Malayalam cinema has stepped into a powerful phase, delivering films that work in Kerala, across India, and in overseas markets. Strong storytelling, technically rich filmmaking, and the rise of pan-Indian distribution have pushed box-office numbers to levels never seen before. In recent years, several Malayalam movies have crossed the ₹100 crore mark, with a few even touching ₹200 crore and above. Below is a detailed look at the top 10 highest-grossing Malayalam films based on recent box-office data, including the record-breaking releases of 2025. This list helps film lovers, industry watchers, and Malayalam movie fans understand how quickly the industry is growing.
Top 10 Highest-Grossing Malayalam Films
The table below lists the films in descending order of their worldwide gross collection.
| Rank | Film Title | Worldwide Gross | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra | ₹300 crore | 2025 |
| 2 | L2: Empuraan | ₹265–₹268.08 crore | 2025 |
| 3 | Manjummel Boys | ₹242.30 crore | 2024 |
| 4 | Thudarum | ₹234–₹235 crore | 2025 |
| 5 | 2018 | ₹177 crore | 2023 |
| 6 | The Goat Life | ₹158.50 crore | 2024 |
| 7 | Aavesham | ₹156 crore | 2024 |
| 8 | Pulimurugan | ₹139–₹145 crore | 2016 |
| 9 | Premalu | ₹136.25 crore | 2024 |
| 10 | Lucifer | ₹129 crore | 2019 |
1. Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (₹300 crore, 2025)
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra sits at the top with an estimated ₹300 crore worldwide. A 2025 release, it marks a new high for Malayalam cinema, showing the audience demand for large-scale storytelling and franchise-style filmmaking.
2. L2: Empuraan (₹265–₹268.08 crore, 2025)
The much-awaited sequel L2: Empuraan continued the momentum, collecting between ₹265 crore and ₹268.08 crore. Its mix of action, star power, and continuity from the first film made it a massive 2025 hit.
3. Manjummel Boys (₹242.30 crore, 2024)
Manjummel Boys proved that content-driven survival drama can also become a blockbuster. With ₹242.30 crore, it became one of the biggest success stories of 2024.
4. Thudarum (₹234–₹235 crore, 2025)
Thudarum added to 2025’s dream run for Mollywood. Earning around ₹234–₹235 crore, it showed strong repeat audience value and wide family appeal.
5. 2018 (₹177 crore, 2023)
Based on the Kerala floods, 2018 earned ₹177 crore, becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2023 and proving real-life stories can bring huge crowds.
6. The Goat Life (₹158.50 crore, 2024)
The Goat Life (2024) collected ₹158.50 crore thanks to its emotional narrative and strong overseas pull.
7. Aavesham (₹156 crore, 2024)
Aavesham mixed entertainment and style, pulling in ₹156 crore, making it one of 2024’s most talked-about Malayalam films.
8. Pulimurugan (₹139–₹145 crore, 2016)
Pulimurugan remains a landmark. With ₹139–₹145 crore, it was the first Malayalam movie to show that crossing ₹100 crore was possible.
9. Premalu (₹136.25 crore, 2024)
The romantic entertainer Premalu surprised trade circles by earning ₹136.25 crore, riding on youth audience and word of mouth.
10. Lucifer (₹129 crore, 2019)
Lucifer is at the 10th on the list with ₹129 crore. Even in 2019, it signaled that Malayalam cinema was ready for bigger canvases and national reach.
Malayalam cinema is no longer operating in a small box-office circle. With films like Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, L2: Empuraan, Manjummel Boys, and Thudarum touching and crossing the ₹200 crore mark, it’s clear that the industry has entered a new commercial phase. What started years ago with Pulimurugan and Lucifer has now matured into a consistent winning pattern — strong scripts, rooted stories, and technically solid filmmaking that can travel beyond Kerala. Another key factor is audience trust: viewers now walk into theatres for Malayalam films without second thoughts, even in the Gulf and overseas markets.
