Malaysian films post RM129.86 million in box office receipts
Animation title Papa Zola The Movie earned more than RM69 million across Southeast Asia, while filming incentives drew foreign investment, Fahmi Fadzil said.
Malaysia recorded RM129.86 million in ticket revenue from 17 titles covered by its Mandatory Screening Scheme, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said on October 29. The figure reflected records compiled by National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) up to October 8.
Fahmi named Tarung: Unforgiven, with receipts of RM23.59 million, among the biggest earners. Other leading titles were Chelot, which collected RM19.12 million; Polong, RM15.05 million; Libang Libu, RM14.16 million; and Malaikat Malam, RM12.23 million.
He also highlighted animation’s overseas earnings during his winding-up remarks for the Communications Ministry’s policy-level debate on the Supply Bill 2027. By February 2026, Papa Zola The Movie had taken more than RM69 million regionally in Southeast Asia, including Malaysian receipts of RM63.84 million. He pointed to Mechamato Movie and Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal as other examples of animation reaching international markets.
On foreign filming activity, Fahmi reported that Malaysia hosted 175 overseas productions between January and July 2026 through the Malaysia: A Filming Destination & Production Hub initiative. Titles included Lord of the Flies, Mr VIP and Thunderbolts.
He put foreign investment attracted through the Film in Malaysia Incentive at an estimated RM2.75 billion over 2013–2025, with about 31,050 jobs created. Separately, the Creative Content Fund backed 1,677 Malaysian creative projects during the 12th Malaysia Plan, generating 32,795 employment opportunities.
Citing the Department of Statistics Malaysia, Fahmi said cultural and creative activities accounted for RM130.7 billion, or 6.8 per cent, of Malaysia’s GDP in 2024. The industry supported 763,100 jobs and exported RM63 billion worth of creative products.
