Indonesia’s film pipeline stretches through 2026 with a slate that includes prestige literary adaptations, daring arthouse dramas, family tentpoles, genre breakthroughs and long-awaited franchise expansions. Talent from across the region anchors an eclectic lineup supported by an expanded network of producers and international partners.
Chosen by Variety In conjunction with the JAFF Market, this year’s highlight picks, presented in alphabetical order, highlight 12 Indonesian titles that will define the country’s 2026 slate.
Director: Hanung Bramantyo
Producer: Punjabi Hands
Production company: MD Photos
Cast: Jared Ali, Humaira Jahra, Andri Mashadi, Faradina Mufti, Slamet Rahardjo, Oki Rengga, Muhadkly Acho, Reza Nagin, Benidictus, Dodit Mulyanto, Lolox, Varen Arianda, RR Astagina Jyoti
A poor brother and sister live daily on the outskirts of Semarang after a single pair of shoes goes missing, triggering a cycle of shame, secrecy and resilience. A remake of Majid Majidi’s iconic Iranian classic, the Indonesian version retains the emotional core of siblings taking turns sharing a single pair of shoes to avoid disappointing their parents, while a third place in a local race becomes the boy’s desperate hope to make things right. A solid and moving family drama from one of Indonesia’s most commercially successful directors.
Dance of the Damned (Badut Gendong)
Director: Charles Gozali
Producer: Linda Gozali
Production companies: Magma Entertainment, Komet Productions
Cast: Marthino Lio, Dayinta Melira, Clara Bernadeth, Derby Romero, Iskak Khivano, Barry Prima
Expanding the “Qodrat” universe, this horror entry follows two street performers whose brutal tragedy unleashes a malevolent presence rooted in ritual, folklore and revenge. With Charles Gozali at the helm and a seasoned ensemble, the film is positioned as the next big scary franchise in Indonesia’s ever-expanding supernatural canon.
Four Seasons in Java (Four Seasons of Mother Earth)
Director: Kamila Andini
Producer: Ifa Isfansyah
Production companies: Forka Films, Miles Films, Imajinari, Jagartha, Trinity, Team Up, Julie Estelle & Navvaros, Storm Films (Norway), Lemming Films (Netherlands), One Two Films (Germany), Ici Et La (France), Giraffe Pictures (Singapore), PFX (Poland), Brand Film, Chada Entertainment (Thailand)
Cast: Putri Marino, officer, Christine Judge, Hana Practice
A woman newly released from prison returns to her village and finds solidarity among the marginalized as she attempts to rebuild her life. Andini, after a string of successes at global festivals, creates a story about home, forgiveness and the slow communal remaking of identity. The vast international co-production footprint confirms the film’s global ambitions.
Garuda: Dare to dream (Garuda in my chest)
Director: Rony Gani
Producers: Shanty Harmayn, Tanya Yuson, Aoura Lovenson
Production companies: KAWI Animation, BASE Entertainment, Robot Playground Media
Putra, a 13-year-old asthmatic boy, dreams of making the Indonesian national soccer team, but is mocked during tryouts by Aldo, who ridicules his weak body and repeated failures. After collapsing during an on-field confrontation, he wakes up in another realm and meets Gaga – a glowing Garuda spirit who gifts him a mystical jersey that grants him supernatural speed and skills. On a magical pitch, he even confronts national team captain Bayu before being pulled out and warned that the power of the jersey only belongs to those who are worthy of it. Balancing magic and determination, Putra must now rise through her own merit. The animation-live-action hybrid is positioned as a major family franchise starter.
Ghost in the cell
Director: Joko Anwar
Producer: Tia Hasibuan
Production companies: Come see photos, Rapi Films, Barunson E&A (Korea), Legacy Pictures
Cast: Abimana Aryasatya, Bront Palarae, Danang Suryonegoro, Endy Arfian, Lukman Sardi, Mike Lucock, Yoga Pratama, Morgan Oey, Aming, Kiki Narendra, Rio Dewanto, Tora Sudiro, Almanzo Konoralma, Haydar Salishz, Arswendy Bening Swara, Dewa Dayana, Faiz Vishal, Jaisal Tanjung, Ho Yuhang, Magistus Miftah
Set inside Labuan Angsana – one of Indonesia’s most notorious prisons – Joko Anwar’s latest film is a horror comedy. Rival gangs and violent guards already make survival a waking nightmare, but when an invisible force begins slaughtering inmates one by one, the prison descends into chaos. Killers, thieves and crooks must do the unthinkable: work together to stay alive. The film aims to mix claustrophobic tension and dark humor. Backed by Barunson E&A, the Korean studio behind “Parasite,” the project marks one of the most significant Indonesia-Korea collaborations to date.
