The Malayalam film industry, known as Mollywood, has witnessed significant box office successes over the years, with several films setting new financial milestones.
In 1983, Aa Rathri achieved this landmark, becoming the first Malayalam movie to gross ₹1 crore from theatrical collections. Drishyam reached this milestone, becoming the first Malayalam film to cross ₹50 crores boundary. Pulimurugan Starring Mohanlal, this action-packed film became the first Malayalam movie to cross the ₹100 crores mark. Recently, Manjummel Boys, released in 2024, broke the barrier to cross ₹200 crores.
Highest Grossing Movies by Total Collection
1. Manjummel Boys
A gripping survival thriller, Manjummel Boys follows a group of friends trapped in a cave. The film’s realistic portrayal and intense narrative resonated with audiences, making it a sleeper hit. It garnered critical acclaim and performed well at the box office, especially in Kerala, with a collection of over ₹200 crore.
Worldwide Gross: ₹242 crores 1 (US$ 28.6 million)
2. 2018 (film)
The film is a Malayalam-language survival disaster drama inspired by the devastating 2018 Kerala floods. It portrays the real-life struggles and resilience of the people affected by the catastrophe, highlighting their heroic efforts to survive and help one another. With intense performances, gripping storytelling, and stunning visuals, the film offers an emotional and immersive cinematic experience.
Worldwide Gross: ₹174 crores 2 (US$ 20.4 million)
3. Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life
Based on Benyamin’s novel, this survival drama stars Prithviraj Sukumaran as a migrant worker in Saudi Arabia. The film’s emotional depth and stunning visuals earned widespread praise. It was a commercial success, grossing over ₹150 crore worldwide, cementing its place as a landmark in Malayalam cinema.
Worldwide Gross: ₹160 crores 3 (US$ 18.8 million)
4. Aavesham
A crime thriller with a unique narrative style, Aavesham captivated audiences with its gripping storyline and stellar performances. The film was a box office success, earning over ₹150 crore, and received acclaim for its direction and technical brilliance.
Worldwide Gross: ₹155 crores 4 (US$ 18.2 million)
6. Pulimurugan
Starring Mohanlal, this action-packed thriller about a hunter battling a man-eating tiger became a blockbuster. It was the first Malayalam film to cross ₹100 crore at the box office, setting new benchmarks for the industry and gaining nationwide recognition.
Worldwide Gross: ₹137.35 crores 5 (US$ 16.13 million)
6. Premalu
A romantic comedy, Premalu charmed audiences with its light-hearted narrative and relatable characters. The film was a commercial success, and was praised for its fresh take on love and relationships.
Worldwide Gross: ₹136 crores 6 (US$ 16 million)
7. Lucifer
Prithviraj Sukumaran’s directorial debut, Lucifer, is a political thriller starring Mohanlal. The film was a massive success, grossing over ₹200 crore worldwide, and became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films. Its gripping plot and high production values were widely appreciated.
Worldwide Gross: ₹125 crores 7 (US$ 14.7 million)
8. A.R.M (Ajayante Randam Moshanam)
A crime drama, A.R.M featured an ensemble cast and a gripping storyline. The film performed well at the box office, earning over ₹100 crore, and was praised for its suspenseful narrative and strong performances.
Worldwide Gross: ₹106 crores 8 9 (US$ 12.5 million)
9. Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil
A family drama with a blend of humor and emotions, this film struck a chord with audiences. It was a box office success, grossing ₹90 crore, and received positive reviews for its heartwarming story and performances.
Worldwide Gross: ₹90 crores 10 (US$ 10.6 million)
10. Bheeshma Parvam
A family action drama starring Mammootty, Bheeshma Parvam was a critical and commercial success. The film earned over ₹80 crore at the box office and was lauded for its gripping narrative, powerful performances, and nostalgic references to classic cinema.
Worldwide Gross: ₹88.1 crores 11 (US$ 10.3 million)
Most Profitable Movies: Budget vs. Collection
Premalu, a Malayalam film directed by Girish AD, has become a monumental success in 2024. With a modest budget of Rs 3 crore, it grossed Rs 136 crore, yielding a remarkable profit margin of 4500%. This made it the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year, surpassing major releases.
The film’s viral social media promotions, contributed to its widespread popularity. Additionally, the strong chemistry between the lead actors captivated audiences, making it a beloved favorite among Malayalam cinema enthusiasts.
Sources:
- No superstars, ran for 73 days, earned 240 crores! May 4, 2024, 10:38 AM IST ↩︎
- 2018 worldwide closing box office collections; Biggest Malayalam film of all time Jun 16, 2023
↩︎ - Did Aadujeevitham really achieve success?, only that picture is in front May 14, 2024, 1:03 PM IST ↩︎
- Aavesham box office collections: Fahadh Faasil starrer becomes Third Malayalam film to Top 100Cr in India May 13, 2024 ↩︎
- Box Office: ‘2018’ Beats 7-Year-Old Record of Mohanlal’s Pulimurugan, Becomes The Highest-Grossing Malayalam Movie of All Time – Check Detailed Report updated May 23, 2023 2:11 PM IST ↩︎
- How much can Premalu earn before it reaches OTT? Fans are shocked by the global figures
Apr 10, 2024, 10:22 AM IST ↩︎ - Top Grossing Malayalam Films of all time: Tovino Thomas set to top Mohanlal; 2018, Pulimurugan & Lucifer May 16, 2023 06:54 PM IST ↩︎
- ARM On OTT: Know Release Date, Streaming Platform, Plot, Cast, Box Office Collection And More About Tovino Thomas’s Malayalam Movie 02 Nov 2024 02:26 PM ↩︎
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- Guruvayur Temple is a huge hit, collections are also booming abroad Jun 24, 2024, 12:00 PM IST ↩︎
- Next 100 crore? ‘Turbo Jose’ to catch up; Here are 10 Mammootty films that made money Apr 20, 2024 ↩︎
