Netflix has revealed its slate of original series and films from Thailand and Indonesia set to premiere throughout 2025, as the streaming service continues to invest in Southeast Asian content at a time when “the competition is pulling back,” according to Minyoung Kim, VP of Netflix Content (APAC, ex-India).
The Thai slate features nine titles, following what Kim describes as “eight groundbreaking local productions that captivated audiences across Thailand and beyond” in 2024. The Thai lineup kicks off with “Dalah: Death and the Flowers” on Feb. 27, a high-society murder mystery starring Urassaya Sperbund. The series, helmed by directors Thanika Jenjesda and Alisa Pien, follows a mysterious floral designer who becomes entangled in the suspicious murder of a prime minister candidate on the eve of his wedding, with executive producer Prabda Yoon overseeing the production.
Genre offerings feature prominently in the Thai slate, including “Ziam,” a zombie action thriller directed by Kulp Kaljareuk, starring Prin Suparat in a tale of survival amidst food shortages. From the producers of global hit “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,” “Mad Unicorn,” directed by Nottapon Boonprakob and featuring Natara Nopparatayapon, chronicles a reformed street thug’s venture into the express delivery business. The “The Believers,” where a conspiracy entwines organized religion with local politics, returns for a second season with Teeradon Supapunpinyo leading the cast.
April brings “Frozen Hot Boys,” an unconventional sports drama directed by Naruebordee Wechakum and Tanakit Kittiapithan, following a devious teacher leading delinquent teens in a Japanese snow-sculpting competition. The slate also includes the period heist film “Khao Chum Thong,” helmed by director Wisit Sasanatieng, and the time-loop drama “Sum Wan Gub Someone” starring Jarinporn Joonkiat.
The Thai slate rounds out with two more titles: “Tee Yai Rerk Dao Jone,” a period drama following two outlaws whose bond is tested by a detective determined to hunt down a notorious gang of robbers in 1980s Bangkok, and “Everybody Loves Me When I’m Dead,” a tale of two bank employees who attempt to steal from an unclaimed account, unaware the money belongs to dangerous people who want it back.
Indonesia’s 2025 lineup launches with “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” on Valentine’s Day. The Robert Ronny-directed film stars Reza Rahadian as a playboy creating a dating show to fulfill his father’s last wish. March brings “Promised Hearts” (Setetes Embun Cinta Niyala), an adaptation of Habiburrahman El Shirazy’s novel directed by Anggy Umbara and starring Beby Tsabina and Deva Mahenra. The following month sees the premiere of “Losmen Bu Broto: The Series,” a family drama set in a Yogyakarta inn, featuring an ensemble cast led by Mathias Muchus and Maudy Koesnadi.
“Ratu Ratu Queens: The Series” follows four Indonesian women (played by Nirina Zubir, Asri Welas, Happy Salma, and Tika Panggabean) who leave their homeland to start new lives in Queens, New York, under the direction of Lucky Kuswandi.
The Indonesian slate continues with “A Normal Woman,” a psychological drama starring Marissa Anita; “The Actor” (Lupa Daratan), featuring Vino G. Bastian as a celebrated performer losing his abilities; and “The Elixir” (Abadi Nan Jaya), a zombie survival thriller directed by Kimo Stamboel with an ensemble cast including Mikha Tambayong and Eva Celia.
The streaming service aims to make shows that “appeal to local audiences first, but also make it easy for anyone to watch them anywhere and whenever they want,” says Kim.
English (US) ·