The new year (new decade, really) brings with it new possibilities and a lot of things to get excited about. Here’s a Super list of events, movies, shows, books, launches and openings that we’re looking forward to in 2020. Our vision is clear—it’s going to be a rocking year.
January:
Disney on Ice presents Live Your Dreams
You can still watch Disney on Ice presents Live Your Dreams until today at SM Mall of Asia Arena. See Mickey and Minnie, of course, along with your favorite characters from the Disney films “Frozen,” “Moana,” “Coco,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Cinderella.” Visit SM Tickets.
Jokoy in the Philippines
Get ready to laugh as Jokoy brings his Just Kidding World Tour to the Philippines. There are two shows: one at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino on Jan. 14 and one at SM Mall of Asia Arena on Jan. 15. He’s also taping his next Netflix comedy special in Manila at The Theatre at Solaire on Jan. 11. Tickets are sold out for all shows though. (Yes, we’re crying with you.)
Dave Chappelle is bringing his brand of comedy to Manila for the first time. He has shows at The Theatre at Solaire on Jan. 14 and 15. Tickets are available through Ticketworld.
“The House of the Spirits” author Isabel Allende returns with this story of young widow Roser and army doctor Victor as they must flee their homeland Spain—now in the throes of a civil war—to a life of uncertainty and exile in Chile. This is the Latin-American writer’s newest book since 2017’s “In the Midst of Winter,” and it is published by Penguin Random House.
‘The Grudge’
John Cho, Lin Shaye and Andrea Risenborough star in the newest iteration of the English-language adaptation of the infamous Japanese horror film “Ju-On.” This new take is in canon, happening alongside the events of the 2004 American film.
You know the lyrics—“Bad boys/Bad boys/Whatcha gonna do”—and you know the drill. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence come back for one more film doing the “we’re too old for this” shtick. They say funny things and make things go boom.
Shopkins Real Littles Frozen Foods
There’s a new season of Shopkins Real Littles coming out—and this time, the micro-version of supermarket favorites will all be coming from the frozen foods section. Expect tiny toy versions of Klondike, Breyers and Kellogg’s products and more. They’re launching in the US in January. Hopefully, they’ll hit the shelves of your favorite toy stores this month, too.
‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’
The ninth and final movie in the Skywalker saga gets its wide release in Philippine cinemas on Jan. 8. Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver and John Boyega take you to a galaxy far, far away.
Only Taika Waititi, director of the game-changing “Thor: Ragnarok,” can give you a movie that can only be described as a Hitler coming-of-age comedy.
Listen to Eric Nam’s newest songs in the concert “Before We Begin” on Jan. 10, at the New Frontier Theater. Get your tickets through Ticketnet.
‘AJ and the Queen’
Mama Ru has her own Netflix series and we can’t wait to watch it. RuPaul stars as Ruby Red, a fabulous but struggling drag queen who has to hit the road again and go from club to club to recoup money that she lost. Along the way, she meets AJ, a tough little girl who insists on joining her on her road trip. “AJ and the Queen” starts streaming on Netflix on Jan. 10. Keep your eyes peeled for some of your “Drag Race” favorites to make an appearance in the show, too.
‘Sex Education’ Season 2
Ready for more “Sex Education?” Otis and the gang will be back on Netflix for a new season starting Jan. 17. The first episode alone has a chlamydia outbreak, setting the tone for another crazy season.
‘Next in Fashion’
Can’t get enough of Tan France? Watch him sans the Fab Four in a new competition series on Netflix. Tan hosts “Next in Fashion” with Alexa Chung, a reality show that would pit 18 designers against one another. “Next in Fashion” begins streaming on Jan. 29.
Champion Hotpot
How much hotpot can you eat? Champion Hotpot, which offers eat-all-you-can hotpot, will be opening at Santolan Town Plaza this month.
We may not know when or how we will get this CBS All Access show about the continuing adventures of Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). Consider us engaged.
Netflix brings you this six-episode docuseries about the Navarro College cheerleading team in Corsicana, Texas.
Park Seo-jun returns in a new drama “Itaewon Class.” It is set to premiere on Jan. 31.
Famous Amos, which opened in Podium in November, will be opening in Robinsons Manila on Jan. 12 and Robinsons Galleria on Jan. 16.
