2017 Best Malayalam Movies May 2026

Nivin Pauly (known for boy-next-door roles) shocks in this dark, uncomfortable film. The nonlinear narrative and surreal sequences (a dancing ghost, talking animals) polarized audiences, but for those who appreciate Lynchian influences, Aby is a bold experiment. The film is less about plot and more about the subjective experience of a fractured mind. Verdict: Divisive but ambitious. Not for mainstream tastes. 9. Villain Director: B. Unnikrishnan Cast: Mohanlal, Vishal, Manju Warrier, Hansika Motwani

The only "star vehicle" on this list that worked. Villain is not a great film, but it’s a well-made commercial thriller. Mohanlal’s restrained performance as a grieving, morally gray cop elevates the material. The twist about the killer’s identity is genuinely clever. However, the film suffers from a bloated second half and underutilized supporting cast. Verdict: A solid one-time watch for Mohanlal fans. 10. Parava (The Pigeon) Director: Soubin Shahir Cast: Amal Shah, Shane Nigam, Dulquer Salmaan (extended cameo)

A crowd-pleaser that works because of its earnestness. Wamiqa Gabbi (as Aditi Singh) is a revelation—she trained for months and does most of her stunts. The film balances humor (Renji Panicker as the hilarious, retired wrestling coach) with genuine sports-drama beats. While predictable, the final wrestling match is genuinely exciting. Verdict: Lighthearted and uplifting. A perfect Sunday watch. 8. Aby Director: Nikhil Muraly Cast: Nivin Pauly, Shine Tom Chacko 2017 best malayalam movies

A raw, chaotic, and hyperlocal look at a gang of pork-selling, party-loving youth in Angamaly, a small town in Kerala, and their turf wars over a meat shop.

But as a whole, 2017 remains the gold standard for Indian regional cinema. Nivin Pauly (known for boy-next-door roles) shocks in

A taut, emotionally devastating thriller. The first hour establishes the characters’ personal lives; the second hour is a non-stop survival nightmare. Parvathy delivers a powerhouse performance as Sameera, a nurse who becomes the group’s de facto leader. The sound design and cinematography create palpable dread. Unlike Hollywood war films, Take Off focuses on collective bravery and bureaucratic helplessness. Verdict: A landmark film for female-led action-drama in India. Unforgettable. 3. Mayaanadhi (The Rogue River) Director: Aashiq Abu Cast: Tovino Thomas, Aishwarya Lekshmi

The only downside is that 2017 lacked a truly great comedy (like Kumbalangi Nights came later) and the mainstream superstars (Mammootty, Mohanlal) had relatively weak years apart from Villain . Verdict: Divisive but ambitious

A fun, feel-good sports comedy about a disheartened wrestler from Punjab who ends up training a group of women wrestlers in a Kerala village.