Cinema of Indonesia

Indonesian cinema encompasses films created within the country. According to the Indonesian Film Board (BPI), a film qualifies as Indonesian if it is produced using Indonesian resources and its intellectual property rights belong, wholly or partly, to an Indonesian citizen or legal entity. The nation’s film history began in the early 1900s. The first locally made feature in the Dutch East Indies was *Loetoeng Kasaroeng*, a silent film released in 1926.

Until the 1920s, most films shown in Indonesia came from foreign studios, mainly in Europe and the United States, and were imported as silent documentaries or feature films. Many documentaries about Indonesian nature and life were funded by the Dutch East Indies government and produced by Dutch or Western European studios. The first domestic documentaries appeared in 1911. In 1926, *Loetoeng Kasaroeng*, an adaptation of a Sundanese legend, became the first domestically produced film in the colony. That same year, Bandung had two movie theaters: Oriental and Elita. Jakarta’s first cinema, the Alhamra Theatre, opened in 1931.

During the 1980s, Indonesian cinema dominated major city theaters and began competing at international film festivals. Stars like Onky Alexander, Meriam Bellina, Lydia Kandou, Nike Ardilla, Paramitha Rusady, and Desy Ratnasari became household names, appearing in hits such as *Catatan si Boy* and *Blok M*. However, the 1990s saw a decline as Hollywood and other foreign films took over screens. The industry struggled during Indonesia’s financial crisis and political upheaval, with most productions limited to teenage dramas, horror, and adult themes. Following the Reform era in the early 2000s, a wave of young filmmakers revitalized the industry. As it adapted to new regulations, Indonesian cinema began rebuilding its identity and regaining popularity.

Today, film is the fastest-growing subsector of Indonesia’s creative economy. In 2019, moviegoers exceeded 52 million. By 2023, a record 20 local films each attracted over 1 million viewers. The industry released 230 films in 2019. As of 2025, Indonesia had approximately 2,354 screens. The market is dominated by 21 Cineplex (which owns PT Omega Film, a monopoly distributor for major American studios), CGV Cinemas (formerly Blitzmegaplex), and Cinépolis (formerly Cinemaxx).