12 Best Malayalam Thriller Movies List You Must Watch in 2026

Malayalam thriller movies are known for their strong storytelling, suspense, and realistic characters. From crime investigations to psychological twists, these films keep viewers hooked till the end. If you love intense and gripping stories, this list of Malayalam thriller movies is perfect for your next watch.

Malayalam Thriller Movies
Sr.No.	Movie Name	Language	Where To Watch	Rating
1	Rekhachithram	SonyLiv, Jio Tv	Hindi	7.8/10
2	Thalavan	SonyLiv	Hindi	7.2/10
3	Sookshmadarshini	Disney + Hotstar	Hindi	7.8/10
4	Anjaam Pathiraa	Amazon Prime Video	Hindi	7.9/10
5	Kooman	Amazon Prime Video	English subtitles	7.3/10
6	Ela Veezha Poonchira	Amazon Prime Video	English subtitles	7.3/10
7	Malik	Amazon Prime Video	English subtitles	8/10
8	Nayattu	Netflix	English subtitles	7.5/10
9	Thudarum	Jio Hotstar	Hindi, English subtitles	7.5/10
10	Joseph	Amazon Prime Video	English subtitles	8/10
11	Nizhal	Amazon Prime Video	English subtitles	6.3/10
12	Paappan	Airtel Xstream Play	English subtitles	6.7/10

1. Rekhachithram

Rating : 7.8/10

Following the gambling controversy, suspended police officer Vivek Gopinath returns. He seeks atonement by resolving the long-unsolved mystery of a 40-year-old murder case involving a faceless victim.

Rajendran reveals to the world that he and his pals buried a little girl in the woods just before he commits suicide. In an attempt to locate this unidentified victim, CI Vivek actually unearths a skeleton on the day he returns to work following his suspension. 

The story of Malayalam Thriller, Rekhachithram takes us back to the 1985 film Kathodu, starring Mammootty, when Rekha, a young, ambitious actress, was last seen. But investigating officer Vivek Gopinath (Asif Ali) understands that without solid proof and a clear motive, the testimony of a dead man next to a skeleton proves nothing.

2. Thalavan

Rating : 7.2/10

The basic narrative of Thalavan is straightforward: the town's circle inspector becomes the main suspect after a woman's murder is discovered at his home. Is the secret that easy, though? Here, the plot deftly veers between a murder investigation and a typical police procedural drama, with a minor bias toward the latter. 

As a result, while the audience is kept in the dark about the motivations of the majority of the characters (much like the protagonists), numerous strands referring to numerous people in the conflict are opened up. The question of whether the arrested police officer was actually the murderer or was being set up is another.

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3. Sookshmadarshini

Rating : 7.8/10

One of the best black comedic mystery dramas to have emerged from Malayalam film is Sookshmadarshini, which roughly translates to "microscope." This is the tale of a woman who has no right to meddle in her neighbor's affairs but has suspicions about the man who lives there.

The essential question of Sookshmadarshini is if she can persuade the other neighbours of the same. Manuel and his mother go back to the middle-class neighbourhood where they used to live. Priyadarshini and her pals start looking for hints since they are suspicious of his intentions and think he might be concealing something evil.

4. Anjaam Pathiraa

Rating : 7.9/10

Will the police be able to apprehend the serial killer and solve the case in time given that the victims are fellow officers? As strange and horrifying as it may sound, a young woman is said to have been brutally murdered as a result of the Kunchacko Boban film Anjaam Pathiraa.

After being rejected by a female, the male ego in the terrifying murder case of Vishu Priya unravelled into a horrible crime that rocked the entire country. 

Investigations into the case showed that the murderer was greatly influenced by the murder shown in Anjaam Pathiraa, and when he went to kill the victim, he even wore the same attire as in the film. 

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5. Kooman

Rating : 7.3/10

The narrative centers on a tough police officer who moves to a hilly region near the boundary between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. A small number of typical events can appear odd at any time. I also enjoyed the second half of the movie, even though it deviates slightly from the main character's situation and how he resolves it.

Giri, who doesn't even offer his mother water when she's coughing nonstop, instead departs to steal from someone who confronts the thief during the day as the movie proceeds.

When Subbayya is grumbling about Karup Durai at the funeral at the start of the Malayalam Thriller Movies,one individual explains that Subbayya's lower demand is because he stopped his Vedic education.

6. Ela Veezha Poonchira

Rating : 7.3/10

Investigates the mystery of a woman's body parts that have been strewn around Elaveezhapoonchira by following two police officers at a small wireless police station on the summit. 

