Netflix Philippines unveils star-studded, ambitious 2026 lineup
MANILA, Philippines — “Bigger and bolder.”
Netflix Philippines has finally unveiled its 2026 slate of titles, featuring a star-studded and ambitious lineup of projects.
Reflecting the heart of Filipino storytelling across diverse genres, the streaming giant introduced five originals — comprising three series and two films — during the “Next on Netflix Philippines” event held at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Leading the list is Erik Matti’s “BuyBust: The Undesirables,” which reimagines the events after the 2018 “BuyBust” film as a full-scale dystopian action series starring Anne Curtis. Anne reprises her role as Nina Manigan and is joined by Gerald Anderson.
When asked about Nina’s motivation in the series — whether revenge, justice or something else — Anne said, “All of the above. But she is still fighting for what she believes in, in the sense that she is out for the best of humanity. So that’s something she is currently fighting for in the series.”
ABS-CBN’s “Someone, Someday,” on the other hand, “follows a woman scarred by her past who creates a modern dating app to help women find the right love at the right time. Through the love stories she brings together — and while navigating the challenges in her own life — she begins to rediscover what love truly means for herself.”
For the first time, Kathryn Bernardo and James Reid have teamed up for a series, which is directed by Chad Vidanes and Dolly Dulu and also stars Maja Salvador.
“It’s my first time working with Ate Maj, the directors, and of course, James,” stated Kathryn. “A lot of firsts for me, but definitely I would say after a few taping days, it takes… actually until now, it’s taking a while to bounce back and work again because my last series was back in 2022 for ‘2 Good 2 Be True.’ That was actually my first project with Netflix, and I wasn’t able to experience all of this because it was during the pandemic.
“I can say that until now, I’m still warming up. I’m still getting to know the character day by day, and I am just being patient with myself because I want to give myself that time to warm up and get to know the character more than anyone… I’m very excited.”
James is equally thrilled but also nervous. “Wow, there’s been a lot of nerves because it has been seven years, I think, or more since my last teleserye. But I’m excited.”
Slated for release on Netflix on April 17, Dominic Zapata’s “The Master Cutter” stars Dingdong Dantes in an action drama set in Baclaran about a former scout ranger who now lives a double life — working quietly as a tailor by day while taking on dangerous bounty-hunting jobs on the side.
The series is produced in collaboration with GMA and also stars Sienna Stevens, Max Collins, Shuvee Etrata, Jo Berry and Charlie Fleming. It premieres on Netflix 72 hours before it airs on free TV and will also be available in other Southeast Asian countries.
“Aside from being an action-packed series, what I like about it is it’s full of heart,” beamed Dingdong. “And I think it’s always interesting to explore the human side of all the characters we portray because I think the characters that we bring to life are a reflection of what is happening around us at that given moment.”
Meanwhile, the horror-mystery series “Balaraw,” from director Rae Red, is coming to Netflix on Sept. 24.
The synopsis reads: Years after her mother vanished, Sabina (Janine Gutierrez) follows a mysterious clue to an uncharted island, where she confronts hidden dark secrets within her own family. Also part of the cast are Charlie Dizon, Agot Isidro and Ronnie Lazaro.
“The world of ‘Balaraw’ is so big but at the heart of it, I think it’s about the relationship of Sabina, my character, with her mother, Rebecca,” Janine disclosed.
“And that’s something that everybody can relate to, and that’s something that’s also uniquely Filipino — our connection with family. It’s an intricate dance between that intimate relationship and the big, creepy world of ‘Balaraw.’ I’m excited for everyone to see how direk Rae created this series. It is exciting, scary, thrilling, but also sincere and about love.”
Capturing the magic of first love, director Dolly Dulu’s “18th Rose” is a modern romance film starring Xyriel Manabat and Kyle Echarri in the lead roles. It is set to premiere on Netflix on April 9.
Xyriel became emotional at the thought of appearing on a global platform like Netflix. She said, “I want to be personal in answering that question because I still remember how it was brought to me. I can remember how much I cried and how much I prayed because it’s not just a dream come true, it’s an answered prayer.”
On the other hand, the family drama “Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon” explores the chaos and warmth of Filipino family life with honesty and edge, led by Jodi Sta. Maria, with Agot Isidro as her co-star. Directed by Cholo H. Laurel, it will drop on Netflix on Aug. 13.
“I think we all carry some sort of family wounds. It’s not only limited to my character,” shared Jodi. “But then when I was studying her character, I was thinking, ‘OK, she’s accomplished, she’s intelligent, she’s very strong.’ But the question is why? What motivated this character to be the way she is?
“So if you look at it, kung babalikan mo, it’s because this strong, independent woman had to be that way because she didn’t have anyone to guide her during her growing-up years. So that’s the kind of bubog that this character carries, and I believe that there are people who can sort of relate to her character — those who carry abandonment and rejection issues.”
In the Christmas anthology “Paskong Pinoy,” Barbie Forteza and Enchong Dee joined forces in one episode, while the ’90s show “T.G.I.S.” cast — Angelu de Leon, Bobby Andrews, Rica Peralejo and Michael Flores — reunite for another. The show, directed by Mark A. Reyes V, will stream on Dec. 3.
Rica, who had been on a long showbiz hiatus, agreed to do the project because it gave her the chance to reconnect with friends. “I would like to do it because I would be reunited with people I’ve known for almost all my life. I’ve known them since I was 14 years old, and I am now 24. Haha! ’90s people know I’m lying (about my age), but yes, that’s a very big part of why I said yes. And also just to be part of a Netflix original. You can just imagine how my boys (kids) screamed when I said, ‘You know, Mama is going to be on a Netflix original.’”
“When we got to do the story reading, it was just really magical. And then when we shot all our sequences together, it was just pure magic. It was just nostalgia — us being together again after so many years apart and reminiscing about the old times,” Angelu added.
Meanwhile, 2026 marks Netflix’s 10-year presence in the Philippines. In the course of a decade, the international streaming platform has produced hit local titles such as “Doll House,” “Lolo and the Kid,” “Outside” and “Kontrabida Academy.”
“We are excited to continue growing alongside the industry, strengthening partnerships, and supporting more ambitious ideas from script to screen,” remarked Vitto Lazatin, Netflix’s content lead for the Philippines and director of Content Licensing for Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
“We continue to bring Filipino stories to the global stage, working with a wide range of creators to showcase the breadth, ambition, and diversity of Filipino storytelling. We are confident viewers will enjoy the varied stories coming to their screens this year and the many more we look forward to bringing their way.”
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