Check out the best-performing Malayalam films of 2025 so far. From L2: Empuraan to Rekhachithram, here’s how Mollywood fared at the half-year mark.
📊 Mid-Year Box Office Report: Malayalam Cinema 2025
The first half of 2025 has been a roller-coaster ride for the Malayalam film industry. With a mix of high-budget sequels, experimental indies, and heartfelt dramas, Mollywood once again proved why it’s considered the most innovative regional industry in Indian cinema.
While some big releases lived up to the hype, others quietly dominated on the back of strong word-of-mouth. Let’s take a closer look at the top Malayalam films of 2025 so far, based on box office performance, critical reception, and audience buzz.
🔥 1. L2: Empuraan
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Star Cast: Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran
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Director: Prithviraj Sukumaran
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Box Office: ₹180 Cr+ (worldwide)
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Highlight: Explosive sequel with sleek storytelling and rich political undertones.
One of the most awaited sequels in Indian cinema, L2: Empuraan roared into theaters with an intense narrative that seamlessly connects with the events of Lucifer. Mohanlal’s towering screen presence and Prithviraj’s tight direction created cinematic fireworks. The film performed strongly in overseas markets as well.
🌟 2. Thudarum
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Star Cast: Mohanlal, Aparna Balamurali
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Director: Anjali Menon
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Box Office: ₹78 Cr (India)
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Highlight: Emotional family drama with a strong social message.
A surprise hit, Thudarum tugged at heartstrings with its intergenerational storytelling and music by M. Jayachandran. Mohanlal plays a retired bureaucrat navigating strained family ties, earning praise for one of his most nuanced performances in years.
🎨 3. Rekhachithram
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Star Cast: Rima Kallingal, Roshan Mathew
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Director: Sanal Kumar Sasidharan
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Box Office: ₹17 Cr (limited release)
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Highlight: Psychological art-house thriller exploring visual memory and trauma.
Though not a commercial juggernaut, Rekhachithram became a film festival favorite and trended on social media for its unique visual language and use of silence as a storytelling tool. The film will soon stream on a leading OTT platform.
🏆 4. Alappuzha Gymkhana
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Star Cast: Asif Ali, Aju Varghese
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Director: Khalid Rahman
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Box Office: ₹53 Cr
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Highlight: Youthful sports drama with nostalgic 90s vibes.
Set in a 1990s lakeside town, this movie about a local volleyball team surprised everyone with its emotional beats and crowd-pleasing underdog arc. Asif Ali earned accolades for his role as a failed athlete trying to rebuild community pride.
🤔 What Didn’t Work?
Despite the hits, several big-budget films failed to impress, including sci-fi drama Tharavattom 2050 and the rom-com Puzha Polikkaatha Penkutti, which struggled to connect with Gen Z audiences.
📅 What to Expect Next
The second half of 2025 looks even more promising with upcoming titles like:
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Vrusshabha – Mohanlal’s bilingual magnum opus, releasing this Diwali
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Dies Iraé – Horror-thriller featuring Pranav Mohanlal
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Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies – Arjun Ashokan in a wrestling drama
🧠 Expert Take
According to box office analyst Nikhil Ramesh, “2025 so far has been a year of genre experimentation. Mollywood is not chasing remakes or formulas, and that's its biggest strength.”
| Rank | Movie | Lead Actor(s) | Genre | Box Office (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L2: Empuraan | Mohanlal, Prithviraj | Political Thriller | 180 Cr+ |
| 2 | Thudarum | Mohanlal, Aparna | Family Drama | 78 Cr |
| 3 | Rekhachithram | Rima, Roshan | Art-house Thriller | 17 Cr |
| 4 | Alappuzha Gymkhana | Asif Ali, Aju | Sports Drama | 53 Cr |