#1 of 435 Highest-grossing Malayalam-language movie ever
2023 · Horror, Comedy
$69.9M worldwide
No US & Canada figure reported
Malayalam box office · All time
Highest-Grossing Malayalam Movies of All Time
Romancham (2023) is the highest-grossing Malayalam-language movie in our database, with $69.9M worldwide, ahead of Virus (1999) at $30.7M and Big Brother (2018) at $22M. 435 Malayalam-language films in our database report a worldwide gross, $360.3M in all, 9% of it from the US & Canada. By genre, Drama leads with $167.7M across 249 Malayalam releases.
- films with a reported gross
- 435
- combined worldwide
- $360.3M
- Romancham (2023), the #1
- $69.9M
- earned in the US & Canada
- 9%
#1 of 435 Top 5
What Are the Highest-Grossing Malayalam Movies Ever?
Romancham (2023) leads with $69.9M, $39.3M ahead of Virus (1999). The top 5 were released between 1999 and 2023 and took $156.4M together; 2 earned more than half of their gross outside the US & Canada.
- Number 1
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Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
All 435 Malayalam Movies, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 435. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada.
- 1 Feb 3, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $69.9M
- 2 Jan 15, 1999 US and Canada: $14M Rest of the world: $16.6M Worldwide: $30.7M
- 3 Aug 31, 2018 US and Canada: $85.6K Rest of the world: $21.9M Worldwide: $22M
- 4 Nov 17, 2006 US and Canada: $11.2M Rest of the world: $9.5M Worldwide: $20.7M
- 5 Dec 19, 2013 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $13.1M
- 6
Mar 27, 2025 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $9.3M - 7
Jul 5, 2013 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.6M - 8
Aug 8, 2013 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.1M - 9
Apr 23, 2025 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $6.2M - 10
Mar 3, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.8M - 11
Feb 7, 2020 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.1M - 12
Aug 18, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.8M - 13
May 5, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.6M - 14
Feb 9, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.5M - 15
Jul 7, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4M - 16
Mar 28, 2019 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4M - 17
Aug 18, 2016 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4M - 18
Feb 22, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.8M - 19
Apr 11, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.7M - 20
Feb 16, 2006 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.5M - 21
Nov 15, 2024 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: $2.4M Worldwide: $3.5M - 22
Sep 29, 2000 US and Canada: $3.2M Rest of the world: $12.6K Worldwide: $3.2M - 23
Apr 28, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.1M - 24
Feb 19, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3M - 25
May 16, 2002 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.9M - 26
Aug 15, 2007 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.8M - 27
Aug 12, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.6M - 28
Nov 12, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.4M - 29
Jul 25, 2014 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.4M - 30
Apr 11, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.4M - 31
Feb 9, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3M - 32
Apr 25, 2019 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.2M - 33
Oct 7, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1M - 34
Dec 21, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1M - 35
Dec 20, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M - 36
Sep 28, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M - 37
Sep 12, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M - 38
Sep 12, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.9M - 39
Dec 1, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M - 40
May 23, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M - 41
Jan 21, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M - 42
Aug 25, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M - 43
Nov 22, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M - 44
Oct 11, 2018 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M - 45
Feb 18, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.6M - 46
Aug 11, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.6M - 47
Jul 29, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M - 48
Feb 15, 2024 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4M - 49
Jul 22, 2022 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M - 50
Apr 10, 2025 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Biggest Malayalam Movies Make Their Money?
Of the top 10, Bobby (2006) earned the biggest share at home (54% in the US & Canada), while Big Brother (2018) made 100% of its gross abroad. Across all 435 films, $31.4M (9%) came from the US & Canada. 7 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Romancham (2023) $69.9M No US & Canada figure reported
- 2 Virus (1999) $30.7M $14M US & Canada · 46% $16.6M elsewhere · 54%
- 3 Big Brother (2018) $22M $85.6K US & Canada · <1% $21.9M elsewhere · 100%
- 4 Bobby (2006) $20.7M $11.2M US & Canada · 54% $9.5M elsewhere · 46%
- 5 Drishyam (2013) $13.1M No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 L2: Empuraan (2025) $9.3M No US & Canada figure reported
- 7 Buddy (2013) $8.6M No US & Canada figure reported
- 8 Memories (2013) $8.1M No US & Canada figure reported
- 9 Thudarum (2025) $6.2M No US & Canada figure reported
- 10 Bheeshma Parvam (2022) $5.8M No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many Malayalam Movies Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 435 films reached $100M. 430 films, 99% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $360.3M total.