An angel will land in the country on Jan. 12 at the New Frontier Theater. Kim Myungsoo is a member of the boy group Infinite and he is more popularly known as L. He played an angel in his latest drama, “Angel’s Last Mission: Love.” Tickets are still available on Ticketnet.
Singer and actress Tiffany Young will be in the country for her first solo concert on Jan. 25 at the New Frontier Theater. She was a vocalist of the girl group Girls’ Generation before her solo career.
Inner Circle rejoice! WINNER will be with you again in a concert titled “WINNER: Cross Tour” on Jan. 25, 6 p.m., SM Mall of Asia Arena.
To promote their latest album, “An Ode,” SEVENTEEN will be in Manila on Feb. 8, at SM Mall of Asia Arena for a concert titled “Ode to You.”
February:
Yeo Jin-goo fan meet
Yeo Jin-goo will have his first fan meet titled in the country “Memory Line” on Feb. 1, New Frontier Theater Theater. Yeo gained recognition in the country after being the leading man in the drama “Hotel del Luna.” Tickets are available on Ticketnet.
The handsome boy from Fantagio, Ong Seung-wu, will have his first fanmeet titled “We Belong” as a solo artist in Manila on Feb 2, 6 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
‘Running Man Live’
Manila is the first stop of the first tour of the successful variety show “Running Man.” The show dubbed as “A Decade of Laughter” will be held at SM Mall of Asia Arena, 6 p.m., Feb. 9. Tickets will start selling on Jan. 19.
Go West in Manila
British duo Go West will be performing at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila on February 27. Get your tickets from Ticketworld.
Watch Pentatonix live at the Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 8. Tickets available through Ticketnet.
Art Fair Philippines
Art Fair Philippines will happen from February 21 to 23 at The Link Ayala Center Makati. Visit artfairphilippines.com/.
Noted nonfiction writer Erik Larson (“The Devil in the White City”) tackles the complicated but now more relevant than ever Winston Churchill, former British prime minister. Expect much great writing and reading.
The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) movies live on as Margot Robbie is back as Harley Quinn from “Suicide Squad” now teamed up with Huntress and Black Canary as they battle the villainous Black Mask (Ewan McGregor).
‘Little Women’
Acclaimed art house director Greta Gerwig presents her nuanced take on the Louisa May Alcott classic with Saorsie Ronan as Jo and Emma Watson as Meg.
‘To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You’
We’re still reeling from the kilig moment of that back-pocket spin and we’re so ready to watch the sequel of “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before,” “P.S. I Still Love You.” Get another dose of Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and Peter (Noah Centineo). But there’s another boy in the picture, John Ambrose (Jordan Fisher), another recipient of Lara Jean’s accidentally sent love letters. Can Lara love two boys at once? Find out on Feb. 12, when the film begins streaming on Netflix.
Public Eatery at Robinson’s Magnolia
Great news for foodies in QC. Charles Paw and the brilliant minds behind The Grid at Rockwell will be opening Public Eatery, a new food hall at Robinson’s Magnolia in February.
Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez’s beautiful and frightening comic book series comes to Netflix this month.
March:
‘Matilda the Musical’
Loved reading Roald Dahl’s “Matilda”? GWB Entertainment along with GMG Productions & Virtus Live are bringing the international tour to Manila for the first time. “Matilda the Musical” will open at The Theatre at Solaire in March. Tickets are now available through Ticketworld and here’s a tip: they have a Tuesday Special—one price across all orchestra seats (P3,800), and one price across all balcony seats (P1,800).
Jung Yong-hwa solo concert
CNBlue lead vocalist Jung Yong-hwa will have his first solo concert in Manila on March 6 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Tickets are available on SM Tickets.
Green Day in Manila
Green Day will be performing at the Mall of Asia Arena on March 14. Tickets available through SM Tickets.
Slipknot is coming
Slipknot fans can watch their show at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City on March 29. Tickets being sold through Ticketnet.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq the World
RuPaul’s Drag Race fans, do you have your tickets already? Werq the World is coming to Manila on Feb. 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Watch your favorite queens including Detox, Plastique Tiara, Violet Chachki, Kim Chi, Aquaria, Monet X Change and Sharon Needles live with Michelle Visage. Tickets available through Ticketnet.
Wanderland Festival
Wanderland Festival is happening on March 7-8 at the Filinvest City Events Grounds. Performers include Foals, Ben&Ben, Sabrina Claudio, IV of Spades and more. Visit https://wanderlandfestival.com.
