Most local films nowadays struggle at the box office. Aside from the domination of foreign movies in the country, the rapid growth of video streaming websites is also a reason most of our local films perform poorly in cinemas.
The proliferation of pirated copies of the movies also makes the situation even more dire for Pinoy films.
Even so, there are really outstanding Filipino films that captured the interests and hearts of many moviegoers. Let’s take a recap of the local films that made an impact in cinemas, ensuring that the Philippine movie industry is still alive and kicking.
Below are the Top 10 highest-grossing Filipino films of all time and their respective gross incomes at the box-office as of September 2019:
1. Hello, Love, Goodbye (2019)
The first-ever team-up of Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo has captivated the millions with their inspiring and natural chemistry in the 2019 movie, “Hello, Love, Goodbye.” The film premiered on July 31 raking in over 34 million pesos on its first day. As of September 3, the Star Cinema film has earned over Php 880 million in worldwide earnings, making it the newest highest-grossing Filipino films of all time. This KathDen film broke the record of the previous title holder, “The Hows Of Us” that raked in over 815 million pesos. Also, “Hello, Love, Goodbye” is the third collaboration project of Kathryn and the blockbuster director Cathy Garcia-Molina, following “The Hows Of Us” in 2018 and “She’s Dating the Gangster” in 2014. Kathryn and director Cathy broke their own box office record for The Hows Of Us.
Aside from Malaysia and Hong Kong, the movie has been shown in Taiwan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea. Additionally, it also became the first Pinoy film to be shown in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Until now, the record-breaking movie is still raking in ticket sales as it is scheduled to be shown in other parts of the world.
2. The Hows Of Us (2018)
Starring phenomenal love team of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, this 2018 movie was a record-breaker at the box office. This is the first movie that reached the 800 million mark surpassing “The Super Parental Guardians” at 500 million. It was first reported that the movie collected 1 billion ticket sales worldwide. In some reports, the film raked in 900 million pesos. But when reviewed again, the movie collected over 815 million. With 800 million worldwide earnings, “The Hows Of Us” held the title as the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time until “Hello, Love, Goodbye” surpassed its record.
The movie earned Kathryn two Best Actress Awards from different award-giving bodies. This film is the second collaboration project of Kathryn and blockbuster movie director Cathy Garcia-Molina.
3. The Super Parental Guardians (2016)
“The Super Parental Guardians” is a 2016 action-comedy film starring Coco Martin and Vice Ganda in the title roles. The film marks the second movie project of Vice and Coco together after their successful tandem in the hit 2015 movie, “Beauty and the Bestie.” This action-comedy film attracted many moviegoers as it grossed over 598 million pesos at the box-office making it the highest-grossing local film in 2016. This also marks Vice Ganda’s first non-Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movie since 2012.
The movie earned mixed reviews from audiences and critics.
While most moviegoers gave favorable reviews and comments, critics such as Oggs Cruz of Rappler and Jansen Musico of CNN Philippines were displeased with the overall outcome of the movie. According to Cruz, the movie “desensitizes the public to the horrors of whatever is happening in society.” All in all, the movie is a good choice for people who want to spend their day laughing.
4. Fantastica (2018)
“Fantastica” is a 2018 comedy film with an ensemble cast including Vice Ganda, Bela Padilla, Richard Gutierrez, Jaclyn Jose, and Dingdong Dantes. Co-produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films, the movie was set as an official entry to the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Despite its star-studded cast and colorful movie effects, the film was heavily criticized by critics due to lack of character development and failed comedic scenes.
Meanwhile, the movie breached 500 million mark, grossing over 596 million ticket sales worldwide. Its commercial success made it the highest-grossing MMFF film of all time.
5. Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad (2017)
Vice Ganda takes another comedic role in the 2017 MMFF entry Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad. Other cast members include Daniel Padilla, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Ejay Falcon, Loisa Andalio, Wacky Kiray, Karla Estrada, and RK Bagatsing. This comedic action superhero film is directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal under the banner of Star Cinema. The film became the highest-grossing film among the 2017 MMFF entries. Also, the movie became the highest-grossing Filipino film of 2017 as it grossed over 571 million pesos at the box office, surpassing My Ex and Whys which earned 400 million pesos.
6. A Second Chance (2015)
Following the hit 2007 movie “One More Chance”, Popoy and Basha take their relationship to the next level. Starring Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz, the story revolves around the married life of the couple and the reality and complicacy they have to face whether to let their marriage fall apart, or to hold on to their vows. Released on November 25, 2015, the movie grossed 556 million pesos. Marking the comeback of Popoy and Basha to the big screen, the movie became the highest-grossing Filipino film in 2015.” A Second Chance” earned favorable reviews from its audience and critics who remarked the film as “one feel-good movie they should watch.”
In December 2015, the film was uploaded on Facebook and shared by thousands of people. Other forms of pirated copies were also published online.
7. Beauty and the Bestie (2015)
Vice Ganda proves that he’s the King of Comedy as he takes another role in the 2015 action-comedy movie “Beauty and the Bestie” opposite Coco Martin. The movie was released nationwide on December 25, 2015, as an official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). It was also released worldwide except in the Middle East where the film was banned due to the region’s predominant Islamic religion. Even so, their tandem was greatly loved by many with the movie grossing 529 million in ticket sales and making it the second-highest-grossing Filipino movie in 2015 following A Second Chance.
Amid its commercial success, the movie was involved in the ticket swapping incident. On December 25, 2015, many moviegoers raised their concerns about the tickets they bought were misprinted. Instead of “My Bebe Love #KiligPaMore,” the title printed on their tickets was “Beauty and the Bestie”. On Twitter, SM Cinema verified that there was indeed a mistake in the printing of tickets.
8. Starting Over Again (2014)
This Toni Gonzaga-Piolo Pascual movie is not your ordinary love story. Its unpredictable and not-so-cliché near-to-reality plot made it the second highest grossing film of 2014 succeeding Vice Ganda’s “The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin.” The movie was released on February 12, 2014 notching over 500 million pesos at the box-office.
9. The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin (2014)
This 2014 is the sequel of “The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin” where Vice Ganda plays a Philippine soldier who becomes the private security detail of the new general’s son. Grossing over 440 million pesos at the box office, this film surpassed Vice Ganda’s highest-grossing film in 2013, “Girl Boy, Bakla, Tomboy.”
10. Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy (2013)
4 different characters, 1 persona, The Unkabogable Star and Comedian Vice Ganda proved that he is a versatile actor and that he can take on any role. The movie revolves around the story of quadruplets Girlie (Girl), Peter (Boy), Mark (Gay/Bakla), and Panying (Lesbian/Tomboy) who were reunited due to Peter’s need of a donor for his failing liver. The movie raked in 421 million making it the highest-grossing Filipino film in 2013.
