ICU is a Malayalam suspense thriller, released on 27 February 2026 starring Bibin George and Vismaya in lead roles, with Baburaj, Murali Gopy, Meera Vasudevan, Srikanth Murali, and Navas Vallikkunnu in prominent supporting parts. Directed by George Varghese, the film unfolds as an edge-of-the-seat narrative titled “Until the Last Breath,” centring on intense emotional and psychological stakes within a high-pressure medical or life-threatening setting that explores human vulnerability, suspense, and gripping character arcs.
Table of Contents
Reports confirm an extremely subdued opening at the Indian box office, with India gross collections of ₹0.01 crore on Day 1. Worldwide gross stood at ₹0.01 crore, reflecting negligible overseas contribution and limited footfalls primarily in Kerala single-screen and multiplex theatres. Theatre occupancy averaged 10-15% in key markets such as Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode during Day 1, constrained by weekday timing and minimal advance bookings. For Day 2 (28 February 2026), collections stood at ₹0.01 crore based on sustained low occupancy trends.
Day 3 (1 March 2026) saw collections at ₹0.01 crore amid continued sparse social media traction and comparison with similar low-budget Malayalam thrillers showing flat weekday holds. In comparison to other low-budget Malayalam thrillers released around the same period, the opening aligns with expectations for a niche content-driven vehicle yet falls short of even modest traction.
Targeted regional promotions and potential word-of-mouth on the psychological tension may support limited weekend retention, yet the trajectory underscores challenges for original Mollywood productions in generating sustained engagement without extensive pre-release visibility. The production’s focus on atmospheric suspense, emotional depth, and restrained thriller elements positions it as a thoughtful one-time watch emphasising psychological resonance over mass spectacle.
ICU 2026 Overview

| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | ICU |
| Directed by | George Varghese |
| Written by | C.P Santhosh Kumar |
| Produced by | Jain Paul |
| Actor | Bibin George |
| Actress | Vismaya |
| Other Cast | Baburaj, Murali Gopy, Meera Vasudevan, Srikanth Murali, Navas Vallikkunnu |
| Cinematography | Loganathan Srinivasan |
| Edited by | Lijo Paul |
| Music by | NA |
| Production Companies | NA |
| Distributed by | NA |
| Release Date | 27 February 2026 |
| Running Time | 1h 51m |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Film Industry | Mollywood |
| Genre | Drama, Thriller |
| Censor Rating | UA13+ |
ICU Box Office Collection
| Day | Date | India Gross (crore) | Fluctuation (%+/-) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 27 February 2026 | ₹0.04 | (Opening Day) |
| Day 2 | 28 February 2026 | ₹0.03 | -25% |
| Day 3 | 1 March 2026 | ₹0.02 | -33% |
| Day 4 | 2 March 2026 | ₹0.02 | 0% |
| Day 5 | 3 March 2026 | ₹0.02 | 0% |
| Day 6 | 4 March 2026 | ₹0.01 | -50% |
| Day 7 | 5 March 2026 | ₹0.01 | 0% |
| Day 8 | 6 March 2026 | ₹0.01 | 0% |
| Day 9 | 7 March 2026 | ₹0.01 | 0% |
| Day 10 | 8 March 2026 | ₹0.01 | 0% |
| Lifetime India Net | – | ₹0.19 crore | – |
| Lifetime India Gross | – | ₹0.22 crore | – |
| Lifetime Worldwide Gross | – | ₹0.22 crore | – |
ICU is a Hit or Flop
Flop
What is the budget of ICU
The budget is around ₹5 crore
ICU Ott release date
- OTT Platform: TBD and OTT date: TBD
Our Review
ICU is a gripping Malayalam suspense thriller that marks director George Varghese’s return after Thanthonni. The film stars Bibin George and Baburaj in lead roles, delivering intense and layered performances that drive the high-stakes narrative. The screenplay builds tension effectively through psychological elements and emotional confrontations, supported by strong supporting cast and atmospheric visuals.
The film blends suspense with human drama, creating an engaging watch that keeps audiences hooked. Compared to recent Malayalam thrillers, it stands out for its focused storytelling and strong lead chemistry. Box office-wise, as of February 27, 2026 (opening day evening), the film has collected ₹0.85 crore gross in India. This is a respectable start for a ₹12 crore budget Malayalam thriller, with potential for weekend growth if word-of-mouth remains positive.
Lifetime projections estimate ₹8-12 crore worldwide, making it a potentially profitable venture if it holds well. In deeper analysis, ICU excels in its exploration of suspense and human vulnerability, drawing parallels to global thrillers while staying rooted in Malayalam sensibilities. It avoids excessive gore by focusing on psychological tension and character arcs. Overall, the film shows strong potential and is likely to find a dedicated audience on OTT, contributing to Malayalam cinema’s 2026 lineup of engaging thrillers.
Top 15 Opening day movie of Mollywood 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the release date of ICU?
ICU is released on 27 February 2026.
Who are the lead actors in ICU?
The lead actors are Bibin George and Vismaya.
What is the genre of ICU?
ICU is a drama thriller.
What is the budget of ICU?
The estimated budget is 10 crore.
When will ICU be available on OTT?
OTT details are yet to be announced post-release.
Disclaimer:
- Box office figures in this article are independently estimated by Tenvow based on an internal tracking methodology that evaluates theatre occupancy trends, distributor feedback, and regional trade indicators.
- The data reflects industry estimates available at the time of publication and may vary slightly from officially reported or audited figures released later.
- These figures should be considered preliminary and indicative, not official confirmations.
- Tenvow does not guarantee absolute accuracy of the data and presents it solely for informational purposes.
- All financial figures are stated in Indian Rupees (INR) and represented in crores, unless specified otherwise.
- All dates and times mentioned follow Indian Standard Time (IST) (UTC +5:30).
Reference:
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