TLDR: Two Malaysian animated films have shattered box office records in 2025, collectively earning RM118.4 million and signaling a major shift in the local animation industry.

Papa Zola The Movie led the charge with RM59.8 million in Malaysian box office receipts, while Ejen Ali The Movie 2: Misi Satria followed closely with RM58.4 million.

Surpassing Previous Records

Soruce: FINAS Malaysia and Astro Awani

The 2025 figures represent a significant leap from 2019, when three local animated films—Ejen Ali The Movie (RM30.1 million), BoBoiBoy The Movie 2 (RM29.2 million), and Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal (RM26.2 million)—collectively earned RM85.5 million.

Papa Zola Becomes Top-Grossing Malaysian Animated Film and is Going International

The producers of Papa Zola The Movie announced the film has reached RM60 million in total earnings across Malaysia and Brunei, making it the highest-grossing animated film in Malaysian cinema history.

The film continues its theatrical run in Malaysia and Brunei and is set to expand internationally, with releases scheduled for:

• Indonesia: January 23, 2026
• India, Vietnam, and West Asian markets (including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Turkey): April 2026

Source