KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — The Malaysian film Libang Libu has claimed the top spot in the last week of April, emerging as a feel-good comedy gaining traction nationwide, with many describing it as a welcome stress reliever during challenging times.

Meanwhile, the much-anticipated Michael moonwalks into second place and, despite mixed reviews, continues to generate strong buzz in cinemas both locally and worldwide.

This Labour’s Day weekend offers a well-deserved break – or at least a slightly slower pace – and a good cinema outing can certainly add to that.

At home, you can sit back and relax with streaming options such as Made with Love on Netflix, Aku Pilih Pelangi on Viu, or something new on Disney+ like Gold Land, starring acclaimed Korean star Park Bo-young.

Music on Spotify and top book picks also round out the day, ensuring your weekend is anything but ordinary, with Malay Mail compiling the best for you to check out.

Top 10 films in local cinemas (Domestic & International) (April 23 to April 26)

1. Libang Libu
2. Michael
3. Lee Cronin's The Mummy
4. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
5. Gayong 2
6. Kafir: Gerbang Sukma
7. Project Hail Mary
8. Malaikat Malam
9. Ayah, Ini Arahnya Ke Mana, Ya?
10. Uncle Odyssey

Source: Cinema.com and GSC

Top 10 streaming (April 20 to April 26)

Netflix (Top 10 TV)

TV Series

1. Made with Love
2. Phantom Lawyer
3. Sold Out on You: Limited Series
4. If Wishes Could Kill: Limited Series
5. Bloodhounds: Season 2
6. Bloodhounds: Season 1
7. The Cleaning Lady: Season 1
8. Bebefinn: Season 4
9. One Piece: Elbaph Arc
10. Wistoria: Wand and Sword: Season 2

Source: Netflix Top 10

Viu (Top 10 shows)

1. Aku Pilih Pelangi
2. Running Man (2026)
3. Phantom Lawyer
4. The Scarecrow
5. Climax
6. Cinta Ori
7. Taxi Driver 3
8. Reverse
9. Hening Cinta
10. Walid

Source: Viu Frontpage

Disney+ (Top 10 shows)

1. Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord
2. Gold Land
3. Daredevil: Born Again: Season 2
4. Daredevil: Born Again Official Podcast: Season 2
5. Travis Japan Summer Vacation!! In the USA
6. 9—1—1: Season 9
7. Grey’s Anatomy: Season 22
8. Perfect Crown
9. 9—1—1: Nashville
10. The testaments

Source: Disney+

Top 10 songs of the week (Spotify) (April 22 to April 29)

1. Bruno Mars — Risk It All
2. Justin Bieber — Beauty And A Beat (w/ Nicki Minaj)
3. Piche Kota — Bahagia Lagi
4. Nadhif Basalamah — Kota ini tak sama tanpamu
5. Ifan Seventeen — Jangan Paksa Rindu — Beda
6. Sal Priadi — Ada titik—titik di ujung doa
7. Adira Suhaimi — Sayang Orang Sama
8. Katy Perry — The One That Got Away
9. Nadhif Basalamah — Bergema sampai selamanya
10. Nuca — Masa ini, Nanti, dan Masa Indah Lainnya

Top 10 Malay songs of the week (Spotify) (April 22 to April 29)

1. Adira Suhaimi — Sayang Orang Sama
2. Aufahanie — Butterfly
3. Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Ade Govinda — Menamakanmu Cinta
4. Alpha — P Ramlee Saloma
5. Mojo — Romancinta
6. Zynakal, Zamir Harith, Mojack Hafiz, Bel Janni — Dalam Diam
7. Hael Husaini, Nadeera — Peluk
8. Nadhif Basalamah, Aziz Harun, Aisha Retno — Kota ini tak sama tanpamu
9. Farrel Hilal — Keliling
10. Naufal Syachreza — Super Eksis 

Source: Kworb and Spotify

Top 10 books of the week (April 17 to April 23)

Fiction

1. Strange Buildings by Uketsu (Pushkin Vertigo)
2. Strange Pictures by Uketsu (HarperVia)
3. Strange Houses by Uketsu (HarperVia)
4. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (HarperCollins)
5. Want to Know a Secret? by Freida McFadden (Hollywood Upstairs Press)
6. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (Pan Macmillan)
7. Butter by Asako Yuzuki (Ecco)
8. Days at the Torunka Cafe by Satoshi Yagisawa (Harper Perennial)
9. Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe by Janet Tay (Vintage UK)
10. Hooked by Asako Yuzuki (Ecco)

Non—Fiction

1. Surrounded by Idiots (10th Anniversary Edition) by Thomas Erikson (Macmillan Audio)
2. Murdle #1 by (G.T. Karber)
3. Rethinking Ourselves by Anwar Ibrahim (Penguin Books SEA)
4. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins & Sawyer Robbins (Hay House LLC)
5. Atomic Habits by James Clear (Avery)
6. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (Penguin Random House SEA)
7. It's Okay Not to Get Along with Everyone by Dancing Snail (Blink Publishing)
8. When I Was a Kid 7 by Cheeming Boey (Cheeming Boey)
9. Once Upon a Miao (Remastered): I Love My Hometown by Jian Goh (Space Voyager Log PLT)
10. The Art of Letting Go by Nick Trenton (Independently published)

