Here Are Some of The Best Filipino Movies on Netflix
Relish in your heritage with these diverse picks, from ‘Miss Granny’ to ‘Buy Bust’
Having grown up watching Pinoy movies, my love for them runs deep. I love the uniquely stories only they can tell, created by some of the industry’s most talented and capable artists, from directors, to actors, to writers, and everyone else behind the camera.
For Buwan ng Wika, we’ve rounded up some of the best Filipino movies on Netflix, with titles ranging from Heneral Luna and Goyo to Miss Granny and Four Sisters and a Wedding—films chosen because they each represent an important facet of what it means to be Filipino, while also being enjoyable and entertaining. There’s a little bit of everything in here—romance, drama, comedy, horror, thriller, and more!
The Best Filipino Movies on Netflix
The Best Filipino Movies on Netflix
Heneral Luna
It’s easy to see how 'Heneral Luna' brought independent film into the mainstream, if that makes sense, because of the response it received after it was unceremoniously pulled out of cinemas. 'Heneral Luna' is a historical biopic about Gen. Antonio Luna, the national hero who defended the country from American attacks during the Philippine–American War.
Four Sisters and a Wedding
Cathy Garcia-Molina’s 'Four Sisters and a Wedding' is iconic. Not only is it a great, entertaining watch—it’s also a beloved meme all over social media, with Bea Alonzo’s delivery of the line, “Bakit parang kasalanan ko?” being one of the best acting choices of all time. It tells the story of the Salazar sisters as they try and stop their brother’s wedding to his fiancée.
Miss Granny
If you loved the Korean film 'Miss Granny,' you’ll love our own version of it, too! It holds up to the original, and it’s incredibly lovely and charming, with great performances from Sarah Geronimo and Nova Villa, as well as James Reid and Xian Lim. It also has amazing music—Geronimo’s version of “Kiss Me, Kiss Me” is adorable and her haunting rendition of “Isa Pang Araw” is a must-listen.
Birdshot
'Birdshot' was named by our resident film critic as one of the best movies of the past decade, thanks to its direction and strong narrative. An “atmospheric drama thriller,” 'Birdshot' tells the story of a young girl who kills a Philippine eagle, not knowing that it’s protected and endangered. As two police officers track down the bird’s killer, they also investigate the mysterious disappearance of a bus full of a farmers on the way to Manila.
A Second Chance
'A Second Chance' is the sequel to the classic romance drama, 'One More Chance' starring John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. This film can be polarizing—some die-hard fans prefer not to know what happened to Popoy and Basha after the events of the first movie; some are dying to know how they ended up! 'A Second Chance' follows Popoy and Basha in their life as a married couple—the hardships, the triumphs, and what it takes to have a successful relationship.
A Love Story
'A Love Story' won all the awards it was nominated for, from Best Picture at the Film Academy of the Philippines Luna Awards to Screenplay of the Year at the PMPC Star Awards for Movies. Starring Maricel Soriano, Aga Muhlach, and Angelica Panganiban, 'A Love Story' is about a businessman torn between women. He meets the woman of his dreams after marrying someone else, and is faced with a difficult decision.
It Takes A Man and a Woman
The final installment of the Miggy–Laida trilogy by Cathy Garcia-Molina and starring John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo, 'It Takes a Man and a Woman' is one of the most enjoyable and entertaining romcoms to date. It’s bright and colorful, and it packs a punch—the acting choices between Cruz and Geronimo are all top-tier decisions, and it’ll make you fall in love with the film series, if you aren’t already!
The Breakup Playlist
Dan Villegas and Antonette Jadaone’s 'The Breakup Playlist' is about an aspiring singer (who’s still in law school) and a rock singer who collaborate together after meeting at a music camp. They fall for each other, and it’s messy and complicated and beautiful—just like love itself.
Dead Kids
In 'Dead Kids,' a group of teenagers attempt to kidnap one of their classmates, the wealthy school bully. Things don’t go as planned, however. It features solid performances from the ensemble cast, which includes Kelvin Miranda, Khalil Ramos, Jan Silverio, and Gabby Padilla. Our resident film critic thinks it’s a “winner”—“With a lot to say about today’s youth and social inequality, this one goes deeper into the Instagram-age than we think,” he said in a previous review.
Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap
'Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap' stars the two Tolitses of Rak of Aegis—Pepe Herrera and Jerald Napoles—as well as Jelson Bay and Paolo Contis, and it follows a group of not-so-very-good robbers who aspire to be the bast gang in their barangay. Hilarity, naturally, ensues.
Lola Igna
As an entry to the 2019 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, 'Lola Igna' has racked up rave reviews from various film critics. It tells the story of a 118-year-old lola who has found herself to be disenchanted with life, until she is reminded that even at her age, she can still be surprised.
That Thing Called Tadhana
'That Thing Called Tadhana' is another independent film that found mainstream success, catapulting Antonette Jadaone to fame. 'That Thing Called Tadhana' tells the story of two individuals who meet and form a friendship—one that takes them from Rome all the way to Sagada.
Metro Manila
'Metro Manila' isn’t locally produced, but it stars Filipino actors Jake Macapagal, Althea Vega, and John Arcilla and is set in the Philippines, with its dialogue mainly in Filipino. It tells the story of Oscar Ramirez, a rice farmer from the Banaue Province who relocates to Metro Manila when his rice crops stop being profitable.
Hintayan ng Langit
'Hintayan ng Langit' stars Gina Pareño and the late Eddie Garcia in a film that tells the story of Lisang, a deceased woman who has overstayed in her waiting room in purgatory.
Caregiver
Starring Sharon Cuneta, 'Caregiver' tells the story of a Sarah, an overseas Filipino worker who leaves her son behind in the Philippines to work in London with her husband. It touches on the hardships that many caregivers face—leaving family behind, experiencing marital problems, getting attached to their patients.
Goyo
'Goyo' tells the story of Gregorio del Pilar, the young general who defended Tirad Pass during the Philippine–American War. It’s the second installment in the Bayani series, and it stars Paulo Avelino.
BuyBust
'BuyBust' starring Anne Curtis and directed by Erik Matti premiered at the New York Asian Film Festival to favorable reviews. It tells the story of a team conducting a poorly executed drug bust in a Manila slum.
Sukob
'Sukob' is a classic—not only was it the highest-grossing Filipino film during its time, it also remains an important part of Filipino pop culture, after making way for a parody film, Pasukob. The film is based on the superstition that people shouldn’t get married in the same year a family member dies—or marries.
Posters from The Movie Database
Screencaps from YouTube
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