Best Latest Malayalam Movies You Shouldn’t Miss

Best Latest Malayalam Movies: It is no exaggeration to say that Mollywood [Malayalam Movie Industry] puts out one of the most underrated, beautiful and unorthodox films when compared to the other film industries in India. Whether it’s romance, comedy, drama or a thriller, Malayalam movies leave a long-lasting impact and embrace Kerala’s culture, music and aesthetics exquisitely. So, here is a list of Best Latest Malayalam Movies in recent times you shouldn’t miss watching.

Also Read: Best Bollywood Movies of 2019 [So Far]

Koode (2018)

Director – Anjali Menon
Starring – Nazriya Nazim, Parvathy
Streaming Platform – Hotstar

Koode is a psychological drama film directed by the talented and artistic Anjali Menon. It is a remake of the 2014 Marathi movie Happy Journey. The story is about a beautiful relationship between a brother and his sister, who is a ghost. Prithviraj and Nazriya play the dysfunctional siblings and Parvathy plays his love interest. The actors have done justice to their roles and I should say that they are very much expressive that you start feeling every emotion that the character feels throughout the movie. The songs are melodious and Anjali has been successful in making a somewhat ordinary film into an exceptional one. If you liked The Notebook and The Lake House there’s a 99% chance that you will love this one too.

Solo (2017)

Director – Bejoy Nambiar
Starring – Dulquer Salmaan, Sai Dhanshika
Streaming Platform – Netflix

I must say that this is the most interesting yet confusing film to write about. 2017 was the year of experimental movies, and Solo is an anthology art film narrating the story of four different people based on four different elements: Water, Air, Fire, and Earth. World of Shekhar (Water) is a poetic love story between a stammering Shekhar and a blind Radhika. The gentleness and innocent beauty of water are depicted through his character. World of Trilok is based on the air element. After a hit and run case of Trilok’s then-pregnant wife Ayesha, he tracks down the guilty ones, Justin and his father in law and skillfully murders them making it look like natural deaths. The unforgiving, smooth yet stormy and unpredictable nature of air is described through the character of Trilok.

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Whereas, the world of Shiva explains fire and the characteristics linked with it including rage, pain, and vengeance. But through Shiva, the writer also connects fire with fierce love, protective and chaotic natures of man. Finally, the world of Rudra explains the embracing, kind yet spirited nature of Mother Earth through an aggressive and passionate army officer Rudra. The movie has a very philosophical approach to the relationship between man and nature and only a brilliant director could’ve framed it so accurately. Dulquer Salmaan is such a treat to watch and therefore Solo gives something for all of us to wonder about.

Kumbalangi Nights

Director – Madhu C. Narayanan
Starring – Fahadh Faasil, Shane Nigam
Streaming Platform – Amazon Prime

Released on February 7, Kumbalangi Nights is one of Malayalam cinema’s biggest hits of 2019. Starring Fahadh Faasil in the lead role (also the producer of the film), the storyline of the film revolves around four brothers and their love-hate relationship in a 135-minute family-drama. Leading the cast with a magnificent performance Fahadh’s ability to transform into this wicked character was worth mentioning alongside the supporting cast who help and complement the narrative remarkably. The striking cinematography and the euphonious music also make Kumbalangi Nights more distinguished and stand apart from all the other movies released this year. A must watch! – Surya Komal

Puthiya Niyamam (2016)

Director – AK Sajan
Starring – Nayantara and Mammootty
Streaming Platform – Google Play Movies

Moving on from a feel-good movie to the best crime drama of 2016, Puthiya Niyamam is by far my favorite Malayalam movie. It defines feminism and justice, but, I want you to remember another such movie which also defined feminism and girl power, Veere Di Wedding. You can make out the vast difference. Nayanthara is at her best and Mammootty is charming as always. The plot is about Vasuki (Nayan) who takes revenge on her drug addict rapists with the help of a DCP, and I’d say, it’s not every day that a mainstream film chooses drug-fueled crimes and substance consumption as the subject. But, I don’t think this film resembles the Bollywood movie Pink. Instead, a new law is formed by Vasuki who takes justice instead of seeking it. From making the rapists’ deaths appear like a suicide, to emotionally crushing them to commit suicide, Puthiya Niyamam displays the fury and agony of a victim who stands up to become a punisher.

Also Read: Top Must Watch Classic Bollywood Movies

Take Off (2017)

Director – Mahesh Narayanan
Starring – Parvathy, Fahadh Faasil
Streaming Platform – Hotstar

Take Off  is a 2017 thriller-drama that narrates the ordeal of 49 nurses from Kerala who were kept hostage by the members of the Iraqi insurgency. The story is similar to Tiger Zinda Hai and the lead character Sameera is almost identical to Poorna from the Hindi version of the movie. Bits of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent movement is shown during the film. The cinematography is quite acceptable but the music is very appealing. Parvathy, Fahadh, and Kunchacki Boban set a new level of excellence through their performances which explains the innumerable awards it won. As the movie ends, we come to know that the documents revealing the secret dealt between the Indian Military and the ISIS are destroyed. Overall, Take Off gives the more traumatic, realistic and detailed version of the incident, unlike Tiger Zinda Hai and from the goosebumps I got during the climax scene.

Premam (2015)

Director – Alphonse Puthren
Starring – Nivin, Pallavi, Anupama and Madonna
Streaming Platform – Hotstar

If Premam isn’t the king of feel-good movies, then I don’t know which one is. George who is in high school is infatuated with Mary a pre-university girl only to be friend-zoned by her later. Being a kid, he cries for days. A few years later, George falls in love with a Tamilian lecturer Malar at college. But, a few days after he contemplates marriage, Malar meets with an accident and loses her memory of George. Dealing with the second major heartbreak, he steps into adulthood five years later where now, he owns a cafe with his childhood friend. There he develops an affinity for Celine who is the same little girl who used to walk with Mary from the school every day. After dealing with her drug addict fiance, George and Celine get married. Malar attends the wedding with her husband and George gets closure. With Nivin Pauly’s cute expressions and the supporting performances by Anupama Parameswaran, Madonna Sebastian and Sai Pallavi, Premam restore hope in the “happily ever after” theory.

Also Read: Top Must-Watch Indian Women-Centric Movies

Charlie (2015)

Director – Martin Prakkat
Starring – Dulquer Salmaan and Parvathy
Streaming Platform – SUN NXT

Directed by Martin Prakkat, Charlie is a romantic drama and is one of the most popular movies of 2015. The plot revolves around an artist called Tessa (Parvathy) who goes in search of the writer of an abandoned comic. Every character in the film has his/her unique style statement which makes it impressionable among the youth. Few other characters come along the way and build Charlie’s character by narrating their personal experiences of him. Advancing to the performances, Aparna Gopinath and Soubin Shahir are my favorite supporting characters, but, Parvathi and Dulquer were extraordinary. Also, the film showcases the perks of being a traveller/ hippie, and every scene is given equal importance. Overall, Charlie is a great movie and deserves the top spot.