2018 TOP FILIPINO MOVIES

2018 is a record breaking year in Philippine cinema with one film breaking box-office history and a slew of other great films that are well loved by critics and audiences alike. Here are the top Pinoy films of the past year.

1. The Hows of Us

With a global box-office haul of P 802 million, this Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla starrer broke box-office records in Philippine cinema. This Cathy Garcia Molina directed opus is well endeared with its great story and sincere acting from the two lead stars further solidifying KathNiel's stature as the hottest couple of today.

2. Rainbow's Sunset

This compelling drama that focuses on eternal love and the conflicts that comes from an LGBT relationship was well applauded by critics making it the runaway winner at the MMFF of 2018 winning 11 awards. The strength of the film lies on its sincerity and powerful acting from Eddie Garcia, Gloria Romero and Tony Mabesa.

3. Miss Granny

This Filipino adaptation of the 2014 South Korean film stars Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim and Nova Villa. The story is whimsical and simple but it is heartfelt specially with great performance from Nova and Sarah showing how they wonderfully mirror each other as they play different generation of same character. Aside from it, the film delivered with a wonderful soundtrack that makes audiences immerse in the entire story.

4. ML

Eddie Garcia once again has proven his acting prowess with this masterpiece. This intense drama which dives into the Martial Law theme in a different approach surely was one of the surprise wonders of 2018. Tony Labrusca also proved his acting chops and was able to go toe to toe with Garcia on several scenes on this movie.

5. Glorious

Nothing beats the controversy this film has generated in 2018. This IWant original movie centers on the often taboo topic of May-December love affair and how societal pressure makes it difficult for such relationships to prosper. Tony Labrusca and Angel Aquino did spectacular job in their roles making their scenes passionate and believable.

6. Exes Baggage

Real life former partners Angelica Panganiban and Carlo Aquino stars on this modern age love story. The much anticipated reunion of the two was well received and the movie did deliver in giving a strong storyline coupled by great acting from the two.

7. Goyo: The Boy General

This biopic about Filipino hero Gregorio Del Pilar somehow follows the trend in RP cinema retelling heroes lives much like Heneral Luna before it. Paulo Avelino shines as the titular role and this film dazzled with amazing cinematography and set design immersing audiences to the scenes of prior times.

8. Buy Bust

Anne Curtis showed versatility once more and this time she dives into the action world with Buy Bust. This Erik Matti film is a breath of fresh air in RP cinema that is often dominated by Rom-Coms or Comedies. The pacing and storyline of this film makes for a good watching time.

9. Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus

Indie films continue to thrive in 2018 and the best there is from the past year is Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus. It lets us join the story of 4 guys looking for something or as it turns out someone - that being the same woman.

10. First Love

This Paul Soriano helmed film starring starring Aga Muhlach and Bea Alonzo is one of the strong drama-romance of 2018. It tells us the story of how love develops and how chance encounter turns into something deeper, something worth risking heartbreak for.

11. Ang Dalawang Mrs. Reyes

Philippine queens Judy Ann Santos and Angelica Panganiban joined forces to give a hilarious comedy of wonderful proportions. It shows how friendships can blossom from unexpected scenarios as both the ladies found out their respective husbands turn out gay and are indeed lovers.

12. Ang Babaeng Allergic sa Wifi

This 2018 indie starring  Sue Ramirez, Jameson Blake and Markus Paterson and is a wonderfully written film that deals with a surprisingly different premise wherein once woman seemingly fond of social media is diagnosed with electromagnetic hypersensitivity. The film magically weaves how relationships can be weaved even in the absence of internet.

13. Sid & Aya: Not a Love Story

Anne Curtis indeed was one busy lady in 2018. This time around she pairs up with Dingdong Dantes in this romantic drama. Simple as it may seem, this film was still one of the endearing flicks of the past year.

14. Never Not Love You

Real life partners James Reid and Nadine Lustre stars in this Antoinette Jadaone romantic drama. The film tells the story of a young couple whose young, carefree and reckless love is tested when their dreams took them to different paths.

15. Changing Partners

Initially released in 2017 but was commercially shown in 2018, this  independent musical drama film directed by Dan Villegas masterfully tells a couple's love relationship and breaking up in four gender bending variations. Agot Isidro shines in this film showing that she is indeed one of the great actresses of this era.

16. Aurora

Anne Curtis ended the year with a bang starring in this horror thriller film as an entry to the annual MMFF. Curtis and co-star Marco Gumabao did good jobs in their roles for this film and is regarded as one of the better horror films of the past years.

17. Quezon's Game

This Matthew Rosen directed biographical drama film centers on the story of former President Manuel L. Quezon. 

18. Kasal

Bea Alonzo, Paulo Avelino and Derek Ramsay stars in this drama that centers on the conflicts of love and choosing what is right with the feelings of the past or the emotions of the present.

19. The Girl in the Orange Dress

MMFF entry The Girl in the Orange Dress pits Jericho Rosales and Jessy Mendiola together. This is story focused on the relationship or Rosales and Mendiola which started from an accidental meeting of a young woman and a famous movie star.

20. Bakwit Boys (TIE)

From the same studio that brought the masterful "Patay na si Hesus", this Jason Paul Laxamana film centers on the story of four brothers caught in tragedy and how music will help them move on from the sorry events in their life.

20. Double Twisting Double Back
It was another stellar film from Tony Labrusca. This Cinema One original was well received by critics with its intense theme and thriller concept. Labrusca was such a revalation that he did a good acting job opposite seasoned talented actor Joem Bascon.

Here are the rest of the films that made for great viewing in the year that was.