Here is a look at the most anticipated historical and period-release Malayalam films of 2026. (Director: Mahesh Narayanan) Expected Release: Summer 2026
A spiritual successor to the 2019 Mammootty starrer, this standalone epic shifts focus to the final, failed Mamankam festival of 1755. Sources indicate the film follows , a young warrior from the Valluvakonathiri clan, who prepares for a suicide mission against the Zamorin’s heavily guarded palace. With action choreography by international stunt teams (rumored to be from South Korea), the film promises a raw, unfiltered look at the Chaver Pada (suicide squad) rituals. Early teasers suggest a desaturated, rain-soaked visual palette—closer to The Revenant than a typical period masala. 2. "Kulasekhara" (Director: Prithviraj Sukumaran) Expected Release: December 2026 history malayalam released shows 2026
If 2024 and 2025 were about experimental storytelling and pan-Indian breakouts ( Manjummel Boys , Aavesham ), 2026 is shaping up to be the year Malayalam cinema goes grand—not just in budget, but in historical scope. Several major projects rooted in Kerala’s rich, turbulent past are scheduled for release, promising a cinematic deep dive into legends, wars, and forgotten heroes. Here is a look at the most anticipated
True to form, Lijo Jose Pellissery takes the most unconventional approach. Ottanthullal is not a war epic but a set in 18th-century Malabar. It follows a traveling performer of the Ottanthullal art form (a satirical dance-theater) who becomes an accidental spy for the French against the British East India Company. Shot in high-contrast black and white, with no musical score except the performer’s bells and drum, this film is expected to be 2026’s awards-season darling. While not a mainstream blockbuster, it will be the most critically discussed Malayalam historical of the year. 5. "Pazhassi Raja: The Guerrilla" (Director: Amal Neerad) Expected Release: August 2026 While not a mainstream blockbuster