: Following the critical success of Gaganachari (2043 dystopian setting), director Arun Chandu is expanding this universe. A major upcoming entry features Suresh Gopi as "Maniyan Chittappan," a mad scientist.
For decades, science fiction in Indian cinema was largely synonymous with campy alien invasions or didactic social allegories dressed in silver foil. Malayalam cinema, or Mollywood, has always been the exception—a industry that quietly produced mind-bending classics like Kummatti (1979) and the recent, critically acclaimed Gaganachari (2024). Yet, the true test for Malayalam sci-fi isn't a two-hour film; it's the long-form series. As we look toward the announced Malayalam sci-fi shows slated for 2025, we are not merely witnessing a release slate. We are witnessing a potential paradigm shift: the arrival of a sophisticated, homegrown genre that finally has the narrative room to breathe.
: Released in early 2026 but heavily anticipated throughout 2025, this "neo-Kochi" sci-fi drama explores memory and near-death experiences through virtual reality. Emerging Trends in Malayalam Sci-Fi sci-fi malayalam upcoming shows 2025
Beyond pure sci-fi, several 2025 releases lean heavily into speculative fiction and fantasy.
Yet, the most audacious gamble of the 2025 slate is narrative pacing. In traditional Malayalam cinema, the "twist" is sacred. In these upcoming series, however, the twist is the premise. For example, Loka Samastha (a political thriller set on a generation ship) is said to spend its first three entire episodes establishing the caste dynamics of the ship's lower decks before any "sci-fi" event occurs. This is a dangerous but brilliant strategy. It trusts the audience to invest in characters first, and concepts second. If successful, it will break the Indian streaming habit of binge-watching for plot resolution, encouraging viewers to savor atmospheric dread and philosophical debate. : Following the critical success of Gaganachari (2043
Following the massive success of Manjummel Boys (which had survival-thriller elements), several production houses have greenlit "survival sci-fi" projects.
: Following the success of Gaganachari , director Arun Chandu is expanding this dystopian world with a new project starring Suresh Gopi as the "mad scientist" . Kathanar – The Wild Sorcerer Malayalam cinema, or Mollywood, has always been the
: A massive period-fantasy starring Jayasurya and Anushka Shetty, slated for a 2025 release. It focuses on the legendary sorcerer Kadamattathu Kathanar with high-end VFX.
: Although grounded in fantasy, this big-budget project is frequently listed among the major technical spectacles of 2025, utilizing advanced VFX to bridge the gap between myth and science. Masthishka Maranam
: Often described as a zombie sci-fi experiment, this film from Arun Chandu stars Gokul Suresh and Aju Varghese, further pushing the boundaries of the sci-fi subgenre in Kerala.