Are you a hopeless romantic looking for some heartwarming love stories to binge-watch? Look no further than the world of Malayalam cinema! Known for its realistic portrayals, relatable characters, and soulful music, Malayalam movies have given us some of the most beautiful and poignant romantic tales over the years.
From classic romances that have stood the test of time to modern-day love stories that tug at your heartstrings, here are 20 of the best Malayalam romantic movies that are sure to make you believe in the magic of love all over again:
1. Annayum Rasoolum (2013)
Directed by Rajeev Ravi, this poetic love story follows the romance between Rasool, a Muslim taxi driver, and Anna, a Latin Christian salesgirl, who come from conservative working-class families. With its stunning visuals and soulful music, Annayum Rasoolum beautifully captures the intensity and purity of first love against the backdrop of a socio-cultural divide.
2. Premam (2015)
One of the most popular romantic comedies in recent years, Premam chronicles the three stages of love in the life of its protagonist George – his teenage crush, his college romance, and finally, finding his soulmate. With its slice-of-life storytelling, endearing characters, and hummable songs, this Alphonse Puthren film is the perfect feel-good romance.
3. Thoovanathumbikal (1987)
Padmarajan’s Thoovanathumbikal is a classic romance that explores themes of love, longing, and loss. The film revolves around Jayakrishnan (Mohanlal) who is torn between his love for two women – the demure Radha and the free-spirited Clara. With its poetic dialogues, picturesque visuals, and evergreen music, this is a timeless love story for the ages.
4. Ustad Hotel (2012)
Although not a conventional romance, Ustad Hotel is a heartwarming film about love in different forms – romantic love, familial love, and the love for one’s passion. The story follows a young man named Faizi (Dulquer Salmaan) who reluctantly starts working at his grandfather’s restaurant, only to discover the joy of cooking and find his true calling. A feel-good film that will leave you with a smile.
5. Bangalore Days (2014)
Bangalore Days is a breezy, slice-of-life romantic comedy that follows the lives of three cousins – Divya, Kuttan, and Arjun – as they navigate life and love in the vibrant city of Bangalore. With its relatable characters, witty dialogues, and charming performances, this Anjali Menon film celebrates the bond of family and the beauty of falling in love.
6. Ennu Ninte Moideen (2015)
Based on a true story, Ennu Ninte Moideen is an epic romance that spans decades. Set in the 1960s, the film follows the star-crossed love story of Moideen and Kanchanamala, who fight against societal prejudices and religious differences to be together. With its grand scale, intense emotions, and powerful performances, this RS Vimal film is a must-watch for fans of old-school romance.
7. Aniyathipraavu (1997)
A classic campus romance, Aniyathipraavu follows the love story of Sudhi (Kunchacko Boban) and Mini (Shalini), who meet and fall in love during their college days. With its nostalgic portrayal of the 90s, relatable characters, and melodious songs, this Fazil film is a beloved romantic favorite that still holds up today.
8. Thamaasha (2019)
Thamaasha is a refreshing romantic comedy that tackles themes of body shaming and self-love. The story revolves around Sreenivasan (Vinay Forrt), a plus-sized college professor who struggles with his self-image and finding love, until he meets the vivacious Chinnu. With its sensitive portrayal, heartfelt moments, and a charming lead pair, this Ashraf Hamza film is a feel-good romance with a important message.
9. Mayaanadhi (2017)
Directed by Aashiq Abu, Mayaanadhi is an intense, urban love story that follows the troubled romance between a small-time criminal named Mathan (Tovino Thomas) and an aspiring actress named Aparna (Aishwarya Lekshmi). Raw, gritty, and emotionally charged, the film explores themes of love, betrayal, and redemption against the backdrop of a crime thriller.
10. Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal (1986)
Another Padmarajan classic, Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal is a mature romance that explores the complexities of love and relationships. The story revolves around Solomon (Mohanlal) and Sophie (Shari), who navigate the ups and downs of their marriage while dealing with meddling in-laws and past flames. With its realistic portrayal of relationships and powerful performances, this film is a must-watch for fans of serious romances.
11. Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (2013)
Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi is a coming-of-age road romance that follows two young lovers – Kassi (Dulquer Salmaan) and Assi (Sunny Wayne) – as they embark on a cross-country bike trip in pursuit of their dreams. With its stunning visuals, soulful music, and themes of self-discovery and first love, this Sameer Thahir film is a poetic and philosophical romance.