This mountain peak known as Elaveezhapoonchira serves as the setting for the drama. Since it is crucial to wireless communication, police officers are tasked with keeping an eye on things. One such police officer is Madhu, the main character in this movie. When a murder investigation is connected to this outpost, the movie depicts what happens there.

7. Malik

Rating : 8/10

Through the criminal underground, a mobster with political aspirations ascends to power. You're viewing the wrong movie if you came to find redemption. Maalik is not your average drama about a political gangster. The boundaries between politics, power, and personal grudges blur into one long, blood-slicked road in this sombre, slow-burning narrative of ambition that turns into rage. Learn more about the plot and resolution of the film Maalik by clicking this link.

With firearms, grenades, betrayals, and a body count that would make George R. R. Martin blush, the Maalik movie delivers on its promise of high-stakes drama. Maalik is a Malayalam Thriller Movies that is mostly set in the politically heated city of Allahabad, where every ally has a hidden price and every handshake contains a hidden dagger.

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8. Nayattu

Rating : 8/10

Due to the wrongful arrest and torture of a citizen, three police officers are on a life-threatening run from the outbreak against them. It introduces a few facets of haughty yet incredibly human police officers and their powerlessness. 

In the beginning of "Nayattu," we witness police officer Maniyan grudgingly fabricating evidence against someone at the behest of a well-known politician. We can tell that this is not his first time performing this act and that it won't be his last because of how effortlessly he performs it. 

Goons are allowed to choose not to use quotations that they find objectionable. He expresses his powerlessness to rookie police officer Praveen Michael (Kunchakko Boban) by saying, "The police do not have that freedom."

9. Thudarum

Rating : 7.5/10

Shanmughan, a modest cab driver in the sleepy hill village of Ranni, cherishes his old Ambassador automobile above everything else. He must demonstrate how far he will go for his beliefs when fate tests him.

Mohanlal portrays "Benz" Shanmugham in Thudarum, a father seeking justice after his stepson is murdered in a horrifying act of honor-based violence by George Sir, a senior police officer (played by Prakash Varma).

Shobana portrays a mother torn between resiliency and loss. In all languages, Thudarum has already earned Rs 114.80 crore. The Malayalam Thriller Movies  got off to a strong start, earning Rs 51.4 crore in its first week alone and Rs 5.25 crore on its opening day, the majority of which came from the original Malayalam version.

10. Joseph

Rating : 8/10

Four retired police officers' lives are used to tell the story. It sounds like a suspenseful investigation. An investigation is underway into a problem that has an impact on the lives of Joseph, the main character, and his family.

Joseph is a retired police officer who was recognised for his exceptional investigative skills while serving with the Kerala Police.There is an emotional backstory to Joseph's loneliness.Nowadays, Joseph drinks by himself most of the time and occasionally with his few pals.

Every time a complex crime takes place, the police look to Jacobs for assistance.Someone Joseph still loves experiences a bad event one day.Joseph makes the decision to look into it and make a sacrifice. The mystery portion of it is an intriguing experiment in which the silent, obese older former police officer and his other elderly buddies work painstakingly and patiently to solve a crime.

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11. Nizhal

Rating : 6.3/10

After recovering from a horrible accident, John Baby encounters Nitin, a small child who fascinates him with murderous tales. When Baby maps the events to investigate the possibility of Nitin's stories, it aligns with the incidents that occurred in real life.  In Appu Bhattathiri's directorial debut, Nizhal, the plot points are established mostly through suspense and interest. In order to fit in a criminal and a few murders, it's a sort of reverse engineering in plotting. The mask worn by Kunchacko Boban's character in Nizhal has generated intrigue ever since the movie's posters and trailers were made public. And the producers don't take long to explain why.

12. Paappan

Rating : 6.7/10

Abraham Mathew Mathan, also known as Paappan, an ex-cop, confronts Kerala Police in a compelling crime probe. Destiny has an emotional tryst planned for him as he delves further into the matter. The "whodunnit" question is a recurring theme in "Paappan," which follows the standard format of a thriller.

Police appear to be searching for a serial killer in order to unravel the mystery behind a few killings. To solve the case, they turn to Abraham Mathew Mathen, also known as Paapan, a former Circle Inspector of Police. However, Paappan finds himself in a difficult situation when his daughter Vincy Abraham, an IPS officer, approaches him while the investigation is underway.

Malayalam thriller movies offer a perfect mix of suspense, emotion, and realism. Whether you enjoy crime investigations or psychological dramas, this list has something for everyone. 

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