Top Imdb Rated Malayalam Movies -
If you compare the top IMDB rated Malayalam movies to those in Hindi or Tamil, you will notice a distinct pattern: Malayalam films rarely have "star vehicles."
The perfect cat-and-mouse game. Forget the Hindi remake. The original Mohanlal starrer is tighter, rawer, and more shocking. A cable TV owner with a third-grade education uses nothing but movie logic to protect his family after a tragic accident. The last 20 minutes are pure genius. Verdict: A screenwriting bible.
The ultimate ego clash. A retired soldier (Koshi) and a police officer (Ayyappan) engage in a war of pride. There are no car chases, just two men trying to legally destroy each other's lives in a small town.
Death has never been this absurd. The title stands for Yes, Lord, Death. Set in a fishing village, the film follows a poor son trying to give his father a "Christian burial" with a golden coffin, despite not having a penny. It is a tragicomedy about poverty, religion, and the social politics of death. Verdict: Art house gold. top imdb rated malayalam movies
IMDb Rating: 7.9 Genre: Romance / Coming of Age
The Premise: The film follows the life of George David through three stages of his youth—his teenage years, college days, and adult life—and his journey through love and heartbreak.
Why You Should Watch It:
| Rank | Movie Name | Year | IMDb Rating | Genre | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 | Manichitrathazhu | 1993 | 8.8 | Horror/Psychological | | 2 | Kumbalangi Nights | 2019 | 8.7 | Drama/Family | | 3 | Ayyappanum Koshiyum | 2020 | 8.7 | Action/Drama | | 4 | Premam | 2015 | 8.6 | Romance/Comedy | | 5 | Drishyam | 2013 | 8.6 | Thriller/Mystery | | 6 | Maheshinte Prathikaaram | 2016 | 8.6 | Comedy/Drama | | 7 | Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum | 2017 | 8.6 | Crime/Comedy | | 8 | Kireedam | 1989 | 8.6 | Tragedy/Action | | 9 | Jallikattu | 2019 | 8.5 | Action/Thriller | | 10 | Bangalore Days | 2014 | 8.4 | Romance/Drama |
Macbeth in the backwaters. Director Dileesh Pothan transposes Shakespeare’s Macbeth into a rubber plantation family. Fahadh Faasil plays the lazy, underestimated younger son who decides to kill his tyrannical father. It is slow, dark, and dripping with atmospheric tension. Verdict: For fans of The Godfather pacing.
As of 2025, Malayalam cinema continues to dominate streaming platforms (Netflix, Prime, Hotstar). With upcoming projects from Lijo Jose Pellissery and the next generation of writers, expect the top IMDb ratings to keep climbing. If you compare the top IMDB rated Malayalam
Final Verdict: If you are tired of logic-less blockbusters and want to see what human emotion looks like on screen without filters, press play on any of these titles. The high ratings are not an accident; they are a testament to the greatest film industry you haven't been paying enough attention to.
Have you watched all of these? Which Malayalam movie do you think deserves a spot on this list? Let the debate begin in the comments!
