This is an excerpt from the June 2026 Special Issue. Subscribe to MEGA Digital All-Access to read the full story.
Over the past decade, Julia Barretto has quietly built one of the most impressive filmographies among her contemporaries, moving effortlessly across different genres whether it may be romance, drama, thriller, or independent cinema. With every role she takes on, she demonstrates a willingness to take risks, challenge expectations, and continually evolve as a performer.
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Her early success in films such as Love You to the Stars and Back (2017) and Between Maybes (2019) established her as a leading lady capable of carrying complex and emotionally driven narratives. However, Barretto’s growth as an actress became even more apparent when she ventured beyond unfamiliar territory. In the 2020 film Block Z, she proved she could command a horror-thriller, while Expensive Candy released in 2022 showcased a more mature and nuanced side of her artistry, earning praise for the vulnerability and depth she brought to life through the role.
Because of this, the recognition naturally followed. Throughout her career, Barretto has received accolades from some of the country’s most respected award-giving bodies, including the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards, and the Box Office Entertainment Awards. Her performances have consistently drawn critical acclaim, affirming her place among the most promising actresses of her generation.
What sets Barretto apart from the outside looking in is her commitment to growth. Rather than sticking to a single genre or image, she has continually embraced projects that allow her to stretch creatively as an artist. Whether portraying women navigating love, heartbreak, uncertainty, or resilience, she approaches each character with sincerity and emotional intelligence.
Today, Barretto is both celebrated as a leading lady and an actress unafraid to take creative risks. Through a body of work marked by versatility, critical recognition, and commercial success, she has established herself as one of the defining actresses of her generation.
If her trajectory thus far is any indication, Julia Barretto’s most remarkable performances may still be ahead of her.
Photographed by DAVE GRACIADAS
Frequently Asked Questions
Julia Barretto is a Filipino actress with over a decade of work across romance, drama, thriller, and independent cinema. She is known for films including Love You to the Stars and Back, Between Maybes, Block Z, and Expensive Candy, and has received accolades from FAMAS, the PMPC Star Awards, and the Box Office Entertainment Awards.
Julia Barretto’s most critically discussed films include Block Z, the 2020 horror-thriller that proved her range beyond romantic drama, and Expensive Candy, her 2022 film praised for the vulnerability and depth she brought to a mature, nuanced role. Both are considered turning points in her career as a serious actress.
Julia Barretto has received recognition from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), the Philippine Movie Press Club Star Awards, and the Box Office Entertainment Awards. Her performances across multiple genres have consistently earned critical acclaim from the country’s most respected award-giving bodies.
Julia Barretto’s distinguishing quality is her commitment to creative risk-taking rather than consolidating a single image or genre. From romantic leads to horror-thrillers to mature dramas, she has consistently chosen projects that stretch her creatively — a pattern that has earned her both critical respect and commercial success across a decade of work.
The MEGA June 2026 Special Issue features Julia Barretto in a profile covering her decade-long filmography, her approach to genre-crossing roles, and her vision for continued creative growth. The full story is available exclusively through MEGA Digital All-Access.