98 Degrees Philippine Tour
98 Degrees will be touring the Philippines in February. They’ll perform at the SMX Convention Center in Davao on Feb. 16, Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu on Feb. 19 and at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on Feb. 25. For tickets, go to SM Tickets.
‘A Quiet Place Part II’
The quietest scary sci-fi movie gets a follow-up as Emily Blunt’s family continues to try and survive in a world overrun by aliens which can hear EVERYTHING but can see NOTHING. We get a view of what happened before and what happens next. Cillian Murphy and Djimon Honsou join the cast.
‘Mulan’
Yes, there are no musical numbers or Mushu, but Disney takes the more culturally and historically accurate approach to the story of the Fa Mulan in this latest live-action remake of a Disney animated film. Liu Yifei is the ancestors’ sword-wielding Mulan with Donnie Yen and Jet Li also in the cast.
‘Onward’
Tom Holland and Chris Pratt voice brothers in this Pixar movie in a world where magical creatures have literally lost their magic. But the brothers Lightfoot must embark on a snarky quest to bring back their father even for 24 hours. How snarky? Ali Wong, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lena Waite and Octavia Spencer are in the voice cast.
Recess at SM Aura
Recess, a mini food hall, will be opening at SM Aura in March.
‘Kingdom 2’
The second season of this zombie thriller from Netflix is the K-drama everybody needs. They had the script reading with the cast including Ju Ji-hoon and Bae Doo-na on February last year. We know that they timed it perfectly for winter and perhaps even early spring. With all the care that they took to do the prod and post prod, we expect the second offering to be as epic as the first one.
April:
Khalid in Manila
Catch Khalid’s Free Spirit Asia Tour 2020 at the Mall of Asia Arena on April 2. Get your tickets from SM Tickets.
‘No Time to Die’
This is Daniel Craig’s fifth and final film as the world’s most iconic secret agent, 007 James Bond. Overall, this is the 25th Bond movie and brings to a close the intrigue-filled, personal story of this particular Bond. Ralph Fiennes, Lea Seydoux and Naomie Harris return, to be joined by Anna de Armas and the new baddie, Rami Malek.
Book two of the five in ‘The Children of Bathala’
Arnold Arre continues this epic sequel quintology to 1999’s “The Mythology Class” after 20 years as the heroes—also 20 years older—try to prevent a magical invasion. Filipino komiks at its best.
‘Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life’ by Marie Kondo and Scott Soneshein
First Marie Kondo helped you organize your home. Now she, along with organizational psychologist Scott Sonenshein, want to help you maximize your productivity by helping you declutter your desk and your mind.
May:
Avril Lavigne’s Head Above Water World Tour
Avril Lavigne will be back in the Philippines for the Head Above Water World Tour. Her show will be at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on May 20. Tickets now on sale at Ticketnet.com.ph.
‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’
Set 64 years before the events of “The Hunger Games,” Suzanne Collins, who kicked off the whole young adult dystopian postapocalyptic thing, tells the story of how Panem became what it was minus Katniss Everdeen.
‘Memoirs and Misinformation’
Ever wondered what goes on in the head of comedian Jim Carrey? Wonder no more as he writes this semiautobiographical novel (with Dana Vachon).
‘Black Widow’
The MCU resumes with its first post-“Avengers: Endgame” film with this spy movie set in the past. The deadly Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson) retraces her steps as viewers will find out more about her past in the next step for the MCU. About time, Marvel. Rachel Weisz, Florence Pugh and David Harbour join Johansson.
‘Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre’
Max Brooks redefined the modern zombie novel with “World War Z” (yep, that was him and, yep, that “World War Z”). He now tackles the American Bigfoot story in what should be a bloody, brilliant book from Del Ray.
‘Fast & Furious 9’
One can only imagine what Dom (Vin Diesel) and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) can make a car do in this ninth franchise film (The spin-offs are now a separate thing). But it’s supposed to be the penultimate movie in the series so expect crazy stunts, big explosions, John Cena and a cliffhanger?
‘Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood’
We’re obsessed with Trixie and Katya, have been obsessed since they first appeared on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and continue to obsess as we watch every episode of UNHhhh. Our favorite drag duo will be coming out with a book in May where they’ll share the secrets of their feminine mystique. Sign us up for a copy. No, 10.
