Top 10 Malayalam Grossers of 2025: Lokah Dominated Domestic and Worldwide Chart; Empuraan Emerges Overseas Winner
It's a wrap on 2025, and the Mollywood box office has set new benchmarks with a HUGE cumulative total from its top contenders. The ten highest-grossing original Malayalam films of the year alone have raked in over ₹ 1400 crores worldwide, signaling a massively successful run for the industry. While Lokah: Chapter 1 - Chandra emerged as the historic domestic champion with a ₹ 122.8 Cr Net, the year was defined by the global dominance of L2: Empuraan and a string of high-ROI thrillers. From rooted superhero epics to intense sports dramas, the audience has given a clear verdict. Here's a deep dive into the top 10 Malayalam films that made the biggest impact at the box office in 2025.
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Lokah: Chapter 1 - Chandra
DirectorDominic Arun
Lead CastKalyani Priyadarshan, Naslen K. Gafoor, Sandy Master
Malayalam Net₹ 122.8 Cr
Worldwide Gross₹ 303.86 Cr
VerdictAll Time Blockbuster
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A ground-breaking entry in the Malayalam superhero genre, Lokah tells the story of an ordinary youth discovering extraordinary lunar-based powers, set against a culturally rooted backdrop of Kerala's myths.
Lokah has rewritten the record books for Mollywood in 2025. With a historic malayalam Net of ₹122.8 Cr and a massive overseas pull of ₹ 119.9 Cr, it proved that Malayalam content can compete on a global scale. Its All Time Blockbuster status is a testament to how a rooted concept, paired with high-quality VFX, can resonate with the masses.
Thudarum
DirectorTharun Moorthy
Lead CastMohanlal, Shobana
Malayalam Net₹ 118.6 Cr
Worldwide Gross₹ 235.38 Cr
VerdictBlockbuster
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A gripping emotional thriller that explores the psychological aftermath of a family tragedy and the persistence of memory, leading to a shocking investigative climax.
Thudarum emerged as the year's most consistent Blockbuster. Its primary strength lay in the domestic market, where it earned ₹118.6 Cr in Malayalam Net, becoming a staple for family audiences. The film's long-term holding capacity on weekdays was the engine of its success, making it one of the most profitable Malayalam ventures of 2025.
L2: Empuraan
DirectorPrithviraj Sukumaran
Lead CastMohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas
Malayalam Net₹ 97.34 Cr
Worldwide Gross₹ 266.81 Cr
VerdictSuperHit
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The highly anticipated sequel to Lucifer, Empuraan delves into the global empire of Khureshi-Ab'raam and the dark political maneuverings that follow his return to power.
L2: Empuraan proved its massive international appeal by raking in ₹142.25 Cr from overseas—the highest for any Malayalam film this year. While its domestic net stood at ₹97.34 Cr, its global dominance cemented Mohanlal's unparalleled pull. Despite the heavy production costs, it secured a SuperHit verdict through its immense volume.
Dies Irae
DirectorRahul Sadasivan
Lead CastPranav Mohanlal,Sushmitha Bhat
Malayalam Net₹ 40.93Cr
Worldwide Gross₹ 82.18 Cr
VerdictBlockbuster
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Rohan's affluent lifestyle spirals out of control as he is convinced a supernatural entity is in his home. His search for the mystery draws him into unexpected worlds and alliances and the horrors that lie ahead.
Dies Irae became the ultimate sleeper hit of mid-2025. Backed by a strong budget of ₹24 Cr, its India Net of ₹40.93 Cr indicates exceptional ROI. Critics praised Pranav Mohanlal's performance and the film's gritty aesthetic, which helped it cross the ₹80 Cr mark globally despite its niche genre.
Hridayapoorvam
DirectorSathyan Anthikad
Lead CastMohanlal, Siddique, Malavika Mohanan
Malayalam Net₹ 40.14 Cr
Worldwide Gross₹ 76.26 Cr
VerdictSuperHit
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A heartfelt family drama that explores unconditional love and sacrifice, centering on a father's journey to fulfill his daughter's final wish.
Hridayapoorvam proved that rooted emotional content still has a massive market in Kerala. Its India Net of ₹40.14 Cr ensured a safe return for its producers, while the SuperHit verdict reflects its broad appeal among family audiences who traditionally shy away from high-intensity action templates.
Alappuzha Gymkhana
DirectorKhalid Rahman
Lead CastNaslen K. Gafoor, Lukman Avari
Malayalam Net₹ 40.09 Cr
Worldwide Gross₹ 70.6 Cr
VerdictSuperHit
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A visceral sports drama set in the backwaters of Alappuzha, following the rise of a local boxing prodigy as he battles socio-economic hurdles and inner demons.
The film's raw energy and authentic portrayal of local sports culture made it a massive success among the youth. With Khalid Rahman's direction ensuring steady buzz, the film grossed over ₹70 Cr worldwide, proving that sports narratives executed with realism can dominate the box office.
Kalamkaval
DirectorJithin K. Jose
Lead CastMammootty, Vinayakan
Malayalam Net₹ 34.88 Cr(Theatrical Run Active)
Worldwide Gross₹ 79.25 Cr(Theatrical Run Active)
VerdictSuccess
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A high-voltage investigative thriller centered on a ritualistic murder and a race against time by a disgraced officer to find the truth behind a hidden conspiracy.
Kalamkaval enjoyed a strong run in its initial weeks, powered by Mammootty's exceptional screen presence and Jithin K. Jose's signature stylistic action. While it faced stiff competition, its Worldwide Gross marks it as a clear theatrical success for Mammootty Kampany.
Officer on Duty
DirectorJithu Ashraf
Lead CastKunchacko Boban, Manoj KU, Jagadish
Malayalam Net₹ 30.87 Cr
Worldwide Gross₹ 54.01 Cr
VerdictSuperHit
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A fast-paced police procedural following an idealistic young officer as he navigates systemic corruption to solve a high-profile narcotics case.
Despite a lower budget compared to other major releases, Officer on Duty managed a worldwide gross of ₹54 Cr. Its SuperHit verdict is attributed to its high ROI and the strong performances of the lead ensemble, making it one of the most profitable police dramas of 2025.
Rekhachithram
DirectorJofin T. Chacko
Lead CastAsif Ali,Anaswara Rajan
Malayalam Net₹ 26.6 Cr
Worldwide Gross₹ 56.75 Cr
VerdictSuper Hit
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Suspended cop Vivek Gopinath rejoins after gambling scandal. Tasked with solving 40-year-old murder case with faceless victim, he seeks redemption by cracking the long-unsolved mystery.
Rekhachithram stands as one of the most profitable Malayalam films of 2025 in terms of Return on Investment (ROI). Directed by Jeethu Joseph, the film proved to be a box office powerhouse, collecting over six times its modest ₹9 Cr budget. With a steady India Net of ₹26.6 Cr and a worldwide gross of ₹56.75 Cr, it comfortably sailed past initial expectations, marking another significant commercial victory for Asif Ali and the director’s impeccable track record of delivering high-quality, profitable thrillers.
Eko
DirectorDinjith Ayyathan
Lead CastSandeep Pradeep, Vineeth, Narain
Malayalam Net₹ 24.10 Cr
Worldwide Gross₹ 46.47 Cr
VerdictSuper Hit
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A major success story for Mollywood in 2025. Made on a modest budget, its worldwide gross represents a massive return on investment. Directed by Dinjith Ayyathan (Kishkindha Kaandam fame), the film won over audiences through its atmosphere and character-driven narrative, securing a Super Hit verdict.
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