Mutiara Minda (Malay Novels)

1. Rubah Putih by Ramlee Awang Murshid (Buku Prima)
2. Cold Case by Azmeer Shah (Buku Prima)
3. Kaisar: Secret Chapter by Jiwa (Nukilan Biruni Trading)
4. Kombo Velvet + Velvet 2 by Ikmal Ahmad (Buku Fixi)
5. Nasib Cikgu Sam Masuk Kampung by Aidil Ghazali (IMAN Publication)
6. Yes! Captain Zul Aaryan by Wnfhanna (Idea Kreatif)
7. Syarikat by Ariff Adly (Buku Fixi)
8. Spy X Family: Potret Keluarga by Tatsuya Endo (GEMPAK STARZ)
9. Dirty Little Lies by Elvroseth (Idea Kreatif)
10. Qaid: The Unknown by Effalee (Manes Wordworks)

Source: MPH

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — Cinema has always been a powerful medium for storytelling, where human experiences are transformed through drama and cinematography.

The upcoming Malaysian film Circus of Life, written and directed by Tham Wai Fook, draws on real-life experiences and presents a heartfelt story grounded in emotional truth.

The film was recently unveiled at a press and gala night on Monday at TGV KLCC, offering audiences an early glimpse into a narrative centred on a mother’s unwavering love as she navigates the hardships of her son’s mental struggles.

Beyond its intimate family focus, the project reflects Malaysia’s multicultural fabric while engaging with the realities of mental struggles and their impact on both perception and aspiration.

At its core, Circus of Life explores the fragile space between hope and struggle — where dreams can feel both within reach and painfully distant.

Speaking with Malay Mail, Tham said his personal life experiences, parenthood, and childhood memories of the circus inspired the film’s emotional and symbolic narrative.

“Growing up, my parents were rubber tappers, and going to the circus as a family was a rare luxury.

“It left me with very vivid and beautiful memories.

“To me, the circus represents joy, wonder, and dreams — and that symbolism naturally became part of the film,” he said.

He added that living in Malaysia’s multicultural society has also shaped his storytelling.

“As a filmmaker drawn to realism, everyday interactions between different cultures inevitably find their way into my work,” he said.

An idea finally realised decades later

The idea for the film originated decades ago.

Initially titled Mother, Mother, Mother, the first draft was written in 2011 as a story about a mother supporting her son’s dream.

However, securing funding proved challenging, and after a significant personal experience, Tham decided to set the script aside.

Director Tham Wai Fook speaks to the media during the ‘Circus of Life’ press conference. — Picture courtesy of Mega Films Distribution

“About ten years later, after starting a family, we revisited it and wove that experience — and what we had learned — into the story,” he said.

The team also later received the Creative Content Fund from Finas, allowing the project to finally come to life.

The title Circus of Life was only decided after the film was completed.

Non-professional cast and why this approach 

The film features a largely non-professional cast, starring Tom Phan, Faye An Ying Fei, Lai Thiam Tai, and Khok Eng Loy.

For Phan, this marks his film debut in the role of Wei.

He shared that while he had imagined acting in films someday, landing a lead role came as a surprise — but also an incredible experience.

He spent six months preparing for the role, researching through books, films such as American Psycho, and music related to mental health to better understand his character.

“Physically, I also did observation studies.

“We visited places like Tanjung Rambutan and observed from the outside,” he said.

“I also watched documentaries and observed people on the streets who go through similar struggles.”

The director stressed that casting newcomers was intentional because he wanted the story to feel real and organic. 

“New actors bring a fresh presence and energy — it’s a bit like the weather,” Tham said.

“You don’t always know how they’ll perform and sometimes they don’t either, so there’s a real sense of unpredictability and possibility, like a sudden downpour.

“Often, the most genuine surprises come from what isn’t overly planned or rehearsed.”

He added that while inexperienced actors may lack consistency, their rawness contributes to authenticity. 

Expectation of the ‘Circus of life’

Tham hopes audiences will approach the film with an open mind and leave with a sense of calm.

“That would mean a lot to me,” he said.

Lead actress An said the film highlights a mother’s love, particularly within older generations who may not express affection verbally.

“They may not say ‘I love you’ directly, but they show it through their actions.

“Circus of Life reflects that, and audiences will be able to relate and feel it,” she said.

Phan added that the film offers a unique storyline rarely seen in Malaysian cinema.

“As Malaysians, I think many people will relate to it.

“Everyone has dreams — whether now or in the future — and this film speaks to that,” he said.

He noted that the themes of maternal love and personal dreams are universal experiences, making the film a meaningful watch with lasting takeaways.

Circus of Life will release nationwide on May 7.