The 2020 lockdown was an existential shock. Theatres were shut for months. In a dramatic pivot, major stars like Mammootty and Mohanlal took their films directly to OTT platforms. Driving Licence , C U Soon , and the magnum opus Mohanlal ’s Drishyam 2 skipped theatres entirely, premiering on Amazon Prime and Netflix.
Historically, releasing a Malayalam film was a regional, community-centric affair. The industry, based in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, relied heavily on the "first-weekend" collection. Success was measured by the duration of a theatrical run—100 days (a silver jubilee ) or even 365 days was a mark of legendary status. Families planned their week around the "new release" in the local Apsara or Sree theatre. malayalam movies release
The momentum shows no signs of slowing down. The release calendar is packed with highly anticipated projects that carry massive expectations. The 2020 lockdown was an existential shock
However, this system was rigid. Release slots were dominated by a few major producers and distribution companies. For a small, artistic film, getting a wide release was nearly impossible. The calendar was also tied to festivals—Onam and Vishu were the two major "release seasons" where big-budget star vehicles would clash, a tradition that continues in a modified form today. Driving Licence , C U Soon , and
: Featuring Tovino Thomas and Basil Joseph, releasing . : Antony Varghese in a thriller arriving May 14, 2026 . Kathanar - The Wild Sorcerer
The month of May features several high-profile projects, including highly anticipated sequels and star-studded collaborations: : Scheduled for . : Starring Chandunath, releasing May 13, 2026 .