'2018' To 'Gaddama': Best 6 Heartbreaking Survival Malayalam Movies

It is one of the best survival drama ever made in Malayalam cinema recenet years. Directed by Jude Anthony Joseph, the film deals with the damage caused by the floods in Kerala and the survival of the people during the natural calamity. Released in April to wide acclaim, it is now the highest-grossing Malayalam film in history, having so far made more than 2 billion rupees at the box office, outperforming the previous record-holder – superstar Mohanlal's 2016 action bonanza Pulimurugan. Speaking of performance, Tovino Thomas, the standout element of the movie, once again captivated the audience with his stellar performances on-screen. Lal's portrayal is pivotal to the film, and the entire cast played their respective roles effectively.

Oruthee chronicles the life of a fictional character Radhamani, essayed by Navya Nair. The film portrays the story of the ups and downs she undergoes in her life in just three days. Apart from Nair, the thriller also stars Vinayakan, who is seen playing the role of a policeman. Released in 2022, "Oruthee" marked the comeback movie of actress Navya Nair after 10 years. The movie was directed by V. K. Prakash.

It's about a young woman who accidentally gets stuck in a freezer room but fights gallantly to stay alive. The movie was released in the theatres in Nov 2019 and received good responses from the audience as well as critics. Anna Ben, who made a terrific debut in Kumbalangi Nights, proves with Helen that she is not a one-hit-wonder.Lal portrays Paul as a tender and compassionate father, willing to go to any lengths for his daughter, even if it means maintaining a significant distance. Noble Babu Thomas, who co-wrote and co-produced the film, makes a solid impression with his acting debut. Helen was directed by Mathukutty Xavier, and remade in Hindi as 'Mili' in 2022.

Helmed by Aashiq Abu, the film  deals with the Nipah virus outbreak that took place in Kerala in 2018.  Featuring an ensemble cast which includes Rima Kallingal, Revathy, Tovino Thomas, Parvathy and Indrajith Sukumaran among others, Virus seamlessly ties in real incidents and real people with fictional elements to tell a gripping tale. The movie achieved global release on June 7, 2019, garnering widespread critical acclaim and proving to be a success at the box office.

The survival thriller movie about a man who is stuck in the debris of a landslide in Idukki, Kerala. Fahdh Faasil played a lead role in the movie, which was written by Mahesh Narayanan and directed by Sajimon Prabhakar. Actor Fahadh Faasil brilliantly emotes the pain, anguish, and redemption of his character as he goes through a life-changing experience. Malayankunju marked the return of Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman to the Malayalam film industry after 28 years. Apart from Fahadh Faasil, the movie also stars Rajisha Vijayan, Indrans, Jaffar Idukki and Deepak Parambol

It tells the story of a young woman who forced into a life of human trafficking after being brought to a Gulf country. The movie addresses societal concerns and the challenges faced by migratory laborers, particularly women, who work overseas. Gaddhama was directed by  Kamal and featured Kavya Madhavan in the lead role.