KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — Malaysian cinema in 2026 has seen releases across genres ranging from rempits, cyber thrillers, boxing dramas and traditional horror.

Despite ongoing conversations around certain films, most local titles continue to receive steady public support and achieve consistent commercial performance.

Tarung: Unforgiven has emerged as the biggest success so far, having already crossed RM20 million at the Malaysian box office since its nationwide release on May 7.

Now joining this wave are two films that premiered nationwide on May 28: The Furious: Pertaruhan Maruah and Polong.

The Furious, a boxing-driven family drama, has surpassed RM1 million in box office earnings, while horror thriller Polong has already reached RM5.5 million.

Both films continue to generate strong audience interest, with sustained turnout at screenings and promotional meet-and-greet events nationwide.

The Furious, directed by Heng Aik Siong, centres on two brothers who reunite after their family honour is tarnished when their late father’s name is publicly insulted, setting them on a tense journey driven by dignity, revenge and loyalty.

The film blends realistic boxing action with heartfelt family drama and emotionally charged storytelling, resulting in a grounded and intense sports narrative.

The cast is led by Zul Ariffin, Sky Iskandar, Ikmal Amry, Sandra Lim, Zamarul Hisham and Marisa Yasmin.

Meanwhile, Polong, directed by Zulkarnain Azhar, follows an ambitious journalist, Fatima, who unintentionally uncovers the dark past of Maria Hadi, a notorious female shaman who sought redemption near the end of her life.

Fatima’s search for the truth not only exposes long-buried crimes but also unleashes something far more dangerous — an entity once nurtured and controlled by Maria herself.

The cast features Mimi Lana, Fad Anuar, June Lojong, Namron, Nadiya Nisaa, Riezman Khuzaimi, Amir Nafis, Nesa Idrus and Elizad Sharifuddin.

Amid international releases, local cinema continues to hold its ground against films such as Karuppu (India) and the South Korean film Colony, which continues its run with over RM17 million at the box office.

At the same time, Hollywood titles such as The Mandalorian and Grogu and Backrooms are also generating buzz among nationwide audiences, but local productions continue to maintain their momentum.

More Malaysian films are set to hit cinemas as June begins, including 5 Bomoh, Kata Hati and Khadam.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — For most actors, a role is simply a chapter in a career—a costume worn for a season and then tucked away. But for Japanese star Masahiro Inoue, one particular genre became more than a job; it became a lifelong creative compass.

Long before streaming services redefined global entertainment, Inoue was thrust into the heart of one of tokusatsu’s most ambitious undertakings. In 2009, he donned the mantle of Tsukasa Kadoya, the enigmatic protagonist of Kamen Rider Decade.

As the face of the Heisei series' 10th anniversary, Inoue didn't just play a hero; he portrayed an unconventional anti-hero—a traveller between parallel worlds whose motives remained as elusive as the dimensions he traversed.

“I was able to play the role of Decade, and it was a great honour,” Inoue told Malay Mail.

“Through that experience, I learned how wonderful the tokusatsu genre is and cultivated a deeper appreciation for the craft.”

While many stars use tokusatsu as a springboard to mainstream fame before distancing themselves from their "masked" beginnings, Inoue’s bond with the genre has only deepened.

He transitioned from the heroism of Decade to the darker complexities of Garo, portraying the character Jinga in Gold Storm Sho (2015) and later serving as the primary antagonist in Garo: Kami no Kiba (2018). The character's magnetic pull was so strong it spawned its own spin-off, Kami no Kiba: Jinga, further cementing Inoue's status as a titan of the genre.

By 2023, Inoue decided to move from performer to pioneer. He launched Sentika F8ABA6 Jisariz, an independent tokusatsu series on YouTube where he stars as the titular hero. Mirroring the "world-hopper" essence of Decade and the aesthetic grit of Garo, Jisariz was a personal gamble.

Tokusatsu star Masahiro Inoue poses on a motorcycle during his third visit to Malaysia. — Picture via Facebook/Let's Anime Cosplay Event

“I wanted to create a tokusatsu production that people around the world could watch,” he explained, citing YouTube’s accessibility as the primary driver.

“After my experiences with Kamen Rider Decade and GARO, I wanted to try creating a project entirely on my own. It was very difficult, but it was also a lot of fun.”

For Inoue, the enduring relevance of tokusatsu lies in its tactile nature. While anime offers a stylized escape, tokusatsu provides a visceral connection.

