Some animated stories begin with a single spark — others, like Jumbo, thunder into theatres with enough force to shake a region. The Indonesian animated feature has officially become Southeast Asia’s highest-grossing homegrown animation of all time, surpassing expectations and setting a new benchmark for the regional industry, per Deadline. Since its release on 31 March (coinciding with Eid al-Fitr), Jumbo has pulled in more than US$8 million at the Indonesian box office, toppling the previous record set by Malaysia’s Mechamato Movie, which earned around US$7.68 million in 2022.
Produced by Jakarta-based Visinema Studios, Jumbo has now clocked over 3.2 million admissions, including close to a million across a single weekend in April. In just two weeks, it overtook Moana 2 to become Indonesia’s second-highest-grossing animated film ever, trailing only Frozen 2. While Disney’s blockbusters have long reigned supreme in Southeast Asian cinemas, Jumbo marks a significant turning point: a local production not only holding its own, but triumphing against internationally established titles.
Helmed by Ryan Adriandhy in his directorial debut and co-written with Widya Arifianti, Jumbo tells the story of Don, an orphan nicknamed “Jumbo” due to his large frame, who discovers purpose and friendship through a magical storybook inherited from his parents. His path crosses with Meri, a fairy who needs his help to find her way back to her family.
Voice performances come from a cast of local talent, including singer Ariel, Prince Poetiray, Muhammad Adhiyat, Graciella Abigail, Yusuf Ozkan, and Quinn Salman. Development began in early 2020 and involved more than 420 Indonesian creatives across animation, art, and story development. The film’s five-year production journey culminated in a polished, locally-rooted product that now stands as a national success story.
Distribution rights for several major markets (including China, North America, western Europe, and Australia) remain available, as Visinema prepares Jumbo for global rollout. Closer to home, Jumbo is expected to be released in Singapore and Malaysia in June.
Founder and CEO Angga Dwimas Sasongko described Jumbo as a deeply personal project, inspired by his child and driven by a broader mission: to give Indonesian children cinematic heroes of their own. “They have the right to see their own stories on screen, told in their own language, and to feel proud of who they are, because they are the future of the cinema we all cherish,” he said.
“We always believed that stories rooted in local values could move people deeply, but to see more than three million people embrace this film as their own, so quickly and so wholeheartedly, is truly humbling. This is no longer just our film, it’s a collective achievement. One that proves Southeast Asian animation has the power to grow, to travel, and to unite when given the space, the belief, and the love it deserves.”
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
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