This September, an exciting mix of local and international films comes to entertain audiences across the country. For one, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival begins on September 23, with seven full-length films and 10 shorts making up its biggest lineup yet. Outside the festival, much-awaited films like Edjop, Resident Evil, and Forgotten Island are also set to premiere this month.
Here’s what’s coming to Philippine cinemas for September.
‘Practical Magic 2’ (September 9)
Griffin Dunne’s Practical Magic was critically panned when it came out in 1998. But over the years, a viewership driven by its stars, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, has made the rom-com-fantasy film something of a cult classic. In this Susanne Bier-directed sequel, Bullock and Kidman return as the witchy Owens sisters, this time to confront a curse that threatens to unravel their family once and for all.
‘Edjop’ (September 16)
Katski Flores’ Edjop has been five years in the making, and it finally arrives just before the 54th anniversary of the declaration of martial law. The Edgar Jopson biopic appears to jump between the past and present, with Elijah Canlas playing the titular activist and Jodi Sta. Maria playing Jopson’s daughter, Joyette. Opposite them, Cedrick Juan and Frankie Pangilinan are also set to grace the silver screen, with Pangilinan in her first-ever movie role.
‘Resident Evil’ (September 16)
Fans of the Resident Evil games have waited too long for a good film adaptation to watch, and if Zach Cregger’s previous works (Weapons and Barbarian) are any indication, then the wait may finally be over. In an original story set in the R.E. world, Austin Abrams’ Bryan takes on a harrowing task, delivering an unknown medical package to Raccoon City, which has descended into chaos — for reasons we can only suspect are related to the T-Virus outbreak.
‘Forgotten Island’ (September 23)
Forgotten Island has had a very promising run in festivals this year, receiving high praise from critics at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France and CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Landing on our shores later in September, the film follows friends Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) on a quest to return to their world after being transported to an island where mythical creatures abound and the threat of losing their friendship looms.
‘Digger’ (September 30)
Tom Cruise is unrecognizable in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s upcoming black comedy, Digger. Here, Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an oil tycoon who sets out to prove he is humanity’s savior before the climate disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything. Many other actors — also barely recognizable in the trailer — decorate this satire: Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, and Emma D’Arcy. Digger premieres in the Philippines days before its international release in October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Puregold CinePanalo 2026 runs from September 23 to October 4 at Gateway Cineplex 18 and six Ayala Malls cinemas: Trinoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Ayala Malls Circuit, and Market! Market! Tickets are P250 regular and P200 discounted, with a P2,000 festival pass available at Gateway Cineplex 18 starting September 22 and at the Ayala Malls venues starting September 23.
Edjop traces the life of student leader Edgar Jopson, from his beginnings as a reformist from a comfortable Ateneo-educated background to his radicalization under martial law, culminating in his death as a wanted enemy of the first Marcos regime. The film also follows his daughter Joyette as she reckons with her father’s legacy, weaving past and present into one story.
No, Zach Cregger has left out Leon Kennedy and other familiar game characters in his adaptation of Resident Evil, choosing instead to follow an original protagonist, Bryan, played by Austin Abrams. He’s explained that Leon’s story is already told well in the games.
Digger follows oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, played by Tom Cruise, as he tries to position himself as humanity’s savior in the face of a climate disaster he caused. Alejandro G. Iñárritu directs the black comedy, which also stars Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons.
Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado co-wrote and co-directed the film. The two previously teamed up on Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which marked Mercado’s co-directorial debut, and Crawford also directed The Croods: A New Age.
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