Fahmi: Malaysian films rake in RM129.9m as local animation pushes deeper into overseas markets

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil speaks during the winding-up debate on the Supply Bill at Parliament in Kuala Lumpur on October 29, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Thursday, 29 Oct 2026 6:51 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — Malaysia’s creative industry continues to gain momentum, with local films and animation recording strong box office earnings and expanding their reach into international markets.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) data as of October 8 showed that 17 films under the Mandatory Screening Scheme had generated combined box office receipts of RM129.86 million.

Among the highest-grossing films were Tarung: Unforgiven (RM23.59 million), Chelot (RM19.12 million), Polong (RM15.05 million), Libang Libu (RM14.16 million) and Malaikat Malam (RM12.23 million).

In animation, Fahmi said, Papa Zola The Movie earned RM63.84 million in Malaysia and more than RM69 million across Southeast Asia as of February 2026, highlighting the regional appeal of Malaysian productions.

“Achievements by Mechamato Movie and Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal also demonstrate the ability of Malaysian animation to penetrate international markets,” he said when winding up the policy-level debate on the Supply Bill 2027 (Budget 2027) for the Communications Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Fahmi said the commercial success of Mat Kilau: Kebangkitan Pahlawan, which grossed RM89.06 million, and Sheriff: Narko Integriti (RM59.50 million) further demonstrated the industry’s ability to generate revenue while showcasing Malaysian values, culture and identity.

He said the ministry remained focused on developing local content, intellectual property, market expansion and the competitiveness of Malaysian creative industry players.

Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the Creative Content Fund (DKK) supported 1,677 local creative projects, generating 32,795 employment opportunities.

To attract international investment, Fahmi said 175 foreign productions chose Malaysia as a filming location between January and July 2026 under the Malaysia: A Filming Destination & Production Hub initiative.

These included Lord of the Flies, Mr VIP and Thunderbolts.

Collaborations with Hasbro Entertainment, producer of Transformers, and Banijay Nordic, producer of Survivor, also created opportunities for high-skilled employment, knowledge transfer and local companies’ participation in global creative industry supply chains.

Fahmi said the Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI) attracted an estimated RM2.75 billion in foreign investment between 2013 and 2025, creating about 31,050 jobs.

Meanwhile, he said Malaysia’s cultural and creative industry contributed RM130.7 billion, or 6.8 per cent, to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s Cultural and Creative Satellite Account 2024.

The sector also supported 763,100 jobs and recorded creative product exports worth RM63 billion (US$15.45 billion).

“Behind every film, musical performance, content production or major event lies a network of workers, businesses and services contributing to the national economy,” he said.

Fahmi added that the government, through MyCreative Ventures (MyCV), continued to provide loans, equity investment and market access through initiatives such as Kembara RIUH to help creative entrepreneurs expand their businesses.

He cited local men’s footwear and fashion brand Zeve, a MyCV financing recipient, which recorded RM10 million in revenue in 2025. The company’s monthly sales rose from RM30,000 to RM1.1 million, while its workforce expanded from one employee to 52. — Bernama