New on Netflix: More Award-Winning Filipino Films Will Be Available on Netflix Starting This Month

More Filipino content has found its home on the streaming platform!

Keep your eyes peeled for March, April, and June, as seven Filipino gems grace your Netflix screens! These movies stand as a testament to the captivating storytelling prowess of Filipino filmmakers, with narratives spanning from the mundane to the truly bizarre and horrific.

If you’ve missed their theatrical run, don’t worry—these films are coming together on one platform starting this month, with the highest grossing Filipino film of all time, Rewind, leading the charge! Here’s a guide and the movies’ Netflix launch dates before you schedule your next binge-watch session!

The Cast of City Hunter and Their Onscreen Personas

L- R:  Ando Masanobu (as Hideyuki), Ryohei Suzuki (as Ryo), Misato Morita (as Kaori), Fumino Kimura (as Saeko)

The eagerly awaited Japanese live-action adaptation of “City Hunter,” the legendary manga that captivated Japan and sold over 50 million copies, will premiere on April 25. City Hunter follows Ryo Saeba (Ryohei Suzuki), a premier “sweeper” who navigates the shadowy depths of modern-day Shinjuku, Tokyo. Balancing a cool demeanor with a fun personality, Ryo takes on high-stakes challenges in the underworld. Misato Morita steps into the role of the heroine, Kaori Makimura, in this action-packed adventure.

In an exciting development, additional cast members have been announced for the characters of Hideyuki Makimura and Saeko Nogami, portrayed by Masanobu Ando and Fumino Kimura respectively. The character art of their on-screen personas have also been released, complementing the character art earlier revealed for Ryo and Kaori. 

Gordon Cormier and Dallas Liu Make Landmark Arrival In Manila For The Epic 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Event

The lead stars join regional press, content creators, and Filipino fans for the premiere of Netflix’s latest live-action series

Gordon Cormier and Dallas Liu, the young actors from the highly-anticipated AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER series, landed in Manila for the press conference and premiere of the live-action adaptation. The duo received a warm Manila welcome as they spent a jam-packed day of activities with regional press and influencers from the country, as well as other delegates from the APAC region, to promote Netflix’s latest live-action offering.

A Godsent Hero or an Unpunished Sinner Put to Question through the Main Trailer of ‘A Killer Paradox’

A Killer Paradox presents the story of an ordinary man, who finds himself killing evildoers, and a detective tenaciously in pursuit of him. The main key art shows the contrast between Lee Tang (Choi Woo-Shik) and Jang Nan-gam (Son Suk-Ku) at a homicide scene. Lee looks horrified, standing under the rain while holding the hammer he used to commit his first murder. Detective Jang examines the murder scene, hinting at the tense events that will soon follow. 

The story begins when Lee Tang, a submissive man who doesn’t normally fight back, accidentally kills a person. Haunted by fear and guilt, Lee is constantly on edge, and the detective, Jang Nan-gam, is suddenly on his tail. The psychological warfare is carried out between the two with Jang keeping a close eye on changes in Lee’s demeanor.

Just as Lee decides to turn himself in, the news that comes on instantly changes the atmosphere: The victim of Lee’s first murder is a malicious serial killer. There’s a noticeable shift in Lee’s character, evolving from a murderer into a condemner. The plot explores themes such as morality, justice, and personal transformation, with Lee’s evolution from a regular guy to a self-proclaimed judge of justice. 

Master Your Element: Check Out the Official Trailer & Main Key Art for Avatar: The Last Airbender

Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender is a live-action reimagining of the beloved animated series following Aang, the young Avatar, as he learns to master the four elements (Water, Earth, Fire, Air) to restore balance to a world threatened by the terrifying Fire Nation.

Check out new titles images below!

