Hold onto your mundus, cinephiles, because we’re about to embark on a heart-pounding, masala-spiced thrill ride through the heart of Mollywood action! 2023 has been a year where Malayalam cinema kicked down the door on high-octane stunts, bone-crunching fight sequences, and heroes who redefine the meaning of “kattaari” (fierce). With so many stellar action flicks vying for our attention, we’ve carefully curated a list of the top 10 Malayalam action films that left us speechless.
So, whether you’re a seasoned Mollywood enthusiast or a newbie seeking your first adrenaline rush, get ready to be blown away by the sheer audacity and brilliance of these cinematic marvels. We’ll introduce you to the valiant heroes, the cunning villains, and the awe-inspiring stunts that make these films the undisputed champions of Mollywood action in 2023.
Here are the top 10 Malayalam Action Movies 2023:
| SR. No | Movie Name | IMDB Rating |
| 1 | 2018 | 8.4 |
| 2 | Kannur Squad | 7.8 |
| 3 | RDX: Robert Dony Xavier | 7.2 |
| 4 | Corona Papers | 6.6 |
| 5 | King of Kotha | 6.1 |
| 6 | Christopher | 6.0 |
| 7 | Varisu | 6.0 |
| 8 | Thuramukham | 6.0 |
| 9 | Dhoomam | 5.5 |
| 10 | Pakalum Paathiravum | 3.7 |
1. 2018
Director: Jude Anthany Joseph
Starring: Tovino Thomas, Tanvi Ram, Asif Ali
People from all walks of life face catastrophic consequences during devastating floods in 2018. The people of Kerala work together to survive the calamity. The soundtrack and background score were composed by Nobin Paul. The first song “Minnal Minnane” composed by William Francis was released on 4 May 2023, a day before the film’s release.
2. Kannur Squad
Director: Roby Varghese Raj
Starring: Mammootty, Rony David, Arjun Radhakrishnar
A police officer and his team face a challenging journey across the country to catch a criminal gang. He leads them toward triumph amid professional uncertainties. The songs and background score are composed by Sushin Shyam, while the lyrics are written by Vinayak Sasikumar. This is Sushin’s third collaboration with Mammootty. The first song titled “Mrudhu Bhaave Dhruda Kruthye” was released on 27 September 2023. The motto of the Kerala Police ‘Mrudhu Bhaave Dhruda Kruthye’ serves as the inspiration for the songs’ lyrics. The second song titled “Kalan Puli” was released on 6 October 2023.
3. RDX: Robert Dony Xavier
Director: Nahas Hidayath
Starring: Shane Nigam, Mahima Nambiar, Alma Rosmy Sebastian
Young friends Robert, Dony and Xavier make a formidable team, honing their martial arts skills at a local academy, but an altercation with a rival gang force them to separate. Years later, a brutal assault compels the trio to reunite. The soundtrack and background score were composed by Sam C. S, while the song lyrics were written by Manu Manjith. The audio rights were bagged by Saregama. The first single titled “Halaballoo” was released on 26 July 2023. The second single titled “Scene Mone” was released on 17 August 2023.
4. Corona Papers
Director: Priyadarshan
Starring: Sandhya Shetty, Shane Nigam, Hannah Reji Koshy, Shane Nigam
Upon newly joining the force amid the coronavirus disease pandemic, SI Rahul finds himself getting entangled in an intricate web of offences when his gun gets stolen.
5. King of Kotha
Director: Abhilash Joshiy
Starring: Dulquer Salmaan, Nyla Usha, Aishwarya Lekshmi
Ravi’s son Tony is torn between his inherited legacy and his desire for a different life. Unlike his father, Tony isn’t drawn to the dark world of crime. Instead, he falls in love with a woman from a wealthy background. The background score is composed by Jakes Bejoy while the songs have been composed by Jakes Bejoy and Shaan Rahman separately. The music rights were bagged by Sony Music India. The track “People of Kotha” that was featured in the motion poster video was released on 23 June 2023, the same date as the promo. The first single titled “Kalapakkaara” was released on 28 July 2023, on Salmaan’s birthday. The second single titled “Ee Ulakin” was released on 19 August 2023.
6. Christopher
Director: B. Unnikrishnan
Starring: Mammootty, Vinay Rai, Sneha
Christopher Antony is an IPS officer who carries out justice when the system fails to. Later, when he kills a group of criminals, ACP Sulekha sets off to stop him.
7. Varisu
Director: Vamshi Paidipally
Starring: Vijay, Rashmika Mandana, Nandini Rai
When his terminally ill father leaves him in charge of his business conglomerate, a prodigal son must prove his mettle and reunite his broken family. In his first collaboration with Vijay, the music is composed by Thaman S. The album consists of five songs. The first single “Ranjithame” was released on 5 November 2022, the second single “Thee Thalapathy” on 4 December, and the third single “Soul of Varisu” on 20 December.
8. Thuramukham
Director: Rajeev Ravi
Starring: Nivin Pauly, Poornima Indrajith, Nimisha Sajayan
A labourer with skewed morals, Moidu is hired by the port authorities and police to attack left-wing leaders and thwart the functioning of labour unions. The film features songs and background score composed by K and Shahabaz Aman.
9. Dhoomam
Director: Pawan Kumar
Starring: Fahadh Faasil, Aparna Balamurali, Roshan Matthew
A marketing head pitches an idea for an anti-smoking awareness advertisem*nt that indirectly encourages people to smoke. Later, he and his wife are held hostage and forced to perform dangerous tasks. The music is composed by Poornachandra Tejaswi. The lyrics are penned by Vinayak Sasikumar.
10. Pakalum Paathiravum
Director: Ajai Vasudev
Starring: Rajisha Vijayan, Manoj K U, Kunchacko Boban
When a traveller seeks shelter, Mercy, a farmer’s daughter, questions his intention upon finding a gun in his bag. The enigma intensifies as she strives to probe his identity.
And there you have it, cinephiles, a whirlwind tour of the 10 Malayalam action films that set 2023 ablaze! From bone-crunching brawls on sandy beaches to gravity-defying stunts amidst mist-shrouded mountains, these cinematic gems have redefined the genre, leaving us breathless, exhilarated, and maybe a little bit sore from all the edge-of-our-seat moments.
So, as the curtains close on these 10 masterpieces, remember this: the world of Mollywood action is ever-evolving, pushing boundaries, and redefining itself with every groundbreaking narrative and jaw-dropping stunt. Keep your eyes peeled for the next wave of action heroes, captivating stories, and innovative fight sequences that will leave you breathless and begging for more.
