Malaysia is taking centre stage in international cinema with the release of Worth The Wait, a romantic comedy that blends universal themes of love, hope and redemption with vibrant local backdrops.
The film, partly shot in Malaysia and featuring at least 10 scenes showcasing its natural beauty, heritage and cuisine, opened in more than 30 cinemas nationwide on Saturday, 9 August. Its debut here coincides with the national month celebrations and follows a successful US run on Fox’s streaming platform Tubi.
Directed by acclaimed Taiwanese filmmaker Tom Shu-Yu Lin in his English-language debut, the ensemble piece weaves together four interlinked stories. The star-studded cast includes Ross Butler (13 Reasons Why), Lana Condor (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before), Andrew Koji (Black Doves), Sung Kang (Fast & Furious franchise), Elodie Yung (The Cleaning Lady), Karena Ka-Yan Lam, Osric Chau (Supernatural), Kheng Hua Tan (Crazy Rich Asians), and Yu-Beng Lim (Rebel Moon).
Malaysian producer Rachel Tan, a former Miss Malaysia, revealed that the film was inspired by her own long-distance romance between Malaysia and the United States. “Worth The Wait is not just entertainment, but also a reflection on love, faith and hope,” she said. “Dan and I wanted to create something that celebrates our Asian identity while also speaking to audiences around the world — and the response so far has been incredibly encouraging.”
Co-producer Dan Mark highlighted the production’s potential impact on Malaysia’s creative economy. “We encourage Malaysian audiences to come out to support the film, which contributes towards putting the country on the world stage as a destination of choice for filmmakers,” he said.
Distributed locally by Astro Shaw and supported by Tourism Malaysia, the film’s release aligns with efforts to showcase the nation’s cultural appeal ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Beyond Malaysia, Worth The Wait is slated for release in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Taiwan.
Produced by King Street Pictures — known for its emotionally resonant, diversity-driven storytelling — the film marks the company’s sixth cinematic release. With its cross-cultural narratives and authentic portrayals, Worth The Wait continues the momentum of Asian representation in global cinema. 