<p>Three months into 2026 and Bollywood has already handed us a stack of films that feel like they belong in a year-end best-of list. We're not complaining — after a patchy 2024 and a recovery-mode 2025, Hindi cinema needed this kind of energy. The kind where you walk out of a theatre and immediately text three people to go watch it.</p>

<p>Let's get into the films that have defined Bollywood's 2026 so far.</p>

<h2>1. Sikandar</h2>
<p>Salman Khan and AR Murugadoss teaming up sounded like a mismatch on paper, but <strong>Sikandar</strong> proved the doubters wrong. This isn't your typical Salman masala film — Murugadoss brought the tight screenplay discipline he's known for, and Salman delivered a performance that reminded us of his <em>Bajrangi Bhaijaan</em> days. The action set-pieces are inventive, the emotional core is surprisingly strong, and Rashmika Mandanna holds her own against Salman's screen presence. We'd put this among Salman's top five films, no question.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)</strong></p>

<h2>2. Chhaava</h2>
<p>Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a casting choice that had "prestige project" written all over it, and <strong>Chhaava</strong> delivered exactly that. Director Laxman Utekar shifted gears completely from his comedy comfort zone to craft a historical epic that's visually stunning and emotionally resonant. Kaushal is magnetic — there's a sequence in the Aurangzeb darbar that gave us genuine goosebumps. Rashmika Mandanna (yes, she's everywhere this year) brings quiet strength to Yesubai. The film avoids the trap of turning history into a lecture and instead makes it breathe with urgency.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)</strong></p>

<h2>3. Deva</h2>
<p>Shahid Kapoor doing an action thriller with Rosshan Andrrews (the man behind Malayalam gems like <em>Salute</em> and <em>How Old Are You</em>) was a combination we didn't know we needed. <strong>Deva</strong> is slick, fast-paced, and has a central performance from Shahid that crackles with intensity. Pooja Hegde gets a role with actual substance. The second half drags slightly, but the climax makes up for it with a twist that genuinely caught us off guard.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5)</strong></p>

<h2>4. Thama</h2>
<p>Ayushmann Khurrana in a vampire horror-comedy? We were sceptical. But Amar Kaushik, riding the confidence wave of <em>Stree 2</em>'s massive success, has built another winner in the Maddock Horror Universe. <strong>Thama</strong> is funny, creepy in equal measure, and Ayushmann sinks his teeth into the role (pun fully intended). Rashmika Mandanna — seriously, what's in her 2026 contract? — adds the right energy. It's not as tight as <em>Stree 2</em>, but it's wildly entertaining.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)</strong></p>

<h2>5. Sky Force</h2>
<p>Akshay Kumar's much-needed comeback vehicle, <strong>Sky Force</strong>, is a war drama set against the 1965 Indo-Pak air conflict. It's patriotic without being preachy, action-packed without being mindless. Akshay is back in his element, and Sara Ali Khan surprises with a measured, emotional performance. The aerial sequences are among the best we've seen in Indian cinema. After a string of duds, this feels like the Akshay reset we were hoping for.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5)</strong></p>

<h2>Honourable Mentions</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Azaad</strong> — Aaman Devgan's debut. Uneven but shows promise. The horse-riding sequences are genuinely spectacular.</li>
<li><strong>Emergency</strong> — Kangana Ranaut's passion project about Indira Gandhi. Polarising, but undeniably powerful filmmaking in parts.</li>
<li><strong>Mere Husband Ki Biwi</strong> — Arjun Kapoor, Rakul Preet, and Bhumi Pednekar in a rom-com that's funnier than it has any right to be.</li>
</ul>

<h2>The Trend We're Noticing</h2>
<p>What stands out about 2026 so far is the willingness to take risks. Bollywood isn't playing safe anymore — vampire comedies, South Indian directors crossing over, historical epics with genuine ambition. The days of lazy remakes and formulaic sequels aren't entirely gone, but the balance has shifted. Audiences are rewarding quality, and filmmakers are responding.</p>

