The Indonesian film industry has experienced a significant resurgence in recent years, with horror films dominating the country’s cinemas. This genre has become a staple of Indonesian cinema, with 60% of the 258 domestic productions made in 2024 being horror films. The success of these films has been attributed to the country’s penchant for ghost and monster stories, which have been passed down through generations. In Indonesia, horror films often draw inspiration from the country’s rich folklore and urban legends. These stories are deeply rooted in the country’s culture and are often used to scare children and teach them about the importance of respecting their elders. For example, the legend of Pocong, a ghost still wrapped in a burial cloth, is a popular tale that has been retold in many films. The Indonesian Film Board (BPI) reported that horror films accounted for 54.6 million tickets sold in 2024, which is 70% of the total audience. This trend is likely to continue, given the popularity of horror films in Indonesia.
- Ekky Imanjaya, a film studies lecturer at Jakarta’s Bina Nusantara University, believes that horror films are successful in Indonesia because they tap into the country’s deep-seated fear of the supernatural.
- The success of horror films in Indonesia can also be attributed to the fact that they often draw inspiration from the country’s urban legends, such as Tuyul, a living-dead child, and Kuntilanak, a woman unable to give birth while her stillborn baby remains inside her.
The Indonesian film industry has experienced a renaissance in recent years, with many independent horror films being produced. The industry has earned the Guinness World Record for the film industry most focused on the genre. The success of these films has also led to an increase in the number of horror-themed cinemas in Indonesia. In 2022, the film KKN di Desa Penari, which is based on a supposedly true story of students experiencing supernatural events in a rural community service programme, was a huge success, selling 10 million tickets. The film launched a new wave of more realistic films, based on real events, and is credited with revitalizing the Indonesian film industry.
- The film industry’s success can be attributed to the fact that it has tapped into the country’s cultural heritage and has produced films that are unique and exotic.
- The rise of streaming services has also allowed indonesian horror films to reach a wider international audience.
The Indonesian film industry has also been recognized internationally, with the country’s first horror film being made in 1971. The film industry has since grown, with many local directors producing high-quality horror films. The success of these films has also led to an increase in the number of international festivals and awards for Indonesian horror films. According to PwC Indonesia, the cinema industry contributed billions to the country’s economy in 2022, and is expected to grow more than six percent annually until 2027.
- The success of Indonesian horror films can be attributed to the fact that they are unique and exotic, and are often based on local myths and legends.
- The rise of streaming services has also allowed Indonesian horror films to reach a wider international audience, making them more accessible to viewers around the world.
The Indonesian film industry is expected to continue its growth in the coming years, with many local directors and producers working on new horror films. The industry’s success is also expected to lead to an increase in the number of horror-themed cinemas in Indonesia.
“I believe that Indonesian horror films are successful abroad because they are unique, exotic, and unimaginable,” said Ekky Imanjaya, a film studies lecturer at Jakarta’s Bina Nusantara University. “The horror film audience seeks the unknown,” he added.
The rise of Indonesian horror films has also been recognized by the Indonesian government, with the country’s film industry being included in the government’s cultural development program.
| Year | Number of Horror Films |
| 2022 | 10 million tickets sold |
| 2024 | 54.6 million tickets sold |
The success of Indonesian horror films is also attributed to the fact that they often tap into the country’s deep-seated fear of the supernatural, and are often based on local myths and legends. The rise of streaming services has also allowed Indonesian horror films to reach a wider international audience, making them more accessible to viewers around the world. The Indonesian film industry is expected to continue its growth in the coming years, with many local directors and producers working on new horror films. The industry’s success is also expected to lead to an increase in the number of horror-themed cinemas in Indonesia.
In conclusion, the Indonesian film industry’s success is a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage and its unique approach to horror films. The industry’s growth is expected to continue, with many local directors and producers working on new horror films. The success of Indonesian horror films is also expected to lead to an increase in the number of horror-themed cinemas in Indonesia.
Western Interest and Global Reach
The rise of Indonesian horror films has also caught the attention of Western audiences. The industry’s success has been recognized internationally, with the country’s first horror film being made in 1971. According to Film Indonesia, the Indonesian film industry generated $136 million in gross revenue in 2022, and is expected to grow more than six percent annually until 2027.
The rise of streaming services has also allowed Indonesian horror films to reach a wider international audience, making them more accessible to viewers around the world. The industry’s success has also been recognized by the Indonesian government, with the country’s film industry being included in the government’s cultural development program. The rise of Indonesian horror films has also been recognized by the international community, with the country’s film industry being included in the government’s cultural development program.
In Indonesia, horror films often draw inspiration from the country’s rich folklore and urban legends. The legend of Tuyul, a living-dead child, and Kuntilanak, a woman unable to give birth while her stillborn baby remains inside her, is also a popular tale that has been retold in many films. The rise of Indonesian horror films has also been recognized by the international community, with the country’s film industry being included in the government’s cultural development program.
The Indonesian film industry has also been recognized internationally, with the country’s first horror film being made in 1971. The rise of Indonesian horror films has also been recognized by the international community, with the country’s film industry being included in the government’s cultural development program.
The Indonesian film industry is expected to continue its growth in the coming years, with many local directors and producers working on new horror films.
