8 months ago
Six Trends Shaping Asia Pacific's TV & Film Biz in 2026
In 2026, the TV and film industry in the Asia Pacific region will be shaped by several exciting trends.
Japan is having a big moment with record-breaking films and anime gaining global popularity.
Webnovels, especially from platforms like Wattpadd, are becoming a hot source for new TV shows and movies.
KPop Demon Hunters, a huge hit on Netflix, is expected to spawn sequels and spin-offs.
Australia is making streamers invest more in local content, which could lead to more Australian stories being told.
Australia is also blocking social media for kids, which might inspire other countries to do the same.
Lastly, new players in animation, like Indonesia's Jumbo, are showing that Asia's animation scene is diverse and growing.
These trends show that the Asia Pacific region is a powerhouse in entertainment, with lots of exciting things to look forward to.
Japan's film industry is thriving with record-breaking box office numbers for live-action and anime films.
Webnovels, particularly from platforms like Wattpadd, are becoming a significant source for TV and film adaptations.
KPop Demon Hunters, a global hit on Netflix, is expected to have sequels and spin-offs in the coming years.
Australia is implementing content quotas for streamers, requiring them to invest in local original content.
Australia has enacted a law to block social media access for individuals under 16, sparking legal challenges.
Indonesia's animated film Jumbo has become the highest-grossing Southeast Asian animation, indicating growth in the region's animation industry.
- Who
- Asia Pacific entertainment industry stakeholders, including producers, streamers, and governments
- What
- Six key trends shaping the TV and film industry in 2026
- Where
- Asia Pacific region, with specific focus on Japan, South Korea, Australia, China, and Indonesia
- When
- Trends identified for the year 2026, based on 2025 developments
- Why
- To understand the future direction and opportunities in the Asia Pacific entertainment industry
Key facts
- Japan's Box Office Record
- ¥18.2B ($117M) for Kokuho
- Biggest Japanese Film
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle ($780M globally)
- KPop Demon Hunters Views
- 500 million streaming views
- Australia's Streaming Quota
- 10% of total Australian expenditure or 7.5% of revenues on local originals
- Highest-Grossing Southeast Asian Animation
- Jumbo
- China's Box Office
- $7BN+ in 2025, 20% ahead of 2024
- Webnovel Platform
- Wattpadd
- Social Media Block Law
- Effective December 10, 2025
Quotes
Keith Le Goy
Sales and networks supremo at Crunchyroll’s Japanese-owned parent Sony
“anime will replace Marvel and D.C. as the key source of IP for films and TV shows in the future.”
deadline.com
Sources
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