Here are 5 notable Malayalam movies:
1. Drishyam (2015)
Directed by Nisha Krishnan, Drishyam is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a middle-class family whose life turns upside down when the daughter is accused of murder. The movie stars Mohanlal, Meena, and Nisha Sreedhar. The film received positive reviews for its engaging storyline, strong performances, and Nisha Krishnan's direction. Drishyam was a major commercial success and ran for 100 days in theaters.
2. Angamaly Diaries (2017)
Directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, Angamaly Diaries is a dark comedy-thriller that revolves around the murder of a rich businessman and the subsequent investigation. The movie stars Amal Neerad, Vinayakan, and Binu Pappu. The film received critical acclaim for its unique blend of humor and violence, as well as its commentary on the dark underbelly of Kerala society. 5 Ogo Malayalam Movies
3. Premam (2015)
Directed by Alphonse Puthoran, Premam is a romantic comedy that tells the story of a young man named Prem (played by Nivin Pauly) who falls in love with a girl named Maha (played by Namitha Pramod). The movie is a coming-of-age story that explores themes of love, friendship, and growing up. Premam was a major commercial success and received positive reviews for its witty dialogue, strong performances, and nostalgic value.
4. Kunchacko Bobyan's Eecha (2018) not , take - Sudipto Sen's Sudani from Nigeria (2018)
Directed by Sudipto Sen, Sudani from Nigeria is a sports drama that tells the story of a Nigerian football player who comes to Kerala to play for a local football club. The movie stars Afeez Oyetoro, Aju Varghese, and Nisha Sreedhar. The film received positive reviews for its inspiring storyline, strong performances, and cultural commentary. Here are 5 notable Malayalam movies: 1
5. Lucifer (2019)
Directed by Abhijith Joseph, Lucifer is a Malayalam drama film that stars Mohanlal, Vivek, and Vinayakan. The movie tells the story of a 60-year-old man named Stephen Paul (played by Mohanlal) who is appointed as the chairman of a private company. As he tries to uncover the truth behind the company's deals, he faces several challenges. The film received positive reviews for its engaging storyline, strong performances, and social commentary.
Each of these movies showcases the diversity and richness of Malayalam cinema, which has gained a significant following in recent years. From psychological thrillers to romantic comedies, these films offer something for every kind of movie lover.
Here’s a quick guide to 5 memorable Ogo (Malayalam: ഓഗോ / slang for "Oho!" or surprise) movies in Malayalam cinema — films that made audiences go “Ogo!” due to their unique content, cult status, or unexpected brilliance. Composer: blend of Carnatic motifs with minimal indie folk
The Context: Mohanlal’s Odiyan had the most expensive pre-release hype in Malayalam history. The 5 Ogo show on December 14, 2018, was sold out across 300+ centers a month in advance. But then, the unthinkable happened.
The 5 Ogo Experience: At Apsara Theatre, Kozhikode, as the first half ended, a strange murmur spread. By the time the second half’s weak VFX and confusing narrative unfolded, the whistles turned to boos. Within 45 minutes of the 5 Ogo show ending, Twitter/X was flooded with "Odiyan is a disaster" posts. Fans who had traveled hundreds of kilometers left mid-show. By 8 PM, the 9 Ogo (9 PM) shows were being canceled.
Why it mattered: Odiyan’s 5 Ogo became the fastest crowd-sourced review mechanism in Indian cinema. It proved that in the digital age, a bad 5 Ogo show could kill a movie’s entire run within 3 hours of release.
Legacy: It spawned the term "5 Ogo Verdict"—a real-time, fan-driven rating that often overrides critics. Filmmakers now dread the first 5 Ogo show more than the censor board.
When Devi, the family matriarch, collapses at home, her three children return to the ancestral house; old resentments surface as they uncover a legacy that will test their bonds.