Jumbo Breaks Indonesian Animation Record with Over 1 Million Admissions

Jumbo, an animated feature from Indonesia’s Visinema Studios, has become the highest-grossing Indonesian animated film after drawing over one million admissions within its first seven days in theaters. The film opened on March 31 and has since overtaken the 2017 title Si Juki The Movie: Panitia Hari Akhir, which previously held the record with 642,312 admissions.

The story centers on Don, a boy overlooked by his peers, who plans to perform a stage play based on a fairytale book left by his late parents. His plans are interrupted when a bully steals the book, leading him to cross paths with a mysterious child searching for her family. The film’s focus on friendship, grief, and determination has drawn broad attention, especially in a market where horror titles account for more than half of theatrical releases.

Producer Anggia Kharisma described the public response as deeply personal for the creative team. “These numbers aren’t just about ticket sales. They represent love, hope, and trust from the people for our own local stories,” she said. “Seeing this kind of heartfelt response from Indonesian audiences makes every challenge we’ve faced over the past five years feel incredibly meaningful.”

Directed and written by Ryan Adriandhy, Jumbo was produced over five years through the efforts of more than 420 local animators and creative staff. The film marks another project under Visinema Group, which was founded in 2008 by filmmaker Angga Dwimas Sasongko. The studio has built a reputation for developing Indonesian stories, with previous works including Nussa, Mencuri Raden Saleh, and Keluarga Cemara.

The release of Jumbo arrives during a period when local animated features remain rare in Indonesia’s theatrical landscape. Its commercial performance has drawn attention from distributors abroad, leading to a confirmed international rollout. Starting in June, the film will premiere in theaters in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam. Additional releases are planned in regions across Asia and Europe, including Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic states, and several Central Asian countries.

Beyond ticket sales, the film has received extensive online attention from self-identified fans who have created viral content promoting the film. This unofficial fanbase, calling themselves “Jumbo’s Free Buzzers,” helped drive discussion on platforms such as TikTok and X, contributing to days of sustained online visibility.

The production’s approach relied heavily on domestic resources, from animation to voice acting, positioning it as a significant example of local industry capabilities. While previous efforts in Indonesian animation have often remained niche, Jumbo’s success suggests broader public interest in family-oriented storytelling produced within the country.

Visinema’s decision to prioritize a theatrical release in a climate dominated by imported titles and local horror films reflects a long-term investment in original content. The company continues to work on expanding its portfolio of Indonesian intellectual properties, building on the growing visibility of its past releases.