Star Cinema

History

Vanguard Films (1982–1989)

Vanguard Films was formed in 1983. It was headed by Simon Ongpin and Charo Santos-Concio.

In 1985, the serial komiks by Nerissa Cabral, Hindi Nahahati ang Langit was adapted into a film and it stars Christopher de Leon, Lorna Tolentino, Edu Manzano, and Dina Bonnevie. The said film was directed by Mike de Leon.

Vision Films (1989–1993)

In 1989, Santos-Concio formed Vision Films, operated independently from ABS-CBN and Regal Films. The first film offering of the company was Kailan Mahuhugasan ang Kasalanan? (1989), directed by Lino Brocka. Throughout its short existence, all of the films produced by Vision Films are dramas based on radio serials and action thrillers based on true stories or comics.

In 1990, three films were released: Nagsimula sa Puso, Kapag Langit ang Humatol, and Bala at Rosaryo. The former two were adapted from radio dramas that were serialized via DZRH-AM, while the latter was adapted from a comics serial. In 1991, action thriller Ganti ng Api and crime thriller melodrama Kailan Ka Magiging Akin were released. Between 1992 and 1993, no films were produced as Vision Films was absorbed into Star Cinema.{{cite web|title=Film Review: Kailan Ka Magiging Akin (1991) by Chito S. Rono|url=https://asianmoviepulse.com/2025/04/film-review-kailan-ka-magiging-akin-1991-by-chito-s-rono/#google_vignette|author=Epoy Deyto

Star Cinema (1993–present)

Star Cinema was founded on May 8, 1993, with producer Malou N. Santos becoming the studio's managing director. Even though it was still a new player in the film industry at that time, Star Cinema position itself to be a major competitor of big film studios like Viva Films and Regal Films. The studio collaborated with Regal Films for its first ever film production: Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite, Laking Tondo (1993), an action film starring Bong Revilla and Sheryl Cruz. Its strategies are to reflect the viewer's current taste and trends with a string of films targeted to mainstream viewers with film genres ranging from action, drama, comedy, horror, and fantasy. The films of Star Cinema in the 1990s have been well received with some earning critical acclaim with films like May Minamahal (1993), Maalaala Mo Kaya: The Movie (1994), Madrasta (1996), Magic Temple (1996), and Bata, Bata… Pa'no Ka Ginawa? (1998).

The 1990s also saw the pioneering works of the studio by integrating computer-generated images, special effects and special makeup and prosthetics on some of its films like Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara (1995), Magic Temple (1996), Kokey (1997), Magandang Hatinggabi (1998), Hiling (1998), and Puso ng Pasko (1998) among others. Other notable works were live-action adaptations of popular Japanese anime series like Sarah... Ang Munting Prinsesa (1995) and Cedie (1996), in turn, based on children's novels by English playwright and author Frances Hodgson Burnett, which incorporates stylish production designs and costumes and were shot abroad. From September 1997 to July 1999, former Viva Films executive Eric Cuatico Jr. briefly served as co-managing director of the studio alongside Santos.

Star Cinema also produced a film adaptations of ABS-CBN's successful TV series like Mara Clara: The Movie, released in 1996 and Mula sa Puso: The Movie, Wansapanataym: The Movie, and Esperanza: The Movie are released in 1999. In 1997, 1998, and 2000, Star Cinema produced Goodbye America, Legacy, and Doomsdayer respectively under the banner of Star Pacific Cinema in an attempt to penetrate the Hollywood B-movie market.

The 2000s has been the most successful time for Star Cinema in terms of box office gross. Most of the all-time highest-grossing films in the history of the Philippines are either produced or co-produced by Star Cinema as reported by Box Office Mojo. In 2002, Star Cinema together with Unitel Pictures released the Filipino-American film American Adobo with mixed reviews in the United States. In late 2007, Sky Films, a distribution company previously acquired by ABS-CBN in 2001, was merged with Star Cinema. In 2010, Star Cinema co-financed and released RPG Metanoia, the first 3D computer-animated Filipino film in history. In 2013, Star Cinema co-financed and released Erik Matti's On the Job with mixed to positive reviews abroad. Star Cinema films that were well received by critics in this period were Anak (2000), Tanging Yaman (2000), Bagong Buwan (2001), Dekada '70 (2002), Nasaan Ka Man (2005), Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo (2006), In My Life (2009) and On the Job (2013).

Star Creatives Television

Henry King Quitain Lourdes de Guzman Ginny Monteagudo-Ocampo (formerly) Roda Catolico-Dela Cerna (formerly) Film production Film production Content provider ABS-CBN Studios

In 1997, Star Cinema started its television production venture by producing the drama Esperanza for the now-defunct ABS-CBN television network with the studio coining the term "teleserye" to promote the series. Its ratings peaked at 64.9% on its finale episode, marking the highest rating for any series finale episode on Philippine television. Pangako Sa 'Yo also became popular abroad, notably across Africa and Asia. It was followed by another successful series Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay (2002) and It Might Be You (2003).