43% 57%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $10M to $100M 5 films, 1% of the list $156.4M · 43% of the gross
- Under $10M 430 films, 99% of the list $203.9M · 57% of the gross
By decade
Which Decade's Malayalam Movies Earned the Most?
Films released in the 2020s lead with $199.5M from 236 titles, led by Romancham (2023). Each column links to the decade's biggest year.
Biggest years
Which Years Had the Highest-Grossing Malayalam Movies?
2023 releases earned the most: $88.4M from 55 films, led by Romancham (2023). The 10 biggest years, each linking to its chart.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 55 films | 55 | $88.4M | Romancham (2023) $69.9M |
| 2024 64 films | 64 | $39.4M | Anweshippin Kandethum (2024) $4.5M |
| 2022 57 films | 57 | $31.3M | Bheeshma Parvam (2022) $5.8M |
| 1999 1 film | 1 | $30.7M | Virus (1999) $30.7M |
| 2013 8 films | 8 | $30.5M | Drishyam (2013) $13.1M |
| 2018 43 films | 43 | $29.1M | Big Brother (2018) $22M |
| 2006 3 films | 3 | $24.8M | Bobby (2006) $20.7M |
| 2025 27 films | 27 | $22.2M | L2: Empuraan (2025) $9.3M |
| 2019 44 films | 44 | $14.7M | Lucifer (2019) $4M |
| 2020 10 films | 10 | $9.7M | Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2020) $5.1M |
By genre
Which Malayalam Genres Earned the Most?
Drama took $167.7M across 249 films, 47% of the total, ahead of Comedy ($153.4M) and Thriller ($148.2M). A film counts once for each of its genres.
All-Time Malayalam Box Office by Genre
-
Drama $167.7M249 films · #1 Big Brother (2018) -
Comedy $153.4M193 films · #1 Romancham (2023) -
Thriller $148.2M134 films · #1 Virus (1999) -
Action $131M94 films · #1 Virus (1999) -
Horror $102.5M12 films · #1 Romancham (2023) -
Crime $64M55 films · #1 Drishyam (2013) -
Sci-Fi $30.7M4 films · #1 Virus (1999) -
History $24.4M5 films · #1 Bobby (2006) -
Family $22.8M50 films · #1 Drishyam (2013) -
Romance $19.8M50 films · #1 All We Imagine as Light (2024)
Archive
Malayalam Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1989 to 2025 with its total and its biggest film. 2023 leads with $88.4M, led by Romancham (2023).
2020s 6 years · $199.5M
2010s 10 years · $93.4M
- 2019 $14.7M #1 Lucifer (2019)
- 2018 $29.1M #1 Big Brother (2018)
- 2017 $9.2M #1 Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol (2017)
- 2016 $4.5M #1 Once Again (2016)
- 2015 $1M #1 Premam (2015)
- 2014 $3.6M #1 Vikramadithyan (2014)
- 2013 $30.5M #1 Drishyam (2013)
- 2012 $887K #1 Run Baby Run (2012)
- 2011 $21.1K #1 Christian Brothers (2011)
- 2010 $957 #1 Pranchiyettan & The Saint (2010)
2000s 6 years · $36.4M
1990s 4 years · $30.8M
1980s 1 year · $181K
FAQ
Malayalam Box Office All Time: Questions & Answers
The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 435 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing Malayalam-language movie of all time?
Romancham (2023) leads with $69.9M worldwide. Next come Virus (1999) at $30.7M and Big Brother (2018) at $22M.
How much have Malayalam-language movies earned at the box office?
435 Malayalam-language films in our database report a worldwide gross, $360.3M in all, or $828.3K per film on average.
How many Malayalam-language movies have made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, Romancham (2023), earned $69.9M.
How is the all-time Malayalam box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?
Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact, and so are films whose stored language is most likely wrong.
How often is the all-time Malayalam box office chart updated?
Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.