2017 Best Malayalam Movies May 2026

A noir-infused romance that feels like a warm, melancholic dream. The film is slow, atmospheric, and dialogue-sparse—relying on lingering glances, rain-soaked nights, and an aching background score. Tovino Thomas proves he can carry intense, brooding roles, and Aishwarya Lekshmi is luminous. The final 20 minutes are a masterstroke in subverting genre expectations. Verdict: The best romantic thriller of the decade. Not for those seeking fast pacing. 4. Angamaly Diaries Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery Cast: A cast of 86 debutantes led by Antony Varghese (Pepe)

Here’s a detailed review and retrospective of the best Malayalam movies of 2017—a landmark year often hailed as the beginning of the "new wave" or the Malayalam cinema renaissance. 2017 wasn't just a good year for Malayalam cinema; it was transformative. The industry moved decisively away from formulaic star vehicles toward content-driven, realistic, and genre-bending films. This was the year when "small films" with strong scripts started consistently outperforming big-budget masala movies at the box office. Directors like Lijo Jose Pellissery, Mahesh Narayan, and Dileesh Pothan became household names, and actors like Fahadh Faasil, Tovino Thomas, and Nivin Pauly redefined stardom through risky, unconventional choices. 2017 best malayalam movies

A retired cop (Mohanlal) comes back to catch a serial killer targeting corrupt individuals. A noir-infused romance that feels like a warm,

A politically charged love story set against the backdrop of the violent right-left clashes in North Kerala during the 2010s. The final 20 minutes are a masterstroke in

Based on the real-life 2014 evacuation of Indian nurses from war-torn Tikrit, Iraq, by the Indian government and a rogue journalist.

A masterclass in minimalist storytelling. The film has no songs, no fight scenes, and no villain in the traditional sense—yet it’s gripping. Fahadh Faasil as the stoic, unpredictable thief Prasad is a revelation, but Suraj Venjaramoodu (as the sub-inspector) delivers a career-best performance, oscillating between comic exasperation and quiet authority. The script by Sajeev Pazhoor is razor-sharp, using a single incident to critique the absurdities of the legal system and human ego. Verdict: A near-perfect satire-drama. Essential viewing. 2. Take Off Director: Mahesh Narayan Cast: Parvathy Thiruvothu, Kunchacko Boban, Fahadh Faasil, Asif Ali