New Malayalam Ott Releases May 2026

A detective who uses a wheelchair solves a theft case. That sounds great on paper. But Jai Ganesh suffers from weak writing and an overstuffed plot (romance, family drama, social message). The investigation lacks intelligence, and the dialogues are often preachy. Mahima Nambiar is wasted. A rare misfire from an industry that usually handles disability representation with nuance. – Slow Burn Anthology Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5) Should you watch? Yes for art-house lovers, no for action seekers.

Set entirely in a corporate office after hours, Golam follows a disabled employee (Ranjan Pramod) trying to prove his colleague’s death was murder, not an accident. The premise is clever, and the first half builds excellent suspense. However, the logic gets shaky in the final reveal, and some supporting characters feel like cardboard cutouts. Still, for a low-budget debut, it’s ambitious and watchable. – Missed Opportunity Verdict: ⭐⭐ (2/5) Should you watch? Only if you’re a die-hard Unni Mukundan fan.

Directed by Jis Joy, Thalavan takes the classic “two cops with a clash of ideologies” trope and injects genuine tension. Biju Menon and Asif Ali play CI and SI locked in a power struggle over a murder investigation. The film’s strength is its screenplay—it doesn’t take sides. You’ll keep guessing who is corrupt and who is righteous until the final frame. The climax is a bit rushed, but the cat-and-mouse game makes it a solid one-time watch. – Office Space Meets Whodunnit Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) Should you watch? If you like locked-room mysteries.

Here’s a review of the latest Malayalam OTT releases, covering films and series that have recently dropped on platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Sony LIV, Disney+ Hotstar, and Manorama MAX. Malayalam cinema continues to be the most exciting industry in Indian film, and its OTT releases this past month prove the point. From pulpy thrillers to character-driven dramas, here’s a look at what’s worth your weekend. 1. "Pallotty 90’s Kids" (Manorama MAX) – A Nostalgic Hug Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5) Should you watch? Yes, if you grew up in 90s Kerala.

This film is less about plot and more about feel . Set in a village during the Cashew industry’s peak, it follows two young boys whose friendship is tested by a lost cricket ball. The performances by the child artists are astonishingly natural. While the second half drags with predictable melodrama, the first hour is pure nostalgia—Sachin stickers, DD National, and summer holidays. A gentle, unhurried watch. – Cop Drama Done Right Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) Should you watch? Absolutely for thriller fans.

An anthology of three stories set in the same rundown apartment complex. Each tale explores loneliness and urban decay. The cinematography is breathtaking (lots of rain-soaked nights and flickering tube lights). But the pacing is glacial. The middle segment, about a migrant worker, is the standout—haunting and real. The first and third are too abstract. Not for everyone, but those who vibe with it will call it a masterpiece. If you want gripping, well-acted, no-nonsense Malayalam thriller, go with Thalavan on Sony LIV. For a quiet evening, Pallotty 90’s Kids is a comforting second choice.