Malayalam Cinema is popularly known as Mollywood, is the home to some of the best Indian thriller movies. It often flies under the radar of many Indians.
However, for those movie lovers who love watching gripping stories, unexpected twists, nail-biting stories, and intense edge-of-the-seat films, Malayalam suspense thriller movies are a goldmine waiting to be explored.
From nail-biting thrillers to intense crime mysteries, Malayalam thriller movies have delivered consistently high-quality cinema to film lovers that rivals the best South Indian Movies.
So, if you are a movie lover or love to enjoy watching suspense-packed dramas, psychological thrillers, or mystery thrillers. This blog explores the list of the top 10 Malayalam Thriller Movies to help you find the best thriller films by Malayalam Cinema.
List of Top 10 Malayalam Thriller Movies
Here we have compiled of list of the best Malayalam thriller films that feature the Top 10 Malayalam Actors & the top best Actresses in the films below.
| Movie Name | IMDb Rating | Director |
|---|---|---|
| Drishyam | 8.2 | Jeethu Joseph |
| The Ornate Lock | 7.9 | Fazil A.M. |
| Iratta | 7.7 | Rohit M.G. Krishnan |
| Oru Kuprasidha Payyan | 7.7 | Madhupal |
| Munnariyippu | 7.5 | Venu Sriram |
| Virus | 7.3 | Aashiq Abu |
| Dhanam | 7.3 | Sibi Malayil |
| 22 Female Kottayam | 7.3 | Aashiq Abu |
| The Address | 7.3 | Sameer Thahir |
| Joji | 7.6 | Dileesh Pothan |
1. Drishyam (2013)
- IMDb Rating: 8.2
- Director: Jeethu Joseph
- Producer: Antony Perumbavoor
- Cast: Mohanlal, Meena, Asha Sharath
- Release Date: December 19, 2013
The film Drishyam was directed by Jeethu Joseph and produced by Antony Perumbavoor. It was released in the year 2013 on December 19, and the film’s cast included Mohanlal, Meena, and Asha Sharath.
The film tells the story of a man GeorgeKutty who was portrayed by Mohanlal who struggles to earn for his daily bread.
Awards Received By Drishyam Malayalam Thriller Movie
- Best Film – Jeethu Joseph, Antony Perumbavoor (Winner)
2. The Ornate Lock – 1993
- IMDb Rating: 7.9
- Director:
Fazil
- Producer:
Swargachitra Appachan
- Cast: Mohanlal, Shobana, Suresh Gopi
- Release Date: December 25, 2013
Manichitrathazhu (The Ornate Lock) is an Indian Malayalam-language epic psychological horror film directed by Fazil, written by Madhu Muttam, and produced by Swargachitra Appachan.
The film cast includes Mohanlal, Shobana, and Suresh Gopi, and also features Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, Innocent, Vinaya Prasad, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Sridhar, K.B. Ganesh Kumar, and Sudheesh.
The film is inspired by the real-life tragedy in the Alummoottil family of Muttom, The film follows a son-in-law who commits murder after being excluded from Kerala’s Marumakkathayam inheritance system.
Awards Received by The Ornate Lock (Manichitrathazhu)
- Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment – Swargachitra Appachan, Fazil (Winner – 41st National Film Awards)
- Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value – Swargachitra Appachan, Fazil (Winner – 34th Kerala State Film Awards)
3. Iratta – 2023
- IMDb Rating: 7.7
- Director:
Rohit M.G. Krishnan
- Producer:
Joju George, Martin Prakkat, Sijo Vadakkan
- Cast: Joju George, Anjali
- Release Date: February 3, 2023
Iratta was directed by Rohit M.G. Krishnan and produced by Joju George, Martin Prakkat, and Sijo Vadakkan. It was a drama thriller movie that cast Joju George, Martin Prakkat, and Sijo Vadakkan, and also features Srinda, Arya Salim, Sarath Sabha, Meenakshi Dinesh, Pooja Mohanraj, Shebin Benson, and others.
The film is based on a story of a cop who is found dead, and a policeman’s investigation starts a chilling search for the truth connected to his fraught past. The film was released on February 3, 2023.
Award Received by Iratta Movie
- Kerala State Film Award for Best Screenplay
- Best Film at Filmfare Awards
4. Oru Kuprasidha Payyan
- IMDb Rating: 7.7
- Director:
Madhupal
- Producer:
T.S.Udayan
- Cast:
Tovino Thomas, Nimisha Sajayan, Anu Sithara, and Saranya Ponvannan
- Release Date: November 9, 2018
Oru Kuprasidha Payyan is directed by Madhupal and produced by T.S. Udayan & A.S. Manoj. It is a crime-thriller movie starring Tovino Thomas, Nimisha Sajayan, Anu Sithara, and Saranya Ponvannan, it was released on 9 November 2018.
