- 100 (2008): This drama follows a cancer-stricken woman who creates a list of 100 things to do before she dies. It won awards at the Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival.
- Anak (2000): A family drama focusing on a mother (Vilma Santos) who returns from working abroad as a domestic helper to a family that has grown apart in her absence. It was the Philippines' submission to the 73rd Academy Awards.
- Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2005): This indie film tells the story of a young gay boy who falls for a handsome policeman investigating his criminal family. It won multiple international awards, including at the Berlinale.
- Batch '81 (1982): Directed by Mike De Leon, this film explores fraternity hazing and group psychology through the experiences of new recruits. It was featured at the Cannes Film Festival.
- Birdshot (2016): A farm girl's fateful encounter with a rare eagle draws the attention of corrupt police officers and unearths a dark secret. It was the first Filipino film to be released worldwide on Netflix.
- Bwakaw (2012): This film tells the story of an aging, solitary gay man whose life changes when he adopts a stray dog. It was the Philippines' official entry to the 85th Academy Awards.
- Himala (1982): Starring Nora Aunor, this film follows a young woman who claims to have visions of the Virgin Mary. It is one of the most recognized Filipino films, sweeping awards at the 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival and gaining international acclaim.
- Heneral Luna (2015): An epic historical film about General Antonio Luna's command of the Philippine Revolutionary Army during the Philippine-American War. It became the highest-grossing Filipino historical film of all time upon its release.
- Insiang (1976): Directed by Lino Brocka, this drama depicts a young woman's descent into depravity while living in the slums of Manila. It was the first Filipino film to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival.
- Ma' Rosa (2016): Directed by Brillante Mendoza, this social-realist film follows a mother who sells drugs to get by and her children's desperate attempts to free her after she is arrested. Lead actress Jaclyn Jose won the Best Actress award at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
- Magnifico (2003): This acclaimed family film centers on a kind-hearted boy from a poor family who helps people in his community despite his own difficulties. It won awards at the Gawad Urian and FAMAS.
- Manila in the Claws of Light (1975): Also directed by Lino Brocka, this drama portrays a young man from the province searching for his lover in Manila, only to face a grim reality. It is considered a classic of Filipino cinema.
- Mindanao (2019): A drama centered on a Muslim woman caring for her cancer-stricken daughter while her husband, a combat medic, is away on duty. The film won several awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival.
- Miracle (Himala) (1982): Elsa, an ordinary village woman, causes a religious hysteria after claiming to have visions of the Virgin Mary. It is widely considered one of the greatest Filipino films ever made.
- Norte, the End of History (2013): A four-hour-long psychological drama exploring themes of crime and class disparity. It was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and was the Filipino entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards.
- On the Job (2013): Inspired by real-life scandals, this thriller uncovers a conspiracy in which prison inmates are used as contract killers. It was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and received multiple awards. Its sequel, On the Job: The Missing 8, also won awards at the Venice International Film Festival.
- Oro, Plata, Mata (1982): A period drama that follows two affluent families during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and their struggle to survive. It is considered a masterpiece of Philippine cinema.
- Perfumed Nightmare (1977): Kidlat Tahimik's critically acclaimed experimental film tells the story of a jeepney driver fascinated by Western culture who becomes disillusioned by it. The film won the International Critics Award at the Berlin Film Festival.
- Sunday Beauty Queen (2016): A documentary that follows a group of Filipina domestic helpers in Hong Kong as they prepare for a beauty pageant on their day off. It won Best Picture at the Metro Manila Film Festival.
- The Woman Who Left (2016): Directed by Lav Diaz, this film tells the story of a former schoolteacher seeking revenge after being wrongfully imprisoned. It won the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival.
The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Premiere section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 18 May. It was selected as the Philippines' entry to the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. It was theatrically released in Philippines by TEN17P on 10 September.
Plot
In 1511, Ferdinand Magellan participates in the Capture of Malacca under the command of Afonso de Albuquerque and is injured in battle. He buys a Cebuano slave whom he names Enrique and brings him along upon his return to Portugal. Magellan is nursed back to health by Beatriz Barbosa, whom he marries, while Enrique continues to worship his native gods in secret. Years later, King Manuel I of Portugal rejects Magellan’s proposal to circumnavigate the globe to find a trade route that would avoid Spanish competitors, prompting Magellan to go to Spain instead, where his proposal is accepted. In 1519, he embarks on his voyage, leaving a pregnant Beatriz behind.
Magellan faces multiple challenges while undertaking his voyage. He has a crewmember put to death for engaging in homosexual acts, and maroons another crew member and a priest on Patagonia for mutiny. Several mutinies lead to the loss of several ships, with crewmembers executed or tied up as punishment. As his fleet makes its way through the Pacific Ocean, the prolonged voyage leaves the crew in a dire condition. Magellan dreams of Beatriz informing her of the deaths of their child and herself.
Enrique spots the island of Cebu, lifting the crew's hopes. Going ashore, they are met by the local chieftain, Rajah Humabon, with Enrique acting as translator. With a Magellan brings a statuette of the Santo Niño and his personal stash of quinceto Humabon's sick son in the hopes of curing him. When the boy recovers, Humabon's wife attributes the event to the Santo Niño, triggering celebrations in the community. Magellan and Humabon enter into a blood compact and convinces Humabon and his subjects to convert to Christianity. Within days however, Magellan and his crew draw the ire of the natives by burning the images of their anitos, as Humabon's wife, baptized under the name Juana, warns that they will face retribution from their gods.
Humabon instructs his men to spread rumors of the existence of Datu Lapu-Lapu, a wak-wak who preys on humans. Magellan, who dismisses Lapu-Lapu as a phantasm, is lured to fight him after being informed that he and his subjects are defying him. Magellan and his forces set off to battle, only to be wiped out as he staggers along the battlefield before collapsing. Enrique watches Humabon and his subjects carrying the corpse of one of Magellan's crew and his detached head in celebration, as he reveals in a voice-over that it was Humabon and his forces who attacked Magellan and that there was no Lapu-Lapu. Enrique also reveals that he participated in the massacre of most of Magellan's remaining men in order to regain his freedom.
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