When December comes around, it usually means one thing for moviegoers: it’s MMFF season. The Metro Manila Film Festival is a holiday staple, giving Filipino films the spotlight just in time for Christmas and turning cinema trips into part of the festive tradition.
Now in its 51st edition, the MMFF returns with eight brand-new films taking over local theaters for two weeks starting on Christmas Day, perfect for squeezing in a movie or two between family gatherings and holiday celebrations.
This year’s official entries are nothing short of exciting, bringing together a mix of beloved stars, rising actors, and genre-driven storytelling. From comedy to drama, here are the eight MMFF entries you should put on your watch list this Christmas.
Bar Boys: After School
Produced by 901 Studios
A sequel to the 2017 hit film “Bar Boys,” the movie picks up a decade later, reuniting the four friends as they revisit their shared pasts and confront how ambition has reshaped their lives over the years. Directed by Kip Oebanda, the film stars Carlo Aquino, Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda, and Kean Cipriano.
Call Me Mother
Produced by ABS-CBN Film Studios, The Idea First Company, and Viva Communications Inc.
Directed by Jun Robles Lana and starring Nadine Lustre and actor-comedian Vice Ganda, this comedy-drama tells the story of a queer mother who starts the legal process of adopting her son. But things become complicated when the child’s biological mother re-enters the picture unexpectedly.
I'mPerfect
Produced by: Nathan Studios Inc.
This film, directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, is the first Filipino romance movie to center on two people with Down syndrome. Actors Krystel Go and Earl Amaba portray Jiro and Jessica, both living with the disorder, as they navigate their daily lives and romantic feelings for each other.
Love You So Bad
Produced by ABS-CBN Studios, GMA Pictures, and Regal Entertainment
Directed by Mae Cruz Alviar, this romantic movie will bring all the kilig as we follow Savannah, a sassy and confident college senior who finds herself torn between two very different men. LA, a bad boy and chic magnet who fuels her wild side, and the principled Vic, who encourages her to grow. The film stars Gen Z actors Bianca de Vera, Dustin Yu, and Will Ashley, and was inspired by the 1988 hit “Dahil Mahal Na Mahal Kita.”
Manila's Finest
Produced by Cignal TV and MQuest Ventures
Our 5th entry is a crime thriller and historical drama directed by Raymond Red starring well-known actors Piolo Pascual, Rica Peralejo, Ashtine Olviga, and Enrique Gil. Set in 1969, the film follows a group of police officers in Manila as they uncover killings in the slums of the city.
Rekonek
Produced by Reality MM Studios
This family movie features a star-studded ensemble of actors consisting of Gerald Anderson, Bela Padilla, Andrea Brillantes, and Gloria Diaz. The only holiday-themed movie in the roster, “Rekonek” follows the story of several Filipino families who are hit by a global internet outage just a few days before Christmas. Directed by Jade Castro, this heartwarming tale aims to reconnect audiences with more traditional ways of spending time with loved ones during the holiday season.
Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins
Produced by Regal Entertainment
This long-running horror anthology is getting a new installment with a new ensemble of cast and a plot that unfolds across three timelines set in 1775, 2025, and 2050. Each period will explore themes of fear, sacrifice, and survival against varying types of evil forces that have haunted us across generations.
The film is directed by Shugo Praico, Joey de Guzman, and Ian Loreños, and stars Richard Gutierrez, Ivana Alawi, Ysabel Ortega, Loisa Andallo, Carla Abellana, and Francine Diaz, among others.
Unmarry
Produced by Quantum Films and Cineko Productions
The drama film brings together Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo as they portray a couple going through an annulment and custody battle. Directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, the film explores the emotional turmoil brought by the separation and the legal intricacies of dissolving a marriage. The film also features supporting actors such as Kathryn Bernardo, Eugene Domingo, Tom Rodriguez, and Solenn Heussaff.
Apart from this incredible lineup that will premiere on Dec. 25, 2025 across all cinemas nationwide, fans can also look forward to the annual Parade of Stars on Dec. 19 and the Gabi ng Parangal Awards night on Dec. 27.
For updates, follow the Metro Manila Film Festival Facebook and Instagram pages.
