5 Malaysian Ghost Movies and Cartoon That You Must Watch
- YT
- Sep 12
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 12
Table of Content
Introduction
If you grew up in Malaysia, you already know: ghost stories are everywhere. They slip into kampung nights, into our nenek’s warnings (“jangan duduk atas bantal, nanti bisul”), and into those late-night mamak lepak sessions where someone always insists their “friend of a friend” saw something supernatural.
For us, these stories aren’t just about making your heart race. They’re culture. They’re lessons. They’re also entertainment. That’s why we created Kisah Bawah Tanah — to take the folklore we grew up with and reimagine it for today. And we’re not the first to do it. Filmmakers before us turned Malaysian ghost stories into films that became classics. Some chilled audiences to the bone, some made people laugh so hard they forgot they were watching a horror.
So if you’re curious about the best Malaysian ghost movies (plus our own animated twist), here are five titles we think capture the many faces of Malaysian horror. Together, they show just how creative — and how alive — our supernatural storytelling really is.
Munafik (2016) – The Religious Horror Hit
When Munafik was released, it was a turning point. Directed by Syamsul Yusof, it didn’t just deliver scares — it forced Malaysians to talk about faith, grief, and the unseen forces that sit just out of reach.
Synopsis: Ustaz Adam, a healer, is devastated after losing his wife. In trying to move on, he crosses paths with Maria, a woman suffering from violent possession. His attempt to help her drags him into a terrifying confrontation with black magic, demons, and his own shaken beliefs.
What made Munafik powerful was how close it felt to home. The exorcism scenes weren’t Hollywood spectacles. They were intimate, raw, familiar — like something you might really witness in a surau.
That’s why people still talk about it. It wasn’t just a horror movie. It was a reflection of stories we’ve all grown up hearing, and it asked: what would you do if it happened to you?
Hantu Kak Limah (2018) – Where Ghosts Meet Comedy
From solemn horror, we move to something uniquely Malaysian: the ghost comedy. The late Mamat Khalid’s Hantu Kak Limah wasn’t just a film, it became part of pop culture.
Synopsis: In Kampung Pisang, villagers believe Kak Limah has died. But instead of resting, her ghost wanders about, scaring some, confusing others, and causing chaos everywhere she goes.
The genius of this movie lies in how it flipped kampung hauntings into comedy. The villagers’ antics, the one-liners, the colourful characters — it turned fear into laughter.
Malaysians loved it. The movie went viral, memes exploded, and quotes from the film became part of everyday banter. Even people who usually avoid horror joined in, because at its heart, Hantu Kak Limah is about community — and how kampung life reacts when faced with the supernatural.
Roh (2019) – The Eerie Folk Tale
Now, we go quiet. Roh, directed by Emir Ezwan, is slow, atmospheric, and deeply unsettling. No jump scares, no loud chaos — just an unease that creeps into you and doesn’t let go.
Synopsis: A mother and her two children live in isolation in the forest. Their fragile world shatters when a strange girl appears at their hut and calmly tells them they will soon die. What follows is a spiral of strange events and inevitable tragedy.
Roh feels like an old cautionary tale, the kind your grandmother would whisper about the dangers of wandering too far into the woods. The forest itself becomes a character — menacing, watchful, alive.
The film earned praise internationally and was even Malaysia’s submission for the 2021 Academy Awards. That was a proud moment for local cinema, and for us too — proof that Malaysian horror can travel the world without losing its roots.
Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam (2004) – The Legendary Ghost
Of course, no list is complete without the queen of Malaysian horror: the Pontianak. Shuhaimi Baba’s Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam gave her a chilling revival for modern audiences.
Synopsis: Meriam, betrayed and murdered, doesn’t rest quietly. She returns as a Pontianak — the spirit of a woman who died in childbirth — and haunts those responsible for her death. Her cries echo through the night, striking terror into her village.
Maya Karin’s portrayal is unforgettable. The long hair, the piercing stare, the scream that still makes people shiver — she became the definitive face of the Pontianak for a whole generation.
