Best Malayalam Movies on Disney+ Hotstar

Browsing, finding and selecting a few Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar is indeed a monumental task to go through only because of the large library of movies Hotstar owns. From the late 90s to the 2010s, there are quite a few movies to choose from the catalog as Malayalam Cinema is popularly known to produce top-quality movies through and through. So, to make things easy on all sides, we handpicked, curated and selected the Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar for your viewing pleasure. Here we go!

Last Updated on January 04, 2023

Related: Best Malayalam Movies on Netflix
Related: Best Malayalam Movies on Amazon

---

[Ranked in no particular order]

25. Bro Daddy

Starring – P. Sukumaran & Mohanlal
Director – Prithviraj Sukumaran
Genre – Comedy

When a series of unexpected events occur in the house of a family man, the brother, and the father takes on the challenges that come their way and beyond. Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, Bro Daddy also stars him alongside Mohanlal in the lead roles.

---

24. Hridayam

Starring – Pranav Mohanlal & Kalyani Priyadarshan
Director – Vineeth Sreenivasan
Genre – Drama

Vineeth Sreenivasan’s critically acclaimed 2022 film, Hridayam, is about a man in his early 30s, who reminisces on his misspent youth and the rocky road that brought him to adulthood. The movie stars Pranav Mohanlal and Kalyani Priyadarshan in the lead roles. One of the Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar.

---

23. Bheeshma Parvam

Starring – Mammootty, Soubin Shahir
Director – Amal Neerad
Genre – Drama

Amal Neerad’s 2022 action drama, Bheeshma Parvam, revolves around a former gangster-turned-marine exporter from Fort Kochi, who endures a series of unfortunate events and death threats to his family, forcing him to revisit his past. The film stars Mammootty, Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Nadia Moidu and others in the primary roles.

---

22. 7th Day

Starring – Prithviraj Sukumaran
Director – Syamdhar
Genre – Thriller

Syamdhar’s 7th Day is a tale of puzzling deaths, missing people and an IPS officer, David Abraham, the protagonist who is in pursuit of the unknown. The story twists around David and a group of friends who are in a mess as they are caught into a whirlwind of unfavorable events occurring one after the other. Although the mysterious events seem unrelated, there is a build-up of tension that leads to an overwhelming climax involving the IPS officer and the bunch of friends (one of them dies under mysterious circumstances).

---

21. Kali

Starring – Dulquer Salmaan & Sai Pallavi
Director – Sameer Thahir
Genre – Action Drama

Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar: The primary crux of Sameer Thahir-s film – Kali is all in its title, anger and the problems that follow subsequently. Siddharth, suffers from quite a few anger management issues and leads his life with wife Anjali. The earlier half of the movie depicts the struggles of Siddharth to control his rage, where his co-partner offers him immense support. And the remaining half of the movie hauls into darker shades of life when anger starts pulling them into a tougher situation. Kali is a decent watch with elements of fear and agony infused in the right proportions.

---

20. Varathan

Starring – Fahadh Faasil & Aishwarya Lekshmi
Director – Amal Neerad
Genre – Survival Thriller

Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar: Amal Neerad’s Varathan starring Fahadh Faasil and Aishwarya Lekshmi tells the story of Aby and his wife, Priya as they move back to their family estate in Kerala only to find themselves in treacherous positions when they begin to face a new set of challenges. – Surya Komal

---

19. Premam

Starring – Nivin, Pallavi, Anupama and Madonna
Director – Alphonse Puthren
Genre – Romantic Drama

Alphonse Puthren’s Premam travels through the love life of George (Nivin Pauly) from his school days to the point of his marriage. 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 and he develops an affinity for Celine who visits the cafe he owns. Celine is the same little girl who used to walk with Mary from the school every day and their relationship ends well after a few hurdles. 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. One of the most memorable, cherished and Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar.

---

18. Samsaram Arogyathinu Hanikaram

Starring – Dulquer Salmaan & Nazriya Nazim
Director – Balaji Mohan
Genre – Rom-Com

Vaayai Moodi Pesavum aka Samsaram Arogyathinu Hanikaram in Malayalam follows a funny interesting premise where the government bans the people of Panimalai hill station from speaking to overcome and eradicate the spread of the ‘dumb-flu’ which only spreads through people talking. Starring Dulquer Salmaan and Nazriya Nazim in the lead role, the film’s comical premise is one of the primary selling points as it a delightful and a light-hearted movie to watch. – Surya Komal

---

17. Iyobinte Pusthakam

Starring – Fahadh Faasil, Isha Sharvani
Director – Amal Neerad
Genre – Period Thriller

Amal Neerad-s Iyobinte Pusthakam is set in the 1900s in Munnar, and Fahadh Faasil plays the role of Aloshy, one of the sons of Iyob (Lal). Iyob was an obedient worker under a British-man Harrison, and after his return to the native country, Iyob unlawfully acquires his property. Aloshy who flees from home at a young after witnessing a crime by his brothers joins the Indian Navy, and later he is sacked due to left-centric Independence movements. Once back home, the rivalry between Aloshy and his siblings makes the rest of the story. Iyobinte Pusthakam is a visually stunning movie that marked the mass appeal of Fahadh Faasil.

