The Philippines is a unique country with a fascinating culture born from a mix of influences from invading countries throughout time. From Filipino film and language, to Filipino food and culture, the influence of Spanish, American, and Chinese cultures is impossible to miss. We’ve put together this list of the best Pinoy movies of all time so you can explore the depths of the Philippines’ fascinating culture for yourself!
The dramatic war film Oro, Plata, Mata takes place in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation and stars Manny Ojeda, Liza Lorena, and Sandy Andolong. The film tells the story of two wealthy families who struggle to survive during the occupation. The story follows the families’ emotional trauma as the war progresses and they are touched with violence and loss.
IMDb 8.0 | 3h 14min | 1982 | Filipino; Tagalog; Spanish; English
The drama Himala takes place in a poor Filipino village and stars Nora Aunor, Veronica Palileo, and Spanky Manikan. The film tells the story of Elsa, a Filipina villager who claims she has been visited by the Virgin Mary. The visit changed her life as she now seems to have special healing powers. Her newfound talent begins to cause hysteria in her small village.
IMDb 7.9 | 2h 4min | 1982 | Filipino; Tagalog; English
Set in the Philippines in 1972, the drama From What is Before stars Perry Dizon, Roeder, and Hazel Orencio. The film tells the story of mysterious happenings in a remote village which result in Ferdinand E. Marcos implementing Proclamation No. 1081, which places all of the Philippines under Martial Law. The movie delves into the difficulties of the village people as they deal with this new proclamation.
IMDb 7.8 | 5h 38min | 2014 | Filipino; Tagalog; English
The romantic drama Hello, Love, Goodbye starring Kathryn Bernardo, Alden Richards, and Maymay Entrata tells the story of Joy and Ethan, two Filipino workers based in Hong Kong. Ethan has his heart set on pursuing Joy, despite her plans to move to Canada to provide for her family. As their budding romance continues to grow, it’s clear that the two will change each other’s lives forever.
IMDb 7.5 | 1h 58min | 2019 | Chinese; Tagalog; Filipino
The romantic drama The Hows of Us stars Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, and Darren Espanto. The movie tells the story of the romance between the young couple, Primo and George, who dream of building a life together and are already devising their future. However, their plans are put to the test when they are confronted with obstacles that put their relationship at risk.
IMDb 7.4 | 1h 57min | 2018 | Filipino; Tagalog; English
The romantic musical drama Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon? stars Christopher De Leon, Gloria Diaz, and Eddie Garcia and is set during the Filipino revolution against the Spaniards and later against the American colonists. The film tells the story of an idealistic peasant and his journey to discover the Pinoy identity and become part of a community which he imagines to embody it.
IMDb 7.7 | 2h 16min | 1976 | Tagalog; Spanish; English
The drama The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros is set in Manila, Philippines, and stars Nathan Lopez, Soliman Cruz, and J.R. Valentin. The film recounts the story of young Maxi, the 12-year-old gay son of petty criminals. Maxi takes care of the household chores for his father and brothers as they go about their life of crime. When a kind policeman investigates Maxi’s family, the boy finds himself falling in love and feels his loyalties shifting.
IMDb 7.0 | 1h 40min | 2005 | Filipino; Tagalog
The romantic drama Cuddle Weather stars Sue Ramirez and RK Bagatsing. The story follows Adela and Ram, two sex workers who become friends and form a mentor-mentee relationship, as Adela is an experienced prostitute and Ram is new to being a call boy. When they realize that prostitutes miss out on the true intimacy that comes with sex, they decide to become “cuddle partners,” until they end up wanting more.
IMDb 6.2 | 1h 35min | 2019 | Tagalog; Filipino
The romantic drama One More Chancestars John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, and Derek Ramsay. The film tells the story of Basha and Popoy, a young couple deeply in love who spend all of their time together. But when clashing ambitions and tensions come into play and the couple splits up, they are both feeling devastated and heartbroken. The pair is constantly reminded of the love they once shared.