Fan-favorite BERLIN returns

Return to the Scene of the Crime with ‘BERLIN’

Money Heist spin-off Berlin has consistently claimed its spot in Netflix’s top series category since its launch on December 29, 2023 and for good reason: it stars none other than fan-favorite Berlin (Pedro Alonso) and introduces his “old” thrilling crew consisting of code virtuoso Keila (Michelle Jenner), engineering and physics academic Damián (Tristan Ulloa), locksmith Roi (Julio Peña Fernández), gadget and weapon expert Bruce (Joel Sánchez), and enigma Cameron (Begoña Vargas).

Live-Action ‘Yu Yu Hakusho’ Trailer Unveils Trailblazing Visual Effects

Ahead of the eagerly awaited debut of Yu Yu Hakusho next week, the trailer is giving fans a taste of the groundbreaking visual effects that bring to life the intense battles between humans and demons, setting a new standard for live-action adaptations.

The five-episode series captures the essence of the original best-selling manga by incorporating supernatural elements in a way that appears realistic. This was made possible through the collaboration with Scanline VFX, known for their work on major Hollywood productions.

“To what extent CGI-characters can be shown close-up depends on the distance from the camera, whether there’s dialogue, and the facial expression,” said visual effects director Tomofumi Akahane. “With Scanline VFX on board, we were able to reach higher than any other Japanese title and achieve a quality where the average viewer won’t be able to tell that CGI is actually CGI.”

The team made use of the latest performance capture technology, with 170 cameras filming the actors simultaneously in 360 degrees. This allows director Sho Tsukikawa to choose the best angle afterward as if moving a single camera, resulting in realistic CG character assets that seamlessly interact with the live-action elements.

Replacing Chef Chico - Stories of Food, Love, and Fire

I was surprised that Netflix has not yet have their own original Filipino series until now with the release of Replacing Chef Chico which stars Piolo Pascual, Alessandra De Rossi, and Sam Milby. This series is directed by Dan Villegas and written by Antoinette Jadaone brings food and love in 8-episode course.

We might recall several similar series or movies with the theme of the show, yet it does stand out with how it plays with the premise of romance, Filipino food, and the ensemble that contributes to the flavor of the show. 

The show shares the story of the restaurant named Hain and how the head chef Chico (Sam Milby) struggles to keep it afloat and to prove itself as one of the best restaurants in Asia. His sous chef Ella (Alessandra) tries her best to serve the best story-inspired dishes which Hain is known for. Raymond (Piolo) comes as a consultant of the restaurant to observe and help Hain to regain its glory.

A Recipe for Romance: Netflix Unveils Stunning Key Art for ‘Replacing Chef Chico’

Are you ready to stir up some romance in the kitchen? Netflix has just served up the intriguing main key art of its forthcoming Filipino series, Replacing Chef Chico.

Replacing Chef Chico marks a significant milestone as Netflix’s first Filipino-produced series. It stands as a testament to a new era of exciting local content on the streaming giant, underlining the growing influence of Filipino storytelling on a much bigger scale. 

The newly released key art provides an enticing peek into the heart of the series. At the forefront is Chef Ella, reaching into a pot with a ladle in hand, while the two men—Chef Chico and Raymond—gaze at her intently, hinting at the love triangle that’s set to captivate viewers throughout the series. 

The stellar cast of Replacing Chef Chico includes Sam Milby (A Family Affair) as Chef Chico, Alessandra de Rossi (What If) as Chef Ella, and Piolo Pascual (My Amanda) as consultant Raymond. Each character brings their unique perspective to the table and is driven by different motivations as they try to breathe new life into Hain, the restaurant.

Avatar: The Last Airbender reveals premiere date this February 2024 and releases first teaser trailer!

As part of Netflix’s Geeked Week, the premiere date of Avatar: The Last Airbender was finally announced! Save the date for February 22, 2024. Along with the news was the reveal of the title’s teaser trailer, along with teaser images and key art.

The live-action reimagining of the beloved animated series will have 8 one-hour long episodes.

ABOUT AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER

A live-action reimagining of the beloved animated series following Aang, the young Avatar, as he learns to master the four elements (Water, Earth, Fire and Air) to restore balance to a world threatened by the terrifying Fire Nation.

