Top Imdb Rated Malayalam Movies Best Direct

Based on Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s prison memoirs, this is perhaps the most poetic love story ever filmed. The two leads never see each other—they speak only through a prison wall. It proves that Malayalam cinema doesn't need action to be gripping; it needs soul.

Director: Dileesh Pothan Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Baburaj

An adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth set in a rubber plantation in the 1980s. Joji is a slow-burn family drama about a young, educated, but lazy man who decides to kill his tyrannical father to seize the property.

Fahadh Faasil’s performance is terrifyingly subdued. He rarely raises his voice, yet you feel the coldness radiating from the screen. The film relies on silence and the oppressive humidity of Kerala to build dread. top imdb rated malayalam movies best

Why it’s the "Best": It proves that you don't need grandeur to make a great film. Joji is minimalist filmmaking at its finest, proving why Fahadh Faasil is currently the most sought-after actor in the country.


For decades, cinema lovers have debated which film industry produces the most refined content. While Bollywood boasts scale and Kollywood delivers mass energy, the Malayalam film industry—fondly known as Mollywood—has carved a niche as the home of substance, realism, and unparalleled storytelling.

In the age of OTT (streaming) platforms, a new global audience has discovered what South Indian audiences have known for years: Malayalam cinema is a treasure trove of masterpieces. The most democratic arbiter of this quality remains IMDb’s user rating system. Based on Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s prison memoirs, this

If you are searching for the top IMDb rated Malayalam movies best of all time, you aren't just looking for entertainment. You are looking for films that challenge your intellect, break your heart, and stay with you long after the credits roll.

Here is the definitive, curated list of the highest-rated Malayalam films, dissected by genre, era, and cinematic brilliance.


The Romantic Bible

These films didn't have massive opening weekends, but through word-of-mouth and international streaming, they climbed the top imdb rated malayalam movies best charts.

| Film (Year) | IMDb Rating | Genre | Why It’s Unique | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Nayattu (2021) | 8.6 | Thriller/Drama | Three cops go on the run after a false political case. A critique of the system. | | Joji (2021) | 8.4 | Dark Tragedy | A Macbeth adaptation set in a rubber plantation. Fahadh Faasil is terrifying. | | Ee.Ma.Yau (2018) | 8.5 | Black Comedy | Death of a village drunkard leads to a hilarious/sad race to organize his funeral. | | Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017) | 8.5 | Courtroom/Drama | A simple theft of a gold chain turns into a battle of wits in court. Realistic to a fault. | | Mumbai Police (2013) | 8.3 | LGBT+ Thriller | A police commissioner loses his memory and discovers a secret about his past. Bold for 2013. |