The best Malayalam investigation thrillers follow a detective, a police squad or a forensic team as they work a case step by step. We picked 12, from a 1988 classic to 2025 releases, with director, cast, runtime and where each is reportedly streaming. No twists or killers are revealed.
Updated on: Oct 23, 2026
Quick facts
- Films: 12, from 1988 to 2025
- Newest: Rekhachithram and Officer on Duty (both 2025)
- Oldest: Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988), the first CBI film
- Shortest: Kishkindha Kaandam, 125 minutes. Longest: Kannur Squad, 161 minutes
- Two films each: Jeethu Joseph and Kunchacko Boban direct or lead two picks; Asif Ali leads or co-leads four
- Where to watch: reportedly Prime Video, JioHotstar, Sony LIV, Netflix, Sun NXT and ZEE5
1. Anjaam Pathiraa (2020)
- Director: Midhun Manuel Thomas
- Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Sreenath Bhasi, Sharaf U Dheen
- Runtime: 144 minutes
- Where to watch: reportedly Sun NXT
Our take: The first pick for most viewers who want a serial-killer case told from the investigators' side.
2. Kannur Squad (2023)
- Director: Roby Varghese Raj
- Cast: Mammootty, Azees Nedumangad, Rony David Raj
- Runtime: 161 minutes
- Where to watch: not confirmed in our check; search your app
Our take: A police squad on the road, and the longest film on this list.
3. Mumbai Police (2013)
- Director: Rosshan Andrrews
- Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Jayasurya, Rahman
- Runtime: 145 minutes
- Where to watch: reportedly JioHotstar
Our take: One of the films that defined the modern Malayalam police thriller.
4. Memories (2013)
- Director: Jeethu Joseph
- Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran
- Runtime: 143 minutes
- Where to watch: reportedly JioHotstar
Our take: Prithviraj Sukumaran's second film here, released the same year as Mumbai Police.
5. Forensic (2020)
- Directors: Akhil Paul, Anas Khan
- Cast: Tovino Thomas, Mamta Mohandas, Saiju Kurup
- Runtime: 133 minutes
- Where to watch: reportedly Netflix and ZEE5
Our take: The pick for viewers who like the lab side of an investigation.
6. Joseph (2018)
- Director: M. Padmakumar
- Cast: Joju George, Dileesh Pothan, Athmiya Rajan
- Runtime: 138 minutes
- Where to watch: reportedly Prime Video
Our take: A slower, more personal case, led by Joju George.
7. Kishkindha Kaandam (2024)
- Director: Dinjith Ayyathan
- Cast: Asif Ali, Vijayaraghavan, Aparna Balamurali
- Runtime: 125 minutes
- Where to watch: reportedly JioHotstar
Our take: A borderline pick: the investigators here are civilians, not police. It is also the shortest film on the list.
8. Rekhachithram (2025)
- Director: Jofin T. Chacko
- Cast: Asif Ali, Anaswara Rajan
- Runtime: 140 minutes
- Where to watch: reportedly Sony LIV
Our take: One of the two newest films here, with Asif Ali in the lead.
9. Thalavan (2024)
- Director: Jis Joy
- Cast: Biju Menon, Asif Ali
- Runtime: 133 minutes
- Where to watch: reportedly Sony LIV
Our take: Two police officers at the centre, played by Biju Menon and Asif Ali.
10. Officer on Duty (2025)
- Director: Jithu Ashraf
- Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Vishak Nair, Priyamani
- Runtime: 137 minutes
- Where to watch: reportedly Netflix
Our take: Kunchacko Boban's second investigator role on this list, five years after Anjaam Pathiraa.
11. Kooman (2022)
- Director: Jeethu Joseph
- Cast: Asif Ali, Renji Panicker, Hannah Reji Koshy
- Runtime: 153 minutes
- Where to watch: reportedly Prime Video
Our take: Jeethu Joseph's second film here, nine years after Memories.
12. Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988)
- Director: K. Madhu
- Cast: Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Jagathy Sreekumar
- Runtime: 137 minutes
- Where to watch: reportedly Prime Video
Our take: The first film in the CBI series, and the place to start for an older classic.
FAQs
What is the best Malayalam investigation thriller to start with?
Start with Anjaam Pathiraa (2020), Kannur Squad (2023) or Mumbai Police (2013).
What are the newest Malayalam investigation thrillers?
On this list, Rekhachithram and Officer on Duty, both from 2025.
Which old Malayalam investigation movie should I watch?
Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988), the first CBI film, reportedly on Prime Video. Mumbai Police and Memories (both 2013) are also older picks.
Where can I watch Malayalam investigation thrillers online?
Most titles here are reportedly on Prime Video, JioHotstar, Sony LIV or Netflix. Listings change, so check your app.
Which actor appears most often on this list?
Asif Ali, in Kishkindha Kaandam, Rekhachithram, Thalavan and Kooman.
Also read: Jayasurya meets Mammootty at a dubbing studio, calls him 'Snehamulla Simham' after the 1986 film