“With anime, there can sometimes be a sense of unreality,” he notes. “But in tokusatsu, real people transform into heroes. Fans and cosplayers can imitate those characters in real life. That realism is one of its biggest attractions.”

Malaysian bond

This belief in the "tangible hero" is perhaps why Inoue has developed such a profound bond with his Malaysian fans. Over the last few years, Malaysia has become a recurring destination in his own journey between worlds, with visits to Penang in 2022 and the Klang Valley in 2023.

Masahiro Inoue poses with fans during his third visit to Malaysia at the Klang Commercial Convention Centre. — Picture via Facebook/Let's Anime Cosplay Event

Most recently, he returned as a special guest at the ‘Let's Anime Cosplay Event × Tourism Selangor: Welcome to Parallel World’ at the Klang Commercial Convention Centre (KCCC) on June 6 and 7.

Despite previous logistical hurdles with past organisers that had made returning difficult, this latest visit felt like a homecoming. “I love Malaysia,” he shared. “Through social media, I often see comments from Malaysian fans. Their support makes me very happy.”

As he reflects on nearly two decades in the industry, Inoue remains a rare breed of artist, one who champions the genre that first gave him a voice. Whether as the dimension-hopping Decade, the formidable Jinga, or the independent Jisariz, he continues to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality.

Much like the characters he portrays, Masahiro Inoue continues to travel across borders, ensuring that the spirit of tokusatsu evolves for a new generation of dreamers.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — South Korean director Yeon Sang‑ho’s film Colony has officially become Malaysia’s highest‑grossing South Korean title and is currently the country’s top‑grossing film of 2026.

According to a post on GSC’s Instagram account, the film has now earned RM23.8 million at the Malaysian box office, with figures still climbing as it continues its strong run.

It has now surpassed previous record holder Train to Busan, also directed by Yeon, which earned approximately RM21 million locally.

Despite a wave of new releases from Hollywood and other international markets in recent weeks, the zombie thriller continues to hold its ground and achieve new milestones.

Strong audience turnout continues nationwide, with many viewers sharing positive reviews.

The reception for Colony in Malaysia has also been acknowledged by the director and cast, who expressed their appreciation for Malaysian support through a video released earlier this week.

Starring Jun Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hyun-been, Kim Shin-rock and Go Soo, Colony follows a group of survivors trapped inside a building after an unknown infection spreads rapidly.

Cut off from the outside world, they must fight to survive as the infected mutate into increasingly dangerous forms.

The film presents a different take on zombies typically seen on screen, with director Yeon’s unique approach inspired by the hive-mind behaviour of ant colonies and the concept of artificial intelligence (AI).  

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — South Korean director Yeon Sang-ho’s zombie thriller Colony has officially crossed RM20 million at the Malaysian box office, following weeks of strong word-of-mouth and widespread discussion among local moviegoers.

It was only a matter of time, as the reputation of Yeon Sang-ho — the director behind what many consider one of the greatest Korean zombie films ever made, Train to Busan — had helped generate strong anticipation for his latest take on the genre.

This milestone was acknowledged by director Yeon and the cast in a special video message posted recently on GSC’s Instagram account, before being widely shared across social media platforms.

The video features Yeon alongside the cast Jun Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Kim Shin-rok, and Shin Hyun-been expressing their appreciation to Malaysian audiences.

“We are so thankful for the overwhelming love and support that you have shown Colony,” said Jun.

Koo added, “Thanks to you, the movie has officially surpassed RM20 million.”

“It means so much to us to see everyone enjoying the film together,” said Ji.

Kim also encouraged moviegoers who have yet to watch the film, saying, “If you haven’t seen Colony yet, please don’t miss the chance to watch it in theatres.”

“Thank you once again for this impressive milestone,” added Shin.

The video concluded with the director and cast saying, “Kamsahamnida! (thank you)”

Colony has enjoyed a strong run in Malaysia since its nationwide release on May 22.

Its box office journey began with RM1.4 million and quickly gathered momentum, surpassing RM10 million within its first week before eventually crossing the RM20 million mark.

It was also recently reported that Colony had surpassed 1 million admissions in Malaysia, further demonstrating the scale of its popularity.

The film continues to screen nationwide, with audiences still heading to cinemas to catch the latest zombie thriller.

The story follows a group of survivors trapped inside a sealed skyscraper after a mysterious infection spirals out of control.

Cut off from the outside world, they are forced into a brutal fight against infected humans who continuously mutate into increasingly dangerous forms.