Best Malayalam Movies of 2020

Moving ahead into the new decade and on the topic of the Best Malayalam Movies of 2020, the Malayalam film industry had produced some exceptional, realistic, and feel-good movies in the past, and 2020 is no different. This year, thriller movies had received more attention, and the success of Anjaam Pathira is a hint for many thriller movies coming up like Kurupp, etc. 2020 looked promising with a good success rate in the Malayalam film industry.

Last Updated on December 21, 2020

ALSO READ: BEST BOLLYWOOD MOVIES OF 2020
RELATED: THE BEST MALAYALAM MOVIES OF 2019

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10. Shylock

Director – Ajai Vasudev
Starring – Mammootty, Raj Kiran
Streaming Platform – Amazon Prime

[This excerpt comes from Ashif’s ‘Shylock’ Review]

Ajai Vasudev’s Shylock is a mass entertainer, which portrays the story of Boss aka Shylock, played by Megastar Mammootty who lends money to film producers. He encounters producer Prathap Varma (Kalabhavan Shajon) and his partner – Police Commissioner Felix John (Siddique), who owes him a debt and is unwilling to pay back. Boss had a motto behind the clash with the duo, which makes the rest of the movie.

Megastar Mammooty is seen in such a charming role after a long time and he had portrayed it with ease. Tamil star actor Raj Kiran portrays a pivotal role that carries the story in the second half of the movie, and Meena shines bright in her role as Raj Kiran’s wife. Ajai Vasudev has done a decent job of utilizing the star value of Mammootty.

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9. Sufiyum Sujatayum

Director – Naranipuzha Shanavas
Starring – Aditi Rao Hydari, Dev Mohan
Streaming Platform – Prime Video

[This excerpt comes from Ashif’s ‘Sufiyum Sujatayum’ Review]

Sufiyum Sujatayum blends in an illicit romance story with the elements of casteism and opens up on the community views on a Hindu girl falling in love with a Muslim boy. Showcasing the emotions of a girl in a romantic musical, directed by Naranipuzha Shanavas, this movie stars Dev Mohan and Aditi Rao Hydari in the lead roles, along with Jayasurya, in a decent role.

With its stunning picturization, Sufiyum Sujatayum presents itself as a magical and soul-soothing romantic musical. Despite the drawbacks, if you love watching a movie that blends in visuals, music, and romance flawlessly, this Amazon Prime Video exclusive release is a perfect watch despite its many problems.

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8. Kappela

Director – Muhammad Musthafa
Starring – Anna Ben, Roshan Mathew
Streaming Platform – Netflix

Next on the list of the Best Malayalam Movies of 2020, director Muhammad Musthafa’s 2020 film – Kappela is packed with a myriad of positive attributes, the natural performances of Anna Ben and Roshan Mathew add the much-needed spiritedness to the film. Director Musthafa handles his characters splendidly, and with a well- written screenplay, he delivers an engaging drama you should not miss on any given day. – Sanjay Sethuganesh .S

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7. Maniyarayile Ashokan

Director – Shamzu Zayba
Starring – Jacob Gregory & Anupama Parameswaran
Streaming Platform – Netflix

Shamzu Zayba’s Maniyarayile Ashokan is a cheerful drama that revolves around a young bachelor who hopes to have a beautiful marriage life and showcases the struggles that come around. The film managed to maintain a simple storyline and transform it into a cheerful drama that portrays the heart-warming insights on marital life and romance.

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6. Varane Avashyamund

Director – Anoop Satyan
Starring – Dulquer Salmaan, Kalyani Priyadarshan
Streaming Platform – Netflix

Anoop Satyan’s Varane Avashyamund is a feel-good movie that deals with the lives of single mother Neena (Shobhana), and her daughter Nikhitha (Kalyani Priyadarshan). As they move to a new apartment, new persons get involved in their lives, and the film takes a turn with the entry of Major Unnikrishnan (Suresh Gopi). The movie film carries through the moments of romance, drama, families, and relationships in the most beautiful manner, and the debutant director – Anoop Satyan, made this movie delightful and enjoyable to watch.

