| Movie | Best For | Where to Watch | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Superhero fun with heart | Netflix | | Joji | Dark, slow-burn crime drama | Amazon Prime | | The Great Indian Kitchen | Social commentary & realism | Amazon Prime | | Nayattu | Intense political thriller | Netflix | | Home | Family-friendly emotional drama | Amazon Prime | | Kurup | Stylish, mass-appeal thriller | Sony LIV |
Macbeth set in a wealthy rubber plantation family. Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam : A realistic comedy-drama set in Kanhangad, praised for its authentic portrayal of rural life and humor. IMDb +4 Popular & Commercial Hits These films dominated the box office and sparked significant public interest. Minnal Murali : India’s first major indigenous superhero film, praised for its localization and emotional depth. It became a major hit on Netflix. Kurup : A biographical crime thriller starring Dulquer Salmaan as the notorious fugitive Sukumara Kurup. It was the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year. The Priest : A supernatural horror-mystery starring Mammootty that performed exceptionally well at the box office following the first lockdown. Malik : A sprawling political crime drama spanning several decades, inspired by real-life events in coastal Kerala. IMDb +3 Show more Notable Special Mentions Aarkkariyam : A slow-burn mystery drama set during the COVID-19 lockdown. Operation Java : An engaging procedural drama focusing on a group of young investigators in the cyber-crime cell. Jan.E.Man : A sleeper hit comedy-drama known for its spontaneous humor and realistic characters. IMDb +1 Show more Are you looking for a specific genre, like
Filmed entirely during pandemic restrictions on an isolated rubber plantation in Kottayam. top malayalam movies 2021
(Amazon Prime)
It avoids turning old age into a caricature. Instead, it unearths the hidden extraordinary histories of seemingly ordinary parents. | Movie | Best For | Where to
Here is a breakdown of the most significant releases of the year, categorized by their genre and impact.
Rojin Thomas directed # Home , a heartwarming family drama that handles the generational digital divide with extreme sensitivity. Minnal Murali : India’s first major indigenous superhero
Director Jeethu Joseph pulled off an unthinkable feat by writing a high-stakes sequel that perfectly matched the legacy of the 2013 original. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Drishyam 2 brought back Mohanlal as Georgekutty. The narrative picks up six years after the events of the first film. It shows a family still living under the suffocating shadow of a hidden murder investigation. The intricate climax proved once again why Jeethu Joseph is considered a master of screenplay structure. Nayattu
Here are the top Malayalam movies of 2021, based on their performance at the box office, critical acclaim, and impact on the audience:
You can add "User Rating" stars and a "Where to Watch OTT" button for each movie, as 2021 Malayalam films had a very short theatrical window and moved quickly to streaming platforms.