Netflix has quietly become home to some of the most exciting Malayalam films of the last few years. From India’s first big Malayalam superhero film to gritty cop thrillers and award-winning survival dramas, the best Malayalam movies on Netflix cover almost every genre. And since all of them come with English subtitles — and many with dubbed audio — they are perfect for viewers who are new to Malayalam cinema.
Below are 15 Malayalam films that premiered on Netflix in India, with a quick note on why each is worth your time.
Note: OTT catalogues change over time and can vary by country. The films below premiered on Netflix in India; check the app for current availability in your region.
Key Takeaways
- Minnal Murali and Aadujeevitham are the biggest Malayalam titles on Netflix.
- Netflix has a strong collection of Malayalam crime thrillers, including Nayattu, Iratta and Officer on Duty.
- Almost all titles offer English subtitles and several have Hindi, Tamil and Telugu dubs.
Table of Contents
15 Best Malayalam Movies on Netflix
1. Minnal Murali (2021)
Basil Joseph’s superhero film stars Tovino Thomas as a village tailor who gets superpowers after being struck by lightning. Released directly on Netflix on Christmas Eve 2021, it became one of the most-watched Indian films on the platform and proved a superhero story could feel completely local.
2. Aadujeevitham – The Goat Life (2024)
Blessy’s survival epic with Prithviraj arrived on Netflix in July 2024. It is harrowing but unforgettable. Read our Aadujeevitham review.
3. Nayattu (2021)
Three police officers become fugitives in Martin Prakkat’s political thriller. Kunchacko Boban, Joju George and Nimisha Sajayan deliver tense, grounded performances.
4. Officer on Duty (2025)
Kunchacko Boban plays an intense police inspector in Jithu Ashraf’s dark, fast-paced thriller written by Shahi Kabir. One of the most-watched Malayalam films on Netflix in 2025.
5. Thallumaala (2022)
Khalid Rahman’s stylish, non-linear action comedy is built around fights — literally “a garland of fights”. Tovino Thomas and Kalyani Priyadarshan lead, and the music by Vishnu Vijay is a blast.
6. RDX: Robert Dony Xavier (2023)
Shane Nigam, Antony Varghese and Neeraj Madhav play three martial-arts-trained friends in Nahas Hidhayath’s Onam blockbuster, packed with well-choreographed action.
7. Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam (2023)
Lijo Jose Pellissery’s dreamlike drama gives Mammootty one of his finest late-career roles as a man who suddenly believes he belongs to a Tamil village.
8. Iratta (2023)
Joju George plays twin brothers in Rohit M.G. Krishnan’s investigative drama. The ending is a gut-punch you won’t forget.
9. Kurup (2021)
Dulquer Salmaan plays the notorious fugitive Sukumara Kurup in Srinath Rajendran’s stylish crime drama based on real events.
10. Kaapa (2022)
Shaji Kailas directs Prithviraj in a Thiruvananthapuram gangland drama based on G.R. Indugopan’s story. Aparna Balamurali and Asif Ali co-star.
11. Jana Gana Mana (2022)
Dijo Jose Antony’s political courtroom thriller stars Prithviraj and Suraj Venjaramoodu. It starts as an investigation into a professor’s death and becomes a sharp commentary on media, politics and justice, with a second half full of surprises.
12. Kumari (2022)
Aishwarya Lekshmi leads this folk-horror fantasy about a bride married into a cursed family. Great for a spooky evening — see more Malayalam horror movies.
13. Anweshippin Kandethum (2024)
Tovino Thomas plays a sub-inspector handling two very different murder investigations in Darwin Kuriakose’s patient, old-school police procedural. Thriller fans will love its attention to detail.
14. Lucky Baskhar (2024) – Telugu with Malayalam audio
Dulquer Salmaan’s Telugu hit about a bank cashier who gets drawn into financial fraud is also available with Malayalam audio and is a favourite among Malayali viewers.
15. Rifle Club (2024)
Aashiq Abu’s stylish action film is set in an old hill-station rifle club that comes under siege. Dileesh Pothan, Vani Viswanath and Vijayaraghavan lead an eccentric ensemble, and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap makes his Malayalam acting debut as a menacing villain.
Quick Genre Guide
| Genre | Best Malayalam movies on Netflix |
|---|---|
| Superhero / fantasy | Minnal Murali, Kumari |
| Crime thriller | Nayattu, Officer on Duty, Iratta, Kurup, Anweshippin Kandethum, Jana Gana Mana |
| Action | RDX, Thallumaala, Kaapa, Rifle Club |
| Drama | Aadujeevitham, Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, Lucky Baskhar |
Tips for Finding Malayalam Films on Netflix
- Search “Malayalam” in the Netflix app to open the dedicated Malayalam movies row.
- Change audio and subtitles from the playback menu — many films have Hindi, Tamil and Telugu dubs.
- Check “New & Hot” on Fridays, when most new Malayalam OTT releases appear.
- Use a profile in Malayalam or add titles to “My List” so Netflix recommends similar films.
Want to compare platforms? Read our guides to the best Malayalam movies on Prime Video and JioHotstar, or our full guide on where to watch Malayalam movies online.
Why Netflix Matters for Malayalam Cinema
Netflix’s investment in titles like Minnal Murali showed that Malayalam stories could travel worldwide. Viewers in North India, the US and Europe who discovered Mollywood on Netflix are now part of the reason big Malayalam films open in more countries than ever. It has also given mid-budget thrillers like Iratta and Officer on Duty a second life after their theatrical run.
How we picked these films
We chose titles that combine strong reviews, audience popularity and rewatch value, and we tried to cover every major genre. We left out films that are better experienced on other platforms or whose Netflix availability is limited to certain regions. If a favourite of yours is missing, it may be streaming elsewhere — Malayalam OTT rights are spread across several services, so a quick search on each app is always worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best Malayalam movie on Netflix?
Minnal Murali and Aadujeevitham are the most popular, while Nayattu is a favourite among thriller fans.
Do Malayalam movies on Netflix have English subtitles?
Yes, all Malayalam films on Netflix offer English subtitles.
Is Manjummel Boys on Netflix?
No. Manjummel Boys streams on JioHotstar (formerly Disney+ Hotstar).
Conclusion
The best Malayalam movies on Netflix offer a great snapshot of modern Mollywood — inventive, grounded and full of strong performances. Start with Minnal Murali for fun or Nayattu for tension, and work your way down the list. Visit Netflix India to start streaming.
