[December 29, 2025] — As we prepare to ring in 2026, cinema lovers are searching for the ultimate holiday watchlist, and nothing beats the grit and mystery of Mollywood.
This year has been a landmark era for the industry, with Malayalam thriller movies 2025 breaking global box office records and pushing the boundaries of storytelling.
From mind-bending psychological puzzles to dark investigative dramas, we have curated the best Malayalam suspense thrillers to keep you on the edge of your seat.
This is Part 1 of our definitive guide to the 50 greatest hits, starting with the Top 10 essentials you cannot miss this New Year.
1. ‘Drishyam’
Cast: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil
Synopsis: A common man goes to extraordinary lengths to protect his family after they commit an accidental crime, creating an airtight alibi that challenges the entire police force using his knowledge of cinema.
OTT Platform: Disney+ Hotstar / Prime Video
2. ‘Memories’
Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Meghana Raj, Vijayaraghavan
Synopsis: An alcoholic police officer is forced to come out of his depression to track down a sophisticated serial killer who leaves behind cryptic religious clues at every crime scene.
OTT Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
3. ‘Mumbai Police’
Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Jayasurya, Rahman
Synopsis: An ACP loses his memory in an accident just as he solves a high-profile murder. He must re-trace his own steps to find the killer, only to discover a shocking truth about his own identity.
OTT Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
4. ‘Anjaam Pathiraa’
Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Sharaf U Dheen, Unnimaya Prasad
Synopsis: A consulting criminologist joins the police to catch a serial killer who is targeting police officers in Kochi in a gruesome and calculated manner.
OTT Platform: Sun NXT / Zee5
5. ‘Forensic’
Cast: Tovino Thomas, Mamta Mohandas, Saiju Kurup
Synopsis: A forensic officer uses his technical skills to hunt down a serial killer who is targeting young girls, leading to a race against time and a massive twist ending that shocked audiences.
OTT Platform: Netflix
6. ‘Iratta’
Cast: Joju George, Anjali, Srinda
Synopsis: Following the sudden death of a policeman inside a station, his estranged twin brother—also a cop—begins an investigation that unearths a dark and haunting family history.
OTT Platform: Netflix
7. ‘Kishkindha Kaandam’
Cast: Asif Ali, Vijayaraghavan, Aparna Balamurali
Synopsis: Set in a monkey-inhabited reserve forest, a newlywed couple becomes entangled in a mystery involving a missing person and a hidden past within their own family home.
OTT Platform: JioHotstar
8. ‘Thalavan’
Cast: Biju Menon, Asif Ali, Miya George
Synopsis: An ego clash between two police officers of different ranks escalates into a complex murder investigation where every character’s integrity is put to the test.
OTT Platform: SonyLIV
9. ‘7th Day’
Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Anu Emmanuel, Tovino Thomas
Synopsis: An IPS officer on suspension meets a group of friends on Christmas night who are involved in a mysterious crime, leading him into a complex web of deceit and double-crosses.
OTT Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
10. ‘Nayattu’
Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Joju George, Nimisha Sajayan
Synopsis: Three police officers find themselves on the run after being framed for a crime by corrupt politicians, leading to a tense survival thriller that critiques the system.
OTT Platform: Netflix
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The Verdict for 2026
The magic of Malayalam suspense thrillers lies in their grounded storytelling and incredible performances. As we move into 2026, the trend is shifting toward “Techno-Thrillers” and “Eco-Suspense,” but the classics listed above remain the foundation of the genre.
If you haven’t seen these yet, your New Year’s weekend plans are officially sorted. Grab your popcorn and prepare for some of the best storytelling India has to offer.
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