Kaleidoscope 2023: Horror Domination In 10 Terlaris Indonesian Films

After the pandemic, various industrial sectors struggled to rise from adversity, including Indonesian cinema. The results were not as bright as before the pandemic, but more and more people began to support Indonesian films.

Various stories with varied genres make Indonesian films as diverse as flower gardens. However, it is interesting that the horror genre is increasingly dominating cinema, even arguably mushrooming. Evidently, the horror genre with various premiums is still an attraction for Indonesian audiences.

Apart from horror, the religious genre also turns out to have its own masses. Among the sharp horror competition, a number of production houses believe that religious stories are able to collaborate with various target markets.

Here are the 10 best-selling Indonesian films throughout 2023:

Duet Prilly Latuconsina and Umay Shahab still produce box office titles. When Stopping Here produced by Sinemeku Pictures received 1,611,005 viewers during the screening period in theaters. This film tells the story of Dita (Prilly Latuconsina) and Ed (Bryan Domani) is a separate couple and makes Dita try to rise from adversity.

Launching Studio Antelope, the first film from the story of the Land of Java got 1,684,624 viewers. The original material, which already has its own mass, helped the film, starring Deva Mahenra, is increasingly in demand. The story of the Land of Java: Pocong Gundul tells the story of Hao (Deva Mahenra) who has the ability to retrocognize to see events in the past. He used that power to save Sari (Nayla D. Purnama) from a bald head pocong.

Directed by Hadrah Daeng Ratu, the film Sijjin also earned a big number of 1,923,447 viewers. This Turkish adaptation horror film highlights the love triangle story combined with horror. This film also managed to get the number of viewers during its broadcast.

The second film from the Suzzana series still has an unbeaten fan mass. The proof is that the film Suzzana: Friday night Kliwon got 2,189,363 viewers and aired in several other countries. Suzzana: Friday night Kliwon tells of Suzzana (Luna Maya) and Surya (Achmad Megantara) who experience unfortunate fate because their wedding plans are hampered.

The Maghrib time produced by Rapi Films was successful in obtaining 2,409,122 viewers. An interesting surprise considering that this film is the debut of the theatrical directing of Sidharta Tata which was successfully welcomed positively. Time Maghrib tells the story of Adi (Ali Fikry), Ayu (Nafiza Fatia Rani), and Saman (Bima Sena) are three friends who live in a village. All three experienced terror after their teacher was accompanied by adhan Maghrib.

23 years since the first film, Sherina's adventure has succeeded in fulfilling the audience's longing for the adventures of Sherina (Sherina Munaf) and Sadam (Derby Romero). The second film has been watched by 2,414,504 viewers during the screening in theaters. Sherina 2's adventure tells the life of Sherina, who now works as a journalist, while Sadam works in a natural conservation center.

The film 172 Days produced by Starvision Plus has succeeded in making non-horor religious films included in this list. To date, this film has been watched up to 3,015,020 viewers and is predicted to continue to grow considering that this film is still available in theaters. 172 Days tells the story of Zira (Yasmin Napper) and Ameer (Bryan Domani) who are undergoing hijrah and their household together.

Another surprise came from the film Tears at Ujung Sajadah directed by Key Mangunsong. Tears in Ujung Sajadah reached 3,127,671 viewers and went viral on social media. This film tells of Aqila (Titi Kamal) who did not expect to meet her child who was separated for seven years. But now, their child has been raised by Arif (Fedi Nuril) and Yumna (Citra Kirana).

In second place, the film Di Ambang Kematian managed to become the highest-grossing film in Indonesia this year. The film, which is adapted from this viral thread, has been watched by 3,300,000 viewers. In Ambang, Death tells of Nadia (Taskya Namya) who lives on the verge of death because she becomes a sacrifice from her father.

MD Pictures managed to reach the box office with the film Sewu Dino which is owned by SimpleMan. Sewu Dino got 4,863,533 viewers during the screening in theaters. The film Sewu Dino tells the story of Sri (Mikha Tambayong) who works in Atmodjo's family and is assigned to wash Della (Gisellma Firmansyah) who gets the curse of Sewu Dino.