May 2026 is a big month for Malayalam cinema, what with a slew of star-led films lined up for release. Kicking it off is director Mahesh Narayan with his multi-starrer Patriot, followed by thrillers like Dridam, Drishyam 3 and action flicks like Athiradi and Kattalan. The comedy Mollywood Times promises a lighter, feel-good comedy experience. Joining these Malayalam originals are dubbed titles like Suriya’s Karuppu.
Here are the Malayalam theatrical releases in May 2026
Patriot
Director Mahesh Narayan’s spy action thriller stars Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, Revathi, Darshana Rajendran, Prakash Belawadi, Grace Antony, among many others. The film, reportedly, follows the investigation into a covert surveillance network designed to silence dissent, with the team stating that it is a story that they hope will never become reality.
Patriot releases in theatres on May 1, 2026
Dridam
Shane Nigam is a newly-appointed officer-in-charge at a relatively peaceful police station, who is then thrown in at the deep end, when human remains are found in someone’s property. With his superior officers and the residents of the locality breathing down his neck about finding clues and getting closer to identifying the perpetrator, can he deliver? That is what director Martin Joseph’s film explores. The film also stars Mathew Varghese, Kottayam Ramesh, Dinesh Prabhakar, Shobhi Thilakan, Nandhan Unni, and Krishna Praba Nair.
Dridam releases in theatres on May 8, 2026
Athiradi
The action-comedy thriller directed by Arun Anirudhan is centred on a campus rivalry, after a student revives a banned college festival. Minnal Murali director-actor dup Basil Joseph and Tovino Thomas reunite for the film, albeit in front of the camera, while Vineeth Sreenivasan, Sarvam Maya fame Riya Shibu and Darshana Rajendran are also a part of the film.
Athiradi releases in theatres on May 14, 2026
Kattalan
The action thriller featuring Antony Varghese in the lead has been directed by Paul George. Also starring Sunil, Kabir Duhan Singh, Dushara Vijayan, Jagadish, and Siddique, the film revolves around the ivory trade and survival within a cartel war. Kattalan, interestingly, credits Kantara fame Ajaneesh B Loknath and KGF’s Ravi Basrur for its music and background score. The team intends to release the film with Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi versions as well.
Kattalan in theatres on May 14, 2026
Mollywood Times
A coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by Abhinav Sunder Nayak, Mollywood Times stars Premalu fame Naslen K Gafoor and Sharaf U Dheen in the lead. The film is about a youngster from Kuttikkanam, who dreams of becoming a film director. The film also stars Sangeeth Pratap, Althaf Salim, Prashanth Alexander, Roshan Shanavas, Gopika Ramesh, among others and features music by Jakes Bejoy.
Mollywood Times in theatres on May 14, 2026
Drishyam 3
Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s second release of the month is the third and likely last chapter in the Drishyam franchise, directed by Jeethu Joseph. The film picks up four years after the events of Drishyam 2, and hints at bigger challenges coming the way of the protagonist in keeping his family safe. The film also stars Meena, Asha Sarath, Siddique, among others.
Drishyam 3 in theatres on May 21, 2026
