If YouTube turned Indonesians into creators, TikTok turned them into a cultural army. Indonesia is consistently among TikTok’s top three global markets by users (over 100 million active users as of 2024). The platform’s short-video format is a perfect match for the Indonesian appetite for viral —a word that now transcends language.
The year 2025 was historic, seeing local films not only compete with but decisively defeat international heavyweights:
Indonesian films captured in 2025, showing high resilience against international releases. A Normal Woman
Horror is a dominant genre in Indonesian entertainment. Videos exploring haunted locations, retelling local folklore (like Kuntilanak or Pocong ), or sharing spooky podcasts draw millions of views. Supernatural storytelling is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. 3. Food and Culinary Vlogging ( Mukbang & Kuliner ) If YouTube turned Indonesians into creators, TikTok turned
Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar ( Satan's Slaves, Impetigore), known internationally for stylish and gory horror, has a supernatur... Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens
While visually engaging, many popular videos lack English subtitles, which can limit their reach to non-Indonesian speakers.
Indonesian influencers and celebrities have a significant following on social media, with many using their platforms to promote local entertainment and culture. Some notable influencers include: The year 2025 was historic, seeing local films
: Currently the top-performing series on Netflix Indonesia.
2nd Miracle In Cell No. 7 Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family, Supernatural Release: January 16, 2025 Language: Indonesian Cinema: One Ci... 2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7 Bidadari Bermata Bening
: High-profile titles like Wregas Bhanuteja’s Levitating (Sundance 2026) and Edwin’s Sleep No More (Berlin 2026) continue to represent Indonesia on the global circuit. Supernatural storytelling is deeply embedded in the cultural
Short-form video trends now prioritize authenticity and retention over high production value. YouTube Shorts viewership specifically saw a massive 120% increase leading into this period.
Horror is a massive genre in Indonesian culture. Video series documenting investigations of haunted locations, local myths (like Pocong or Kuntilanak), and true crime podcasts are highly popular. Channels dedicated to exploring abandoned buildings or sharing supernatural stories consistently rank among the top trending videos. Food and Culinary Vlogging