Six Key Trends Influencing the TV and Film Industry in Asia Pacific for 2026

The Asia Pacific entertainment sector made significant strides in 2025, setting the stage for an even larger impact in 2026. Trends such as microdramas, anime, and K-content dominated discussions, especially with Squid Game breaking viewership records on Netflix and KPop Demon Hunter capturing global attention. While the theatrical landscape faced challenges worldwide, several notable successes emerged in the region. China’s box office saw a rebound, and Indonesia thrived with its animated feature Jumbo. Japan also highlighted its cinematic prowess with a record-setting live-action film. Below are six key trends in the Asia Pacific entertainment landscape to monitor in the coming year.

Japan’s Moment To Continue

Japan’s cultural influence is reaching new heights, buoyed by Oscar contender Kokuho, which grossed a record ¥18.2 billion ($117 million) domestically, and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle, which became the highest-grossing Japanese film globally, with nearly $780 million. The enduring legacy of Studio Ghibli and anime is evident in projects like Neon’s Oscar hopeful Arco. Keith Le Goy, sales and networks lead at Crunchyroll’s parent company Sony, predicts anime will increasingly serve as a primary source of intellectual property for future films and television. The establishment of Toho’s new UK office also suggests potential expansion beyond London.

Webnovels Craze Isn’t Going Anywhere

The rise of webnovels from the Korean cultural wave indicates a promising future for global storytelling. Platforms such as Wattpad offer a unique opportunity for readers to access stylized narratives on their devices. This trend has proven advantageous for adaptations into TV, film, and podcasts. Notably, the Culpables movie trilogy, stemming from the Wattpad success, illustrates this point. The novels’ author, Mercedes Ron, has since secured a significant deal with Amazon, further solidifying her position as a prominent creator in the industry.

‘KPop Demon’ Sequels

KPop Demon Hunters emerged as a cultural phenomenon for children in 2025. The Netflix film, created by Korean-Canadian writers Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, captivated audiences with its catchy song “Golden,” which has garnered over 950 million views on YouTube. The film itself achieved 500 million streaming views, making it Netflix’s most-watched original title to date. A sequel is slated for 2029, yet the producers face pressure to fill the interim with additional programming or spinoffs to maintain its cultural relevance. The demand for merchandise, including toys and costumes, remains high, as K-Pop continues its global influence, inspiring upcoming films such as Paramount’s and the indie project Perfect Girl.

Australia‘s Streaming Market Heating Up

Australia’s streaming market is evolving rapidly, particularly after new content quotas were ratified, requiring global streamers to allocate a portion of their revenue for local original productions. This legislation aims to bolster the local industry and reduce dependence on foreign content. The uncertain response from major platforms like Netflix and HBO Max remains to be seen. Past examples from other countries, where similar mandates exist, suggest that while caution may initially prevail, local projects could gain traction. Successful Australian productions in recent years, including The Artful Dodger and Colin From Accounts, illustrate the market’s potential for growth and innovation.

Social Media Blocks

In Australia, significant changes in social media access have raised concerns, particularly among younger populations. Following the enactment of a law restricting access for those under 16, a group of teenagers and the Digital Freedom Project are suing the government, arguing that the law violates their rights. As the regulations took effect on December 10, major platforms have complied, leaving Reddit to pursue legal avenues, while Google reportedly considers similar actions. Should this law prove successful, it could prompt other governments to adopt similar measures amid growing concerns about social media’s effects on youth.

New Players In Animation

The Indonesian animated film Jumbo became a landmark success in April 2025, emerging as the highest-grossing Southeast Asian animation of all time. Its success mirrors that of China’s Ne Zha 2, which grossed over $2 billion globally, further emphasizing that animation extends beyond the traditional purview of Japan and Korea. Despite challenges in financing within the region, producer Visinema Studios aims to leverage Jumbo‘s success to establish itself as a key player in the animation sector. The Indonesian government is exploring incentives to strengthen its creative economy and is preparing a new film financing model to safeguard intellectual property rights.

Andreas Wiseman contributed to this report.