Tovino Thomas continues his experiment with genre films in this survival horror thriller. Thaaliol (translating to "Cradle") is set entirely inside an abandoned lighthouse where a young couple (Tovino and newcomer Anaswara Rajan) get trapped with a supernatural entity that mimics their infant’s cry. Directed by Rahul Sadasivan (of Bhoothakaalam fame), the film relies on deep, resonant sound design rather than jump scares. While the pacing is slow-burn, the final 20 minutes have been described as "traumatic brilliance." It performed exceptionally well in multiplexes in urban centers but saw moderate response in single screens. The OTT Darlings (Streaming May – June 2026) If you missed the theatrical window, the streaming giants have been quick to acquire Malayalam content, which often finds a larger audience here than in cinemas.

Coming from the director of Kunjiramayanam , Basil Joseph, this ensemble comedy-drama has become the dark horse of the season. Starring Fahadh Faasil as a narcissistic village panchayat president and a stellar supporting cast including Nimisha Sajayan and Soubin Shahir, the film explores the absurdity of local body politics in a fictional Kuttanad village. Fahadh’s improvised dialogues have already gone viral on social media. It is a laugh-out-loud satire that surprisingly ends with a poignant message about communal harmony. It is a must-watch for fans of Jan.E.Man or Aavesham .

Following the blockbuster success of the original anthology, Sthree 2 brings together three new female directors to tell intersecting stories of women in a Kerala fishing hamlet during a cyclone. Featuring Parvathy Thiruvothu, Anna Ben, and Grace Antony, this sequel ditches the horror element for psychological dread. It is a slow exploration of superstition and patriarchy. While some fans of the first part wanted more scares, critics have lauded it for its atmospheric cinematography (by Anend C. Chandran) and the haunting finale.

Furthermore, the relationship between OTT and theatres has stabilized. Theatres now hold films for a shorter 3-4 week window before they hit streaming, which has actually boosted footfall, as audiences want to avoid spoilers on social media.