logo
Super-hit movie Ejen Ali 2 achieves the highest box office income for local and international animated films in Malaysia

Super-hit movie Ejen Ali 2 achieves the highest box office income for local and international animated films in Malaysia

The Star4 days ago

With a gross of RM55.1 million, Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2) has now officially been crowned as the highest grossing animated film in the history of Malaysian cinema, surpassing all local and international animated works that have ever been screened.
Even more impressive, EATM2 has now surpassed the grossing of blockbuster films from Hollywood and Asia over the past two months.
This is a clear testament to the confidence and extraordinary support of Malaysian audiences for animated films that are based on local identity and spirit.
'This success does not belong to WAU Animation alone but to all the agents who believed in and stood by us from the beginning.
"I truly appreciate the dedication of the entire WAU Animation team who have poured their energy and creativity into making this film a success.
"Thank you also to our production partner, Primeworks Studios, who have given their full commitment in promoting this film, and have always come up with fresh and bold new ideas to ensure that EATM2 continues to be the audience's choice.
"And of course, the highest appreciation goes to the fans who have been our backbone and main source of inspiration since day one,' said Usamah Zaid Yasin, director of the EATM2 film.
On the other hand, Nini Yusof, Chief Executive Officer, Media Prima Television Network and Primeworks Studios, paid tribute to all those who worked on the project and said every one individual involved in the project deserve a pat on their back.
'This achievement is the result of our shared cooperation, trust and passion. We hope that the audience will continue to support EATM2 and help us reach our next collection target of RM60 million.
"Only with your strong support can we realize our dream of producing the next Ejen Ali script, for the development of the local creative industry that will make Malaysia proud,' said Nini.
From an animated series on television to the silver screen, Ejen Ali has grown into a mature and influential franchise. This second film not only strengthens the brand, but also reflects the evolution of local animated storytelling that is bolder, more dimensional and touches the hearts of various audiences.
For the record, the film is still showing in cinemas nationwide.
About Ejen Ali the Movie 2
Set in the futuristic city of Cyberaya, 'Ejen Ali the Movie 2' follows a young boy who is accidentally recruited as a secret agent by the Meta Advance Tactical Agency (MATA) intelligence agency. Ejen Ali is eager to prove himself in Project Satria, MATA's latest Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted armored suit.
As Ali struggles with his new responsibility to master Satria, he must accept MATA's decision to give his friend (and rival) Alicia the next holder of the supercomputer device, IRIS. Meanwhile, the hacker Neonimus resurfaces to wreak havoc on MATA, signaling a larger conspiracy in Cyberaya.
Since its premiere on Malaysian television channel TV3 in 2016, 'Ejen Ali' has been broadcast and streamed in over 65 countries across South-East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and North America.
The first two seasons of the series were followed by 'Ejen Ali The Movie' in November 2019, which grossed an impressive RM30 million (USD8 million) in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Indonesia, making it one of the highest-grossing animated films in Malaysia to date.
The latest installment, 'Ejen Ali Season 3', also holds the title of being the first Malaysian animated intellectual property to be co-produced with Disney+ Hotstar South-East Asia, and will first launch exclusively on the streaming service in June 2022.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

#SHOWBIZ: Yoki Chin's AI tribute to Pirate Queen
#SHOWBIZ: Yoki Chin's AI tribute to Pirate Queen

New Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • New Straits Times

#SHOWBIZ: Yoki Chin's AI tribute to Pirate Queen

THE cutting edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) movie 'Pirate Queen — Zheng Yi Sao' is a first not only for Malaysia and Singapore, but also the world of cinema. It marks the first major achievement for animation movie director Yoki Chin and Future Studios, his company which aims to advance Malaysian AI, creative technology, and digital innovation in cinema. 'Pirate Queen' is a collaboration between creative technology companies of Malaysia and Singapore, namely Future Studios and Fizz Dragon respectively. Chin said: "The movie is a high-seas historical epic inspired by the real-life story of Zheng Yi Sao — a formidable female pirate who rose from poverty and exploitation to command the Red Flag Fleet, the most powerful pirate fleet in Chinese maritime history. "But what truly distinguished Pirate Queen was her unwavering sense of justice. "She led her fleet not just against rival pirates and imperial threats, but also against foreign invaders." In a particularly powerful act, she commanded the destruction of foreign opium ships, a bold strike against the rising tide of colonial exploitation. Her efforts resulted in one of the most successful reconciliations between pirates and the Qing Dynasty. "Furthermore, she advised the Chinese national hero Lin Zexu in his resistance against British imperialism, embodying a fierce patriotism and devotion to her homeland," said Chin. BRAINSTORMING Chin said that the idea behind the movie emerged during early brainstorming sessions with his core creative team. "We chose this story because it is based on a true story which offered a compelling opportunity to push the boundaries of AI-assisted storytelling — blending emotional depth with technological innovation. "This is our first theatrical release where we used AI throughout the entire production pipeline. "We built a distributed team of over 130 creatives from 13 countries, all working remotely. "That in itself came with a lot of coordination — time zones, communication styles, and making sure everyone was in sync," he said. Beyond that, there were some very specific creative challenges. "Keeping the characters visually consistent across different scenes was tricky, especially when working with evolving AI tools. "Lip-syncing voiceovers to match AI-generated visuals was another learning curve, and choreographing fight sequences in a way that felt dynamic and realistic took a lot of trial and error," said Chin. "It pushed us to adapt quickly, stay flexible, and trust both the process and each other." DIGITAL Chin said that the Malaysian and Singaporean creative teams developed organically through a shared interest in AI and digital storytelling. "While some members had worked together in other contexts, for many of us it was our first collaboration. "Despite that, we quickly found common ground through aligned values and creative goals,." Chin chose to join the project because of his love of new technology and good storytelling. "The project offered a rare chance to explore using AI generated content as the main focus while telling a meaningful story. "I'm passionate about narrative craft, and this was an opportunity to reimagine storytelling through an AI lens — one that fuses human emotion with digital creativity," he said. Chin began building the team in March last year. It was a hybrid of constant experimentation and development. "If we were to make a similar film today, with a finalised script and our current setup, we estimate it would take about three months. "We didn't use traditional voice actors. Instead, characters were brought to life through AI, guided by human direction," he said. The AI director acted much like a conductor — shaping performances, expressions, and tone through careful technical and artistic input. "We learnt the value of agile collaboration across borders and disciplines, the importance of deeply understanding new tools before integrating them into creative workflows, and how to develop an artistic instinct for working with AI," said Chin. "These insights will guide us as we continue to innovate and refine our storytelling processes in future projects." POSSIBILITIES Chin said that AI opens up a lot of exciting possibilities, whether it is speeding up concept design, testing creative ideas quickly, or making parts of the production more efficient. "It also comes with challenges, like making sure we use it responsibly and still keep the heart and emotion of real storytelling." Chin said that he does not see AI as a replacement for traditional filmmaking, but more of a creative partner. "We believe the heart of storytelling comes from human emotion, experience and vision. "We are also planning to share what we have learned by helping more people explore AI-generated content to more professionals and non-professionals who are upskilling their content creation skills. "The idea is to guide creators, whether they are from tech or film backgrounds on how to use AI alongside traditional techniques to bring their ideas to life in new and innovative ways," he said. FINAS Chin also said that the National Film Development Corporation or Finas was very supportive and understood the kind of innovation his team was trying to achieve. "We were also supported by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the National AI Office (NAIO)." Chin added that working with the Singaporean team was a great experience. "They brought strong technical skills and a great sense of storytelling. "Everyone brought something unique to the table, and it all came together beautifully." Chin said that he was already working on new stories and ideas where AI can help make the creative process better. "We are also planning our next film by blending live-action talent with AI-generated backgrounds and even mixing AI backgrounds with animated characters." 'Pirate Queen — Zheng Yi Sao' is slated for a theatrical release in July.

Malaysia's Queen Of Dangdut Passes Away At 68
Malaysia's Queen Of Dangdut Passes Away At 68

