From the hilarious return of Gru and the Minions to thrilling tornado adventures, romantic comedy, Filipino drama, and psychological suspense, July 2024 brought an exciting selection of movies to Philippine cinemas.
Movie lovers had plenty to look forward to as another exciting month of cinematic entertainment arrived in July 2024.
Whether audiences were looking for a family-friendly animated adventure, a charming romance, an intriguing Filipino film, or a suspenseful thriller, the month’s theatrical lineup offered something for every moviegoer.
Hollywood favorites returned with fresh stories, while local cinema introduced audiences to a thought-provoking film inspired by an unbelievable real-life incident.
Here were five films featured in the July 2024 Philippine cinema lineup.
1. Despicable Me 4 – July 3, 2024
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Gru and the Minions returned to the big screen for another hilarious family adventure in Despicable Me 4.
Directed by Chris Renaud, the animated sequel introduced a new chapter in Gru’s life as he and Lucy welcomed their newest family member, Gru Jr.
But fatherhood wasn’t the only challenge waiting for the former supervillain.
When the dangerous Maxime Le Mal escaped from prison with revenge on his mind, Gru and his family were forced to leave their familiar home and begin a new life under different identities.
Along the way, audiences encountered new characters, outrageous situations, and more of the mischievous Minions.
Steve Carell returned as Gru, alongside Kristen Wiig as Lucy. The voice cast also included Will Ferrell, Sofia Vergara, Joey King, Miranda Cosgrove, and Steve Coogan.
With its combination of playful humor, action, and family relationships, Despicable Me 4 was a colorful choice for viewers of all ages.
2. Fly Me to the Moon – July 10, 2024
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama
Love and ambition collided against the backdrop of one of humanity’s greatest achievements in Fly Me to the Moon.
Starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, the romantic comedy takes audiences back to the 1960s as NASA prepares for the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.
Johansson portrays Kelly Jones, a talented marketing specialist hired to improve NASA’s public image.
Her unconventional ideas quickly create tension with Cole Davis, played by Tatum, the launch director responsible for ensuring the mission succeeds.
As their professional differences develop into unexpected romantic chemistry, Kelly becomes involved in a secret plan to stage a simulated moon landing as a backup.
Directed by Greg Berlanti, the film combines romance, humor, and historical inspiration while exploring the enormous pressure surrounding the space race.
For audiences who enjoyed charming romantic comedies with an unusual premise, Fly Me to the Moon offered an entertaining trip back in time.
3. Marupok A+ (Where Is the Lie?) – July 10, 2024
Genre: Filipino Drama, Thriller, Dark Comedy
One of July’s most intriguing local releases was Marupok A+ (Where Is the Lie?), a Filipino film inspired by a real-life catfishing incident that gained attention on social media.
Directed by Quark Henares, the movie follows Janzen Torres, played by EJ Jallorina, a hopeless romantic searching for a meaningful connection through a dating application.
When Janzen matches with the seemingly perfect Theo Balmaceda, portrayed by Royce Cabrera, the possibility of romance begins to feel real.
However, the situation takes a disturbing turn when Theo unexpectedly disappears before their first meeting.
As Janzen searches for answers, a complicated web of deception begins to unravel.
Maris Racal portrays Beanie Landridos, a mysterious figure whose actions become central to Janzen’s emotional ordeal.
Through its unusual story, the film explores online identities, emotional manipulation, trust, and the dangers of believing everything we encounter on the internet.
Marupok A+ opened exclusively at selected Ayala Malls Cinemas, bringing a distinctive Filipino story to the big screen.
4. Twisters – July 17, 2024
Genre: Action, Adventure, Disaster
The storm-chasing excitement returned with Twisters, a disaster adventure directed by Lee Isaac Chung.
Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos, the movie introduces a new generation of storm chasers confronting increasingly dangerous tornadoes.
Edgar-Jones portrays Kate Cooper, a former storm chaser who remains haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado during her college years.
After leaving active fieldwork behind, Kate studies weather patterns from the safety of New York City.
However, her former colleague Javi convinces her to return to the open plains and help test a groundbreaking storm-tracking system.
There, she meets Tyler Owens, played by Glen Powell, a daring social media personality known for pursuing dangerous storms with his adventurous team.
As powerful tornadoes threaten communities across Oklahoma, the competing teams must confront extraordinary dangers.
With breathtaking visual effects, intense action, and a story about courage and resilience, Twisters delivered a thrilling cinematic experience.
5. Trap – July 31, 2024
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
What should have been an unforgettable concert experience becomes something far more sinister in Trap.
Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, the psychological thriller stars Josh Hartnett as Cooper, a father attending a pop concert with his teenage daughter.
The event appears to be an ordinary evening filled with excitement, music, and thousands of enthusiastic fans.
However, Cooper soon notices an unusually heavy police presence surrounding the venue.
As he begins investigating the situation, he discovers that the concert is part of a carefully planned operation designed to capture a dangerous criminal.
The revelation transforms a seemingly innocent family outing into an increasingly tense situation.
The cast includes Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, and Allison Pill.
Known for creating suspenseful stories filled with unexpected developments, Shyamalan once again explores the unsettling possibilities hidden beneath everyday circumstances.
For fans of psychological mysteries, Trap offered an intriguing way to close the month.
July 2024 Philippine Movie Release Schedule
Here is the release calendar for the five films featured in the original July 2024 lineup.
| Release Date | Movie | Distributor |
|---|---|---|
| July 3 | Despicable Me 4 | Universal Pictures International |
| July 10 | Fly Me to the Moon | Columbia Pictures |
| July 10 | Marupok A+ (Where Is the Lie?) | Ayala Malls Cinemas exclusive |
| July 17 | Twisters | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| July 31 | Trap | Warner Bros. Pictures |
These were the announced theatrical release dates for the Philippines in July 2024.
A Month of Exciting Stories for Every Movie Lover
What made July 2024 particularly exciting was the variety of stories arriving in Philippine cinemas.
Families could enjoy the hilarious adventures of Gru and the Minions in Despicable Me 4, while romantic comedy fans could discover the chemistry between Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum in Fly Me to the Moon.
Meanwhile, Marupok A+ brought an unusual Filipino story about deception and online relationships to the screen.
For those seeking spectacular action, Twisters delivered a thrilling disaster adventure, while Trap offered a suspenseful mystery from M. Night Shyamalan.
Each movie brought something different to the theatrical experience.
Whether you preferred laughter, romance, action, or suspense, July 2024 had plenty of reasons to head to the cinemas.
This article revisits the Philippine theatrical lineup announced in June 2024. The dates are historical and do not indicate current cinema availability.