2017 Best - Malayalam Movies

A deeply underrated gem. Eeda is the antithesis of glamorous romance. It shows how political extremism infiltrates personal relationships—two lovers from rival ideologies meet in secret, aware that their families would kill them. Shane Nigam and Nimisha Sajayan are painfully real. The film’s pacing is deliberate, almost uncomfortable, mirroring the suffocation of its characters. Verdict: For serious cinephiles. Unflinching and important. 6. Ramaleela (Ram’s Play) Director: Arun Gopy Cast: Dileep (controversial figure, but performance-wise), Radhika Sarathkumar

A raw, chaotic, and hyperlocal look at a gang of pork-selling, party-loving youth in Angamaly, a small town in Kerala, and their turf wars over a meat shop. 2017 best malayalam movies

A psychological drama about a man whose mental instability and drug addiction alienate his family, leading him to seek redemption through extreme means. A deeply underrated gem

The only "star vehicle" on this list that worked. Villain is not a great film, but it’s a well-made commercial thriller. Mohanlal’s restrained performance as a grieving, morally gray cop elevates the material. The twist about the killer’s identity is genuinely clever. However, the film suffers from a bloated second half and underutilized supporting cast. Verdict: A solid one-time watch for Mohanlal fans. 10. Parava (The Pigeon) Director: Soubin Shahir Cast: Amal Shah, Shane Nigam, Dulquer Salmaan (extended cameo) Shane Nigam and Nimisha Sajayan are painfully real

A nostalgic coming-of-age story set in Mattancherry, focusing on two young brothers who raise fighting pigeons and get caught in local gang feuds.

A wanted fugitive and a struggling actress, former lovers, cross paths again in the backwaters of Kerala. Their past and a looming crime threaten their second chance.

But as a whole, 2017 remains the gold standard for Indian regional cinema.