/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24016885/STK093_Google_04.jpg)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24808816/Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Supra_Et_Ultra_____Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Supra_Et_Ultra_2023_7_25_94252.263_1440p_streamshot.png)
The year 2023 was a mixed bag as far as Malayalam films are concerned. Of course, there was no shortage of good and inventive cinema. But the quality of these films failed to replicate their box office collections. There have been less than five clean hits in the industry this year. But the films that got commercial success proved to be blockbusters. Take, for example, Romancham, which became the surprise hit of the year or 2018, which became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time.
Alas, the theatrical success of these films is a discussion for another day. For now, in no particular order, let’s take a look at the best Malayalam movies that came out in the first half of this year.
Nanpakal Nerthu Mayakkam
- Movie Genre: comedy drama
- running time: 1 hour 44 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Mammootty, Ramya Suvi, Ramya Pandian, Ashokan
- Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery
- Author: S Harish
- Where to watch / OTT platform: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Since Nanapakal Nerathu Mayakkam brought together a cinematic stalwart and an offbeat filmmaker, the film was rated very high even before people saw it. Lijo Jose Pellissery and Mammootty produced a film that was not as chaotic as the filmmaker’s previous directorial ventures but was interesting nonetheless. Mammootty’s forceful presence kept the audience glued to the screen. Pellissery, one of the most exciting filmmaking voices in the country today, didn’t mince any clichés and let the audience think for themselves.
2018
- Movie Genre: survival thriller
- running time: 2 hours 34 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Narayan, Asif Ali, Vineet Srinivasan, Aparna Balamurali
- Director: Jude Anthony Joseph
- Author: Akhil P. Dharmajan, Jude Anthony Joseph
- Where to watch / OTT platform: sony liv
- IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
The 2018 Kerala flood was a devastating event for the people of the state. Since the film was based on a true incident that affected the lives of every Malayali to some extent, people connected with the film in a way that was almost unprecedented. Jude Anthony Joseph made a film that touched people’s hearts and evoked emotional feelings in the audience. Apart from its success, 2018 was also a solid film technically.
male ghost
- Movie Genre: procedural drama, satirical comedy
- running time: 2 hours 33 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Alexander Prashanth, Jagadish, Darshan Rajendran, Mala Parvathy
- Director: Krishand
- Author: Ajith Haridas, Manu Thodupuzha
- Where to watch / OTT platform: sony liv
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
The police procedural film featured Alexander Prashanth, the breakout star of the year. The film was a humorous commentary on the daily lives of police officers. With its complex characterization of its lead character, SI Sebastian, Purusha Pretham was interesting, inventive and engaging. The film is a satirical take on a serious issue and the way the story was explored was unique.
errata
- Movie Genre: drama, thriller, mystery
- running time: 1 hour 52 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Joju George, Anjali, Arya Saleem, Srikanth Murali
- Director: Rohit MG Krishnan
- Author: Rohit MG Krishnan
- Where to watch / OTT platform: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Featuring Joju George in dual roles, Erratta was engaging in every sense of the word. Joju played a huge role in drawing the audience into the world of Iratta with his outstanding performance. The film keeps surprising you till the end, and the reveal will definitely leave you thrilled. Also note, this is not the preferred watch for those who want to spend a blissful time at the movies. Errata is a disturbing watch that will definitely make you uncomfortable.
Thank you
- Movie Genre: crime drama
- running time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Biju Menon, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Aparna Balamurali
- Director: Martyr Arafat
- Author: Siam Pushkaran
- Where to watch / OTT platform: amazon prime video
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Thankam is written by one of the most trusted writers in Malayalam cinema at the moment, who has consistently delivered quality content. Written by Shyam Pushkaran, Thankam was an interesting watch that deserves more appreciation with an interesting basic plot. Well acted and well made film revolves around the world of gold business in Thrissur. What makes the film even more exciting is that it is based on true events.
romancham
- Movie Genre: comedy, horror
- running time: 2 hours 9 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Saubin Shahir, Arjun Ashokan, Sajin Gopu, Siju Sunny
- Director: Jeetu Madhavan
- Author: Jeetu Madhavan
- Where to watch / OTT platform: disney+hotstar
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Romancham may not be the most layered or complex film on this list, but it certainly managed to connect with the Malayalam audience in a way that no other film has in recent times. An episodic film about friendship and the Ouija board struck a chord with the general audience. It was a movie made for theaters, as Romancham reminded everyone that movies are, at the end of the day, a collective experience. This is the kind of movie that you watch with your friends to relax and have a good time.
Pachuvum Athabutha Vilakkum
- Movie Genre: comedy drama
- running time: 2 hours 51 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Anjana Jayaprakash, Dhvani Rajesh, Viji Venkatesh
- Director: Akhil Satyan
- Author: Akhil Satyan
- Where to watch / OTT platform: amazon prime video
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Pachuvum Athabutha Vilakkam, based on the Sathyan Anthikad universe of feel-good films, is anything but complicated. This is also its beauty. With Fahadh Faasil’s incredible comic timing and three wonderful female characters from three generations, the film succeeds in its aim. Fahadh had returned to his Njan Prakashan and Oru Bharatiya Pranayakadha field for this. Anjana Jayaprakash as Humasdhvani, Dhvani Rajesh as Nidhi and Viji Venkatesh as Laila were magical in their respective roles.
