With Forgotten Island now showing in cinemas, the Philippines and animation have taken the spotlight once more, and arguably on its biggest stage yet. Never has Hollywood represented the country and its culture like this before, and its glowing reviews make it one worthy of seeing in theaters. But with the movie’s arrival also comes another reminder of just how talented Filipino animators are and how the local industry deserves just as much love.
Whether hired by major production houses, working as outsourced talent, or doing freelance work, Filipino artists have been putting in the work for decades, and these movies prove it. While local animation may not get the same love international films do, the following movies are gems worth watching while highlighting the potential and creativity in the Philippine animation industry. And no, these movies aren’t just for kids.
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The Lovers – Sushi Chef x Mermaid
Set in Binondo, Manila, The Lovers tells the story of Sara Lim Baylon, a sushi chef who left college to work at her family’s restaurant. With a legacy to uphold, Sara is struggling to meet her family’s expectations, especially those tied to her late father’s reputation. One day, the governor calls and requests to have an inauguration dinner at her family’s restaurant and wants a sirena prepared as the meal’s centerpiece.
Sirena, though, changes Sara’s life as she finds herself drawn to the mythological creature and the two enter an unexpected relationship. This sapphic enemies-to-lovers horror story is made by Studio Heartbreak, a Philippine-based studio, and went viral on social media a few years ago with its teaser trailer. And now, the short film is out for the public to view on YouTube.
ZsaZsa Zaturnah – The Diva Herself
In development for years, Rocketsheep Studio’s animated movie adaptation of the Filipino komik superhero centers on the shy gay beautician Ada, who discovers that he can transform into the flamboyant superhero and LGBTQIA+ icon Zsazsa Zaturnah thanks to a meteorite. Her new powers, though, attract unwanted attention as Zsazsa must take up the mantle of Earth’s protector to defeat the evil Amazonistas, and maybe find a love to last along the way. With its world premiere at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, here’s hoping the movie will get a wide release in the country soon.
Dayo: Sa Mundo Ng Elementalia – Filipino Mythology Told by Filipino Animators
Before Forgotten Island and DreamWorks Animation used Philippine mythology as inspiration, local animators and studios were already doing just that nearly two decades ago. 2008’s Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia, which was made by Cutting Edge Productions and was an entry to the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival, follows Bubuy, a young boy who visits his grandparents for the summer. But after his grandparents get kidnapped, he, together with his new friends Anna the manananggal and Narsi the tikbalang, goes on a quest to save them, which brings him to the magical world of Elementalia.
RPG Metanoia – The First 3D Animated Filipino Movie
Making history as the first 3D animated Filipino movie, RPG Metanoia gives a creative spin on Filipinos’ love for online computer games. Nico, an 11-year-old boy, is an expert at playing the MMORPG Metanoia. But when a virus infects the game and threatens to spread into the real world, Nico and his friends must enter the game and save the online world.
The movie, which explored both childhood street games and the popularity of computer shops among the youth, was an entry in the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival and took home four awards, including 3rd Best Picture. While the animation can be rough around the edges, there’s no denying RPG Metanoia is a groundbreaking movie in modern Philippine cinema.
Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story – A Cat and Dog Kind of Tale
This animal-themed rom-com from 2020 features an A-list cast including Angelica Panganiban, Sam Milby, Eugene Domingo, and Piolo Pascual and is a fun reminder that animated movies aren’t limited to children. Nimfa Dimaano finds herself in an unexpected love triangle when the cat is charmed by the wealthy dog Iñigo while dating another dog named Roger. What follows is a wild adventure that has its fair share of adult comedy.
Paglisan – A Heartbreaking Marriage in Crisis
Animation can be used to tell a variety of stories, even ones featuring serious and sensitive topics. Such is the case in this 2018 Cinema One Originals film festival entry directed by Carl Joseph Papa and starring Eula Valdez and Ian Veneracion. Crisanto and Dolores are trying to save their failing marriage, but things go from bad to worse when Crisanto is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s while Dolores falls into depression. This isn’t an easy watch, especially if you can relate to dealing with someone who is mentally unwell, but it’s also hard to look away from.
Iti Mapukpukaw – A Recent Favorite
Carl Joseph Papa has built a reputation for his use of rotoscope animation in his movies. And arguably the best way this medium has been shown off in his films so far is in his 2023 critically acclaimed sci-fi drama Iti Mapukpukaw. Eric is a mouthless animator who finds himself in a bind after an alien tries to kidnap him, leading Eric down an odd and otherworldly road. When it premiered at that year’s Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, the movie was met with enthusiastic praise, eventually becoming the first animated movie in history to be chosen by the Philippines as its entry to the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars.
Urduja – Our Own Princess Warrior
Every corner of the Philippines has its take on local mythology, with its own stories and characters based on the people and community. One such regional story that got an animated treatment was Urduja, the legendary warrior princess of Pangasinan. In 2008, her story was told through an animated film, where she was voiced by none other than Regine Velasquez, and was notable for using a hand-drawn animation style that made it look like a storybook.
Featured Image: IMDB (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
The Lovers is a short film by Studio Heartbreak set in Binondo, Manila, following sushi chef Sara Lim Baylon, who enters an unexpected sapphic enemies-to-lovers relationship with a mermaid meant to be a meal’s centerpiece.
Iti Mapukpukaw, a 2023 rotoscope-animated film by Carl Joseph Papa, became the first animated movie in history chosen by the Philippines as its entry to the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars.
RPG Metanoia is the first 3D animated Filipino movie, following an 11-year-old MMORPG player who must enter his game to stop a virus, and won four awards, including 3rd Best Picture, at the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival.
Regine Velasquez voiced Urduja, the legendary warrior princess of Pangasinan, in the 2008 animated film notable for its hand-drawn, storybook-style animation.
ZsaZsa Zaturnah, produced by Rocketsheep Studio, follows shy gay beautician Ada, who transforms into the flamboyant LGBTQIA+ superhero icon Zsazsa Zaturnah after gaining powers from a meteorite. It premiered at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
