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Lebaran is a time for togetherness, celebration and reflection. But let’s be real: After a full day of visiting relatives, indulging in a feast and avoiding probing questions, sometimes you need a brief escape.
Luckily, Indonesian cinema delivers every year during the holiday season with a lineup of highly anticipated movies. During Lebaran 2024, over 8 million tickets were sold for local productions, proving that watching movies is a go-to activity for many, including those keen to escape obligatory family gatherings.
This year, the industry tradition continues with five major releases: One is an original production, while the other four are either sequels or adaptations of viral stories or songs.
Whether you're looking for a family-friendly outing or a thrilling distraction, there’s probably at least one on this list for you.
1. For family time: Jumbo
After winning a Citra Award for his animated short Prognosis, Ryan Adriandhy is back with Jumbo, a heartwarming story about Don, a bullied kid who dreams of winning a contest by performing a song written by his late mother. His plan takes a turn when his book is stolen, leading him to the spirit of a mysterious girl searching for her parents.
Produced by Visinema, Jumbo is the studio’s second animated feature after Nussa, and promises to be a movie the whole family can enjoy. Adriandhy has been open about the years of preparation behind this project, and given his storytelling background, Jumbo has the potential to be both entertaining for kids and thought-provoking for adults.
If you’re looking for a movie to enjoy with cousins, nieces, nephews and even parents, this one’s a safe bet.
2. For action horror fans: Qodrat 2
Horror flicks are a local cinematic staple, but few are directed by an action enthusiast like Charles Gozali. Three years after Qodrat, producer Linda Gozali has brought the sequel to life, collaborating with notable figures like Dian Sastrowardoyo, who executive-produced this sequel.
The second installment focuses on Preacher Qodrat (Vino G. Bastian) as he grapples with the pain of losing his son and confronts his wife Azizah (Acha Septriasa), all while an ominous evil lurks in the shadows.
Qodrat sold 1.7 million tickets, praised for its mix of supernatural horror and intense fight sequences, and this follow-up would be an ideal double feature with Jumbo. But given its darker themes, watching Qodrat 2 with kids is not recommended.
The movie will be out on Mar. 31.
3. For gritty drama: Norma: Antara Mertua dan Menantu
Three months ago, watching a movie produced by Dee Company, the studio behind Vina: Sebelum 7 Hari (Vina: Before 7 Days), wouldn’t even have been considered. But after watching the trailer and behind-the-scenes footage, Norma: Antara Mertua dan Menantu (Norma: Between Mother- and Son-in-Law) has shot up to join the must-watch list.
Based on a shocking true story, Norma follows a woman (Tissa Biani) who discovers her husband’s affair... with her mother. Torn between heartbreak and complicated emotions, she struggles to process the double betrayal.
Actress Wulan Guritno seems to embody the emotional depth of Norma’s mother with remarkable precision. In the trailer, her silent expressions alone raise viewers’ anticipation to see how she brings this viral story to life with nuance.
Given its mature themes, best to watch this one late at night with friends on the first day of Lebaran. Moviegoers who want to unleash anger after 30 days of fasting could go see this, as the drama will tear you apart.
4. For feel-good romance: Komang
The second day of Lebaran is usually more relaxed. After visiting some relatives, you might want to unwind with a feel-good romance. Thankfully, Starvision has just the right movie for that.
Komang is inspired by the real-life love story of stand-up comedian Raim Laode and his wife and is also based on the popular song with the same name. But it’s not clear if the intellectual property is primarily from the song or from the life of the person the movie portrays.
Regardless, the most exciting aspect of Komang is seeing Citra nominee Aurora Ribero in action. Her last leading role in Like & Share didn’t generate massive ticket sales, but she delivered a strong performance. While she also stars in Timo Tjahjanto’s critically acclaimed action movie Shadow Strays, seeing how she showcases her comedic chops in Komang is enough of a draw.
5. For supernatural horror: Pabrik Gula
Out of all the upcoming Lebaran releases, Pabrik Gula (Sugar Factory) might be the most intriguing. The movie faced some early marketing challenges, but its final trailer revealed a fascinating mix of horror and dark comedy.
The story follows a group of factory workers navigating a workplace filled with mysterious rules and lurking horrors.
If this premise feels familiar, it’s because factories have become a recurring setting in recent horror movies, including last year’s Hutang Nyawa (Life’s Debt). Both movies share not only a similar backdrop but also the same origin, as they are adaptations of a viral thread on X. Pabrik Gula is written by Simpleman, the same writer behind KKN di Desa Penari (Student Study Service in Dancer’s Village).
MD Pictures is positioning Pabrik Gula with a clear and unique selling point: technology. This is the only Lebaran release available in IMAX and 4DX, making it worth watching for the immersive experience alone.
