Netflix is doubling down on Southeast Asia this year, rolling out an impressive slate of films and series showcasing some of the region’s biggest names—from the Philippines’ Kathryn Bernardo and Anne Curtis to Thailand’s Nadech Kugimiya.
The new lineup highlights the growing influence of local storytelling in the global streaming space, with diverse projects spanning romance, thriller, fantasy, comedy, and action.
The Philippines steps into the spotlight
At a press conference held at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Netflix Philippines Content Lead Vitto Lazatin revealed five original titles slated for release through 2026—two feature films and three series—each spotlighting Filipino talent and storytelling.
First up is 18th Rose, directed by Dolly Dulu and starring Kyle Echarri and Xyriel Manabat. Set in early 2000s Romblon, the romantic coming-of-age film follows two teenagers discovering love for the first time. The film begins streaming on April 9.
Jodi Sta. Maria and Agot Isidro front Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon, a family dramedy from Cholo Laurel premiering on August 13. “As Filipinos, we’re very family-centric,” Isidro shared during the announcement. “There’s always someone in your family you love, someone you can’t stand—and this series mirrors all of that.”
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Rae Red’s supernatural horror Balaraw brings together Dirty Linen star Janine Gutierrez and Isidro once more. The story follows a young woman journeying to the mysterious island of Balaraw to find her missing mother, delving into eerie folklore and myth.
Another highlight is Paskong Pinoy, Netflix Philippines’ first-ever holiday anthology premiering on December 3. Directed by Mark Reyes, the series reunites ‘90s icons Bobby Andrews, Angelu De Leon, and Rica Peralejo alongside Barbie Forteza and Enchong Dee—proving that Christmas nostalgia and Filipino family themes go hand in hand.
Finally, Anne Curtis returns to her BuyBust character, Nina Manigan, in Erik Matti’s BuyBust: The Undesirables. The action series sees Manigan team up with Gerald Anderson’s vengeance-driven ex-cop in a dystopian Manila where chaos and corruption reign.
Beyond original titles, Netflix will also stream selected local network shows like GMA’s The Master Cutter—a crime thriller starring Dingdong Dantes as a tailor living a double life—and ABS-CBN’s Someone, Someday, a modern rom-com featuring Kathryn Bernardo, James Reid, and Maja Salvador.
Thailand’s cinematic renaissance
Over in Bangkok, the Thai slate leads with Surapong Ploensang’s The Debt Collector, starring Nadech Kugimiya as a former enforcer facing the ghosts of his past. Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul headlines two projects—My Dearest Assassin, about a girl raised by killers who seeks her freedom, and Empress of Flames, a regal revenge tale set in a mythical kingdom.
Rhatha Phongam stars in The Evil Lawyer, while The Red Line by Sitisiri Mongkolsiri—launching this March—follows scam victims taking justice into their own hands. The mix of gritty thrillers, period dramas, and offbeat comedies captures the creative breadth of Thailand’s new wave of storytellers.
Indonesia’s growing presence
The Indonesian lineup, which began January 29 with A Letter to My Youth, continues Netflix’s investment in the region’s thriving creative scene.
Standouts include Made With Love, a culinary romance starring Mawar Eva de Jongh and Deva Mahenra; Gina S. Noer’s emotional father-son drama Me Before Me; and Never Surrender, Sidharta Tata’s high-octane action film featuring Lukman Sardi.
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With this ambitious regional slate, Netflix seems set not only to spotlight Southeast Asia’s dynamic film industries but to let its stars—both emerging and established—take the global stage on their own terms.