LIFT, action packed heist film starring Kevin Hart, comes to Netflix in January 2024

On Sunday, November 5th during FOX Sports America's Game of the Week featuring the Philadelphia Eagles v Dallas Cowboys 🏈, Netflix debuted the official trailer for LIFT, the action packed heist film starring Kevin Hart. 

ABOUT LIFT

An international heist crew, led by Cyrus Whitaker (Kevin Hart), race to lift $500 million in gold from a passenger plane at 40,000 feet.

Lift premieres on Netflix on January 12, 2024.

Directed by F. Gary Gray, written by Daniel Kunka. Produced by Kevin Hart and Bryan Smiley for Hartbeat; Simon Kinberg and Audrey Chon for Kinberg Genre Films; Matt Reeves and Adam Kassan for 6th & Idaho Motion Picture Company. Executive Producers are F. Gary Gray, Brent O’Connor, and Patricia Braga.

Starring Kevin Hart, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D'Onofrio, Úrsula Corberó, Billy Magnussen, Jacob Batalon, with Jean Reno and Sam Worthington. It also stars Viveik Kalra, Yun Jee Kim, Burn Gorman, and Paul Anderson.

‘Replacing Chef Chico’: First Filipino-Produced Series Puts Love on the Menu

For Filipinos, romance and food make a sizzling combination, and the first local Netflix production in a series format serves up a zesty love triangle set against the backdrop of a high-end fine dining restaurant. 

Replacing Chef Chico is the brainchild of director Dan Villegas, assistant director Joi Bayan, and showrunner Antoinette Jadaone. It stars three of the biggest names in the local entertainment industry — Piolo Pascual (My Amanda), Alessandra de Rossi (My Amanda and What If) and Sam Milby (A Family Affair). 

Geeked Week Returns This November!

The wait is over! Netflix’s Geeked, the ultimate destination for all things genre entertainment, is back with our third annual Geeked Week. Brace yourselves for an epic week-long virtual celebration filled with debuts, news, first looks, behind-the-scenes secrets, merch drops, and more fun surprises from your favorite series, films, animation and games. 

Kicking off on Monday, November 6 (aka Stranger Things Day) and running through Sunday, November 12, Geeked Week is the home for the hottest updates on 3 Body Problem, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Brothers Sun, Damsel, Devil May Cry, Leave The World Behind, Rebel Moon, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, and even more jaw-dropping reveals. And we’re kicking the sneak peeks off today with our epic trailer:

Netflix releases the main trailer for DonBelle’s new series Can’t Buy Me Love launching on October 13

Netflix releases the official main trailer of DonBelle’s upcoming series, Can’t Buy Me Love. In the trailer, we get a more in-depth look at the characters, Bingo (Donny Pangilinan) and Caroline (Belle Mariano).

Caroline is born into a wealthy traditional Chinese family, while Bingo works different jobs to make ends meet, and in a twist of fate, the two different worlds collide. Joined by a stellar cast including veterans Rowell Santiago and Nova Villa, and masterfully directed by Mae Cruz Alviar, Cathay Garcia-Sampana, and Ian D. Loreños, the anticipated #DonBelle comeback will surely fill your weekly kilig tank.

BECKHAM Launches 4 October on Netflix

BECKHAM, a four-part documentary series, tells the inside story of a global football star and cultural icon. David Beckham is one of the most known names on the planet, yet few people know who he really is. From his humble working-class beginnings in east London, his drive and determination to win, and the battle to find balance between ambition, love and family, David’s story is one of immense ups and downs. The series takes you on that rollercoaster and builds a surprising, personal and definitive story of one of the most recognizable and scrutinized athletes of all time.

Filipino Remake of Korean Comedy Keys to the Heart Strikes a Heartfelt Chord

Filipino and Korean content are among the most-watched titles on Netflix in the Philippines. When these two worlds collide and a great story comes our way, we become completely engrossed. Keys to the Heart, a 2018 Korean film starring Lee Byung Hun and Park Jung Min, has now been adapted for a Filipino audience. Troubled and alone, a down-on-his-luck boxer moves in with his long-lost mother and autistic pianist brother. But he must fit in with a family he hasn't known for years. 