---

16. Take Off

Starring – Parvathy, Fahadh Faasil
Director – Mahesh Narayanan
Genre – Thriller / Drama

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. 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, I would say that this is the most patriotic movie after Chak De! India and Swades.

---

15. Koode

Starring – Nazriya Nazim, Parvathy
Director – Anjali Menon
Genre – Psychological Drama

Next on the list of the Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar, Koodeis 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.

---

14. Bangalore Days

Starring – Dulquer, Nazriya & Nivin
Director – Anjali Menon
Genre – Drama

[Featured at #2 spot in ‘Best Movies of Dulquer Salmaan’ list]

Anjali Menon’s Bangalore Days is the story of three cousins Arjun, Divya, and Kuttan. At a certain point in time, three cousins move to the same city, Bangalore, under different circumstances and the film portrays their care, love, hope, and cheerfulness. Dulquer plays the role of Arjun, who had lived a troubled life, being a school drop-out and son of divorced parents. His character still brings a certain type of charm to the screen.

---

[Ranked in no particular order]

13. Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum

Starring – Fahadh Faasil, Nimisha Sajayan
Director – Dileesh Pothan
Genre – Drama

[This movie is featured at #4 spot in our ‘Best Movies of Fahadh Faasil’ list]

Dileesh Pothan’s Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum is a realistic story revolving around a gold chain robbery. Prasad (Suraj Venjaramoodu) and Sreeja (Nimisha Sajayan) who come across each other due to a small misunderstanding, later develop a beautiful relationship. They move on from their native place, Vaikom to a rural area in Kasargod. Eventually, they encounter the events of the robbery and the involvement of the cops form the remainder of the story.

---

12. Ustad Hotel

Starring – Dulquer Salmaan
Director – Anwar Rasheed
Genre – Drama

[‘Ustad Hotel’ is featured at #1 spot in ‘Best Movies of Dulquer Salmaan’ list]

Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar: Anwar Rasheed’s Ustad Hotel was the second Dulquer Salmaan movie on the silver screen, which came with a wonderful script by Anjali Menon. Dulquer plays the role of Faizal (Faizi), who is inspired to become a chef, but being opposed by his father. In despite turn of events, he joins with his grandfather who runs a restaurant in the beautiful city of Kozhikode. This Dulquer Salmaan movie nurtuted a soothing feeling, which was at its peak in the scene where we can see the glow in the face of Faizi when children inscribed thanks in sign language on his palms.

---

11. Kammatti Paadam

Starring – Dulquer Salmaan, Vinayakan
Director – Rajeev Ravi
Genre – Action / Drama

[This movie is featured at #4 spot in ‘Best Movies of Dulquer Salmaan’ list]

Rajeev Ravi’s Kammatti Paadam is the story of Krishnan (Dulquer Salmaan) and Ganga (Vinayakan), their childhood living in the explosive, violent atmosphere, as they grew up with thugs and criminals. Krishnan has been living away from his family and friends in Mumbai, gets a call from his friend Ganga in Kammatti Paadam where they grew up. Sensing danger Krishnan leaves for Kammatti Padam which make the storyline. Dulquer portrays the role of Krishnan with absolute ease. He has given his best to this character, managing to pull the right chords for the right emotions at all times.

---

10. Memories

Starring – Prithviraj Sukumaran, Miya
Director – Jeethu Joseph
Genre – Crime Thriller

Preview Only: Jeethu Joseph, who later on in his career went on to deliver widely acclaimed movies like Drishyam directed Memories back in 2013 starring Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role. The storyline of the film explores the life of a police offer – Sam Alex who gets addicted to alcohol to overcome the pain over his family’s death comes across a series of murders and is tasked to investigate them. – Surya Komal

---

9. Annayum Rasoolum

Starring – Fahadh Faasil, Andrea Jeremiah
Director – Rajeev Ravi
Genre – Romantic Drama

Rajeev Ravi’s Annayum Rasoolum portrays the romance between the taxi driver, Rasool and sales girl Anna from the backdrops of Kochi in natural and raw form. Both represent the lower middle class and it’s the innocence of the character that makes the movie different. The story moves around the day to day events and later they had to face hesitancies and personal insecurities of religion and society. With more expressions and fewer dialogues, and without a doubt one of the Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar, Annayum Rasoolum carries the love story intensely and realistically.

---

8. Charlie

Starring – Dulquer Salmaan and Parvathy
Director – Martin Prakkat
Genre – Romance

Directed by Martin Prakkat, Charlie is a romantic drama and is one of the Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar to stream right now. 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, Parvathy 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 to be on the list of Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar.

