This past year saw an influx of Filipino films that took the country and the world by storm. From box-office blockbusters to controversial movies, local filmmakers showcased their tenacity, creativity, and spirit, making 2025 a diverse year for film.
As the Metro Manila Film Festival celebrates the biggest films of the year, we look back at the past year of local cinema and acknowledge six Filipino films outside the festival that shaped our pop culture landscape.
Dreamboi
We’re starting off with a film that almost never saw the light of day. Directed by Rodina Singh, Dreamboi tells the story of Diwa (EJ Jallorina), a trans woman who turns to Dreamboi (Tony Labrusca), an adult audio actor, to escape the prejudice she faces in her daily life and to fulfill her deepest fantasies.
Aside from the film’s groundbreaking trans representation, it also opened important conversations about censorship. Dreamboi received an X rating from the MTRCB just days before its premiere at the CineSilip Film Festival, almost preventing it from being shown in cinemas before eventually securing an R-18 rating after two appeals and revisions.
This sparked outrage, with many pointing out how outdated the MTRCB’s policies on film classification are. As digital creator Johan Kyle Ong said, “I fear for our future. I fear for our film industry. But what scares me most are the stories we were never allowed to watch, the conversations we were never allowed to start, and the lessons lost to MTRCB’s censorship.”
But with its strong audience reception and extended screening well beyond the festival run, Dreamboi has proven to be a hit and a testament to the strength of the trans community—and how their stories will not, and cannot, be silenced.
100 Awit Para Kay Stella
100 Tula Para Kay Stella is one of the most definitive Filipino romantic films of the last decade — and eight years later, it now has a sequel.
100 Awit Para Kay Stella, directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, reunites Fidel (JC Santos) and Stella (Bela Padilla) years after the events of the first film. Now in their thirties, the two navigate adulthood while grappling with unresolved feelings that never truly faded.
On its own, the film stands strong. However, the weight of being a follow-up to 100 Tula Para Kay Stella may be why it received mixed reactions from fans and critics. Some praised its direction and the performances of its leads, while others felt that a sequel was unnecessary, given how neatly the first film concluded Fidel and Stella’s story.
The movie’s introduction of the concept of limerence—and its framing of Fidel’s “love” for Stella as such—has also sparked debate. Some viewers agree with this interpretation; others don’t. Even JC Santos and Bela Padilla have expressed differing views. Regardless of where you stand, the ongoing discussions show just how strongly the film resonated with audiences.
Love it or hate it, 100 Awit Para Kay Stella is a story worth revisiting and contemplating. It also gifted viewers with an impressive soundtrack, which even entered the Top 10 of the iTunes PH Album Chart—echoing its emotional resonance beyond movie screens.
Kontrabida Academy
Drama? Check. Revenge? Check. Amnesia? Sexy daughters? Catfights? Checks across the board!
Netflix released several original films this year from Filipino filmmakers, but Chris Martinez’s Kontrabida Academy is arguably the most iconic of them all. The film tells the story of Gigi (Barbie Forteza), a hardworking yet constantly pushed-around young woman who, after entering a portal through her TV, enrolls at the prestigious Kontrabida Academy—where, under the guidance of Mauricia (Eugene Domingo), she is shaped into the ultimate villain.
Eugene Domingo and Barbie Forteza deliver brilliant performances, and the film itself is a camp masterpiece, playing on tropes Filipinos know all too well from classic TV dramas. Its meta approach, paired with a story that is Filipino at its core, is exactly why this movie captured the attention of audiences this year. The film’s humor also sparked memes that spread widely online, further boosting its cultural presence.
Most importantly, Kontrabida Academy feels like a love letter to Filipino teleseryes and a tribute to the iconic kontrabidas that shaped the country’s television landscape.
Meet, Greet & Bye
When a powerhouse cast meets a heartfelt story, you get Meet, Greet & Bye—and a lot of tears.
As the family matriarch’s cancer returns, the Facundo children must set aside their differences to fulfill their mother’s final wish.
Under the direction of Cathy Garcia-Sampana, Meet, Greet & Bye delivers a classic Filipino family drama filled with heart, heavy emotions, tense confrontations, and lines that pierce straight through you. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before, but it’s still a well-crafted film that hits all the right feelings. Its signature Star Cinema–style family showdown becomes the ultimate acting battleground, showcasing just how immensely talented the cast is. Surprisingly, JK Labajo steals the show with his portrayal of Leo, the funny yet sensitive middle child of the Facundo family.
As moviegoer Vito Roble Santos shared on X, “Star Cinema did it again! They’re truly the best when it comes to family drama movies, and we can definitely see that in Meet, Greet & Bye—their signature in this genre. All the elements we’re used to or looking for in a family drama are here!”
The film has all the makings of a modern Filipino classic—the kind that appeals deeply to local audiences, has strong rewatch value, and is simply enjoyable to watch. Which is why it’s no surprise that Meet, Greet & Bye stands as the highest-grossing local film of 2025 and a winner in the hearts of Filipinos.
Quezon
It was a good year for Filipino historical epics. We got Lakambini: Gregoria de Jesús, a film a decade in the making; and Magellan, which—despite not being nominated—became the Philippines’ entry to the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film.
But it was Jerrold Tarog’s Quezon that emerged as the historical film that defined local cinema this year. As the final part of the Bayaniverse trilogy, the film focuses on the life of former president Manuel L. Quezon—his rise in politics, the alliances and rivalries he forged, and the choices he made in pursuit of both power and national freedom.
The film became a hit among local moviegoers. By bringing Quezon’s story to the big screen, it reintroduced crucial parts of Philippine history to a broader audience and a new generation—revitalizing public interest in the nation’s past.
However, Quezon was not without controversy. Its portrayal of its titular character eventually led to a heated confrontation between Ricky Avanceña, Quezon’s grandson, and the filmmakers during a post-screening Q&A session.
Despite the backlash, one thing is clear: Quezon proved to be one of the most timely films of 2025, especially given the current political climate and the national issues that captured headlines this year.
Sunshine
Controversy is a recurring theme in our list, and Sunshine might take the cake for it—but it’s also one of the most important films of 2025.
Writer and director Antoinette Jadaone teams up with Maris Racal to tell the story of Sunshine, a young gymnast whose world is turned upside down when she discovers she is pregnant just as she’s on the brink of qualifying for the Olympics. She embarks on a perilous journey, fighting for both her dreams and her life as she resorts to life-threatening measures to end the pregnancy.
To put it simply, Sunshine is a great film. Maris Racal gives the performance of her career, delivering a raw and deeply moving portrayal. While the film’s subject matter is uncomfortable for some, it underscores why conversations about reproductive rights are necessary. Sunshine lays bare the dangers and consequences that arise when safe and legal options are inaccessible, making its message both urgent and essential.
Regardless of where one stands on the issue, the film offers an eye-opening look at the harsh realities faced by those with limited reproductive healthcare options.
Aside from the titles that made our list, we also saw standout releases such as KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie, Only We Know, Food Delivery, Open Endings, Bloom Where You Are Planted, and Flower Girl—further proving that 2025 truly was a great year for the local cinema industry.
Filipino films drew audiences back to theaters, topped streaming platforms, and sparked meaningful conversations—showing that cinema is not only about entertainment, but also purpose.
What local films left a mark on you this year? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.