12. Ohm Shanthi Oshaana (2014)
A charming romantic comedy with a feminist twist, Ohm Shanthi Oshaana follows the spunky Pooja (Nazriya Nazim) as she navigates life and love on her own terms. The film subverts traditional gender roles and features a delightful romance between Pooja and her childhood friend Giri (Nivin Pauly). With its quirky characters, witty dialogues, and feel-good vibe, this Jude Anthany Joseph film is a refreshing take on the rom-com genre.
13. Oru Adaar Love (2019)
Oru Adaar Love is a light-hearted campus romance that follows the love stories of a group of high school students. Although the film received mixed reviews, it is notable for its viral song “Manikya Malaraya Poovi” and the charming debut of young actress Priya Prakash Varrier, whose wink in the song’s music video became an internet sensation.
14. Niram (1999)
Niram is a classic friends-to-lovers romance that follows the relationship between childhood buddies Aby (Kunchacko Boban) and Sona (Shalini). Set against the backdrop of their college days, the film beautifully captures the innocence and charm of first love. With its nostalgic feel, relatable characters, and evergreen songs, this Kamal film is a timeless romantic favorite.
15. Njan Prakashan (2018)
Although primarily a comedy, Njan Prakashan also features a heartwarming romance between its titular character Prakashan (Fahadh Faasil) and a nurse named Salomi (Nikhila Vimal). As Prakashan, a selfish and ambitious man, learns to become a better person through his love for Salomi, the film showcases the transformative power of love. With its perfect blend of humor and heart, this Sathyan Anthikad film is a feel-good entertainer.
16. Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho (2016)
Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho is a coming-of-age romantic drama that follows the journey of its titular character Kochavva (Rudraksh Sudheesh), a young boy who sets out to find his estranged father. Along the way, he falls in love with a girl named Laya (Malavika Menon). With its themes of self-discovery, first love, and the bond between a father and son, this Sidhartha Siva film is a heartwarming and poetic romance.
17. Madhura Naranga (2015)
Madhura Naranga is a light-hearted romantic comedy that follows the love story of Jeevan (Kunchacko Boban) and Salomi (Parvathy Ratheesh), two Malayali expatriates living in the Gulf. With its relatable characters, witty dialogues, and charming performances, this Sugeeth film is a perfect feel-good entertainer that explores the joys and challenges of falling in love in a foreign land.
18. Malarvaadi Arts Club (2010)
Malarvaadi Arts Club is a coming-of-age musical romance that follows a group of friends who form a music band in their village. The film beautifully captures the innocence and charm of first love through the romance between Prakashan (Nivin Pauly) and Deepa (Archana Kavi). With its nostalgic portrayal of village life, soulful music, and a talented ensemble cast, this Vineeth Sreenivasan film is a heartwarming ode to friendship and young love.
19. Charlie (2015)
Directed by Martin Prakkat, Charlie is an unconventional romance that follows the free-spirited titular character (Dulquer Salmaan) and a young woman named Tessa (Parvathy Thiruvothu) who is searching for him. As Tessa sets out to unravel the mystery behind Charlie, she discovers his kind heart and zest for life. With its unique storyline, endearing characters, and beautiful music, this film is a charming and philosophical romance that celebrates the joy of living life to the fullest.
20. Kappela (2020)
Kappela is a romantic thriller that follows the story of Jessy (Anna Ben), a naive young woman who falls in love with a stranger named Vishnu (Roshan Mathew) over the phone. As Jessy sets out to meet Vishnu in person, she finds herself caught in a dangerous web of deception. With its gripping storyline, stellar performances, and a powerful message about the perils of blind trust, this Muhammad Musthafa film is a must-watch for fans of unconventional romances.
These 20 Malayalam films offer a diverse range of romantic stories that are sure to tug at your heartstrings and make you believe in the power of love. From classic tales of first love to mature stories of relationships, from light-hearted rom-coms to intense dramas, Malayalam cinema has something for every kind of romantic.
So grab some popcorn, cuddle up with your loved one, and get ready to fall in love with these beautiful stories from the land of coconuts and backwaters. Happy watching!