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5. Halal Love Story

Director – Zakariya Mohammed
Starring – Grace Antony, Indrajith Sukumaran
Streaming Platform – Prime Video

[This excerpt comes from Ashif’s ‘Halal Love Story’ Review]

Halal Love Story on Amazon Prime Video explores an innocent story that revolves around a group of people with orthodox religious beliefs and their admiration for art. Subsequently, embracing their reverence, they decide to make a movie as the remainder of the narrative showcases the trials and tribulations of them shooting the film.

A perfect “Halal Cut” of social drama, Halal Love Story is a heartwarming film filled with the spirit of innocence and the perfect blend of drama and comedy. Worth watching on a weekend.

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4. Forensic

Director – Anas Khan & Akhil Paul
Starring – Tovino Thomas, Mamta Mohandas
Streaming Platform – Netflix

[This excerpt comes from Ashif’s ‘Forensic’ Review]

On the #4 spot of the Best Malayalam Movies of 2020, starring Tovino Thomas and Mamta Mohandas in the lead roles, Forensic might be one of the most well-made thrillers in recent times that comprised the right amount of forensics (no pun intended) in solving the psychotic crimes of the killer.

Forensic – The Movie will attract the audience to the theaters primarily because of the fresh new narrative. After the success of Anjaam Pathira earlier this year, Forensic marks the good times of the thriller genre in the Malayalam film industry. The movie is backed with a strong story and powerful performances by Tovino Thomas. A must watch!

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3. C U Soon

Director – Mahesh Narayanan
Starring – Fahadh Faasil, Roshan Mathew
Streaming Platform – Amazon Prime

[This excerpt comes from Ashif’s ‘C U Soon’ Review]

C U Soon is a virtual life mystery-thriller that experimented with the possibility of visual cinematography to shoot a complete feature film during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. It explores the narrative of two people who get matched to each other on an online dating site, and eventually, the narrative turns into a mysterious drama focusing on the dark secrets that are kept intact by the girl.

Despite being an experimental attempt, C U Soon is an unconventional mystery thriller with the right balance of emotional melodrama. A must watch and one of the Best Malayalam Movies of 2020.

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2. Ayyappanum Koshiyum

Director – Sachy
Starring – Prithviraj Sukumaran, Biju Menon
Streaming Platform – Amazon Prime

Second on the list of the Best Malayalam Movies of 2020, Sachy’s Ayyappanum Koshiyum is an intense tale of an ego clash between S.I. Ayyappan Nair (Biju Menon) and Hawildar Koshi Kurien (Prithviraj Sukumaran). The story begins with a combined check drill by excise and the police department in the outskirts of a tribal village Attappadi, and Koshi gets caught for bringing liquor into the dry land.

It marks the start of the clash between the ex-military official Koshi and Sub Inspector Ayyappan Nair. Biju Menon gave a revelrous performance and overshadowed the performance of Prithviraj as the antagonist. The beauty of Attappadi (a village in Kerala) is mesmerizing to watch and was shot brilliantly. This three-hour power-packed entertainer is a movie you should never miss, one of the Best Malayalam Movies of 2020.

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1. Anjaam Pathira

Director – Midhun Manuel Thomas
Starring – Kunchako Boban, Jinu Joseph
Streaming Platform – SUN NXT

[This excerpt comes from Ashif’s ‘Anjaam Pathira’ Review]

On the #4 spot of the Best Malayalam Movies of 2020, Midhun Manuel Thomas’ Anjaam Pathira is a Crime Thriller revolving around a serial killer who targets policemen in the city. Psychologist Anwar Hussain (Kunchako Boban) gets involved in the mystery with the help of his cop friend Anil (Jinu Joseph). The movie takes eventful turns to finally hunt down the motive and the life of the serial killer.

Midhun Manuel Thomas managed to highlight a simple-yet-gripping narrative, and at times, Anjaam Pathira reminded me of Jeethu Joseph’s Memories and Ram Kumar’s Ratsasan. It is one of the finest crime thrillers that the Malayalam Film Industry has produced in recent years.

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What are your favorite Malayalam movies of 2020? Comment right now!