IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Top 10 highest-grossing Filipino films

The continued success of “Hello, Love, Again” in the box office has shown that Philippine cinema is thriving and has also seen an unprecedented surge in blockbuster hits over the years.

Aside from the entertainment value, the highest-grossing Filipino films mirror both cultural and economic significance, including cultural representation and economic contribution. The box office records also show the impact of certain actors, including Kathryn Bernardo, who holds three of the films in the Top 10 highest-grossing Filipino films, as well as Vice Ganda. 

That said, here’s a look at the Filipino movies that have earned their place at the pinnacle of the country’s box office history.

Hello, Love, Again (2024)

Box office as of Nov. 23: P1.06 billion

The Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards starrer “Hello, Love, Again” recently crossed the P1 billion mark at the global box office and became the first Filipino movie to reach the milestone. 

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Ten days after it opened in theaters, the romantic drama film has earned P1.06 billion at the worldwide box office, as of Nov. 23, Saturday. Since its release, the sequel has been breaking records at the box office. On Nov. 13, it earned the biggest first-day ticket sales of P85 million and achieved the highest single-day gross of P131 million. 

It also broke its way into the US Top 10 box office, ranking eight, and has become the highest-grossing Filipino movie of all time as of Nov. 22.

“Hello, Love, Again” is the continuation of the 2019 blockbuster “Hello, Love, Goodbye.” Directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, the sequel picks up Joy’s (Bernardo) and Ethan’s (Richards) story five years after the events of the first film.

The film is expected to continue to reign in the box office department as it is still in its second week, screening across more than 1,100 cinemas across Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. 

Rewind (2023)

Box office as of Dec. 2023: ₱924 million

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 entry “Rewind,” starring real-life couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, recorded an impressive ₱924 million in the box office during its theatrical run. 

Telling the story of John (Dantes), a man who is given a chance to travel back in time to save his wife, Mary (Rivera), from an accident and fix their failing marriage. Given the star power and word of mouth, “Rewind” initially held the record for the highest grossing Filipino film of all time before “Hello, Love, Again” surpassed it just recently.

Hello, Love, Goodbye (2019)

Box office as of 2019: ₱880 million

The film that started it all for Bernardo and Richards. Following Joy (Bernardo), a Filipino domestic helper in Hong Kong who works hard to provide for her family and her dream of studying nursing, meets Ethan (Richards), a Filipino bartender. Navigating through the hardship of choosing between dreams and family vs. self and romantic love, “Hello, Love, Goodbye” took the local box office by storm when it premiered and wrapped up its theatrical run with ₱880 million records.

On its opening day, the film earned a total of ₱34.4 million from over 350 cinemas in the Philippines. At the time, it also made history in Saudi Arabia as the first Filipino film to be screened in cinemas in Jeddah. As of Aug. 2023, it was the highest-grossing Filipino film in the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

The Hows of Us (2018)

Box office as of 2018: ₱810 million

This film was the last time the fans saw Bernardo and her previous on-screen and real-life partner Daniel Padilla on the big screen. The film also showed the young actress’ promising box office power.

The movie follows the story of George (Bernardo), a medical student who sets aside her priorities to make room for her boyfriend Primo (Padilla), a passionate guy who dreams of being a successful musician. With different plans for the future, the couple faces challenges that test the love they have for each other.

At the time, “The Hows of Us” broke multiple records in the Philippines, including being one of the first locally produced movies to reach ₱600 million in domestic box-office earnings. For its total revenue, the film grossed ₱810 million. Bernardo also won the Best Actress award at the 35th PMPC Star Awards for Movies and Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards for Movies for her role in the film.

The Super Parental Guardians (2016)

Box office as of 2016: ₱590 million

The story follows Arci (Vice Ganda), an outspoken gay man who unexpectedly becomes the guardian of two young children, Megan and Ernie, after the tragic death of his best friend, Sarah. Arci then teams up with Paco (Coco Martin), Sarah’s estranged cousin and a gang member, to protect the children from dangerous individuals linked to their mother’s death.

