Nobody can produce an emotionally charged, “tagos sa puso” family drama quite like Filipinos. Our timeless romantic comedies and horror films will always hold space in our hearts, but when it comes to instant classics—movies you just know will resonate with past, present, and future generations—family will always come first.
There’s no easy way to tell a family’s story—especially one where no member is left behind. That’s why we keep tuning in to how Filipinos portray family dynamics, beliefs, and traditions in film. Every dining room conversation, teary-eyed confrontation, and heart-to-heart talk between onscreen families happens to us, too. It’s like seeing pieces of ourselves and our loved ones acted out on the screen, by the country’s biggest and brightest stars, no less.
Photo: ABS-CBN Star Cinema/YouTube
On November 12, 2025, Filipinos will witness another emotional rollercoaster of a family drama with Cathy Garcia-Sampana’s upcoming film, Meet, Greet, & Bye. In just a few weeks, we’ll meet the Facundo family and the struggles that each child endures to take care of their terminally ill mother.
If you’re preparing for the theatrical release of Meet, Greet, & Bye, or simply looking for a new addition to your family movie nights, then it’s time to revisit these films that have touched every Filipino family’s hearts.
And the Breadwinner Is… (2024)
If you’ve ever needed to put your lifelong dreams aside to help your family make ends meet, then you’re in for a serious tear-jerker with And the Breadwinner Is… This entry to the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) marks Vice Ganda’s comedy-drama breakthrough.
Vice Ganda had theater-goers bawling as Bambi, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Taiwan. She returns to the Philippines only to reunite with her heavily distraught family, who have been hit with a series of bad news and financial dilemmas. Despite her disappointment, Bambi goes to great lengths to help her family survive, even if it means sacrificing her childhood dream of becoming a flight attendant.
Though OFWs and Filipino breadwinners face numerous harsh realities in their day-to-day routines, And the Breadwinner Is… is the glimmer of hope and inspiration they need to keep their dreams alive.
Four Sisters and a Wedding (2013)
Four Sisters and a Wedding stays relevant and effortlessly hilarious, no matter how many times you’ve watched it. This family film took the country by storm, featuring actors and characters who left viewers in stitches, as well as an iconic confrontation scene we all memorized by heart.
The Salazar family’s youngest child, CJ (Enchong Dee), just got engaged, prompting his four elder sisters to return home for his wedding. The Salazar sisters —Teddie (Toni Gonzaga), Bobbie (Bea Alonzo), Alex (Angel Locsin), and Gabbie (Shaina Magdayao) —must see past their differences and resolve their past feuds to make their little brother happy on his special day.
Four Sisters and a Wedding was one of our first introductions to sibling archetypes in Filipino family movies. The Salazars’ reunion brought out the best and worst of each character’s distinct personalities, career paths, and love lives, which made us all root for them in our own ways.
Seven Sundays (2017)
Financial struggles and life-altering illnesses are common themes in local family films, and Seven Sundays is no exception. This comedy-drama wholesomely answers the question, “When was the last time your family felt like home?”
It’s been years since the Bonifacio family last spent time together. After their mother died, each child carried on with their own lives. But as soon as they were doing well on their own, the Bonifacio siblings received news that their father, Manuel (Ronaldo Valdez), was dying. Now, they have to reluctantly spend the next seven Sundays together as they cherish Manuel’s final days on earth.
Patay Na Si Hesus (2016)
We don’t know how this film does it, but somehow Patay Na Si Hesus turns a dreary road trip in the sweltering heat into a laughfest like no other.
Despite its bleak and mundane atmosphere, there’s never a dull moment in this Cebuano dark comedy. Think Family Guy, but shrouded with misery and chock-full of jokes that are unmistakably Filipino. Our protagonist, Iyay (played by the late Jaclyn Jose), tries her best to make light of her estranged husband’s death as she takes her family on a road trip to his funeral. Their adventure becomes an opportunity for everyone to reconnect.
Anak (2000)
Leaving your family to take on a completely new life overseas is never easy, especially for mothers. Anak explores the complexities of motherhood and the countless sacrifices mothers make for their children, which often go unrecognized.
This groundbreaking film follows Vilma Santos as Josie, an OFW in Hong Kong who reunites with her kids after years abroad. Josie’s excitement is slowly replaced with heartbreak when her eldest child, Carla (Claudine Barretto), turns rebellious and refuses to reciprocate her mother’s warmth.
Anak remains a powerful voice for OFWs and Filipino mothers who tirelessly provide for their families. The movie and its impactful social commentary have even become insightful educational material for high school students nationwide.
ALSO READ: The Official Trailer for “Meet, Greet & Bye” Reminds Us What Family Really Means
What are your favorite Filipino family films? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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