While Bollywood and Hollywood have dominated the spaceship and time-travel tropes, the Malayalam film industry is quietly—and ambitiously—building a slate of science fiction films that promise to blend our native ethos with speculative wonder. From dystopian futures set in Kochi to ethical dilemmas of AI set in the high ranges, here are the most anticipated Malayalam sci-fi movies likely to land in 2026. Director: Rathish Ambat Expected Lead: Tovino Thomas

Mammootty is rumored to play a retired cyber cop caught in a paradox: what happens when the recorded memory doesn't match reality? Expect Lijo’s signature surreal visuals mixed with a deeply philosophical take on privacy, truth, and identity. This one is tipped for a December 2026 awards-season run. Director: Anjali Menon Expected Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Nimisha Sajayan

Alphonse Puthren, known for his unique editing rhythms ( Neram , Premam ), has been teasing a "future film" for years. 2040 is finally moving into production for a mid-2026 release. Set in a waterlogged, climate-change-ravaged Kochi of the year 2040, the story follows a group of "data smugglers" who trade in banned emotions.