Malaria remains a leading global health issue, responsible for >200 million cases and approximately half a million deaths annually. Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which has multiple parasite stages within the human host and the mosquito transmission vector. Antibodies that target the parasite are essential mediators of protective immunity, however little is known regarding specific antibody functions that block parasite growth. We have recently shown that complement activation is an essential function of protective antibodies targeting blood stage parasite replications. IgG and IgM antibodies activate the classical complement cascade leading to membrane attack complex formation, parasite lysis and death. In the absences of parasite specific antibody, MAC formation and parasite lysis is greatly reduced, suggesting the parasite has evolved multiple mechanism of complement regulation, some of which have been identified. Complement activation and MAC formation are also important antibody functions targeting other parasite life stages. Taken together, data show that the complement system and MAC formation are important in mediating antibody function and protective immunity against malaria.