Taiwan's Horror Films: A Gateway to Indonesia's Booming Market

A recent analysis by K7 Media, presented by Trang Nguyen at the Taiwan Creative Content Fest (TCCF) in Taipei, highlights horror as a prime genre for collaboration between Taiwanese and Indonesian producers. This finding is crucial, given Indonesia's status as Southeast Asia's leading economy and most significant film market. The box office revenue in Indonesia reached an impressive $352.9 million in 2025, surpassing Vietnam and Thailand by considerable margins, and demonstrating a robust 5.1% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the Asia-Pacific average.

Indonesian films predominantly capture the local audience's attention. In 2025, domestic productions accounted for 43% of releases but garnered 64% of total admissions, selling 82.6 million tickets. This significantly overshadows the 36.9 million admissions for U.S. films and even lower figures for other Asian imports. Horror is particularly prevalent, with five of the top ten highest-attended Indonesian films since 2011 belonging to this genre. Notable successes include MD Pictures' 2022 horror film 'KKN di Desa Penari.' The market also shows a strong appetite for remakes and adaptations, with successful Indonesian versions of Korean films like 'Miracle in Cell No. 7' and Thai horror-comedies like 'Pee Mak' demonstrating the potential for localized content.

The streaming sector in Indonesia is also experiencing rapid growth, offering additional avenues for content distribution. Vidio, launched in 2014, leads the streaming market, while international platforms like Netflix and Disney+ (rebranded as Disney+ Hotstar) have also established strong footholds. These platforms show a diverse viewing landscape, with Korean dramas, in particular, performing exceptionally well. For Taiwan, which currently has a limited presence in the Indonesian market beyond nostalgic content like 'Meteor Garden,' the study suggests moving beyond direct content sales. Instead, Taiwanese companies are encouraged to enhance their promotional activities and engage in strategic partnerships, particularly in the horror genre, to effectively penetrate and expand within this dynamic market.

The Indonesian entertainment landscape offers a vibrant ecosystem for content creators and distributors, characterized by strong local film consumption, a thriving horror genre, and a rapidly evolving digital streaming sector. For Taiwan, recognizing and capitalizing on these trends, especially through genre-specific collaborations and increased market engagement, can pave the way for a more substantial cultural and economic exchange. By focusing on areas of mutual interest and leveraging successful local strategies, both nations can achieve greater success in the global entertainment arena.