Recommended Video
Despite what some may say, the local entertainment industry is still alive and kicking. While there are challenges, as is with many industries, the Filipino creative spirit to tell all kinds of stories remains intact. And in 2026, we can expect a flurry of new Filipino movies and shows that are poised to take over the pop culture conversation.
Whether it’s on the big screen, primetime, or a streaming service, these upcoming projects have our attention in one way or another, thanks to the new narratives they offer, characters they are introducing, the pairings they have in store, and the general excitement of new titles coming to the forefront. Here’s an early look at what you can expect from local movies and TV this year.
RELATED: 7 Filipino Movies on Netflix That You Should Watch
The Loved One – A Long-Awaited Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales Reunion
Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales reunite on the big screen for the first time in 17 years in this romantic drama about two exes who cross paths and deal with the emotions and memories associated with it. The movie comes to us courtesy of Irene Villamor, who directed films such as Meet Me in St. Gallen, On Vodka, Beers, and Regrets, and Sid & Aya: Not a Love Story, which also starred Anne Curtis. Adding to this love story’s charm is that the movie also serves as Catriona Gray’s acting debut. The movie will come to cinemas on February 11.
Until She Remembers – Family Drama Meets a (Potentially) Sapphic Love Story
From director Brillante Mendoza comes this drama about a high school student (Barbie Forteza) who navigates her family’s struggles. One way she does that is by spending time with her grandmother (Charo Santos-Concio) as she helps her reconnect with an old friend (Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo). On the surface, the film may be yet another family drama, but from what we’ve seen from the trailer, we’re getting hints that there may be something deeper going on between the two older women. And if that’s the case, this tale of generational love and care has our attention. It’s showing in cinemas on February 25.
Sisa – Hilda Koronel Makes Her Return
Hilda Koronel, who made her mark on Philippine cinema with legendary movies like Insiang and Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, is making her acting comeback after a 13-year hiatus in this dark drama that combines fiction with real-world tragedies. Set during the final years of the Philippine-American War, the movie centers on a woman who is deemed crazy after witnessing the massacre of her community. But her insanity also serves as her disguise to get her revenge on the people who wronged her.
Joining Hilda Koronel in the cast are Eugene Domingo, Jennica Garcia, Tanya Gomez, Barbara Miguel, and Romnick Sarmenta, with Jun Robles Lana serving as the director. The movie has a release date of March 4 in local cinemas.
Forgotten Island – Hollywood Takes On Philippine Mythology
While this movie isn’t locally made or produced, given its subject matter and cast, it’s still one to have on your radar. DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming animated feature is set to transport viewers into another fantasy world, this time one heavily inspired by Philippine folklore and mythology. The movie tells the story of lifelong best friends Jo and Raissa, who find themselves stuck on the magical and forgotten island of Nakali. To find their way home, the friends may have to lose their cherished memories together.
Bringing to life the characters is a cast composed of a who’s who of Filipino and Filipino-American stars like H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Lea Salonga, and Manny Jacinto. We haven’t seen Hollywood delve as deep into local mythology as this movie before, so we’re excited to see how they do it, and hopefully, they don’t drop the ball. Adding to the potential hype is that the movie is being directed by the same people who directed the critically acclaimed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Forgotten Island has a slated theatrical release date of September 25.
The Secrets of Hotel 88 – Pinoy Big Brother, but Make It a Mystery Thriller
Many of the PBB Celebrity Collab Edition season 1 housemates are starring in a series together, but it’s not your typical barkada show. Featuring Mika Salamanca, Brent Manalo, Will Ashley, Ralph de Leon, Esnyr, AZ Martinez, River Joseph, Dustin Yu, Bianca de Vera, Klarisse de Guzman, Xyriel Manabat, Josh Ford, and Kira Balinger, The Secrets of Hotel 88 is a mystery thriller revolving around a group of people who uncover and unravel hidden and long-buried secrets of the titular hotel.
While the show, which is a collaboration between ABS-CBN and GMA Network, may not be what people would have expected, the suspense, drama, and tension add an interesting dynamic to the series. It will premiere on iWant and GMA later this year.
