The years 2024 and 2025 have been monumental for Malayalam cinema, marking a period of unprecedented growth, bold experimentation, and global recognition. Mollywood not only solidified its place in the Indian film industry but also captivated international audiences, drawing them into theaters with compelling storytelling and high production values. As we step into a new year with soaring expectations, a look back reveals a historic box office run—led by iconic stars and groundbreaking films—that has redefined success for the industry.
The standout achievement of the year was the industry’s first-ever entry into the 300-crore worldwide club, led by the monumental success of Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. This film also made history as the first in South India headlined by a leading lady to cross the 100-crore mark. Superstar Mohanlal dominated the charts with three films in the top L2: Empuraan (₹266.3 crore), Thudarum (₹233.5 crore), and Hridayapoorvam (₹75.6 crore). Both Empuraan and Thudarum soared past the 200-crore milestone, proving yet again the unparalleled box office power of the complete actor.
Nivin Pauly made a powerful career comeback with the horror-comedy Sarvam Maya, which earned an impressive ₹131 crore and marked his first-ever 100-crore club entry. Meanwhile, megastar Mammootty delivered a critically acclaimed performance in the anti-hero drama Kalamkaval, securing the fifth position with ₹84 crore. The list of top performers also included Pranav’s horror hit Diés Iraé (₹82 crore) and the sports drama Alappuzha Gymkhana (₹69 crore), showcasing the diverse genres that resonated with audiences.
Rounding out the year’s highest-grossing list were several films that balanced critical praise with strong box office returns. From ninth to twelfth place were Rekhachithram (₹57.3 crore), Officer on Duty (₹54.25 crore), Eko (₹47 crore), and Bhabhaba (₹45 crore). This impressive lineup—featuring stars like Pranav Mohanlal, Aasif Ali, Kunchacko Boban and Kalyani Priyadarshan—highlights Mollywood’s ability to produce quality cinema that also achieves commercial viability, setting a thrilling precedent for the future of Malayalam film.