Encore Films
Singaporean director Joyce Lee established Encore Films in 2003. Her goal was to bring quality films to audiences across the South East Asia region. The company began operations with a clear mandate to bridge cultural gaps through cinema. It started by distributing content primarily from Japan and other Asian territories. This initial focus laid the groundwork for future expansion into diverse markets like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. A sister company named Simply Fun handles video distribution and post-production services alongside the main operation.
The Death Note film series holds the box office record for Japanese cinema in Singapore. Four movies including Death Note 2: The Last Name grossed over S$5.2 million combined. These titles became the number one Japanese film series in the country over an eleven-year period. The franchise includes spin-offs such as L Change the World and Death Note: Light Up The New World. In February 2015, the cast of Dragon Blade visited Singapore for press conferences and gala premieres at Marina Bay Sands. Attack on Titan also ranked among the top ten Asian films in Singapore during that same year. Its box office takings reached S$821,485 while Dragon Blade earned S$2,587,457.
Encore Films has grown its distribution footprint beyond its original borders. The company now operates in Vietnam, India, Hong Kong, Brunei, Thailand, and the Philippines. Makoto Shinkai's animation your name. was released in Vietnam in January 2017. That release became the number one Japanese film in the country. By 2023, Encore expanded its scope to include the Philippines and Thailand with Warner Bros. Pictures overseeing theatrical distribution there. They currently serve as the de facto theatrical licensee for newly released Studio Ghibli titles in Southeast Asia and India starting with The Boy and the Heron. This strategy reflects a deliberate shift toward capturing new markets across the continent.
Young & Fabulous marked the company's first venture into producing original Singaporean content. Joyce Lee produced and co-directed the film with a budget of S$1.5 million. The cast included Aloysius Pang, Joyce Chu, Joshua Tan, Gurmit Singh, Henry Thia, Quan Yi Fong, Jeffrey Xu, and Jordan Ng. It is a coming-of-age story about three teenagers striving to overcome obstacles to fulfill their dreams. The film grossed over S$1.3 million at the Singapore box office. It was one of four Singaporean films to hit the S$1 million mark locally. Young & Fabulous also ranked among the top ten Asian films in Singapore in 2016 before being released in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
A statistical review reveals financial success patterns within key Asian film franchises. The Forbidden Kingdom topped the list with $3,350,000 in gross revenue during 2008. Dragon Blade followed closely behind with $2,587,457 in 2015. Cold War 2 earned $2,062,210 after its release in 2016. The Death Note franchise collectively generated significant returns across multiple installments. Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea brought in $428,501 while Ju-On 3 reached $402,280. These figures demonstrate how specific titles drive revenue streams for the company. The data highlights a consistent ability to secure high-performing releases year after year.
Common questions
Who established Encore Films and when was it founded?
Singaporean director Joyce Lee established Encore Films in 2003. Her goal was to bring quality films to audiences across the South East Asia region.
What is the box office record for Japanese cinema held by Encore Films in Singapore?
The Death Note film series holds the box office record for Japanese cinema in Singapore with four movies grossing over S$5.2 million combined. These titles became the number one Japanese film series in the country over an eleven-year period.
Which countries does Encore Films currently operate in besides Singapore?
Encore Films now operates in Vietnam, India, Hong Kong, Brunei, Thailand, and the Philippines. The company expanded its scope to include the Philippines and Thailand with Warner Bros. Pictures overseeing theatrical distribution there by 2023.
When was the film your name released in Vietnam and what was its ranking?
Makoto Shinkai's animation your name was released in Vietnam in January 2017. That release became the number one Japanese film in the country.
How much money did Young & Fabulous make at the Singapore box office?
Young & Fabulous grossed over S$1.3 million at the Singapore box office. It was one of four Singaporean films to hit the S$1 million mark locally.