In 2008, its most expensive television production Lobo (known internationally as She Wolf) received the Banff World Media Festival for best telenovela program and earned Angel Locsin an International Emmy Awards nomination for performance by a female actor - the country's first overall acting nomination ever on the awards show. Sana Maulit Muli (2008) also gained a following in Taiwan when it was dubbed in Taiwanese Minnan. Kahit Isang Saglit (2008) became a finalist in the 37th International Emmy Awards. Its 2010 production Magkaribal became a finalist to the 2011 New York International Independent Film and Video Festival for best telenovela. Budoy (2011) is also a finalist to the 2013 New York Festivals International Television and Film Awards. Bridges of Love (2015) is the first Philippine telenovela to be released in Latin American countries including Peru. Soap operas produced by Star Creatives had been subtitled and dubbed to several languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, Khmer, Indonesian, Malay, Mandarin and French and most notably those that are targeted to Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America. One of the programs dubbed in French is Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay which will cater to French-speaking audience in Africa and Europe. Star Cinema has also produced TV promos, spots and specials for the ABS-CBN network. In 2011, Star Cinema spent for the Philippine National Anthem video clip of ABS-CBN network.

Star Home Video

• Kriz Gazmen (head of division)
• Home videos
• Digital distribution Star Home Video is the home video and DVD distribution arm of ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. It is the exclusive home video distributor of the Star Cinema film library, as well as ABS-CBN programs, and karaoke CDs.

Film distribution

Star Cinema distributes all of its films as well as movies produced by other production companies. In 2015, Star Cinema released the Cinema One Originals film That Thing Called Tadhana with critical and box office success. The film went on to gross over against its budget of only two-million pesos.

List of television productions

• Esperanza (1997 - 1999)
• Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako (1998 – 1999)
• Pangako Sa 'Yo (2000 – 2002) - Credited as a Star Cinema Production
• Maalaala Mo Kaya (2001–2018)
• Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay (2002 – 2003)
• Darating ang Umaga (2003)
• It Might Be You (2003–2004)
• Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas (2003–2004)
• Marina (2004)
• Hiram (2004–2005)
• Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin (2005)
• Panday (2005)
• Sa Piling Mo (2006)
• Lobo (2008)
• Dahil May Isang Ikaw (2009–2010)
• Magkaribal (2010)
• Imortal (2010–2011)
• Juanita Banana (2010–2011)
• Guns and Roses (2011)
• Maria La Del Barrio (2011–2012)
• Reputasyon (2011–2012)
• E-Boy (2012)
• Princess and I (2012–2013)
• Got to Believe (2013–2014)
• The Legal Wife (2014)
• Forevermore (2014–2015)
• Dolce Amore (2016)
• La Luna Sangre (2017–2018)
• Pusong Ligaw (2017)
• Bagani (2018)
• Ngayon at Kailanman (2018–2019)
• Make It with You (2020)
• The House Arrest of Us (2020 – 2021) - Credited as a Star Cinema production
• Init sa Magdamag (2021)
• He's Into Her (2021 – 2022) - Credited as a Star Cinema production
• Hello, Heart (2021–2022)
• Tara, G! (2022)
• A Family Affair (2022)
• The Iron Heart (2022 - 2023)
• Can't Buy Me Love (2023 - 2024)
• Incognito (2025)
• It's Okay to Not Be Okay (2025)
• The Secrets of Hotel 88 (2026)

Filmography

Main article: List of films produced and released by Star Cinema

References

References

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13. (1 Feb 2013). "NYF: Television & Film Awards finalists for 2013 competition".
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15. Valisno, Jeffrey. (14 June 2012). "Pinoy TV goes international". [[BusinessWorld]].
16. Martinez-Belen, Crispina. (23 March 2010). "ABS-CBN soap operas now captivating non-Filipinos worldwide". [[The Manila Bulletin]].
17. (30 January 2013). "Premiere source of Filipino dramas in Asia". [[Manila Standard Today]].
18. (June 13, 2011). "ABS-CBN Lupang Hinirang". StarAd Prom.
19. "ABS-CBN releases new music video of the national anthem".
20. [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/03/15/15/tadhana-top-grossing-local-indie-film-all-time 'Tadhana' is top grossing local indie film of all time]
21. (2021-10-12). "iQiyi partners with ABS-CBN to produce 2 Filipino series for global audience".
22. (17 January 2025). "Action series Incognito 'dream' project for cast, director". [[NewsWatch Plus]].
23. [[NewsWatch Plus. "LOOK: Anne Curtis, Joshua Garcia, and Carlo Aquino — the lead stars of the much-anticipated Philippine adaptation of "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" — pose for a series of photos.".
24. [[NewsWatch Plus. "LOOK: Joshua Garcia shares behind-the-scene photos of the pilot episode of the local adaptation of ‘It’s Okay to Not be Okay,’ which streamed on Netflix on Friday, July 18. Garcia leads the series with Anne Curtis and Carlo Aquino.".
25. (September 18, 2025). "Bagong collab ng GMA, ABS-CBN pagbibidahan ng ilang PBB housemates; netizens excited!".