In 2024, Malayalam cinema marked its resurgence with a string of massive hits. From exciting thrillers to heartwarming rom-coms, the year saw numerous impactful performances and huge box office collections, making this a year to remember. (Compiled by Aaliyah Farzeen Ashraf)
Directed by Chidambaram and produced by Soubin Shahir, Babu Shahir, and Shawn Antony under Parava Films, 'Manjummel Boys' ruled the 2024 box office, earning Rs 241.10 crore. This survival thriller, based on a real 2006 incident, had a star-studded cast including Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi, and others, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.
Blessy’s 'Aadujeevitham', 16 years in the making, is a cinematic adaptation of Benyamin’s celebrated novel. The survival drama follows the harrowing journey of a Malayali man trapped in a Saudi desert as an unpaid goat herder. With Prithviraj Sukumaran, Amala Paul, K.R. Gokul, Jimmy Jean-Louis, and Talib Al Balushi in lead roles, the movie struck a chord with audiences and grossed Rs 158.48 crore at the box office.
Jithu Madhavan returned after his 2023 blockbuster, 'Romancham', with 'Aavesham', an out-and-out entertainer that kept audiences hooked. Produced by Fahadh Faasil and Friends, Nazriya Nazim, and Anwar Rasheed Entertainments, the movie featured Fahadh Faasil, Sajin Gopu, and newcomers Hipzster, Mithun Jai Shankar, and Roshan Shanavas in lead roles. It was a box office success, raking in ₹156 crore.
'Premalu' is the third collaboration between director Girish A.D. and lead actor Naslen K. Gafoor, out of four, and it’s a delightful rom-com set in Hyderabad. With Naslen, Mamitha Baiju, Sangeeth Prathap, Shyam Mohan, and Akhila Bhargavan in lead roles, the film was produced by Bhavana Studios, Fahadh Faasil and Friends, and Working Class Hero. It earned ₹135.90 crore at the box office, offering both laughs and heart.
'Ajayante Randaam Moshanam' (ARM), directed by Jithin Lal in his debut, is a period drama set in Northern Kerala. The film stars Tovino Thomas in triple roles, portraying heroes from three generations fighting to protect their land’s most valuable treasure. Produced by Magic Frames and UGM Entertainment, it also has Surabhi Lakshmi, Krithi Shetty, Aishwarya Rajesh, and Basil Joseph. With a collection of ₹106.78 crore, the film became a hit with audiences.
Directed by Vipin Das and written by Deepu Pradeep, 'Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil' was a comedy commotion that left audiences in splits. Jointly produced by Prithviraj Productions and E4 Entertainment, the film, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Nikhila Vimal, Basil Joseph, and Anaswara Rajan in lead roles, collected ₹90.20 crore, becoming a box-office hit.
Vineeth Sreenivasan’s 'Varshangalkku Shesham' took viewers on a nostalgic journey into the world of 1970s and 1980s South Indian cinema. Produced by Visakh Subramaniam, the film starred Dhyan Sreenivasan and Pranav Mohanlal as two young dreamers—one aspiring to make movies and the other to compose music. With a collection of ₹83.03 crore, it resonated deeply with audiences and became a success.
Dinjith Ayyathan’s 'Kishkindha Kaandam', after 'Kakshi: Amminipilla', was his reunion with Asif Ali for another hit. This mystery movie, written by Bahul Ramesh, gathered positive reviews from all around at the time of its release. It also featured a stellar cast, including Vijayaraghavan, Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali, and Jagadish, and brought in ₹77.06 crore at the box office.
'Turbo', directed by Vysakh, known for the blockbuster Pulimurugan, and written by Midhun Manuel Thomas, is an action-comedy produced by Mammootty under the banner of Mammootty Kampany. Starring Mammootty, Raj B. Shetty, Anjana Jayaprakash, Shabareesh Varma, Sunil, Bindu Panicker, and others, the film earned an impressive ₹72.20 crore at the box office.
'Bramayugam', roughly meaning The Age of Madness, is a period folk horror thriller that delves into Kerala’s sacred mysteries, myths, and folklore. Written and directed by Rahul Sadasivan, the film starred Mammootty, Sidharth Bharathan, Arjun Ashokan, and Amalda Liz in lead roles. Jointly produced by YNOT Studios and Night Shift Studios, it gave audiences chills and earned ₹58.70 crore at the box office.