An Indonesian animated film is smashing regional box-office data and could possibly be set for wider success because it prepares to open past the Southeast Asian archipelago’s silver screens.
“Jumbo” — a movie primarily based on the adventures of most important character Don, a big orphaned Indonesian boy dealing with bullying at college — final month turned the highest-grossing Southeast Asian animated movie, raking in additional than $8 million.
Released on the finish of March to coincide with the Eid holidays after the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, the film has hit eight million ticket gross sales, the third highest in Indonesian cinema historical past, in line with Film Indonesia.
The movie explores “what we’ve lost in life and the strength we need to overcome it”, director Ryan Adriandhy Halim informed AFP.
“We hope to encourage a change, it is for people to treat (each other) more kindly and we want ‘Jumbo’ to be a reminder that everyone deserves respect, no matter what is your background, whatever age group you are.”
In the movie, Don has a storybook full of magical tales — together with a gathering with a fairy who desires him to assist her reconnect together with her household.
“This film is for us, for our children, and for the child within us,” Ryan stated.
For weeks after its launch, ‘Jumbo’ stored theaters packed throughout Indonesia.
The film — which started manufacturing 5 years in the past and known as on the assistance of 400 native creators — surpassed the regional report set by Malaysia’s “Mechamato Movie” in 2022.
Its success has caught many within the Indonesian movie business abruptly.
“I predicted the film would be popular — but not this much,” stated Petrus Kristianto Prayitno Santoso, movie programming supervisor for operator Flix Cinema.
However, the movie’s wider enchantment will probably be examined when it opens in additional than 17 nations in June, together with Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey and Mongolia, stated Anggia Kharisma, chief content material officer at Visinema Studios, the movie’s manufacturing home.
The firm says different launch dates are nonetheless in dialogue, which means it could possibly be set for a worldwide rollout.
In an business flooded with Hollywood blockbusters and native horror films, “Jumbo” has stood out.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had an Indonesian family film,” stated Adi, 38, who watched the film along with his spouse Ria and their two younger youngsters.
But he added that “in Southeast Asia, it will work because the culture is similar, but I’m not sure about regions beyond that”.
The movie has given hope to Indonesian audiences that their native productions might see extra international success.
Cinemagoer Dika, 27, stated she believes “the film could rival Disney productions”.
Ryan himself has extra modest ambitions, hoping merely that his debut characteristic will turn into “a stepping stone and a benchmark for Indonesian animation” sooner or later.
© 2025 AFP