A sapphic horror, a ’90s reunion, and Anne Curtis’ ‘female rage’
While Netflix helped open the door for Filipinos to viral K-dramas, blockbuster Hollywood titles, and what the rest of the world has to offer, it has also learned that, over the past decade in the market, local audiences are also eager for more stories inspired by the Filipino experience.
In fact, last year alone, 90 percent of the platform’s subscribers reportedly watched local content. And when we celebrate our own stories, they inevitably find viewers beyond our shores. To date, 32 Filipino titles have appeared on the Global Top 10 lists.
Now, it’s all about bringing the best of local storytelling to Filipino and global audiences. And to sustain this momentum, Netflix has recently unveiled its slate of original offerings for 2026: five originals (three series and two films) and two co-productions with major television networks.
Here’s what to expect for the rest of the year:
“BuyBust: The Undesirables”
Release date: TBA
Director Erik Matti originally envisioned “BuyBust” as a one-off. It made money, and he left it at that. But years later, Netflix came in, wondering if there was a way to expand the film’s universe. And Matti took on the challenge.
Now, the hit action thriller is set to continue as a nine-episode series. The story picks up where the film left off—this time, in a dystopian setting that tackles more universal themes, such as the power dynamics between the rich and the poor, and between the ruling class and the common masses.
Anne Curtis reprises her role as Nina Manigan, a rookie cop who survives a bloody anti-narcotics operation. She starts off just as damaged as she was in the film, still surrounded by the corruption that almost took her life. She’s joined by Gerald Anderson, who plays the outcast Sig Torillo.
“I think that’s the beauty of having female rage—you keep fighting for what you believe in. She goes through an emotional journey, but she’s still out for justice and revenge,” she says. “Social class and how much power you have shouldn’t matter. Everyone should be treated fairly and with dignity.”
“Balaraw”
Release date: Sept. 24
Directed by Rae Red, this horror-mystery series is inspired by the premise that we never really know who our parents are. Who exactly were they before they became the people we first knew? Years after her mother’s mysterious disappearance, Sabina (Janine Gutierrez) stumbles upon a cryptic clue that lures her into an uncharted island, where she discovers her family’s dark secrets.
On this uncertain and perilous journey, Sabina is joined by Rebecca (Charlie Dizon), introducing a sapphic romance to a world wrapped in Filipino folklore.
“Paskong Pinoy”
Release date: Dec. 3
In this four-episode anthology, director Mark Reyes tells of estranged friends, snowy Christmas office rivals, and clashing sisters. “They’re all very Pinoy… inspired by stories of the working class,” he says. Take Barbie Forteza and Enchong Dee’s episode, “A Perfect Christmas,” where they play employees compelled to work on Christmas Day.
The biggest buzz, however, came from “The Last New Year in Boracay,” which reunites the cast of the iconic ’90s youth-oriented show “TGIS”: Angelu De Leon, Bobby Andrews, Rica Peralejo, Polo Ravales, Ciara Sotto, Michael Flores, and Bernadette Allyson.
“Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon”
Release date: Aug. 13
When a TV writer returns home to her estranged mother, secrets spill, and chaos ignites in their already dysfunctional family. While this drama—led by Jodi Sta. Maria—explores heavy themes like abandonment and rejection, and features complex female characters, the film also uses warmth and comedy for levity.
Because when it comes right down to it, family drama, director Cholo Laurel points out, is actually hilarious. “We didn’t incorporate humor just to make it palatable—that’s just the way things are,” he says.
“18th Rose”
Release date: April 9
In her first lead film role, Xyriel Manabat plays an aspiring singer who strikes a deal with a lonely school newcomer (Kyle Echarri) to make her dream debut. However, unexpected feelings shatter their plans.
“I remember how much I cried [when I landed this project]. It’s not just a dream come true, but an answered prayer,” Manabat says.
Set in the early 2000s, the film is director Dolly Dulu’s way of reliving her childhood during a time when there was no social media and owning a digital camera was the height of cool. A quaint town in Romblon was the perfect location to capture that feeling of simplicity and nostalgia.
“The Master Cutter”
Release date: April 17
In this action drama co-presented with GMA 7, Dingdong Dantes plays a former scout ranger who now lives a double life—a tailor by day and a bounty hunter by night. He takes in a street-smart girl, only to be hired to hunt her down. He soon discovers she’s his biological daughter, connected to a powerful crime syndicate.
Set in Baclaran, director Dominic Zapata juxtaposes the neighborhood’s chaos with the seemingly mundane lives of its residents. Meanwhile, what Dantes finds intriguing about his role is that it’s basically a “performance within a performance.”
“It’s interesting to me because my character gets into disguises and becomes something completely different—a clown, a mafia member—to do his job,” he relates. “Maraming puwedeng paglaruan.”
“Someone, Someday”
Release date: TBA
Kathryn Bernardo and James Reid working together would have been unthinkable 10 years ago. But with their respective former love teams no longer active, ABS-CBN came up with an unexpected pairing shuffle.
A CEO of a new dating app—which she created to help women navigate the modern dating scene—befriends someone out of revenge. Old wounds resurface and inevitably threaten her company, friendships, and her dream of finding “someone, someday.”
While online dating is still looked down upon by some—or can make people feel wary—the show aims to highlight that this practice has become part of modern culture. It also hopes to empower women to continue “making their own choices and standing their ground.”
“The characters are real. They shouldn’t be perfect because we aren’t. We want the audience to feel the authenticity and see their flaws, to make them more relatable,” Bernardo says.
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