The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) isn’t just about showcasing new Filipino films every Christmas — it’s also home to some of the country’s most beloved movie franchises.
Over decades, several series have become iconic MMFF traditions, drawing crowds year after year and shaping the festival’s identity in Philippine pop culture.
Here’s a look at some of the most memorable MMFF movie franchises based on their longstanding presence and cultural impact.
SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL
Perhaps the most enduring horror franchise in Philippine cinema history, Shake, Rattle & Roll is synonymous with MMFF chills. First launched in the 1980s, this horror anthology series has featured multiple installments over the years, with sequels that became an annual part of the festival line‑up throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
These films often present multiple horror stories in one entry, each with distinct supernatural themes, monsters, and frights — a formula that helped define Filipino horror on screen for generations.
ANG PANDAY
Based on the classic Filipino comic book character created by Carlo J. Caparas, Ang Panday (The Blacksmith) is a fantasy action franchise that has appeared several times at MMFF.
The story follows the heroic blacksmith Flavio — a role played by various iconic actors through the years — as he battles evil forces with his magical sword forged from a meteor.
Multiple films under the Panday banner, including releases in 2009, 2011, and 2017, have cemented the franchise’s appeal with Filipino audiences and established it as a quintessential MMFF action epic.
ENTENG KABISOTE / OKAY KA, FAIRY KO!
Enteng Kabisote began as a spin‑off from the popular TV sitcom Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! and became one of MMFF’s biggest fantasy‑comedy franchises.
Starring Vic Sotto as the titular Enteng, a family man who interacts with magical creatures and hilarious escapades, these films have become a holiday season staple for Filipino families.
Several installments have been featured in MMFF over the years, including crossovers blending fantasy worlds with comedy and action, such as Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako.
TANGING INA MO / KASALI, SAKALI, SAKALO
Although not a traditional franchise in the genre sense, certain films like Ang Tanging Ina Mo and the comedies Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo and Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo have become recurring favorites at MMFF due to their strong box‑office appeal and family‑oriented themes.
These films resonated with audiences for their humor, relatability, and heart — so much so that they inspired follow‑ups or sequels that continued their stories in subsequent MMFF seasons.
OTHER NOTABLE SERIES AND LEGACY TITLES
While not all are full‑blown franchises, several titles have recurred or appeared in MMFF’s 50th anniversary classics programming, speaking to their lasting impact: the superhero‑fantasy Captain Barbell (1986), various installments of Shake, Rattle & Roll, and Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! entries among others.
These films, some restored or re‑screened for new audiences, demonstrate MMFF’s role in preserving and celebrating popular Filipino cinema across generations.
WHY THESE FRANCHISES MATTER
These franchise films did more than entertain — they became Christmas traditions. Many MMFF viewers grew up watching Shake, Rattle & Roll for their yearly chill, laughed with Enteng Kabisote during holiday screenings with family, or cheered on heroes like Panday in action‑packed adventures.
Their recurring presence at the festival reflects both commercial success and cultural resonance with Filipino audiences across decades.
As the MMFF continues to evolve, these franchises remain among its most memorable pillars, showcasing the diversity and creativity of Philippine cinema — from horror, fantasy, and comedy, to family drama and action.
Whether through remakes, sequels, or anniversary re‑screenings, these films remind us how deeply cinema can connect with holiday celebrations and collective memory.