This dramedy boasts an outstanding cast led by Zanjoe Marudo (366) and Elijah Canlas (Gameboys Level-Up Edition, Kalel, 15), taking on the roles of brothers who have nothing in common. Dolly de Leon, a nominee for both BAFTA and Golden Globe awards, portrays their beloved mother. 

The talented Cebuano director Kerwin Go (Mina-Anud) is passionate about this retelling and its important message. “It’s a celebration of family, unconventional families, blended families. It could be a family that you adopt and friends who become family and neighbors who actually become just as important,” he said at the See What’s Next: Philippines 2023 local titles launch. 

Keys to the Heart Premieres on Netflix This October

Adapting the hit South Korean movie, Keys to the Heart will have a Philippine adaptation starring Zanjoe Marudo, Elijah Canlas, Dolly De Leon, and Michelle Dee. Produceed Reality MM studios, directed by Kerwin Go, it tells the story of a troubled and lonely boxer who moves in with his long-lost mother and autistic pianist brother. And now has to fit in with a family he hasn't known for years. Keys To the Heart will be streaming on Netflix starting October 4

Netflix’s first-ever Station ID features an ensemble of Filipino stars for See What’s Next: Philippines 2023

It’s giving early Christmas!

Christmas comes early as Netflix kicks off the holiday season by unveiling a See What’s Next: Philippines 2023 lineup of local titles featured in the first-ever Netflix Station ID. The stars of three new Filipino titles coming soon on Netflix—Can’t Buy Me Love (Belle Mariano, Donny Pangilinan), Keys to the Heart (Zanjoe Marudo, Elijah Canlas), and Replacing Chef Chico (Piolo Pascual, Alessandra de Rossi, Sam Milby)—went Christmas caroling at Barangay Netflix together with the country’s sought-after celebrities who starred in recent hits Missed Connections (Miles Ocampo, Kelvin Miranda, Chie Filomeno), and What If (JM de Guzman), two local films that reached the Number 1 spot on Netflix’s top list after their launch on the service. The stars of Seasons (Lovi Poe, Carlo Aquino), another top film that debuted on Netflix, also sent their holiday greetings.

The Highly-Anticipated Series of DonBelle, Can’t Buy Me Love, is coming to Netflix!

New Gen love team Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano are back to make our hearts flutter in their new series Can’t Buy Me Love. Directed by Mae Cruz Alviar, Donny plays “Bingo,” a popular online seller juggling different jobs, while Belle plays “Caroline,” who hails from a traditional wealthy Chinese family. 

Can’t Buy Me Love is set to premiere on Netflix on October 13, 72 hours ahead of free TV and 24 hours before it’s shown on pay TV. Donny and Belle, adorably referred to as #DonBelle by loyal fans, previously starred in He’s Into Her,  Love is Colorblind, and An Inconvenient Love, also streaming on Netflix.

Stream, download, and enjoy films and series anytime, anywhere on Netflix.

For more updates on upcoming Filipino stories on Netflix, follow @netflixph on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok.

From Zack Snyder, the filmmaker behind 300, Man of Steel, and Army of the Dead, comes REBEL MOON.

A new universe awaits on Netflix, starting December 22.

Watch the official teaser trailer here

From Zack Snyder, the filmmaker behind 300, Man of Steel, and Army of the Dead, comes REBEL MOON, an epic science-fantasy event decades in the making. When a peaceful colony on the edge of a galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a mysterious stranger living among the villagers, becomes their best hope for survival. Tasked with finding trained fighters who will unite with her in making an impossible stand against the Mother World, Kora assembles a small band of warriors — outsiders, insurgents, peasants and orphans of war from different worlds who share a common need for redemption and revenge. As the shadow of an entire Realm bears down on the unlikeliest of moons, a battle over the fate of a galaxy is waged, and in the process, a new army of heroes is formed.