The Filipino film industry has been pushing the boundaries of its craft and artistry throughout the year. Thanks to local film festivals, international competitions, special screening events, and new releases on streaming services, the world has had the opportunity to witness our homegrown storytellers deliver excellent titles on the big and silver screens.
Besides supporting our favorite actors and directors, we’ve also learned how to appreciate film as an artistic platform that uplifts various communities and advocacies. This has been evident in local movies such as the critically acclaimed Sunshine, a compelling tale of womanhood, reclamation, and self-discovery, and Quezon, which has sparked insightful conversations about Philippine history and culture.
Photo: Netflix Philippines, KreativDen/YouTube
This December, Filipinos will have a fun-filled Christmas at the cinemas with the eight must-watch entries to the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Here are five more local films you can look forward to in addition to the annual event’s highly anticipated lineup:
Ang Happy Homes Ni Diane Hilario
Everything is fine and dandy at the Happy Homes Tenement until a series of murders shakes up its residents. In this new drama-thriller by Marlon Rivera, Angeline Quinto plays the titular character, who finds herself embroiled in a series of suspenseful events as she tracks down the mysterious killer behind the tragedies at Happy Homes.
Ang Happy Homes Ni Diane Hilario premieres in cinemas nationwide on December 3, 2025. The film also stars Eugene Domingo, Richard Yap, Paolo Contis, and Luis Alandy.
Sana Sinabi Mo
Grief, longing, and unconditional love take center stage in the upcoming Netflix original movie, Sana Sinabi Mo. After mourning the death of his father (JC Santos), a young missionary (Juan Karlos) uncovers his father’s deep secrets and sets out for Spain in search of answers to his burning questions. What he embarks on, instead, is a journey of healing and reconciling with his troubled past.
You can add this new tear-jerker by Shai Advincula-Antonio to your watch list on December 4, 2025.
Bilyarista
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Loisa Andalio and John Arcilla are teaming up to bring this gritty coming-of-age sports drama to life next year. Phil Giordiano’s Bilyarista tells the story of Aya (Andalio), a gifted billiards player who aspires to become a world champion. Aya’s life suddenly takes a turn for the worse when her notorious uncle (Arcilla) brings her into the dangerous, high-stakes world of underground gambling in Manila.
I Fell, It’s Fine
Following the success of Open Endings at this year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival, Filipinos can look forward to a new sapphic film next year that’s sure to make our hearts flutter. I Fell, It’s Fine stars Rhian Ramos and Glaiza de Castro (endearingly known as RaStro) in their first romance movie together.
I Fell, It’s Fine is an upcoming girls’ love (GL) film directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo. She also directed I’m Perfect, an official entry to this year’s MMFF.
Sisa
Veteran actress Hilda Koronel is set to make her big-screen comeback next year with Sisa, not to be confused with Jose Rizal’s fictional character in Noli Me Tangere. In this upcoming historical drama by Jun Robles-Lana (director of And the Breadwinner Is…, Becky and Badette, and Die Beautiful), Koronel will portray the titular character, who grapples with grief, longing, and vengeance amid the Philippine-American War.
Sisa is also an official entry to the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) in Estonia.
The Sacrifice
The Sacrifice is a new horror film written by Jerrold Tarog (the mind behind TBA Studios’ Bayaniverse) and directed by Prime Cruz (who also worked on Isa Pa, With Feelings and Ngayon Kaya). It follows a group of vloggers who discover an ancient substance in a rustic village ruled by unsettling rituals and urban legends.
This upcoming movie features an all-star cast, which includes Lovi Poe, Enchong Dee, Pokwang, and Max Collins, among others.
ALSO READ: 5 New Filipino Horror Films That Have Taken Over the Big Screen This Year
Which upcoming Filipino films are you excited to watch? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
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