Upon its release, “The Super Parental Guardians eventually” became a box office hit, earning ₱75 million on its first day, breaking the record of “My Bebe Love,” starring Vic Sotto and Ai-Ai delas Alas in 2015. It was the first Vice Ganda’s movie that was a commercial success without premiering in the MMFF. During its theatrical run, the film managed to earn around ₱590 million.

Fantastica (2018)

Box office as of 2018: ₱596 million

The film centers on Bellat (Vice Ganda), the owner of a carnival on the verge of bankruptcy, who’s determined to save it to honor her family’s legacy. Her quest takes an unexpected turn when she meets Prince (Richard Gutierrez), a royal from a magical kingdom who seeks her help to locate three missing princesses, as it is crucial to restoring peace in his realm.

“Fantastica” was the first MMFF film starring Vice Ganda that became the highest grossing. During its theatrical run, the film earned ₱596 million, including earnings from both domestic and international.

Staring Over Again (2014)

Box office as of 2014: ₱579

The story begins with Ginny (Toni Gonzaga) and Marco (Piolo Pascual), who fall in love after meeting in school. Their relationship blossoms, but Ginny leaves Marco without explanation, choosing her career over their relationship. 

Years later, they cross paths again, but Marco is now in a stable relationship with Patty (Iza Calzado). Ginny realizes she wants Marco back and tries to rekindle their romance, but her efforts force all three characters to confront their emotions, choices, and what it means to truly let go or hold on.

“Staring Over Again” is one of Star Cinema’s highest-grossing films of all time, earning ₱579 million in the box office during its theatrical run.

Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad (2017)

Box office as of 2017: ₱571 million

Premiering in the 2017 MMFF, this action-comedy film revolves around Gandarra (Vice Ganda), Rapiddo (Daniel Padilla), and Kweenie (Pia Wurtzbach), who lead double lives as superheroes while navigating their personal relationships.

It achieved commercial success due to its star-studded cast. The film’s total box office gross during the festival run was ₱540 million, making it the top grossing film among the festival entries. By Jan. 2018, the overall domestic box office gross of the film that screened beyond the official run of the film festival amounted to ₱571 million.

A Second Chance (2015)

Box office as of 2015: ₱556 million

Given the popularity and success of the 2007 film “One More Chance,” a sequel, “A Second Chance,” was released in 2015 and was even more of a commercial success. Continuing the love story of Popoy (John Lloyd Cruz) and Basha (Bea Alonzo), the second film explores the struggles and realities of the couple’s married life. 

Upon its release, the film earned ₱43 million on its opening day and received favorable reviews from film critics and audiences. At the time, it beat out the ₱32 million 2015 record of the romantic comedy movie Crazy Beautiful You, starring Bernardo and Padilla. 4 weeks after its release, Star Cinema announced that the film has grossed more than ₱556 million worldwide, making it the first Filipino film to reach the ₱500 million mark at the time.

Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2019)

Box office as of 2019: ₱543 million

The Filipino remake of the South Korean drama “Miracle in Cell No. 7” was a commercial success when it premiered in the 2019 MMFF. Taking most of its elements from the original version, the film follows a mentally challenged man, Joselito “Lito” Gopez (Aga Muhlach), who is accused of raping and killing a young girl, the daughter of a high-ranking police official. The story progresses as Lito attempts to live his life in prison while keeping in contact with his daughter, Yesha (Xia Vigor), with the help of his fellow inmates.

When the film’s first teaser was released in Nov. 2019, it gained 7 million online views in 24 hours. During its opening day in the film festival, Viva Films, the distributor and producer, claimed that tickets were sold out in most cinemas. Wrapping its theatrical run, the film earned ₱543 million in total. Muhlach also won the Best Actor award for his role in the movie, while Vigor was nominated for Best Child Performer. It’s also nominated for Best Picture at the time.

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