The Round Table

Jumbo Becomes the Highest-Grossing Animated Film from Southeast Asia

Jumbo Becomes the Highest-Grossing Animated Film from Southeast Asia

Jumbo has officially become the most successful Southeast Asian animated film of all time. As of Tuesday, 15 April 2025, Visinema Studios announced that the film has drawn more than 3.5 million viewers in just 15 days since its release. Remarkably, nearly one million of those tickets were sold during the weekend of 12–13 April alone.

According to Hollywood media outlet Deadline, the film has earned over USD 8 million in domestic revenue, equivalent to around IDR 128 billion. This figure allows Jumbo to surpass Malaysia’s Mechamato Movie, which previously held the ASEAN animation record with USD 7.68 million following its 2022 release.

In Indonesia, Jumbo has already outperformed Moana 2, which previously held the record for most tickets sold with 3.1 million. The only title still ahead of Jumbo is Frozen 2, setting a high bar in terms of overall viewership.

But Jumbo’s journey doesn’t end with domestic success. The film is now set for international release, with distribution openings across North America, Western Europe, Australia, and even China. It’s only a matter of time before audiences around the world are introduced to the characters Don and Meri on cinema screens worldwide.

Before Jumbo captured the hearts of millions, several Indonesian animated films had already gained popularity, some even breaking through to international markets. These include:

  • Si Juki The Movie: Panitia Hari Akhir (2017)

  • Nussa (2021)

  • Si Juki The Movie: Harta Pulau Monyet (2024)

  • Titus: Mystery of the Enygma (2020)

  • Petualangan Singa Pemberani Atlantos (2016)

  • Battle of Surabaya (2015)

  • Riki Rhino (2020)

  • Zanna: Whisper of Volcano Isle (2025)

  • Knight Kris (2017)

There was once a time when local animated films were underestimated. But that narrative has changed dramatically. The visuals have become more refined, the stories more compelling, and the audience much larger. Jumbo has now set a new benchmark for Indonesian animation, both in terms of storytelling and commercial performance.

So, among all these films, which ones have you seen?

A full discussion of Jumbo and the rise of Indonesian animation will be featured in the Wednesday (16 April 2025) edition of detikPagi. Catch the live broadcast from 8:00 to 11:00 WIB, Monday to Friday, via YouTube and TikTok on detikcom. Viewers can also join the conversation by sharing ideas, stories, and questions through the live chat feature.