Latest news with #MechamatoMovie
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: RM40.6mil in 13 days: 'Ejen Ali' sequel is highest-grossing local animated film
KUALA LUMPUR: Popular local animated film 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2' (EATM2) has achieved a remarkable box office collection of RM40.6 million, making it the country's highest-grossing animated film to date. Produced by Primeworks Studios and Wau Animation, EATM2 has surpassed the previous record holder, Mechamato Movie, which garnered RM35.9 million at the box office in 2022. In a statement yesterday, the film's director, Usamah Zaid Yasin, attributed this success to the enduring appeal of local animated movies among viewers. "EATM2 builds upon the legacy of 'Ejen Ali The Movie' on a grander scale, establishing itself as a must-see for the entire family," he said. "Our production team extends its gratitude to over 2.5 million viewers for their unwavering support. "This triumph is not just ours, but a victory for the entire local animation industry. Thank you, Malaysia, for believing in our own stories." Media Prima Television Networks and Primeworks Studios chief executive officer, Nini Yusof, commented, "With this momentum, EATM2 continues to pave the way for local animated films to penetrate the international market." EATM2 follows 12-year-old superspy Ejen Ali as he confronts a phantom menace named Ciro, utilising more advanced espionage technology than ever before. Ali becomes the pilot for a high-stakes mission within Satria, an elite programme powered by an AI-assisted mecha suit. The mission takes a darker turn when the mysterious hacker Neonimus resurfaces, driven by a personal vendetta against Ali. Compared to the 2019 original, 'Ejen Ali The Movie', this sequel boasts more explosive action and a deeper, more immersive narrative.
Malay Mail
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Indonesia's ‘Jumbo' smashes box-office records, becoming highest-grossing SE Asian animated film (VIDEO)
JAKARTA, May 11 — An Indonesian animated movie is smashing regional box-office records and could be set for wider success as it prepares to open beyond the South-east Asian archipelago's silver screens. Jumbo — a film based on the adventures of main character Don, a large orphaned Indonesian boy facing bullying at school — last month became the highest-grossing South-east Asian animated film, raking in more than US$8 million (RM34.3 million). Released at the end of March to coincide with the Eid holidays after the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, the movie has hit eight million ticket sales, the third highest in Indonesian cinema history, according to Film Indonesia. The film explores 'what we've lost in life and the strength we need to overcome it', director Ryan Adriandhy Halim told 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 film, Don has a storybook filled with magical tales — including a meeting with a fairy who wants him to help her reconnect with her family. 'This film is for us, for our children, and for the child within us,' Ryan said. For weeks after its release, Jumbo kept theatres packed across Indonesia. The movie — which began production five years ago and called on the help of 400 local creators — surpassed the regional record set by Malaysia's Mechamato Movie in 2022. Its success has caught many in the Indonesian film industry by surprise. 'I predicted the film would be popular — but not this much,' said Petrus Kristianto Prayitno Santoso, film programming supervisor for operator Flix Cinema. This picture taken on April 21, 2025 shows Anggia Kharisma, producer of the animated film Jumbo, reacting during an interview in Jakarta. — AFP pic 'Stepping stone' However, the film's wider appeal will be tested when it opens in more than 17 countries in June, including Malaysia, Singapore, Turkiye and Mongolia, said Anggia Kharisma, chief content officer at Visinema Studios, the film's production house. The company says other release dates are still in discussion, meaning it could be set for a global rollout. In an industry flooded with Hollywood blockbusters and local horror movies, Jumbo has stood out. 'It's been a long time since we've had an Indonesian family film,' said Adi, 38, who watched the movie with his wife Ria and their two young children. This picture taken on April 21, 2025 shows Ryan Adriandhy Halim, director of the animated film Jumbo, speaking during an interview in Jakarta. — AFP pic But he added that 'in South-east Asia, it will work because the culture is similar, but I'm not sure about regions beyond that'. The film has given hope to Indonesian audiences that their local productions could see more global success. Cinemagoer Dika, 27, said she believes 'the film could rival Disney productions'. Ryan himself has more modest ambitions, hoping simply that his debut feature will become 'a stepping stone and a benchmark for Indonesian animation' in the future. — ETX Studio
Japan Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
'Jumbo': the animated Indonesian film smashing records
An Indonesian animated movie is smashing regional box-office records and could be set for wider success as it prepares to open beyond the Southeast Asian archipelago's silver screens. "Jumbo" — a film based on the adventures of main character Don, a large orphaned Indonesian boy facing bullying at school — last month became the highest-grossing Southeast Asian animated film, raking in more than $8 million. Released at the end of March to coincide with the Eid holidays after the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, the movie has hit 8 million ticket sales, the third-highest in Indonesian cinema history, according to Film Indonesia. The film explores "what we've lost in life and the strength we need to overcome it," says director Ryan Adriandhy Halim. "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 film, Don has a storybook filled with magical tales — including a meeting with a fairy who wants him to help her reconnect with her family. "This film is for us, for our children, and for the child within us," Ryan says. For weeks after its release, 'Jumbo' kept theaters packed across Indonesia. The movie — which began production five years ago and called on the help of 400 local creators — surpassed the regional record set by Malaysia's "Mechamato Movie" in 2022. Its success has caught many in the Indonesian film industry by surprise. "I predicted the film would be popular — but not this much," says Petrus Kristianto Prayitno Santoso, film programming supervisor for operator Flix Cinema. Ryan Adriandhy Halim, director of the animated film "Jumbo," says he hopes his work proves to be a stepping stone for Indonesian animation. | AFP-JIJI However, the film's wider appeal will be tested when it opens in more than 17 countries in June, including Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey and Mongolia, says Anggia Kharisma, chief content officer at Visinema Studios, the film's production house. The company says other release dates are still in discussion, meaning it could be set for a global rollout. In an industry flooded with Hollywood blockbusters and local horror movies, "Jumbo" has stood out. "It's been a long time since we've had an Indonesian family film," says Adi, 38, who watched the movie with his wife, Ria, and their two young children. 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 film has given hope to Indonesian audiences that their local productions could see more global success. Cinemagoer Dika, 27, said she believes "the film could rival Disney productions." Ryan himself has more modest ambitions, hoping simply that his debut feature will become "a stepping stone and a benchmark for Indonesian animation" in the future.