The last flight
Director: Benni Setiawan
Producer: Tony Ramesh
Production company: Visual Media Studio
Cast: Jérôme Kurnia, Nadya Arina, Aghniny Haque
The glossy aviation thriller centers on a charismatic pilot whose manipulative relationships with several flight attendants spiral into scandal at 30,000 feet. Combining romance, psychological drama, and workplace danger, the film exposes the toxic power dynamics hidden behind the glamor of commercial aviation.
Director: Ryan Adriandy
Producers: Anggia Kharisma, Novia Puspa Sari
Production company: Visineme
Cast: Luisa Adreena, Freya Mikhayla, Azamy Syauqi, Ibrahim Arsenio, Irma Rihi, Junior Liem, Ira Wibowo, Melissa Karim
Based on Surabaya’s beloved books, “Na Willa” follows a six-year-old girl whose once-perfect little world changes when her friends start school and an accident shakes her confidence. Willa’s attempt to reclaim routine leads her to a school that stifles her curiosity, forcing her to choose between conformity and her own voice. This is the next feature film from Ryan Adriandhy, director of “Jumbo”, the biggest Indonesian box office success of all time.
Operation: Revelry Party
Director: Edy Khemod
Producers: Ernest Prakasa, Dipa Andika, Iqbaal Ramadhan, James Erlangga
Production companies: Imaginari, Fresh Wind, Boss Creator
Cast: Iqbaal Ramadhan, Kristo Immanuel, Zulfa Maharani, Kawai Labiba
A team of little pickpockets prepare for one last big score at Indonesia’s biggest music festival, Pestapora. The comedic heist film pairs Khemod’s kinetic sensibility with Prakasa’s commercial instincts, with rising star Iqbaal Ramadhan leading an ensemble poised to break into the mainstream.
Rainbow on Mars (Rainbow on Mars)
Director: Guava Upie
Producer: Dendi Reynando
Production companies: Mahakarya Pictures, MBK, Guava Film, DossGuavaXR Studio, PFN
Cast: Messi Gusti, Lutesha, Rio Dewanto, Livy Renata, Myesha Lin Adeeva
Set in 2100, this live-action/CG hybrid follows Pelangi – the first human born on Mars – who teams up with flawed robot companions to find a rare mineral that could save Earth’s water crisis and reunite her with her father. With virtual production, robotic characters and a direct homage to Pratiwi Soedarmono – Indonesia’s first astronaut candidate – through the character of Ibu Pelangi, the film aims to redefine the local family adventure space.
The sea speaks its name
Director: Yosep Anggi Noen
Producer: Start playing guitar
Production companies: PAL8 Images, Visual Media Studio, Jagartha, Lynx Films, Brandlink
Cast: Reza Rahadian, Yunita Siregar, Dian Sastrowardoyo, Eva Celia, Christine Hakim, Arswendy Beningswara
Adapted from the bestselling novel by Leila S. Chudori, the political drama spans two parallel perspectives: an idealistic student activist drawn into an underground resistance movement in the 1990s, and his sister years later, searching for answers after her disappearance. Anggi Noen blends poetry, memory, and political heartbreak in a story that addresses a crucial chapter in Indonesian history that still resonates today. The director, whose films have won awards at Locarno, adapts one of Indonesia’s most beloved literary works into what is intended to be a large-scale drama with political resonance.
Sleep No More (Hair Factory Monster)
Director: Edwin
Producers: Meiske Taurisia, Muhammad Zaidy
Production companies: Palari Films, Beacon Film, Giraffe Pictures (Singapore), Hassaku Labs, In Good Company, Apsara Films
Cast: Rachel Amanda, Lutesha, Iqbaal Ramadhan, Sal Priadi, Luqman Kev, Didik Nini Thowok
A surreal parable about a world so obsessed with productivity that humans even abandon their sleep, allowing a dark, hair-covered entity to take over their exhausted bodies. Edwin’s return to the genre-bending arthouse promises a hallucinatory critique of modern working-class culture.
Suzanna Witchcraft (Suzzanna: Witchcraft Sins upon Sins)
Director: Azhar Kinoi Lubis
Producer: Sunil Soraya
Production company: Soraya Intercine Films
Cast: Luna Maya, Reza Rahadian, Clift Sangra, Iwa K, Andy/RIF, Adi Bing Slamet, Ence Bagus, Azis Gagap, Nai Djenar Maisa Ayu, Nunung, El Manik, Budi Bima
A reimagining of Indonesian horror icon Suzanna, the film follows a woman cursed by a ruthless village chief and driven to master dark witchcraft to seek revenge. But her path becomes complicated when she meets an unexpected love, forcing her to choose between revenge and redemption. A high-profile revival of one of Indonesia’s most enduring supernatural legends.