---

7. June

Starring – Rajisha Vijayan, Sarjano Khalid
Director – Ahammed Khabeer
Genre – Coming-of-Age

[‘June’ is also featured in our ‘Best Romantic Movies of 2019’ list]

Ahammed Khabeer’s movie is a coming-of-age of a girl and her teenage romance with Noel (Sarjano Khalid) was displayed the most in the movie, as it lapped from her school life to her professional career. Anand (Arjun Ashokan) was a genuine guy who was following June almost every time, and that tale was told through a song in the second half of the movie. Overall, June is a feel-good movie filled with some old-fashioned ideas, still, fit as a romantic drama movie.

---

6. North 24 Kaatham

Starring – Fahadh Faasil, Swathi Reddy
Director – Anil Radhakrishnan Menon
Genre – Road Movie

[This movie is featured at #5 spot in our ‘Best Movies of Fahadh Faasil’ list]

Anil Radhakrishnan Menon’s North 24 Kaatham pictures the travel of three people who accidentally met on a harthal day. Harikrishnan (Fahadh Faasil) who works in a software firm having Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is sent to Trivandrum for a meeting, and on his journey, he encounters Narayani (Swathi Reddy) and Gopalan (Nedumudi Venu).

Due to an emergency issue, Gopalan deboards en route to Trivandrum and the remaining two continue with the journey. Fahadh Faasill has portrayed the role of an OCPD sufferer flawlessly having weird mannerisms. This movie is one of the underrated movies of Fahadh Faasill in his illustrious career. One of the Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar and a must watch.

---

5. Ohm Shanthi Oshana

Starring – Nazriya Nazim & Nivin Pauly
Director – Jude Antony
Genre – Rom-Com / Drama

[This movie is also featured in our ‘Best Romantic Malayalam Movies’ list]

Jude Antony’s Ohm Shanthi Oshana is a romantic movie that is different in track as it says the story from a girl’s perspective, and it is a ‘girl meets boy’ storyline. Pooja Mathew (Nazriya Nazim) falls for Giri (Nivin Pauly) from her adolescent age. Giri is a person well involved in the social activities and familiar face for all in the area, who had a bad love experience beforehand.

Through the course of life, Pooja tries to impress Giri by doing crazy things and it takes years to conquer the hearts of Giri. Nazriya had handled the character with charm and it’s delightful to watch a romantic movie from a different angle. One of my top recommendations when it comes to the Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar category.

---

4. Ennu Ninte Moideen

Starring – Prithviraj Sukumaran & Parvathy
Director – R. S. Vimal
Genre – Biographical Romantic Drama

R S Vimal-s Ennu Ninte Moideen is the tale of romance between Moideen and Kanchanamala, based on a real-life story set in the 1960s. Despite being of two casts, both of their families were having close relationships. The love between them develops through letters, and they had a unique way of writing letters to each other. Both families oppose their love, and they had a long wait to get a life together. This movie illustrated one of the classic romantic stories in recent times. A top recommendation! One of the Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar.

---

3. Pathemari

Starring – Mammootty
Director – Salim Ahamed
Genre – Period Drama

[‘Pathemari’ is featured at #5 spot in our ‘Best Movies of Mammootty’ list]

Salim Ahamed’s Pathemari narrates the travails of a Gulf Malayali and their never-ending miseries. Mammootty portrays the character of Narayanan, who had the responsibilities of his family on his shoulders, who travels to Gulf in a Pathemaari (sloop) some decades back. Mammootty carries forward the story with elements of honesty and elegance, and it is pleasing to watch Mammooty’s performance.

---

2. Oru Indian Pranayakadha

Starring – Fahadh Faasil & Amala Paul
Director – Sathyan Anthikad
Genre – Rom-Com

Best Malayalam Movies on Hotstar: Satyan Anthikkad’s Oru Indian Pranayakadha portrays the story of Ayamanam Sidharthan (Fahadh Faasil), who aims high for his political career. His life starts making changes after meeting Irene (Amala Paul). Irene is in search of her past, and their time together lights up the good in Ayamanam Sidharthan. Fahadh Faasil broke his typical style and with this movie, and proved that he can handle the comedy with ease. This movie had a great impact on marking Fahadh in the hearts of the family audience. Watch ‘Oru Indian Pranayakadha’ on Hotstar here.

---

1. Parava

Starring – Amal Shah, Govind V. Pai & Shane Nigam
Director – Soubin Shahir
Genre – Drama

Parava served as the directorial debut for the acclaimed actor Soubin Shahir and the narrative explores the journey of two teenage boys from Mattanchery (a locality in the city of Kochi) as they together share an undying passion for the local game of pigeon flying. Eventually, Irshad opens up about a terrible occurrence that ruined many friendships in the neighborhood which forms the remainder of the storyline. – Surya Komal

[Ranked in no particular order]

---

Related: Best Tamil Movies on Netflix
Related: Best Bollywood Movies on Hotstar
Related: Best Telugu Movies on Amazon Prime