IMDb 7.5 | 1h 55min | 2007 | Filipino; Tagalog
The dramatic comedy Four Sisters and a Wedding stars Brenna Garcia, Bea Alonzo, and Bea Basa and is set in Manila, Philippines. The film recounts the story of a Filipino family consisting of four sisters and a brother. When the brother, the youngest of the siblings, announces that he plans to get married, the sisters devise a plan to talk him out of it, revealing the deep-seated animosity they have for each other.
IMDb 7.3 | 2h 5min | 2013 | Filipino; Tagalog
The dramatic romantic comedy She’s Dating the Gangster stars Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo, and Richard Gomez. The story begins when a high school student, Athena, decides to play a trick on Kenji, the school’s gangster and heartthrob. Though initially she pretends to be his girlfriend in order to make his ex jealous, she ends up falling for him in the process.
IMDb 7.2 | 1h 45min | 2014 | Filipino; English; Tagalog
In My Life stars Vilma Santos, John Lloyd Cruz, and Luis Manzano. This dramatic comedy tells the story of a stern Filipina school librarian, Shirley Templo. When her daughters try to convince her to move out of her ex-husband’s compound so that it can be sold for a profit, she angrily leaves to live with her gay son in New York City. While there, she must learn to accept him and his new boyfriend.
IMDb 6.3 | 2h | 2009 | Filipino; Tagalog; English
The dramatic action crime film Metro Manila, set in Manila, Philippines stars Jake Macapagal, John Arcilla, and Althea Vega. The film follows the story of Oscar Ramirez and his family who flee a life of poverty in a small village in northern Philippines to the bustling center of Manila. The fast paced lifestyle and hardened locals quickly overwhelm the family, and Oscar must do what he needs to to survive in the big city.
IMDb 7.6 | 1h 55min | 2013 | Tagalog
Graceland is set in the Philippines and stars Arnold Reyes, Menggie Cobarrubias, and Dido de la Paz. This crime thriller tells the story of Marlon Villar, the personal driver for a corrupt politician. One day as Marlon is driving both his daughter and the politician’s daughter home from school, the car gets attacked and kidnappers accidentally take Marlon’s daughter for ransom instead. Marlon must find a way to get his daughter back.
IMDb 6.6 | 1h 24min | 2012 | Tagalog
Dukot is a dramatic action crime film set in the Philippines starring Enrique Gil, Christopher De Leon, and Shaina Magdayao. The movie tells the story of a middle-class government official whose estranged son gets kidnapped. When the kidnappers demand a high sum for ransom, he must come up with the money before it’s too late.
IMDb 6.1 | 1h 35min | 2016 | Filipino; Tagalog
The dramatic crime film Norte, the End of History is set in the Philippines and stars Sid Lucero, Angeli Bayani, and Archie Alemania. A law student violently murders two people and pins it on an innocent man who is ordered into a long prison sentence. His wife is left trying to pick up the pieces and provide for her two children. The true perpetrator of the crime remains free, suffering from insanity and guilt.
IMDb 7.6 | 4h 10min | 2013 | Filipino; Tagalog; English
The drama Caregiver stars Sharon Cuneta, John Estrada, and Rica Peralejo and takes place in the United Kingdom. The story follows English teacher Sarah Gonzales who is working overseas as a caregiver to make money to help her husband support their family back home in the Philippines. The film tells the empowering story of Filipino OFWs through Sarah’s journey to self discovery.
IMDb 6.3 | 2h 10min | 2008 | Filipino; Tagalog; English
The unique blend of cultures that make up the Philippines has found its way into Filipino film across all genres. From the Best Filipino Horror Movies to the Best Filipino Romance Movies, you’re sure to fall in love with these amazing films and the country they’ve been inspired by. We hope this list of the Best Filipino Movies of All Time will help you to experience all that Pinoy cinema has to offer!
