Best mind-bending Malayalam movies on ZEE5 in India

By the KyaDekhu team · Updated 23 October 2026 · Availability for India from JustWatch, ratings from IMDb

19 movies on ZEE5 in India match this list, with an average IMDb rating of 6.0. Ranked by vote-weighted IMDb rating and popularity.

1. Balan - The Boy (2026)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 20m · U/A 16+ · Drama, Thriller · IMDb 8.0 (6.4K votes)

TwistySerious

A teenage boy searches for his missing mother following a turbulent childhood and her subsequent disappearance, exploring his search for closure and the truth about his past.

ZEE5
2. Identity (2025)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 36m · UA · Action, Thriller · IMDb 7.0 (11.5K votes)

TwistyDark & grittyEdge-of-seatFast-paced

A sketch artist and a cop work together to unravel the identity of an elusive killer using the descriptions of his face, etched into the memory of an eye-witness to the brutal crime

ZEE5
3. Urumi (2011)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 40m · U · War, Action · IMDb 7.1 (2.5K votes)

Visually stunningTwistyEdge-of-seatDark & gritty

A young man who discovers his ancestral connection to a 16th century warrior who sought revenge against Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. Blending history and legend, the story traces a rebellion fueled by betrayal, courage, and the fight against colonial conquest.

ZEE5 · free with ads
4. Forensic (2020)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 14m · U · Crime, Thriller · IMDb 6.8 (7.2K votes)

Dark & grittyCold & detachedTwistyEdge-of-seat

A forensic analyst and an investigation officer are on a chase to hunt down a gruesome serial killer and crack one of the most famous cold cases in the history of their departments.

Netflix ZEE5
5. Kala (2021)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 7m · A · Action, Thriller · IMDb 6.7 (4.3K votes)

Edge-of-seatCold & detachedMatureDark & gritty

The life of Shaji, a laid-back youngster, turns upside down when someone from his past pays him a visit.

Prime Video ZEE5 · free with ads
6. Pranaya Vilasam (2023)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 3m · U · Romance, Comedy · IMDb 6.8 (1.7K votes)

Family-friendlyHeartwarmingTwistyDialogue-driven

A revelation about a woman's old flame sends shockwaves through her family. Portrays love stories of different characters who are at different stages of their lives.

ZEE5
7. Paappan (2022)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 42m · UA · Drama, Action · IMDb 6.7 (2.8K votes)

TwistyDark & grittyEdge-of-seatFast-paced

Abraham Mathew Mathan aka Paappan, a voluntarily retired S.P. from the Crime Branch who is unwillingly reinstated to the force for investigating a long-standing murder case.

ZEE5 · free with ads
8. Dominic and the Ladies' Purse (2025)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 31m · UA · Thriller, Mystery · IMDb 6.6 (5.4K votes)

TwistyEdge-of-seatDark & grittyCold & detached

Dominic, a disgraced ex-cop turned detective, takes on a seemingly simple case to locate a purse's owner, which unveils a dark web of missing persons, murder, a stalker and the mysterious dancer Nandhita.

ZEE5
9. Ira (2018)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 18m · U · Crime, Thriller · IMDb 6.6 (874 votes)

TwistyEdge-of-seat

Aryan's life turns on its head after he is falsely accused of committing a murder. Fortunately, he soon finds a friend in Rajeev, the investigating officer, who helps him prove his innocence.

ZEE5
10. Anwar (2010)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 10m · UA · Action, Thriller · IMDb 6.5 (1.1K votes)

TwistyEdge-of-seatDark & grittyFast-paced

Anwar becomes entangled with a terrorist group after personal tragedy leads him down a dark path. As he infiltrates their network, his true motives and loyalties are revealed in a tense battle between faith, vengeance, and redemption.

Prime Video ZEE5 · free with ads
11. Ini Utharam (2022)

Movie · Malayalam · 1h 59m · UA · Thriller, Crime · IMDb 6.4 (1.3K votes)

TwistyDark & grittyCold & detachedEdge-of-seat

A woman goes to a police station claiming she had murdered one person. Though the police suspect foul play, the investigation starts.

ZEE5
12. Patriot (2026)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 57m · U/A 16+ · Action, Drama · IMDb 6.2 (2.8K votes)

TwistyEdge-of-seatDark & grittyFast-paced

When a Malayali DRW analyst tries to expose a corrupt regional politician from Kerala and his malpractices regarding spyware, he goes on the run, becomes a vlogger, and must clear his name of the false allegations levelled against him.

ZEE5
13. Aadu 3 Part 1 (2026)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 42m · U · Comedy, Fantasy · IMDb 6.1 (2.1K votes)

TwistyVisually stunningFast-pacedFunny

Shaji Pappan and Co. opens a Pandora's box of reincarnations and multiple timelines leading to comic chaos of epic proportions.

ZEE5
14. Paathirathri (2025)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 4m · U/A 13+ · Thriller, Drama · IMDb 5.7 (1.1K votes)

TwistyDark & grittyEdge-of-seatCold & detached

A strange incident during their routine night duty pulls SI Jancy and Hareesh into a dangerous investigation. As secrets unfold, they must face their fears and the choices that could define their futures.

ZEE5
15. JSK - Janaki V vs State of Kerala (2025)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 36m · U/A 16+ · Drama, Thriller · IMDb 5.7 (2.9K votes)

MatureTwistyCold & detachedDark & gritty

Janaki, an IT professional from Bangalore, returns to her hometown in Kerala for a quiet vacation. But her peace is shattered when she becomes the victim of a horrific incident. As she begins her fight for justice, the case takes an unexpected turn with the entry of Advocate David Abel Donovan.

ZEE5
16. Geethanjali (2013)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 30m · UA · Horror, Mystery · IMDb 4.0 (671 votes)

Dark & grittyTwistyCold & detachedEdge-of-seat

Anjali, whose sister Geeta has committed suicide, is haunted by her spirit upon her return to her mother's home. When psychologist Dr Sunny tries to help Anjali, he makes a shocking discovery.

JioHotstar Prime Video ZEE5 · free with ads
17. Aakashaganga 2 (2019)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 23m · UA · Horror · IMDb 2.1 (326 votes)

Dark & grittyTwistyEdge-of-seatCold & detached

Arathi, accepts a challenge to test the authenticity of an 'Ashram' that claims to help its followers talk to the dead. To her surprise, she communicates with her dead mother who leads her to the dark and hidden secrets of her own family.

ZEE5 · free with ads
18. Parole (2018)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 30m · U · Action, Family · IMDb 4.8 (1.4K votes)

TwistyDark & grittyEdge-of-seat

Alex is a comrade and an active communist leader. Due to some unfortunate events, Alex gets arrested and is imprisoned but is compelled to come out on Parole to solve a mystery he left behind.

ZEE5
19. Bha. Bha. Ba. (2025)

Movie · Malayalam · 2h 30m · U/A 13+ · Comedy, Action · IMDb 4.6 (5.9K votes)

FunnyTwistyFast-pacedCold & detached

After the Chief Minister of Kerala is kidnapped, a determined investigator is brought in to track down the mysterious abductor, uncovering hidden motives and secrets behind the crime.

ZEE5