<p>The box office numbers back this up. <em>Chhaava</em> crossed 200 crore within its first two weeks. <em>Sikandar</em> opened to packed houses. Even mid-budget films like <em>Deva</em> are finding their audience. There's a confidence in Bollywood right now that's infectious.</p>

<h2>What's Coming Next</h2>
<p>April looks loaded — we've got <strong>War 2</strong> finally arriving, plus several strong mid-budget releases. If the rest of 2026 maintains this momentum, we might be looking at Bollywood's best year in a decade. We'll keep updating this list as the year unfolds. For now, get to the theatres — Hindi cinema is having a moment.</p>

Discover the best Bollywood movies of 2026 so far, from Chhaava and Sikandar to Thama and Sky Force. Reviews, ratings, and what makes this year special for Hindi cinema.

Best Bollywood Movies of 2026 So Far

<p>There's a reason the rest of India — and honestly, the rest of the world — can't stop talking about Malayalam cinema. While other industries chase box office numbers with spectacle, Mollywood keeps delivering stories that stay with you for days after watching. The kind of films where you pause, stare at the ceiling, and process what you just experienced.</p>

<p>We've combed through every major streaming platform to bring you the ten Malayalam films you should be watching right now. Some are recent releases, others you might have missed. All of them are essential.</p>

<h2>1. Empuraan (Disney+ Hotstar)</h2>
<p>Prithviraj Sukumaran returns as Zayed Masood in this sequel to the 2019 hit <em>Lucifer</em>. Director Prithviraj (yes, he directed it himself) has crafted something more ambitious and morally complex than its predecessor. The political intrigue is thicker, the stakes are higher, and Mohanlal's extended cameo is the kind of scene that makes you rewind immediately. It's not perfect — the runtime tests your patience — but the highs are extraordinary.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)</strong></p>

<h2>2. Thalapathy (Netflix)</h2>
<p>This isn't about a superstar — it's about a chess prodigy from a small Kerala town who battles institutional gatekeeping. Director Mahesh Narayanan continues his streak of making grounded, deeply human films. Fahadh Faasil delivers what might be his most restrained performance, which is saying something. The chess sequences are shot with a tension that rivals any thriller. Quietly devastating.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)</strong></p>

<h2>3. Kottukkaali (Mubi)</h2>
<p>Originally a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual, <strong>Kottukkaali</strong> (The Adamant Girl) is PS Vinothraj's follow-up to the National Award-winning <em>Pebbles</em>. It's a film about a family transporting a rooster to a temple — and that's all we'll say about the plot, because the beauty lies in how this simple premise unfolds into a searing commentary on caste, patriarchy, and control. Anna Ben is revelatory. This is art cinema at its most accessible.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)</strong></p>

<h2>4. Aattam (Amazon Prime Video)</h2>
<p>Anand Ekarshi's <strong>Aattam</strong> remains one of the most important Malayalam films in recent years. A theatre group's dinner turns into a moral reckoning when a female member alleges sexual assault. It's a single-location drama that grips you like a vice. The ensemble cast — featuring some of Malayalam cinema's finest character actors — is uniformly excellent. If you haven't seen this yet, clear your evening tonight.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)</strong></p>

<h2>5. Manjummel Boys (Disney+ Hotstar)</h2>
<p>Chidambaram's survival thriller became a national phenomenon for good reason. Based on a true incident of friends trapped in the Guna Caves, it's edge-of-your-seat filmmaking with genuine heart. The camaraderie feels real because the actors — Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, and the ensemble — bring natural chemistry. The cave sequences are claustrophobic and brilliantly executed. A genuine crowd-pleaser that doesn't sacrifice quality.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)</strong></p>

