Papa Zola The Movie Grosses RM25 Million In 11 Days, Tops Box Office Charts

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- Papa Zola The Movie, Malaysia’s latest animated feature produced by MONSTA Studio and Astro Shaw, has grossed RM25 million after just 11 days in cinemas.

The achievement has propelled the film to the top of Golden Screen Cinemas’ (GSC) Top 10 chart, outperforming several major international releases, including Avatar: Fire and Ash, Zootopia 2 and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.

MONSTA chief executive officer Nizam Abd Razak said the start of the school holiday season had encouraged families to spend more time together, adding that the studio was grateful Papa Zola The Movie had been chosen as a family-friendly cinema option.

“Even more meaningful is that this success has been driven by the organic sharing of experiences among audiences themselves. The ‘Demam Kebenaran’ phenomenon proves that local films supported organically by viewers can inspire even more people to appreciate homegrown productions,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the executive producer of Papa Zola The Movie and Astro Shaw chief, Raja Jastina Raja Arshad, expressed appreciation for the strong support received despite stiff competition from Hollywood franchises.

“Competing with numerous new releases from popular Hollywood franchises, this success demonstrates that local films can hold their own.

“It also reflects the capability of the Malaysian creative industry to produce high-quality content that resonates with audiences of all ages. Our heartfelt thanks go to all fans and moviegoers who continue to support  Papa Zola The Movie in cinemas," she added.

According to the statement, a roadshow held over the past weekend in Perlis, Penang, Kedah, Perak and the Klang Valley drew enthusiastic crowds, with appearances by mascots Papa Zola, Mama Zila, Pipi Zola and BoBoiBoy receiving an overwhelming response, further fuelling the ‘Demam Kebenaran’ phenomenon surrounding the film.

Papa Zola The Movie tells the story of Papa Zola, a devoted father who works tirelessly to support his small family. His life takes an unexpected turn when he reunites with an old friend from the secret organisation P.A.P.A (Protect and Prevent Agency).

Matters escalate when his child, Pipi, is kidnapped by extraterrestrial creatures, forcing Papa Zola and Mama Zila to race against time to rescue their child and protect the world.

The film is currently showing in cinemas across Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, with international releases scheduled to begin in Indonesia in January 2026, followed by India, Vietnam and Middle Eastern markets including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Turkiye in April 2026.

-- BERNAMA