Dannyka Manangan

2025 RECAP: Movies that made waves in PH cinemas this year

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>From touching Filipino stories to blockbuster thrillers and animated spectacles, these films drew moviegoers and film enthusiasts back to theaters across the country in 2025. As cinemas continued their post-pandemic recovery, a mix of local productions and international hits dominated conversations, ticket sales, and social media timelines. </p><div> </div><p>Here’s a look at some of the most talked-about and top-grossing films in Philippine cinemas in the past months.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Meet, Greet, and Bye</strong></div><p>Named the highest-grossing Filipino film of 2025, <em>Meet, Greet, and Bye</em> earned an estimated ₱260 million worldwide following its release in November. The Star Cinema family drama opened strong and sustained its box office momentum both locally and overseas, topping the year’s local charts. Anchored by a heartfelt story about family, siblinghood, and emotional reconnections, the film stars Maricel Soriano, Piolo Pascual, Belle Mariano, Joshua Garcia, and Juan Karlos, whose performances resonated deeply with Filipino audiences.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPi0USsE79p/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:658px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPi0USsE79p/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"><br/></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:60px"><br/></div></div></div><div style="padding:19% 0"><br/></div><div style="display:block;height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"><br/></div><div style="padding-top:8px"><div style="color:#3897f0;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"><br/></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"><br/></div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"><div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"><br/></div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"><br/></div></div></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"><br/></div></div></a></div></blockquote><script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/11/19/five-things-about-meet-greet-bye-that-will-give-you-the-feels-1623"><strong>READ: Five things about &#x27;Meet, Greet &amp; Bye&#x27; that will give you the feels</strong></a></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>My Love Will Make You Disappear</strong></div><p>Kapamilya onscreen pair Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino made the first quarter of 2025 extra kilig with their first film together, <em>My Love Will Make You Disappear</em>. The romantic comedy grossed more than ₱173 million during its theatrical run, making it one of the year’s most successful Filipino releases. It also broke opening day records for a local film and later topped streaming charts in several countries, extending its popularity beyond cinemas.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong><iframe width="815" height="458" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WnwcaqaXkBU" title="&#x27;My Love Will Make You Disappear&#x27; Official Trailer | Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong></strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/5/17/kim-chiu-on-the-success-of-film-with-paulo-avelino-this-movie-came-a-long-way-0903"><strong>READ: Kim Chiu on the success of film with Paulo Avelino: &#x27;This movie came a long way&#x27;</strong></a></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Sunshine </strong></div><p>Starring Kapamilya actress Maris Racal, <em>Sunshine </em>became one of the most talked-about local films of the year due to its eye opening and socially relevant storyline. The film follows the journey of a determined young gymnast whose dreams of competing in major tournaments, including the Olympics, are disrupted by an unexpected pregnancy. Tackling sensitive and often taboo topics in the Philippines, including abortion, the film sparked discussion while earning praise locally and abroad. In February, <em>Sunshine </em>won the Crystal Bear for Best Film at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, further cementing its critical success.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong><iframe width="815" height="458" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tIHwf0Xgc9Y" title="Sunshine New Trailer - Starring Maris Racal" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong></strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/4/26/maris-racal-turns-emotional-after-sunshine-premiere-at-far-east-film-festival-in-italy-1221"><strong>READ: Maris Racal turns emotional after ‘Sunshine’ premiere at Far East Film Festival in Italy</strong></a></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>The Conjuring: Last Rites</strong></div><p>Horror once again proved its strong hold on Filipino audiences with <em>The Conjuring: Last Rites</em>. The latest installment in the long-running franchise sees paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren face one of their most terrifying cases yet, involving demonic forces tied to religious rituals and forbidden rites. The film became the fastest horror movie to cross the ₱100-million mark in the Philippines, achieving the milestone in just two days after its local release.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong><iframe width="815" height="458" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bMgfsdYoEEo" title="The Conjuring: Last Rites | Official Trailer" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong></strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle</strong></div><p>Anime blockbuster <em>Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle</em> drew massive crowds in the Philippines, driven by the country’s strong and loyal anime fan base. The film delivers high stakes battles and emotional confrontations as Tanjiro and the Demon Slayer Corps face their most dangerous enemies yet. It became the biggest anime film of all time in the Philippines, grossing ₱462.8 million by its second week in local cinemas.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong><iframe width="815" height="458" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x7uLutVRBfI" title="Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle | MAIN TRAILER" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong></strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Final Destination: Bloodlines</strong></div><p>Thriller sequel <em>Final Destination: Bloodlines</em> revived the franchise’s signature suspense and shock-driven storytelling, introducing a new group of characters trapped in a deadly chain of fate. Appealing to both longtime fans and younger audiences, the film performed strongly in Philippine cinemas, earning approximately ₱410 million during its theatrical run.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong><iframe width="815" height="458" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UWMzKXsY9A4" title="Final Destination Bloodlines | Official Trailer" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong></strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Wicked: For Good</strong></div><p>Musical fantasy <em>Wicked: For Good</em> found a solid audience locally, particularly among fans of Broadway adaptations and visually spectacular cinema. Continuing the story of Elphaba and Glinda, the film received positive feedback from Filipino moviegoers and ranked among the year’s top-performing musical films. According to Box Office Mojo, the movie earned more than $5.1 million in the Philippines.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong><iframe width="815" height="458" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vt98AlBDI9Y" title="Wicked: For Good | Official Trailer" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong></strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Jurassic World: Rebirth</strong></div><p>Jurassic World: Rebirth brought audiences back to the dinosaur-filled franchise with large-scale action and familiar thrills. Exploring humanity’s ongoing struggle to coexist with prehistoric creatures, the film delivered crowd-pleasing spectacle for families and blockbuster fans. As reported by Box Office Mojo, the movie earned more than $3.7 million in the Philippines.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong><iframe width="815" height="458" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jan5CFWs9ic" title="Jurassic World Rebirth | Official Trailer" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong></strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>As the industry continues efforts to encourage audiences to return to cinemas, these films played a key role in reigniting the Filipino moviegoing experience.</p>

<p>Audiences are trooping to cinemas again and here are the movies that drew them in this year.</p>

Audiences are trooping to cinemas again and here are the movies that drew them in this year.