<h2>6. Bramayugam (SonyLIV)</h2>
<p>Mammootty in a black-and-white period horror film set in a haunted manor. If that sentence doesn't make you want to watch this immediately, we can't help you. Rahul Sadasivan's <strong>Bramayugam</strong> is atmospheric, unsettling, and anchored by a Mammootty performance that's all menace and mystery. The production design alone is worth the watch — every frame looks like a painting from a nightmare. Horror done right.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)</strong></p>

<h2>7. Ullozhukku (Disney+ Hotstar)</h2>
<p>Christo Tomy's debut feature is about two women — a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law — dealing with the death of their husband/son during Kerala's devastating floods. Parvathy Thiruvothu and Urvashi deliver powerhouse performances in what's essentially a two-hander. The floodwaters become a metaphor for the secrets rising between them. Intimate, devastating, and masterfully directed for a debut.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)</strong></p>

<h2>8. Aadujeevitham (Netflix)</h2>
<p>Blessy's adaptation of Benyamin's bestselling novel took nearly a decade to make, and every year of that struggle is visible on screen. Prithviraj physically transformed himself to play Najeeb, a migrant worker trapped in slavery in the Saudi desert. It's harrowing, beautiful, and profoundly moving. Not an easy watch, but an essential one. The goat-herding sequences in the desert are unlike anything you've seen in Indian cinema.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)</strong></p>

<h2>9. Turbo (Disney+ Hotstar)</h2>
<p>Sometimes you just want a Mammootty mass film that delivers the goods, and <strong>Turbo</strong> does exactly that. Vysakh directs with his typical energy, and Mammootty at 70+ does action sequences that would tire actors half his age. It's loud, colourful, and enormously fun. Not every film needs to be <em>Aattam</em> — sometimes you need a Turbo.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★ (3/5)</strong></p>

<h2>10. Kishkindha Kaandam (Disney+ Hotstar)</h2>
<p>Dinjith Ayyathan's slow-burn mystery about a retired forest officer and his family's dark secrets is the kind of film that rewards patience. Asif Ali and Vijayaraghavan are excellent, but it's the screenplay that's the real star. Every scene adds a layer, and the final reveal lands with the force of a thunderclap. If you like your mysteries cerebral rather than flashy, this is your film.</p>
<p><strong>Our Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)</strong></p>

<h2>The Malayalam Advantage</h2>
<p>What makes this list remarkable is the range. Horror, survival thriller, social drama, art cinema, mass entertainer, literary adaptation — Malayalam cinema covers every genre with equal seriousness. There's no hierarchy of "important" vs "commercial" films. They simply make good films, whatever the genre. The rest of Indian cinema is catching up, but Mollywood is still setting the pace.</p>

<p>Happy streaming. Your watchlist just got a lot longer.</p>

The 10 best Malayalam movies streaming on OTT platforms right now — from Empuraan and Manjummel Boys to Bramayugam and Aattam. Reviews and ratings included.

Top 10 Malayalam Movies on OTT Right Now

<p>When the credits rolled on <em>Pushpa 2: The Rule</em>, half the theatre was already asking the same question: "Is there a Part 3?" The other half was still processing that climax — the kind of ending that doesn't just tease a sequel but practically demands one. Sukumar left enough threads dangling to weave an entire new saga, and if we know anything about the man, it's that he doesn't leave threads by accident.</p>

<p>So let's break down everything we know — and everything we think we know — about <strong>Pushpa 3</strong>.</p>

<h2>Has Pushpa 3 Been Officially Confirmed?</h2>
<p>Not in the traditional "announcement poster with a release date" way, but the signs are unmistakable. Producer Mythri Movie Makers has hinted multiple times that the Pushpa universe isn't done. Sukumar himself, in a post-release interview, said: "Pushpa's story has more to tell. Whether it's a third film or something else, we'll see." That's about as close to a confirmation as you get from a filmmaker who guards his scripts like state secrets.</p>

<p>Allu Arjun, during the success tour for <em>The Rule</em>, was more direct: "If Sukumar writes it, I'll do it. Pushpa Raj has more fire left." Reading between the lines — and we've gotten good at that with this team — Pushpa 3 is happening. The question is when.</p>