Someone, Someday – Kathryn Bernardo and James Reid’s TV Comeback
Primetime is about to see one of the biggest team-ups of 2026 with Kathryn Bernardo and James Reid’s TV comeback in Someone, Someday. While details are sparse as of this writing, based on the first teaser, we know that Kathryn’s character is a successful businesswoman, while James plays a musician and is her best friend. Adding to the intrigue is Maja Salvador, who plays a seemingly kind woman who may have ulterior motives.
Joining the cast are Dimples Romana, Rita Avila, Ryan Eigenmann, Jake Ejercito, Kat Galang, Gela Atayde, and Rowell Santiago. Not only does this mark the first time Kathryn and James will star in a teleserye together, but also Kathryn’s first TV show since 2 Good 2 Be True in 2022, James’ first since Till I Met You in 2016, and Maja’s first since The Killer Bride in 2019. Expect the anticipated Dreamscape Entertainment-produced show to start airing later this year.
Love, Siargao – Nadine Lustre and Alden Richards Join Forces for the First Time
If there’s one thing the past few years in local entertainment have taught us, it’s that expect the unexpected in celebrity pairings. Case in point: Nadine Lustre and Alden Richards. The two A-list actors will be working together for the first time in a romantic drama series titled Love, Siargao. The show is slated to have 26 episodes and will see Nadine play Kara and Alden play Jao in a story that revolves around the “Siargao Curse,” a local legend that states anyone who arrives on the island will either end up staying forever or fall in love.
As a cherry on top, joining Nadine and Alden is K-drama actor and former K-pop idol Choi Bomin. The show is being produced by Viva in collaboration with GMA and is set to stream on Viu later this year.
Edjop – A Timely Tale of a Sad Tragedy
In the face of the turmoil the country is facing, it’s important to remember our history so as not repeat it again. This upcoming movie from director Katski Flores taps into that sentiment. In the film, Elijah Canlas plays the titular character, Edgar “Edjop” Jopson, and tells the life and story of the Filipino student activist during the Martial Law years before he was killed by the government in September 1982. Also appearing in the movie is Jodi Sta Maria, who plays Joyette Jopson, the daughter of Edgar Jopson. While the movie has no official release date yet, it completed filming last year, so we hope it comes to local cinemas soon.
Filipiñana – Philippine Class Commentary Goes International
It may only be the start of the year, but there’s already a Filipino movie making noise at international film festivals, and that’s Filipiñana. Based on the short film of the same name by Rafael Manuel, which won the Silver Bear Jury Prize at the 70th Berlinale International Film Festival and was nominated for Best British Short Film at the British Independent Film Awards 2020, the movie tells the story of tee-girl Isabel working at a posh country club. There, she meets and is drawn to Dr. Palanca, the club’s president. However, this connection becomes sinister when Isabel discovers the dark secrets of the people involved.
Featuring a cast that includes Jorrybell Agoto, Carmen Castellanos, Teroy Guzman, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Isabel Sicat, and Nour Houshmand, the movie made its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival as part of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, where it received a World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision, and is slated to screen at Berlinale later this year, a rare feat for a Southeast Asian movie. While Filipiñana has no local release date yet, given its twisty subject matter and class commentary, we hope it comes to Philippine cinemas within the next year.
Moonglow – Neo-Noir Meets Martial Law
Filipina director, writer, and actress Isabel Sandoval is showing another side of Manila in Moonglow, her newest movie that she directs and stars in. The neo-noir romantic thriller set in the Philippines in 1979 follows Dahlia, a police aide who helps the poor and displaced by stealing money from her corrupt police boss. Things take a turn when Dahila’s boss tasks her and his nephew, Charlie, to investigate the theft. Oh, and Charlie is also Dahlia’s former lover. The moody noir thriller will make its world premiere in the Big Screen competition at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in February, and we hope it gets a local release date for later this year.
Photos: IMDB (via Webstie), VIU (via Instagram), NATHAN STUDIOS (via Instagram), ISABEL SANDOVAL (via Instagram)
Latest Posts
Latest Issue
