Short answer: If Drishyam is your favourite Malayalam thriller, these eight films give you the same pull of a slow-building mystery and a lead who keeps you guessing. We picked them for how they make you feel, not for copying the plot, and added where each one streams where we could check it.
Updated on: November 1, 2026
Drishyam made the Malayalam family thriller a genre of its own, and our guide to the Drishyam movies in order covers the franchise itself. This list is for the next step. Two of the films come from Jeethu Joseph, the Drishyam director, so we have spread his work across the list rather than bunching it up.
Movies like Drishyam: quick facts
- 1. Kishkindha Kaandam (2024): Dinjith Ayyathan, Asif Ali.
- 2. Joseph (2018): M. Padmakumar, Joju George. Prime Video, as of November 2026.
- 3. Kooman (2022): Jeethu Joseph, Asif Ali. Prime Video, as of November 2026.
- 4. Mumbai Police (2013): Rosshan Andrrews, Prithviraj.
- 5. Iratta (2023): Rohit M.G. Krishnan, Joju George. Netflix, as of November 2026.
- 6. 12th Man (2022): Jeethu Joseph, Mohanlal.
- 7. Thalavan (2024): Jis Joy, Biju Menon and Asif Ali. SonyLIV, as of November 2026.
- 8. Ela Veezha Poonchira (2022): Shahi Kabir, Soubin Shahir.
Four of the eight can be streamed today on platforms we checked ourselves. For the rest, we could not confirm a platform on its own page, so we have left the streaming line out rather than guess.
1. Kishkindha Kaandam (2024)
- Director: Dinjith Ayyathan
- Lead: Asif Ali
- Genre: mystery drama
Kishkindha Kaandam is the closest match on this list for a Drishyam fan. Dinjith Ayyathan's 2024 film has Asif Ali in the lead. The Hindu's review praised its screenplay as flawless and described it as an intriguing mystery drama.
Our take: What links this film to Drishyam is patience. The film rewards close attention to small details. Go in knowing as little as possible. That is also why we have kept the plot out of this entry. If you liked Georgekutty's quiet planning, start with this one.
2. Joseph (2018)
- Director: M. Padmakumar
- Lead: Joju George
- Where to watch: Prime Video, as of November 2026
Joseph was directed by M. Padmakumar in 2018. Joju George plays the title role, and the film streams on Prime Video as of November 2026.
Our take: Joju George carries Joseph in the title role. For us, it shares Drishyam's interest in one ordinary man working through a problem that the system is not solving for him. The mood is heavier and sadder, so it suits a quiet night rather than a family watch.
3. Kooman (2022)
- Director: Jeethu Joseph
- Lead: Asif Ali
- Where to watch: Prime Video, as of November 2026
Kooman is Jeethu Joseph's 2022 thriller with Asif Ali in the lead. It came to Prime Video in December 2022, as Cinema Express reported at the time.
Our take: Of the two Jeethu Joseph films here, this is the one we would hand a Drishyam fan first. It has a lead who is not easy to read, which is what kept Georgekutty interesting. Asif Ali appears three times on our list, and this is one of his darker roles.
4. Mumbai Police (2013)
- Director: Rosshan Andrrews
- Lead: Prithviraj
Mumbai Police came out in 2013, the same year as Drishyam. Rosshan Andrrews directed it, with Prithviraj in the lead. We could not verify a streaming platform for it on the platform's own page, so that line is left out.
Our take: Watch this for the twist culture it shares with Drishyam. Both films came out in the same year and both trust the audience to keep up. Do not read reviews or comments before you watch it, and keep it spoiler-free for anyone you watch with.
5. Iratta (2023)
- Director: Rohit M.G. Krishnan
- Lead: Joju George, in a double role
- Where to watch: Netflix, as of November 2026
Iratta is Rohit M.G. Krishnan's 2023 police procedural, and Joju George plays a double role. The Hindu's review singled out his double act and the climax.
