Balota wins its first weekly race in the Philippines. The Kip Oebanda-directed thriller, starring Marian Rivera, debuts at number one on Netflix's weekly most-watched movies chart (Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2025). Globally, the film has received 1.4 million views and has even placed in the top ten chart of three international markets.
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| Marian Rivera in Balota (C) GMA Pictures |
In the film, a teacher puts her life on the line to protect a ballot box full of crucial votes as corrupt forces threaten to overturn a key local election. Film also stars Will Ashley, Nico Antonio, Royce Cabrera, Raheel Bhyria, Sue Prado, Sassa Gurl, Esnyr Ranollo, Donna Cariaga, Joel Saracho, Gardo Versoza, & Mae Paner.
The global opening translates to 2.5 million hours viewed which ranks 8th on the most watched non-English film this tracking week worldwide. The film also placed 9th in Bahrain, 4th in Qatar, and 5th in United Arab Emirates this tracking week. The opening likely cements a strong performance on the upcoming Netflix Engagement Report.
This is also a strong start for the film which had already had a decent box office performance (est. ₱35 million from the report of PEP) for its genre.
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| (C) Netflix |
Another local feature Friendly Fire stayed on the top ten, placing 4th this week, Directed by Mikhail Red, film stars Loisa Andalio, Coleen Garcia-Crawford, Yves Flores, Harvey Bautista, & Bob Jbeili with Alodia Gosiengfiao-Quimbo.
Philippines Top Ten, Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2025:
- Balota
- Laura
- Back in Action
- Friendly Fire
- Crawl
- Black Sea
- The Sand Castle
- The Sentinel
- The Secret Life of Pets 2
- The Invitation
Over at TV, ABS-CBN's new action series Incognito continued to top the TV chart. Directed by Lester Pimentel Ong, the new series stars Richard Gutierrez, Baron Geisler, Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings, Kaila Estrada, Ian Veneracion and Daniel Padilla.
Philippines Top Ten, Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2025:
- Incognito: Season 1
- The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call: Season 1
- SAKAMOTO DAYS: Season 1
- The Night Agent: Season 2
- Squid Game: Season 2
- Solo Leveling: Season 1
- Ms. Rachel: Season 1
- XO, Kitty: Season 2
- Single’s Inferno: Season 4
- Devil's Diner: Season 1
