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Best Malayalam Movies on JioHotstar: 15 Blockbusters From Manjummel Boys to Lokah

Best Malayalam movies on JioHotstar featured image
Photo: Intel Free Press / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (modified)

If you want to watch the biggest Malayalam blockbusters of recent years, one app stands out. The best Malayalam movies on JioHotstar — the platform formed when Disney+ Hotstar merged with JioCinema in 2025 — include record-breakers like Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, L2: Empuraan, Manjummel Boys and Thudarum, along with crowd-favourite comedies and clever thrillers.

Here are 15 Malayalam films to stream on JioHotstar, grouped by genre so you can pick quickly.

Catalogues may vary by region and change over time. The titles below premiered on Disney+ Hotstar or JioHotstar in India.

Key Takeaways

  • JioHotstar is home to several of the highest grossing Malayalam movies, including Lokah, L2: Empuraan, Manjummel Boys and Thudarum.
  • It also has popular comedies like Premalu, Romancham and Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey.
  • JioHotstar has acquired the post-theatrical streaming rights for Bethlehem Kudumba Unit.

Blockbusters on JioHotstar

1. Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (2025)

Kalyani Priyadarshan leads Malayalam cinema’s first big superhero universe, produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films. It streamed on JioHotstar from 31 October 2025 in multiple languages.

2. L2: Empuraan (2025)

Prithviraj directs Mohanlal in the sequel to Lucifer, with globe-trotting action and political intrigue. It arrived on JioHotstar in April 2025. Read our L2: Empuraan trailer breakdown.

3. Manjummel Boys (2024)

The true-story survival thriller that became the first Malayalam film to cross ₹200 crore. See our Manjummel Boys review.

4. Thudarum (2025)

Mohanlal plays a taxi driver whose beloved car lands him in deep trouble in Tharun Moorthy’s family thriller, reuniting him with Shobana. It began streaming in May 2025.

5. ARM (2024)

Tovino Thomas plays three roles across three generations in Jithin Laal’s fantasy adventure, his first solo ₹100-crore hit.

6. Bheeshma Parvam (2022)

Amal Neerad’s stylish family-gangster drama gave Mammootty one of his coolest roles as Michael. Sushin Shyam’s score is iconic.

Thrillers

7. Kishkindha Kaandam (2024)

A layered mystery with Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali and Vijayaraghavan. See our Kishkindha Kaandam OTT guide.

8. Sookshmadarshini (2024)

Nazriya Nazim and Basil Joseph in a neighbourhood whodunit that slowly turns sinister.

9. Kannur Squad (2023)

Mammootty leads a police team chasing criminals across India in a grounded procedural.

10. Ponman (2025)

Basil Joseph plays a gold agent trying to recover gold given for a wedding in Jothish Shankar’s gritty drama based on G.R. Indugopan’s novel.

Streaming the best Malayalam movies on JioHotstar on a phone
Photo: Shixart1985 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (modified)

Comedies and Feel-Good Films

11. Premalu (2024)

Naslen and Mamitha Baiju in the breezy Hyderabad romcom. Read our Premalu review.

12. Romancham (2023)

A horror-comedy about bachelors and an Ouija board, directed by Jithu Madhavan.

13. Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022)

Darshana Rajendran fights back — literally — in Vipin Das’ satirical comedy about marriage.

14. Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil (2024)

Prithviraj and Basil Joseph in a wedding comedy full of misunderstandings.

15. Nna Thaan Case Kodu (2022)

Kunchacko Boban sues a minister in Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval’s hilarious courtroom satire.

JioHotstar Malayalam Movies at a Glance

Film Year Genre Star
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra 2025 Superhero Kalyani Priyadarshan
L2: Empuraan 2025 Action thriller Mohanlal
Manjummel Boys 2024 Survival Soubin Shahir
Thudarum 2025 Family thriller Mohanlal
Kishkindha Kaandam 2024 Mystery Asif Ali
Premalu 2024 Romcom Naslen
Bheeshma Parvam 2022 Gangster drama Mammootty

A Weekend Watch Plan

Not sure where to start? Here is a simple plan that covers the best Malayalam movies on JioHotstar across moods:

  • Friday night: start light with Premalu or Romancham — easy, funny and perfect after a long week.
  • Saturday afternoon: settle in for Kishkindha Kaandam or Sookshmadarshini. Both reward full attention, so keep your phone away.
  • Saturday night: go big with Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra or L2: Empuraan on the largest screen you have.
  • Sunday: watch Manjummel Boys with the family, then finish with Thudarum for a Mohanlal double bill if you still have energy.

Why JioHotstar has so many Malayalam blockbusters

Over the past few years, Disney+ Hotstar — and now JioHotstar — has consistently acquired the post-theatrical rights of major Malayalam releases, often while those films were still running in theatres. This has given the platform an unusually strong lineup of recent hits, from survival dramas to superhero films. For viewers who want the films everyone in Kerala is talking about, it is often the first place to check.

Coming Soon to JioHotstar

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, the Nivin Pauly–Mamitha Baiju romantic comedy that became the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever in September 2026, will stream on JioHotstar after its theatrical run, according to reports. An official streaming date had not been announced at the time of writing. Read our Bethlehem Kudumba Unit box office story.

Tips for Watching Malayalam Movies on JioHotstar

  • Use the “Malayalam” language filter on the home screen to see all titles.
  • Many big releases offer Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada audio, plus English subtitles.
  • Check your plan: some premium titles and resolutions depend on the subscription tier.
  • Watch on a TV with good sound for films like Lokah and Manjummel Boys.

Want more options? Compare with our guides to the best Malayalam movies on Netflix and Prime Video.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Disney+ Hotstar the same as JioHotstar?

Yes. Disney+ Hotstar merged with JioCinema in 2025 to form JioHotstar, and its Malayalam library moved to the new app.

Is Lokah on JioHotstar?

Yes, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has streamed on JioHotstar since 31 October 2025.

Which are the best Malayalam movies on JioHotstar for families?

Premalu, Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil and Thudarum are good family picks.

Does JioHotstar have Malayalam movies with English subtitles?

Yes. Nearly all Malayalam films on JioHotstar include English subtitles, and many big releases also offer Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada audio tracks.

When will Bethlehem Kudumba Unit stream on JioHotstar?

JioHotstar holds the post-theatrical rights, but an official streaming date had not been announced at the time of writing. Malayalam films usually arrive on OTT four to eight weeks after release, though big hits often take longer.

Is Thudarum available on JioHotstar?

Yes. Mohanlal’s Thudarum began streaming on JioHotstar in May 2025, after a successful theatrical run.

Conclusion

With blockbusters, thrillers and comedies in one place, the best Malayalam movies on JioHotstar make it one of the strongest apps for Mollywood fans. Start with Manjummel Boys or Lokah and keep going from there. Visit JioHotstar to start streaming.