Indonesian Animation ‘Jumbo’ Continues to Charm Korean Audiences
The Indonesian animated film Jumbo has demonstrated remarkable staying power in the South Korean box office, exceeding expectations and captivating viewers for over a month. Since its debut on February 18th, the film has attracted more than 52,000 moviegoers in South Korea.
A Month of Success in a Competitive Market
According to data from the Korean Film Council, Jumbo has sold 52,546 tickets in its first 30 days of release. Even as the film’s performance has softened from its initial peak, it remains a notable achievement for an Indonesian animated feature in a highly competitive market.
On March 20th, Jumbo was screened in four theaters, attracting four ticket sales, equivalent to US$20. This indicates a decline in viewership, but the film’s initial success is undeniable.
Initial Breakthrough and Box Office Rankings
Jumbo initially surprised audiences by reaching the sixth and seventh positions in the daily Korean box office rankings upon its release. Despite facing challenges and briefly dropping to the teens in terms of ranking, the film managed to climb back into the top 10 at times.
The film achieved its highest ranking in the monthly box office charts, securing the 15th position in February 2026 with a total of 49,753 tickets sold. This placed Jumbo just below the global animated blockbuster, Zootopia 2, for that month.
Year-to-Date Performance
As of March 21st, Jumbo currently ranks as the 33rd highest-grossing film in South Korea for the year, trailing behind Hamnet (58,084 tickets) and Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight (54,687).
Success at Home and Abroad
Domestically, Jumbo has become the second-highest-grossing Indonesian film of all time, with an impressive 10,233,002 tickets sold, surpassed only by Agak Laen: Menyala Pantiku! which sold 10,959,123 tickets.
Jumbo tells the story of Don, a boy who attempts to revive a fairytale book left by his parents, embarking on a magical adventure with his grandmother and friends, Nurman and Mae, and encountering Meri, a girl from another world.
What Does This Mean for Indonesian Animation?
The success of Jumbo in South Korea signals a growing international appetite for Indonesian animation. This achievement could pave the way for increased distribution deals and greater recognition for Indonesian filmmakers on the global stage.
The film’s appeal to a diverse audience in Korea, with a majority of viewers aged 40 and over and a higher percentage of female attendees, suggests a broad demographic reach for Indonesian animated content.
FAQ
Q: How many tickets did Jumbo sell in South Korea?
A: Jumbo sold 52,546 tickets in South Korea within its first 30 days of release.
Q: What was Jumbo’s highest box office ranking in Korea?
A: Jumbo reached as high as 6th and 7th place in the daily Korean box office rankings.
Q: Is Jumbo still showing in Korean cinemas?
A: Yes, as of March 20th, Jumbo was still screening in four Korean cinemas.
Q: What is Jumbo about?
A: Jumbo is an animated film about a boy named Don who goes on a magical adventure to revive a fairytale book.
Did you understand? Jumbo outperformed the Oscar-nominated film Sentimental Value in the Korean box office during the same release period.
Pro Tip: Preserve an eye out for more Indonesian animated films as international distribution increases!
Want to learn more about the growing animation scene in Indonesia? Explore our other articles on Indonesian cinema.
