Cinema Is Not Dead: Malaysia Proves Audiences Still Want the Big Screen

For years, the future of cinema has been questioned. The rise of streaming platforms has changed how people consume entertainment, allowing audiences to watch thousands of films without leaving their homes. 

Going to the cinema, once a routine weekend activity, has become something people think twice about.

A movie ticket, parking fees, food and travel can easily turn a casual film night into an expensive outing. 

Meanwhile, streaming offers convenience at home. 

The question now is no longer “Do people still watch films?” but “Do people still need cinemas to watch them?”

Globally, cinemas have faced a difficult recovery after the pandemic. 

The Hollywood industry, for example, has struggled with changing audience habits, production delays and competition from digital platforms. 

Box office numbers have recovered in some markets, but many remain below pre-pandemic levels.

However, Malaysia presents an interesting contradiction. 

While cinema attendance has faced the same challenges as other countries, Malaysian audiences have shown that they will still return to theatres when a film gives them a reason to.

The recent growth of local films proves that cinema is not disappearing. Instead, audiences have become more selective.

In 2025, Malaysia’s local film industry recorded a major boost, with local films collecting RM162.89 million at the box office by June alone. 

This surpassed the total earnings recorded in 2024 (RM125.28 million) and 2023 (RM102.66 million). The figure came from 39 local feature films.

One of the biggest examples is Ejen Ali The Movie 2. The animated film became a major success, collecting more than RM55 million and becoming one of Malaysia’s highest-grossing animated films. 

Its success showed that Malaysian audiences are still willing to buy cinema tickets when they feel connected to the story.

This is important because it challenges the simple idea that streaming services have “killed” cinemas.

Streaming did not destroy the love for movies. It changed expectations.

Before streaming became dominant, audiences often went to cinemas because it was the easiest way to watch new films. 

Today, audiences have more choices. A movie has to feel worth the time, money and effort.

This is where Malaysian films have an advantage. Local movies can offer something streaming platforms cannot easily replace: cultural familiarity.

A Malaysian audience watching a local film is not only watching a story. 

They are recognising the language, humour, places and experiences that feel close to home. 

A successful local film creates a shared experience, where audiences can laugh and react together in the same room.

The same trend can be seen internationally. 

Despite fears about streaming, major theatrical releases still succeed when they become events. 

Films such as major animated releases and blockbuster franchises continue to attract audiences because people see value in experiencing them on a big screen.

The future of cinema may not be about getting people to watch every movie in theatres. That era may already be gone.

Instead, cinema may become more selective. Audiences will save their money for films that feel meaningful, entertaining, or culturally important.

Malaysia’s growing local film industry shows that the cinema experience still matters. 

The challenge is not convincing people to return to theatres. The challenge is creating films that make them feel they have a reason to.

Cinema is not dead. It is simply no longer automatic.

And in Malaysia, local filmmakers are proving that when the story is strong enough, audiences will still show up.