Our take: This is the pick for viewers who want the investigation side of Drishyam, the police work that runs alongside the family story. It is Joju George's second film on our list. Watch Joseph first, then Iratta, to see two very different sides of the same actor in a police setting.
6. 12th Man (2022)
- Director: Jeethu Joseph
- Lead: Mohanlal
12th Man reunited Jeethu Joseph and Mohanlal in 2022. The Hindu's review said the pairing did not quite hit the mark this time. We could not verify its current streaming platform, so that line is left out.
Our take: We have included it because many Drishyam fans will look for the same director and star together. It is a whodunit rather than a family drama. Lower your expectations a little, and it works as a weekend watch with friends who enjoy guessing along.
7. Thalavan (2024)
- Director: Jis Joy
- Lead: Biju Menon and Asif Ali
- Where to watch: SonyLIV, as of November 2026
Thalavan is a 2024 film by Jis Joy that puts Biju Menon and Asif Ali in the lead. Onmanorama reviewed it on its release in May 2024.
Our take: Thalavan is the most mainstream title on this list, and the two-hero setup keeps it moving. It is a good choice if you want a thriller that the whole family can watch together, and it pairs well with Iratta for a police night.
8. Ela Veezha Poonchira (2022)
- Director: Shahi Kabir
- Lead: Soubin Shahir
Ela Veezha Poonchira was released in 2022, directed by Shahi Kabir with Soubin Shahir in the lead. Cinema Express called it a thought-provoking, dread-inducing chiller. We could not verify a streaming platform, so that line is left out.
Our take: This is the most unusual pick. Going by the Cinema Express verdict, expect dread more than twists. Soubin Shahir in a serious role is reason enough to watch. Save it for after the bigger names on this list, and watch it late at night with the lights low.
How to pick
For a slow-building mystery, start with Kishkindha Kaandam. For a police procedural, go to Iratta on Netflix or Thalavan on SonyLIV, both as of November 2026. For a Jeethu Joseph double bill, pair Kooman on Prime Video with 12th Man. For a twist-driven thriller, Mumbai Police is the one. Joseph is the pick for a slow, sad watch.
FAQs
Which Malayalam movie is most like Drishyam?
Kishkindha Kaandam (2024), directed by Dinjith Ayyathan with Asif Ali, comes closest in mood for us. It rewards patient viewing, as Drishyam does. We could not verify where it streams.
Which other thrillers has Jeethu Joseph directed?
Apart from the Drishyam films, our list includes two Jeethu Joseph thrillers: Kooman (2022) with Asif Ali, on Prime Video as of November 2026, and 12th Man (2022) with Mohanlal. See his hub page for more of his films.
Where can I watch Iratta online?
Iratta, the 2023 Rohit M.G. Krishnan film with Joju George in a double role, streams on Netflix as of November 2026.
Where can I watch Joseph and Kooman?
Both films stream on Prime Video as of November 2026. Joseph (2018) is directed by M. Padmakumar with Joju George, and Kooman (2022) is Jeethu Joseph's film with Asif Ali.
Is Thalavan streaming?
Yes. Thalavan, the 2024 Jis Joy film with Biju Menon and Asif Ali, streams on SonyLIV as of November 2026.
Malayalam summary
ചുരുക്കത്തിൽ
ദൃശ്യം ഇഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടവർക്കായി എട്ട് മലയാള ത്രില്ലറുകൾ: കിഷ്കിന്ധാ കാണ്ഡം, ജോസഫ്, കൂമൻ, മുംബൈ പോലീസ്, ഇരട്ട, ട്വൽത്ത് മാൻ, തലവൻ, ഇല വീഴാ പൂഞ്ചിറ. 2026 നവംബർ വരെ ജോസഫും കൂമനും പ്രൈം വീഡിയോയിലും ഇരട്ട നെറ്റ്ഫ്ലിക്സിലും തലവൻ സോണിലിവിലും കാണാം. ദൃശ്യത്തിന്റെ സംവിധായകൻ ജീത്തു ജോസഫിന്റെ രണ്ട് ചിത്രങ്ങളും പട്ടികയിലുണ്ട്.