5. Munnariyippu
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
- Director:
Venu Isc
- Producer:
Ranjith
- Cast: Mammootty, Aparna Gopinath, Nedumudi Venu, Joy Mathew, Prathap Pothan, Sreeraman, Renji Panicker, Saiju Kurup, Joshy Mathew, and Sudheesh
- Release Date: August 22, 2014
Munnariyippu is a psychological experimental thriller film directed by Venu and produced by Ranjith on August 22, 2014. The film stars Mammootty, Aparna Gopinath, Nedumudi Venu, Joy Matthew, Prathap Pothan, and others in supporting roles.
The film follows Anajali Arakkal (Aparna Gopinath), a junior journalist, who writes an autobiography of convict C.K. Raghvan (Mammootty), who professes that he never committed the crime he is in prison.
Awards Received By Munnariyippu Film
- Filmfare Awards For Best Film- Malayalam
- Kerala State Film Award for Best Dubbing
6. Virus
- IMDb Rating: 7.3
- Director:
Aashiq Abu
- Producer:
Aashiq Abu, Rima Kallingal
- Cast: Kunchako Boban, Tovino Thomas, Revathi, Rahman, Indrajith Sukumaran, Parvathy, Rima Kallingal, Asif Ali, Indrans, Soubin Shahir, Ramya Nambeesan
- Release Date: June 7, 2019
Virus is a Malayalam language medical thriller film directed and co-produced by Ashiq Abu, who follows the story against the backdrop of the 2018 Nipah Virus outbreak in Kerala.
The film stars Kunchacko Boban, Indrajith Sukumaran, Tovvino Thomas, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Poornima Indrajith, Sreenath Bhasi, and Asif. THe film was released on June 7, 2019.
7. Dhanam
- IMDb Rating: 7.3
- Director
:Sibi Malayil
- Producer: M.M. Ramchandran
- Cast: Mohanlal, Murali, Charmila, Thilakan, Nassar, Nedumudi Venu, Zeenath, Babu Namboothiri
- Release Date: 8 February 1991
Dhanam is a Malayalam language action-thriller film directed by Sibi Malayil and released on 8 February 1991. The film features a strong cast including Mohanlal, Murali, Charmila, Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, and Zeenath.
Awards & Record
- It was the highest-grossing movie of the year 1991.
8. 22 Female Kottayam
- IMDb Rating: 7.3
- Director:
Aashiq Abu
- Producer: O.G. Sunil
- Cast: Rima Kallingal, Fahadh Faasil
- Release Date: April 13, 2012
22 Female Kottayam is also known as FK22, is a thriller film directed by Ashiq Abu, produced by O.G. Sunil, and written by Shyam Pushkaran, Abhilash S. Kumar, and released on 13 April 2013.
The film stars Fahadh Faasil and Rima Kallingal. The film received positive reviews from critics. The film has a duration of 122 minutes and was set and filmed in Bengaluru.
Awards Received
- Filmfare Awards South – Best Film
9. The Address
- IMDb Rating: 7.3
- Director: Madhav Ramdasan
- Producer: Mohammed Salim
- Cast: Suresh Gopi, Parthiban, Ashokan, Thalaivasal Vijay, Nizhalgal Ravi, Krishnakumar
- Release Date: June 7, 2019
Melvilasom is also known as The Address, is an indian courtroom drama thriller film directed by Madhav Ramdasan and produced by Mohammed Salim. It was written by Soorya Krishna Moorthy.
The film was based on the story of a court-martial arranged by the army, and it was released on 29 April 2011 with 105 duration running time.
Awards Received by The Address Movie
- P. Bhaskaran award for the Best Feature film of 2011.
10. Joji
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
- Director: Dileesh Pothan
- Producer: Fahadh Faasil, Dileesh Pothan, Syam Pushkaran
- Cast: Fahadh Faasil
- Release Date: April 7, 2021
Joji is a Malayalam crime drama thriller movie directed by Dileesh Pothan and produced by Fahadh Faasil, Dileesh Pothan, and Shyam Pushkaran.
It was released on April 7, 2021, with 113 minutes of playtime. The film’s story was inspired by William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth.
Awards Received by the Movie
- Swedish International Film Festival – Best International Feature Film
- New York Movie Awards – Feature Film (Special Mention)
- Vegas Movie Awards – Best Narrative Feature Award
- Barcelona International Film Festival – Best Feature Film
- 10th South Indian International Movie Awards – Best Film
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