Read also: Project K: Prabhas as Avinashi Shakti in the first look of the Nag Ashwin directorial; Frustrated Twitterati?
The year 2023 was a mixed bag as far as Malayalam films are concerned. Of course, there was no shortage of good and inventive cinema. But the quality of these films failed to replicate their box office collections. There have been less than five clean hits in the industry this year. But the films that got commercial success proved to be blockbusters. Take, for example, Romancham, which became the surprise hit of the year or 2018, which became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time.
Alas, the theatrical success of these films is a discussion for another day. For now, in no particular order, let’s take a look at the best Malayalam movies that came out in the first half of this year.
Nanpakal Nerthu Mayakkam
- Movie Genre: comedy drama
- running time: 1 hour 44 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Mammootty, Ramya Suvi, Ramya Pandian, Ashokan
- Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery
- Author: S Harish
- Where to watch / OTT platform: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Since Nanapakal Nerathu Mayakkam brought together a cinematic stalwart and an offbeat filmmaker, the film was rated very high even before people saw it. Lijo Jose Pellissery and Mammootty produced a film that was not as chaotic as the filmmaker’s previous directorial ventures but was interesting nonetheless. Mammootty’s forceful presence kept the audience glued to the screen. Pellissery, one of the most exciting filmmaking voices in the country today, didn’t mince any clichés and let the audience think for themselves.
2018
- Movie Genre: survival thriller
- running time: 2 hours 34 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Narayan, Asif Ali, Vineet Srinivasan, Aparna Balamurali
- Director: Jude Anthony Joseph
- Author: Akhil P. Dharmajan, Jude Anthony Joseph
- Where to watch / OTT platform: sony liv
- IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
The 2018 Kerala flood was a devastating event for the people of the state. Since the film was based on a true incident that affected the lives of every Malayali to some extent, people connected with the film in a way that was almost unprecedented. Jude Anthony Joseph made a film that touched people’s hearts and evoked emotional feelings in the audience. Apart from its success, 2018 was also a solid film technically.
male ghost
- Movie Genre: procedural drama, satirical comedy
- running time: 2 hours 33 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Alexander Prashanth, Jagadish, Darshan Rajendran, Mala Parvathy
- Director: Krishand
- Author: Ajith Haridas, Manu Thodupuzha
- Where to watch / OTT platform: sony liv
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
The police procedural film featured Alexander Prashanth, the breakout star of the year. The film was a humorous commentary on the daily lives of police officers. With its complex characterization of its lead character, SI Sebastian, Purusha Pretham was interesting, inventive and engaging. The film is a satirical take on a serious issue and the way the story was explored was unique.
errata
- Movie Genre: drama, thriller, mystery
- running time: 1 hour 52 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Joju George, Anjali, Arya Saleem, Srikanth Murali
- Director: Rohit MG Krishnan
- Author: Rohit MG Krishnan
- Where to watch / OTT platform: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Featuring Joju George in dual roles, Erratta was engaging in every sense of the word. Joju played a huge role in drawing the audience into the world of Iratta with his outstanding performance. The film keeps surprising you till the end, and the reveal will definitely leave you thrilled. Also note, this is not the preferred watch for those who want to spend a blissful time at the movies. Errata is a disturbing watch that will definitely make you uncomfortable.
Thank you
- Movie Genre: crime drama
- running time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Biju Menon, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Aparna Balamurali
- Director: Martyr Arafat
- Author: Siam Pushkaran
- Where to watch / OTT platform: amazon prime video
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Thankam is written by one of the most trusted writers in Malayalam cinema at the moment, who has consistently delivered quality content. Written by Shyam Pushkaran, Thankam was an interesting watch that deserves more appreciation with an interesting basic plot. Well acted and well made film revolves around the world of gold business in Thrissur. What makes the film even more exciting is that it is based on true events.
romancham
- Movie Genre: comedy, horror
- running time: 2 hours 9 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Saubin Shahir, Arjun Ashokan, Sajin Gopu, Siju Sunny
- Director: Jeetu Madhavan
- Author: Jeetu Madhavan
- Where to watch / OTT platform: disney+hotstar
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Romancham may not be the most layered or complex film on this list, but it certainly managed to connect with the Malayalam audience in a way that no other film has in recent times. An episodic film about friendship and the Ouija board struck a chord with the general audience. It was a movie made for theaters, as Romancham reminded everyone that movies are, at the end of the day, a collective experience. This is the kind of movie that you watch with your friends to relax and have a good time.
Pachuvum Athabutha Vilakkum
- Movie Genre: comedy drama
- running time: 2 hours 51 minutes
- Movie Star Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Anjana Jayaprakash, Dhvani Rajesh, Viji Venkatesh
- Director: Akhil Satyan
- Author: Akhil Satyan
- Where to watch / OTT platform: amazon prime video
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Pachuvum Athabutha Vilakkam, based on the Sathyan Anthikad universe of feel-good films, is anything but complicated. This is also its beauty. With Fahadh Faasil’s incredible comic timing and three wonderful female characters from three generations, the film succeeds in its aim. Fahadh had returned to his Njan Prakashan and Oru Bharatiya Pranayakadha field for this. Anjana Jayaprakash as Humasdhvani, Dhvani Rajesh as Nidhi and Viji Venkatesh as Laila were magical in their respective roles.
Read also: Project K: Prabhas as Avinashi Shakti in the first look of the Nag Ashwin directorial; Frustrated Twitterati?
