Top Seven Malayalam Blockbusters That Captivated Audiences Worldwide

Blessy's 'Aadujeevitham' stands as one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films worldwide. Upon its theatrical release on March 28, the movie swiftly made its mark, achieving the remarkable feat of entering the 100 crore club within just nine days. The film's rapid success underscores its widespread appeal and strong reception among audiences, cementing its position as a blockbuster in the realm of Malayalam cinema.

Helmed by Chidambaram, 'Manjummel Boys' etched its name in history books by becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film to date, eclipsing the previous record held by a 2018 Tovino Thomas-led flick directed by Jude Anthany Joseph. The film even earned the distinction of being India's submission for Oscars 2024. Boasting a hefty overseas haul of approximately Rs 62 crore and a domestic box office tally of around Rs 120 crore, 'Manjummel Boys' amassed an impressive worldwide gross collection exceeding Rs 180 crore.

The superhero flick, featuring Tovino Thomas, earns Basil Joseph the Best Direction (Fiction) award at the 2022 Asian Academy Awards. Celebrating outstanding content from 16 APAC nations, this ceremony honors excellence in filmmaking. 'Minnal Murali' follows the journey of two outcasts who acquire extraordinary abilities after a lightning strike. While one embraces his heroic destiny, the other wields power for malevolent ends. Highlighting societal indifference, the film underscores the perils of neglect in fostering destructive forces. Alongside Tovino Thomas, the cast includes Guru Somasundaram, Aju Varghese, and Shelly Kishore in pivotal roles.

With a budget of just Rs 3 crore, this romantic comedy has defied the odds, breaking into the esteemed Rs 100 crore club and reaffirming the supremacy of Malayalam cinema. Directed and penned by Girish AD, the movie stars Naslen K, Gafoor, and Mamitha Baiju in pivotal characters. The involvement of industry heavyweights Fahadh Faasil, Dileesh Pothan, and Syam Pushkaran in its production adds to its allure. 'Premalu' didn't just captivate Malayalam audiences but also made a significant impact in the Tamil and Telugu markets, emerging as a box office sensation.

Helmed by Jude Anthany Joseph and featuring Tovino Thomas and Kunchacko Boban in lead roles, '2018' narrates the harrowing tale of the devastating floods that struck Kerala. Breaking new ground, it becomes the inaugural Malayalam film to surpass the 125 Crore milestone. Moreover, it earns the distinction of being nominated as India's official entry for the Oscars 2024.

'Jallikettu' had its premiere on September 2019 at the Toronto International Film Festival and received widespread critical acclaim. The movie was particularly praised for Pellissery's spectacular directing effort, ably supported by Girish Gangadharan's cinematography and Renganaath Ravee's wild sound design work.

Jeethu Joseph's acclaimed thriller 'Drishyam' has achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success across Indian languages, prompting a Hollywood remake. The production company confirmed plans for English and Spanish adaptations, marking 'Drishyam' as the first Indian film to undergo a Hollywood remake. Renowned for its gripping screenplay, the film has earned cult status and is celebrated as an edge-of-the-seat thriller.