When Stories Became Blockbusters: The New Era of Malayalam Cinema

Like every other regional film industry, the Malayalam film industry too went through a period of severe crisis. At the beginning of 2025, there were widespread reports speculating that the industry might even shut down due to multiple challenges.

Rising production costs, high taxation, and soaring actor remunerations had created a heavy financial burden. However, the industry managed to overcome these hardships, bouncing back stronger than ever, thanks to a series of major blockbusters that not only revived its fortunes but also earned global recognition for Malayalam cinema.

Alongside industry stalwarts like Mohanlal and Mammootty, a new generation of powerhouse performers, including Prithviraj Sukumaran, Fahadh Faasil, Asif Ali, Dulquer Salmaan, Soubin Shahir, Unni Mukundan, Basil Joseph, Tovino Thomas, Naslen, and others, played a crucial role in steering the revival. A host of talented new actresses also contributed significantly, collectively driving Malayalam cinema into a dynamic new era.

Malayalam cinema has always been a powerhouse of stories, real, raw, and riveting. But the past couple of years? They’ve been nothing short of revolutionary. 2024 saw the industry explode onto the global stage, with 11 massive hits storming into the all-time top 25 list.

Manjummel Boys, a survival thriller by Chidambaram, became an instant phenomenon, raking in ₹242.30 crore worldwide. For over a year, it proudly reigned as the highest-grossing Malayalam film, until Prithviraj Sukumaran’s L2: Empuraan arrived, rewriting box office history with ₹265 crore.

But the true game-changer was Dominic Arun’s Lokah Chapter One: Chandra, India’s first female superhero film, which soared past ₹300 crore, setting a new benchmark for Malayalam cinema.

By mid-2024, the industry had earned around ₹1030 crore globally, an unprecedented high. Although 2025 hasn’t quite matched that level, it still produced four major hits worth ₹900 crore combined. Yet, the year isn’t over.

With two major releases on the horizon, Mohanlal’s fantasy action drama Vrusshabha (directed by Nanda Kishore, releasing on 6 November 2025) and Mammootty-Vinayakan starrer Kalamkaval (directed by Jithin K. Jose, releasing on 27 November 2025), the box office tide could still turn.

Here’s hoping Malayalam cinema continues its streak of blockbuster storytelling and global recognition.