123 min | Drama, Thriller
A lost cellphone connects two men from the two extremes of the society and affects their life beyond which they could have imagined.
Director: Sameer Thahir | Stars: Fahadh Faasil, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Ramya Nambeeshan, Roma Asrani
Votes: 1,392
45. Yaathra (1985)
124 min | Drama, Romance
Unnikrishnan (Mammootty), an ex-convict, tells his tragic love story to his fellow passengers in a school bus. An orphan and a forest officer by profession, he falls in love with a local ... See full summary »
Director: Balu Mahendra | Stars: Shobana, Mammootty, Adoor Bhasi, Thilakan
Votes: 854
46. Adaminte Variyellu (1983)
142 min | Drama
Aadaminte vaariyellu depicts parellel stories of three women who are subjected to various forms of patriarchy and exploitation by the men around them and the society at large, and how they try to literally break free from it.
Director: K.G. George | Stars: Srividya, Suhasini, Soorya, Bharat Gopy
Votes: 134
47. Kadhavaseshan (2004)
Drama
Renuka trying to find the reason for Gopi's suicude by going through his past.
Director: T.V. Chandran | Stars: Dileep, Jyothirmayi, Vijayaraghavan, Jagathy Sreekumar
Votes: 284
48. Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu (1990)
140 min | Mystery, Thriller
When a series of murders of prominent people remain a mystery, Hariharan is assigned to capture the culprit. His investigations lead to a spiritual guru who is highly revered in society.
Director: Joshiy | Stars: Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Sumalatha, Nedumudi Venu
Votes: 531
49. Mattoral (1988)
Not Rated | 114 min | Drama
Balan (Mammootty) tries hard to reunite his friend (Karamana) with his wife (Seema) who eloped with another man due to being unsatisfied with their marriage.
Director: K.G. George | Stars: Ebin, Mammootty, Rajan Manarakkayam, Valsala Menon
Votes: 128
50. Thazhvaram (1990)
Not Rated | 130 min | Crime, Drama, Musical
Balan and Raju's friendly relationship turns into rivalry when Raju murders his wife and robs his hard-earned money. Balan decides to take revenge on Raju.
Director: Bharathan | Stars: Mohanlal, Salim Ghouse, Sumalatha, Anju
Votes: 794
Tell Your Friends