<h2>What Could the Story Be?</h2>
<p>Here's where it gets interesting. <em>Pushpa 2</em> ended with Pushpa Raj establishing dominance in the red sandalwood empire but facing a new, far more dangerous adversary — someone operating from the political sphere rather than law enforcement. The Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat arc (Fahadh Faasil's character) reached a climax, but the ending suggested their rivalry has transformed rather than concluded.</p>

<p>Our best guess? <strong>Pushpa 3</strong> will take the story national. The first two films were rooted in Andhra Pradesh's Seshachalam forests. A third film could expand to the political corridors of Delhi, the smuggling networks of Mumbai, or even international territory. Pushpa Raj going from local kingpin to national player would be a natural escalation.</p>

<p>There's also the family angle. Srivalli's (Rashmika Mandanna) arc in <em>The Rule</em> set up significant conflict that wasn't fully resolved. A third film could explore what happens when Pushpa's ambition collides with his family's safety — the classic gangster film territory that Sukumar could handle with his signature style.</p>

<h2>The Fahadh Faasil Factor</h2>
<p>Let's be honest — Fahadh Faasil's Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat was slightly underutilised in <em>Pushpa 2</em>. Fans expected more screen time, more confrontation, more of that electric chemistry between him and Allu Arjun. If Pushpa 3 happens, we expect Fahadh to have a significantly larger role. The cat-and-mouse dynamic between Pushpa and Shekhawat is too good to waste, and Sukumar knows it.</p>

<h2>Expected Cast</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Allu Arjun</strong> as Pushpa Raj — guaranteed</li>
<li><strong>Rashmika Mandanna</strong> as Srivalli — very likely</li>
<li><strong>Fahadh Faasil</strong> as Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat — very likely</li>
<li><strong>New antagonist</strong> — rumours suggest a major Bollywood actor in talks for a political villain role. Names like Hrithik Roshan and Ranveer Singh have been floated, but nothing confirmed.</li>
<li><strong>Sukumar</strong> directing — if he doesn't direct, it probably won't happen</li>
</ul>

<h2>Possible Release Timeline</h2>
<p>Here's the realistic picture. Sukumar is a meticulous filmmaker — <em>Pushpa 2</em> itself took three years after Part 1. If pre-production begins in late 2026, we're looking at a 2028-2029 release window. Sukumar doesn't rush, and with a franchise this valuable, the producers won't push him to.</p>

<p>There's also the question of Allu Arjun's schedule. He has at least one other project reportedly in discussion, and he might want a palette cleanser before returning to Pushpa Raj. A gap between films isn't necessarily bad — it builds anticipation.</p>

<h2>Box Office Expectations</h2>
<p><em>Pushpa 2: The Rule</em> collected over 1,800 crore worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever. A third film, if it delivers on the narrative promise, could realistically aim for the 2,000 crore mark. The Pushpa brand is now pan-India in a way that few franchises manage — the Hindi belt embraces it as enthusiastically as the South.</p>

<h2>Should They Make It?</h2>
<p>This is the real question. Trilogies in Indian cinema have a mixed track record. For every <em>Baahubali</em> (which was always designed as two parts), there are franchises that overstayed their welcome. The risk with Pushpa 3 is turning a compelling underdog story into a bloated franchise. Pushpa Raj's journey from nobody to kingpin has a natural arc — stretching it further needs genuine narrative justification, not just commercial incentive.</p>

<p>That said, we trust Sukumar. He's not a filmmaker who makes sequels for the money (if he were, <em>Pushpa 2</em> would have been a lazy cash-grab, and it wasn't). If he has a story worth telling, we'll be first in line. If he decides the story is complete, we'd respect that too.</p>

<p>For now, we wait. And rewatch the first two films for the eighth time.</p>

Everything we know about Pushpa 3 — cast updates, story predictions, release timeline, and whether a third film in the Pushpa franchise is officially happening.

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