Rakyat Post

time6 hours ago

  • Rakyat Post

Malaysia's Queen Of Dangdut Passes Away At 68

Subscribe to our FREE Dangdut singer Siti Zaleha Abdul Hamid, who rose to fame in the 80s, succumbed to a lung infection and passed away at Sultan Aminah Hospital in Johor Bahru last night (19 June) at 8.30pm. Her eldest son, Ungku Chik Zafirulazman, said that his mother had been admitted in hospital for a week before her death, Sinar Harian She was buried at the Kassim Noor Muslim cemetary in Kampung Sungai Danga at 3pm today (20 June). Zaleha Hamid: Malaysia's beloved Queen of Dangdut If you grew up in Malaysia in the 80s or 90s, chances are you've heard her unmistakable voice on the radio, at weddings, or booming from pasar malam speakers. With a voice that could make you sway, cry, and dance all at once, Zaleha Hamid earned her crown as Malaysia's Queen of Dangdut – and held onto it for decades. Born on 31 August 1957 in Sungai Pinang, Penang, Zaleha was destined for the stage. With a mother who was a traditional theatre actress and a father who played the violin, her roots were steeped in the performing arts. She started singing at the tender age of five, performing in traditional theatre and ghazal shows, honing a voice that would eventually electrify dangdut lovers across the region. Making dangdut her kingdom Image: LadyBosz Although Zaleha began with Indian classical and Malay asli music, her shift into the world of dangdut in the 70s and 80s made her a household name. Leading ensembles like Orkes Zindegi, she bridged traditional and contemporary music with ease. Her solo career blossomed in the 80s with hit albums like Curahan Rasa (1982), Asmara (1986), and the unforgettable Dangdut Bang series in the 90s. The latter, while stirring controversy for its cheeky lyrics, also cemented her position as a bold and fearless performer who wasn't afraid to push boundaries. The songs we'll never forget Zaleha's voice is etched into Malaysian music history. With hits like 'Dangdut Reggae', 'Kerana Pengalaman', 'Nasib Janda', and 'Jagung Bakar', she captured the hearts of fans not just in Malaysia, but also in Singapore and Indonesia. Her ability to combine Malay, Indian, and Arabic musical influences made her music uniquely hers. Not without controversy – and that's what made her a legend Zaleha wasn't afraid to ruffle feathers. Her Dangdut Bang albums were Over her long and vibrant career, Zaleha was recognised with numerous accolades, including a Lifetime Dangdut Artist Award by PAPITA in 2006, and another by Life Records Singapore in 2007. Her song 'Teruna Idaman' even made it to the semi-finals of Muzik-Muzik 8 in 1992 – a testament to her enduring popularity. A dangdut legacy that lives on Zaleha Hamid wasn't just a singer – she was a trailblazer. She made dangdut cool before it was mainstream, gave it a Malaysian flavour, and showed that women could dominate the stage with both elegance and fire. Even in her final years, her name still drew admiration, and her songs still sparked joy. Today, as younger artists like Baby Shima and Wany Hasrita carry the dangdut torch forward, Zaleha's influence is unmistakable. Rest in peace, Zaleha Hamid. The Queen may have left the stage, but her music will keep us dancing and reminiscing for generations to come. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.

NSTP shines with 13 wins at MPI-Petronas Journalism Awards
NSTP shines with 13 wins at MPI-Petronas Journalism Awards

New Straits Times

time8 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

NSTP shines with 13 wins at MPI-Petronas Journalism Awards

KUALA LUMPUR: The New Straits Times Press (NSTP) group took home 13 accolades across various categories at the MPI-Petronas Malaysian Journalism Awards 2024 tonight. The wins were split among NSTP's titles, with four awards going to the New Straits Times (NST), six to Harian Metro (HM), and three to Berita Harian (BH). Harian Metro was the night's highlight, clinching the country's most coveted journalism honour, the Kajai Award. NST's Leslie Andres secured silver in the Best Column Writing category for pieces including 'UN veto power is main obstacle to world peace', 'Mindset shift must accompany any rule change', and 'Western singers skipping Malaysia due to those kicking up a fuss'. In the Best Investigative Journalism category, Aliza Shah from NST won the silver award for her impactful report titled 'Children forced into local pornographic content'. In video journalism, NST received bronze in both the Best Video Documentary and Best Video Talk Show categories. The documentary was produced by Aliza Shah, Iylia Marsya Iskandar, Khairus Ramli, and Amalina Kamal, while the talk show was helmed by Siti Nur Amalina Kamal, Hazween Syarina Md Hassan, Farrah Ain Jasmine Jasman, and Shahrul Redzuan Zulkifli. The ceremony saw over a thousand guests from across the media industry, including editors, reporters and corporate representatives, gather to celebrate excellence in Malaysian journalism. This year's awards attracted 549 entries from 58 media organisations, with honours handed out across 23 categories. The night also marked the launch of MPI's first-ever journalism e-journal by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store