How fortunate are we to be living in a time where information and entertainment are literally at our fingertips? With Netflix adding Filipino film after Filipino film in their catalog, we get to watch our favorite Tagalog movies and discover new ones, and there are a lot of good ones out there. We’ve listed 8 of the best new Filipino movies on Netflix for your streaming pleasure. Cancel all your plans this weekend and binge-watch away!
Birdshot (2016) by Dir. Mikhail Red
Starring: Arnold Reyes, Mary Joy Apostol, John Arcilla
Birdshot is the first Filipino film released nationwide by Netflix. It follows the story of a farm girl who unwittingly shot down the endangered Philippine eagle. Local authorities look for her bringing consequences and shattering their quiet life. In 2016, Birdshot won Best Asian Future Film at the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival.
Heneral Luna and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2015, 2018) by Dir. Jerrold Tarog
Starring: (Heneral Luna) John Arcilla, Arron Villaflor, Mon Confiado/(Goyo) Paulo Avelino, Carlo Aquino, Arron Villaflor
Jerrold Tarog’s two historical film masterpieces gave an interesting light to Philippine history. His 2015 historical biopic Heneral Luna is set during the Philippine-American war where the titular short-tempered Filipino general faces an enemy more formidable than the American army: his own treacherous countrymen. Three years later, this is followed by Goyo [watch trailer here], the story of the young Filipino general Gregorio del Pilar who died in the Battle of Tirad Pass during the Philippine-American war.
Neither film is afraid to dive into the nitty-gritty of Philippine history, retelling not just the heroics of our ancestors who fought for our country, but also the betrayals, the hardships, and our national heroes’ missteps.
Seven Sundays (2017) by Dir. Cathy Garcia-Molina
Starring: Ronaldo Valdez, Dingdong Dantes, Christine Reyes, Enrique Gil, Aga Mulach
Seven Sundays gives the hackneyed Pinoy comedy-drama film plot a fresh perspective. It tells the story of a widowed father who finds out he is diagnosed by cancer and that he only has seven weeks left to live. His five children decide to reunite and spend those few weeks with him at their childhood home. In those few weeks, the estranged siblings unearth their own issues and try to resolve them. Garcia-Molina accurately depicts the true Filipino family – messy but at the end of everything, they will be there for you no matter what.
Miss Granny (2018) by Dir. Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, Nova Villa, James Reid
Fely, an elderly woman, visits a mysterious photo studio one day to get her picture taken. Suddenly she finds herself in the body of her younger and happier self, a second chance at youth. Fely re-discovers the joy of living, the value of music, and falling in love for the second time. This comedy-drama is an adaptation from the Korean film of the same name.
Kita Kita (2017) by Dir. Sigrid Andrea Bernardo
Starring: Empoy Marquez, Alessandra de Rossi
Set in the quiet city of Sapporo Japan, Dir. Bernardo’s Kita Kita explores the idea of the simple quote “Love is blind.” Lea, initially a tour guide in Japan, goes blind after suffering through extreme emotions after her Japanese boyfriend cheated on her. Enter Tonyo, the kind, patient, and humorous man who is determined to befriend her no matter what. But will they have a happy ending?
Hintayan ng Langit (2018) by Dir. Dan Villegas
Starring: Eddie Garcia, Gina Pareño
Hintayan ng Langit (or Heaven’s Waiting) is an adaptation of Juan Miguel Severo’s one-act play for Virgin Labfest. While at the waiting room of heaven, Lisang entertains herself by occasionally causing trouble for other souls. But when it’s time for her to crossover, she encounters Manolo, her ex-lover who died two years after she did. Their meeting stirs up old memories and brings out old arguments.
That Thing Called Tadhana (2014) by Dir. Antoinette Jadaone
Starring: Angelica Panganiban, JM de Guzman
Where do broken hearts go? To Sagada, apparently, after everyone watched this film. This 2014 classic is a boy-meets-girl adventure of two jaded hearts finding comfort in each other. The pair go from bus rides and airports, spending a night in Baguio and a cold morning in Sagada, to finally shouting heartbreak to oblivion into the mountains. Sometimes, you don’t need romance to move on from another failed relationship.
Sid & Aya: Not a Love Story (2018) by Dir. Irene Emma Villamor
Starring: Anne Curtis, Dingdong Dantes
Of course, when the title says it’s not a love story, it probably is one. Sid is your typical arrogant rich businessman complete with the girlfriend, the blossoming career, the condo, and apparently, insomnia. One night, he meets Aya and hires her to accompany him on his sleepless nights. As friends. These two take the viewers on a trip around Metro Manila and eventually to Tokyo, Japan—but will they break our hearts?
Which of these new Filipino movies on Netflix have you watched? Share them with us below!
