Are you ready for more movie marathons and trips to the cinema with your loved ones this year? These new Filipino movies will give you more than enough reasons to line up for tickets and clear your schedule for a much-needed binge-watching session at home.
We’re only two months into the year so far, but the local film scene is already teeming with promising titles that await us on streaming and the big screen.
Photo: Viva Films, Netflix Philippines/YouTube
From bleak historical narratives to bittersweet romances, this wide variety of original stories offers unique perspectives on love and life, told through some of the most iconic names in Philippine entertainment.
There’s no better time than now to open your heart to the timeless impact of Filipino films. If you don’t consider yourself a certified cinephile yet, perhaps these new and upcoming movies will help change your mind:
The Loved One
“Are you the lover, or the loved one?” Our Valentine’s Day plans this year may differ, but it’s safe to say that a great majority of Filipinos will take their significant others to see Irene Villamor’s The Loved One in cinemas.
Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales have reunited for a brooding, bittersweet romance that will certainly tug at our heartstrings as it tenderly reflects on life’s struggles and harsh realities. It’s safe to say that there won’t be a dry eye in the cinema as each scene hits us right in the feels, all while a stripped-down version of Cup of Joe’s “Multo” plays in the background.
The Lotto Winner
This heartfelt family drama is ready to teach us what it truly means to count our blessings and make the most out of sudden fortunes. RC delos Reyes’s The Lotto Winner follows a terminally ill widower (Albert Martinez) who uses his unexpected lottery winnings to reunite with his estranged daughter Aia (Kylie Padilla) in Australia. Bittersweet life lessons arise as the duo reluctantly catch up and explore the tranquil scenery around them.
The Lotto Winner premieres on February 18, 2026, in cinemas nationwide.
Until She Remembers
A tender and poignant drama starring Barbie Forteza, Charo Santos-Concio, and Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo? It doesn’t get any more iconic than this. Until She Remembers will take us on a journey of enlightenment through the eyes of a troubled high school student, who seeks comfort away from her grievances in the company of her grandmother and a dear friend from long ago.
On February 25, 2026, Filipinos will bear witness to a masterclass in loss and longing, bound by an everlasting love that withstands the test of time.
Sisa
Veteran actress Hilda Koronel is returning to the big screen—13 years after her last onscreen role—in Sisa, a tragically compelling period drama by Jun Robles Lana set amidst the Philippine-American War. From the film’s trailer alone, viewers can already expect a stellar performance from Koronel as the titular character, who strives to exact her revenge on the authorities who hurt her loved ones.
Last year, Sisa also represented the Philippines at the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Europe. The eerie and haunting movie is set for a theatrical release in the Philippines on March 4, 2026.
A Special Memory
You’ll always remember your one true love, even at times when it seems impossible. Jerry Lopez Sineneng’s A Special Memory offers earnest and truthful commentary on long-term relationships, vividly embodying what it means to care for someone “through thick and thin, through sickness and in health.” The Ricky Lee-penned film, adapted from the Japanese series Pure Soul, revolves around a couple that faces harrowing challenges when one of them gets diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Bela Padilla and Carlo Aquino will headline this sentimental story that’s bound to tug at everyone’s heartstrings. A Special Memory premieres on March 11, 2026, in cinemas nationwide.
18th Rose
What’s not to love about a cheesy, old-fashioned romantic comedy? In Dolly Dulu’s 18th Rose, Xyriel Manabat takes on her first lead role in a movie as Rose, a free-spirited teenager who takes on life’s challenges with a smile. At school, she meets the mysterious music lover Jordan (Kyle Echarri), and the two gradually bond over their lifelong dreams and shared love of music.
18th Rose is a youthful small-town flick with larger-than-life themes on ambition, passion, and self-discovery that’ll transport you back to the simpler times of the 2000s. The upcoming Netflix original film premieres on April 9, 2026.
ALSO READ: Looking For an “Organic Encounter” This Valentine’s Day? These 6 Activities Have You Covered
Which of these new Filipino films are you tuning in to this year? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
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