Horror movies save Indonesia's film industry

The film industry in Indonesia is growing fast due to the country's love of horror movies. In 2024, 60 percent of the nation's movies were horror. Indonesians bought 54.6 million tickets to watch horror films, 70 percent of all ticket sales.

Only 37 horror films were made between 1990 and 2000. Things have changed a lot since then. Horror films now make up 25 percent of all films.

Indonesia has a long tradition of stories with ghosts and monsters. Many films are based on these ideas. Film expert Ekky Imanjaya knows it's part of their culture. But he's sure other nationalities can also understand the films.

Ekky Imanjaya: "Indonesian fil-, horror films, they offer a 'glocal' approach. 'Glocal' means local in story but global in cinematic language-, languages. So in, as in, you know, so, the western people, they understand what happens because we have the same film, film languages."

Nowadays, Indonesian films can be seen in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. And since 2024, local film producers in Indonesia have had the chance to sell their films to other countries. Film director Anggy Umbara believes the industry will continue growing. That includes countries outside Asia too.

Anggy Umbara: "Indonesian cinema can be accepted all over the world. I mean, it's starting at the moment. It's starting to rise at the moment. I mean, like, our movies are already wanted in Southeast Asia, in Asia. Some of them are travelling to the western world. And we hope that our audience getting bigger and bigger."

Horror films are making money for Indonesia's economy. The future looks bright for the whole film industry. And it's particularly the case for horror movies. View Less