With ImPerfect winning as the Best Picture in the previous 51st Metro Manila Film Festival during its Gabi ng Parangal, and delivering the other entry films to international film festivals, it’s high time for the 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival, which revealed the first four official entry films scheduled to release locally in Philippine cinemas on Christmas Day, December 25, 2026.
During the kickoff day held at the East Wing Atrium of GH Mall, situated in San Juan City, the first four entry films of the 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival were announced, which are the following:
- 2nd Miracle in Cell №7 by Viva Communications (Family Drama) – Directed by Nuel Naval. Scripted by Mel Mendoza-del Rosario. Starring Aga Muhlach.
- Amir by GMA Pictures (Fantasy Drama) – Directed by Zig Dulay. Scripted by Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza. Starring Argus Aspiras, Dennis Trillo, Will Ashley, and Glaiza de Castro.
- Haunted Carnival by Regal Entertainment (Horror/Suspense/Thriller) – Directed by Joey de Guzman. Scripted by Allan Tijamo. Starring John Arcilla, James Reid, Julia Barretto, Fyang Smith, and Maricel Soriano.
- The Greatest Showdown by Star Cinema-IdeaFirst-APT Entertainment-MZet Productions (Comedy) – Directed by Jun Robles Lana. Scripted by Jumbo Albano. Starring Vic Sotto and Vice Ganda.
Disclaimer: The filmmaker may change the cast of each entry film/s without prior notice.
The MMFF will soon complete the remaining four of the eight official entry films once the film festival selects another set of finished film submissions, with a deadline of September 30, 2026.
What to know about the stars involved in the 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival:
- Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 Big Winner Fyang Smith will star in another MMFF Entry Film, this time for 2026, in Haunted Carnival. Fyang, alongside Gen 11 ex-housemates JM Ibarra and Dylan Yturralde, and all other casts from segments 2025, 1775, and 2050, previously appeared in the 51st MMFF Entry Film Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins (for the 2025 segment). The announcement will also mark her second appearance in a Filipino horror film, following her starring role in a horror entry from the previous edition of the MMFF. It would also be her third film produced under Regal Entertainment, after SRR: Evil Origins and Almost Us.
- Vice Ganda, together with Vic Sotto, will lead their upcoming 52nd MMFF Entry Film, The Greatest Showdown. Before the announcement of the 52nd MMFF Entry films, the film was announced during a New Movie Alert event held at the Gateway Mall 2 Quantum Skyview on July 5, 2026, before Meme Vice went to the Marriott Grand Ballroom to present his award as a Box Office Hero in the 9th Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards (The 9th EDDYS Choice Awards, led by SPEEd), which also held on that day. In the 51st MMFF, Vice was one of the two lead stars in the Entry Film, Call Me Mother, alongside Nadine Lustre.
- Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition 1.0 ex-housemate Will Ashley will star in another MMFF Entry Film, this time for 2026, in Amir, following his previous appearances in two 51st MMFF Entry Films, including Love You So Bad and Bar Boys After School.
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