But beyond the scares, the movie carried deeper themes. The Pontianak isn’t only a ghost. She’s a symbol of injustice, betrayal, and vengeance. A reminder that not all spirits can be silenced.
Kisah Bawah Tanah (Animated Cartoon) – A Malaysian Ghost Movie and Cartoon with a Twist
And here’s where we step in. Kisah Bawah Tanah (Tales Down Below) isn’t your usual horror. It’s a paranormal animated comedy that takes Malaysian ghost culture and folklore, then flips it into something fresh, funny, and just a little absurd.
Synopsis: At the heart of the series are Zack and Sam — two teenage undead skeleton best friends who just want a future filled with video games and comics. Instead, they’re stuck working at The Mart, a magical convenience store owned by Tok Mart, an old-fashioned zombie boss who’s stingy, overbearing, and definitely not fair. The Mart hides a powerful secret: an interdimensional portal that connects to countless worlds of myth, urban legend, and folklore.
Together with Ina, Tok Mart’s sharp but overworked daughter, Zack and Sam get sent on bizarre, dangerous, and hilarious missions. They tangle with Down Below’s supernatural townsfolk, run into strange creatures from other dimensions, and stumble into absurd situations — usually thanks to their own corner-cutting antics.
It’s a story about friendship, ambition, and trying to escape dead-end jobs when you’ve got big dreams but no plan (and a zombie boss breathing down your neck). With Ina as the reluctant voice of reason, and Tok Mart always chasing profit, Zack and Sam’s roller-coaster journey is as much about growing up as it is about surviving the weirdest convenience store in the universe.
For us, Kisah Bawah Tanah proves Malaysian ghost stories don’t need to stay locked in traditional horror. They can be animated, comedic, and still carry the same folklore spirit — just reimagined for a new generation.
Why These Ghost Stories Matter
Here’s the truth: Malaysian ghosts are never just about making you scream. They’re storytellers. They carry lessons, warnings, and cultural values. A Pontianak tale is as much about injustice as it is about fear. A kampung haunting says something about respect for the unseen.
That’s why these movies — and our cartoon — matter. They keep these stories alive. They make sure folklore doesn’t fade away in the noise of modern life. And when we add a modern twist, like we did with Kisah Bawah Tanah, we’re not replacing tradition. We’re carrying it forward.
To us, ghosts aren’t just monsters. They’re memory. They’re identity. They’re a reminder that storytelling in Malaysia is alive and always evolving.
Conclusion
So, which one would you brave first?
The faith-shaking terror of Munafik? The laugh-out-loud chaos of Hantu Kak Limah? The slow dread of Roh? The legendary wrath of Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam? Or the quirky underworld mischief of Kisah B
awah Tanah?
Each one shows a different side of Malaysian horror. And together, they prove something we believe strongly at Kisah Bawah Tanah: ghost stories aren’t just about scares. They’re about who we are, what we fear, and even how we laugh in the dark.
One thing’s for sure — Malaysia knows how to keep its ghost stories alive. And as long as we keep retelling and reinventing them, our ghosts — on screen and beyond — will never fade away.
A Short FAQ for you fellow Malaysian Ghosts Movie and Cartoon Lover!
Q: Is ghost movie banned in Malaysia?
A: No, ghost movies aren’t banned in Malaysia. Horror is one of the most popular genres in local cinema, though films with religious or cultural sensitivities may go through stricter censorship before release.
Q: What are the most popular ghosts in Malaysia?
A: The Pontianak is the most iconic Malaysian ghost. Other well-known ones include the Toyol (mischievous child spirit), Pocong (shrouded corpse ghost), Hantu Raya (spirit servant), and Orang Minyak (the oily black urban legend figure).
Q: What is the age limit for ghost movie?
A: In Malaysia, ghost movies are rated by the Film Censorship Board (LPF). Most fall under the P13 category, which means parental guidance is advised for viewers under 13. Some with stronger horror or darker themes are rated 18, making them restricted to adult audiences only.
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