‘Swimming Lessons: Poems’ by Lili Reinhart
You loved her as Betty in Riverdale. Soon, you can read her debut collection of poetry.
‘Amboy: Recipes from the Filipino-American Dream’ by Alvin Cailan and Alexandra Cuerdo
You know Cailan as the owner of Eggslut, the popular LA resto that does wonderful, wonderful things with eggs. Now he’s serving up recipes from his life as a Filipino-American in this book he worked on with writer/director Alexandra Cuerdo.
Scout’s Honor and Hanamaruken in Baguio
Scout’s Honor and Hanamaruken will be opening branches in Baguio in May. Ramen and freshly baked cookies, perfect for the cold weather.
June:
Scandal in Manila
The world tour of Scandal, Japan’s popular all-female rock band, is making a stop in Manila on June 6 at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao. Tickets available through Ticketnet.
‘Wonder Woman 1984’
Here it is, the much-anticipated second Wonder Wonder movie from Patty Jenkins with Gal Gadot back as Diana Prince. The trailer for this DCEU has us stoked (check out Sebastian Bohm’s take on New Order’s “Blue Monday”), Chris Pine is somehow back as Steve Trevor (HOW), Kristen Wiig is the Cheetah and “The Mandalorian” himself Pedro Pascal is Maxwell Lord. Believe the buzz. Take us to “1984” now.
‘Soul’
Pixar does the double dip with its second movie for 2020. In what has been talked about as an “Inside Out” for music, Jamie Foxx is a high school teacher who dreams of being a jazz musician but is separated from his body before being able to do so. Now he must train with other souls like 22 (Tina Fey) before he returns to a new baby body.
‘Top Gun: Maverick’
If you want to talk about sequels, how about this high-flying continuation released 33 years after the original. Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is now back to teach the next generation of fighter pilots, including Miles Teller, who plays the son of Goose, Maverick’s late radar intercept officer.
July:
‘In the Heights’
“Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda won his first Tony Award for “In the Heights” in 2008, and this movie-musical dances its way to us with “Hamilton’s” Anthony Ramos in the lead; the “Heights” in the title is the large ethnic community of Washington Heights in New York where Miranda grew up. Do yourself a favor and get addicted to the Broadway cast recording in time for the film. You’ll thank us later.
‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’
Who you gonna call? Coming from director Jason Reitman, this film is the sequel to the 1984 “Ghostbusters” and its own sequel “Ghostbusters II” (We don’t talk about that other “Ghostbusters” movie). Paul Rudd and Finn Wolfhard pick up the proton packs.
July:
‘Jungle Cruise’
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt are on board this live-action adaptation of the Disney theme park ride.
‘Free Guy’
What happens when a nonplayer character in a video game gains sentience and tries to save the game? That’s exactly what happens to Ryan Reynolds in “Free Guy,” directed by “Night in the Museum’s” Shawn Levy.
August:
‘Malignant’
The one and only James Wan returns to the genre he reimagined after the mainstream success of “Aquaman.” This time, Wan adapts his own 2011 graphic novel (“Malignant Man”) in a movie starring Annabelle Wallis and Jake Abel.
‘Infinite’
Mark Wahlberg is Evan Michaels, a man suffering from the burden of two different personalities with secrets now rising to the surface in this film directed by Antoine Fuqua and costarring Dylan O’Brien and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
September:
‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’
Want more scary stuff based on the cases of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren? Here is the third part of the original series with Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson back.
41st Manila International Book Fair
Come on down to the SMX Convention Center at SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City for the year’s biggest bookselling event.
October:
‘Legally Blonde 3’
Yes, Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is back as the most underestimated (and pink) lawyer in movie-dom.
‘Snake Eyes’
The G.I. Joe franchise sees its masked, mute ninja now striking into his own with this spin-off film with Henry Goulding (“Crazy Rich Asians”) in the title role.
‘Death on the Nile’
Murder seems to follow the famed detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) where he goes. Now he’s on the boat on the River Nile and has to go back to work in the second film in a new film series for Agatha Christie’s whodunit books. Gal Gadot and Armie Hammer board the movie from 20th Century Fox.
November:
‘Godzilla vs Kong’
Warner Bros. and Legendary go all-out and all-in with their Monsterverse as they finally bring to blows the two franchises they’ve revived starting with 2014’s “Godzilla” and 2017’s “Kong: Skull Island.” Imagine the size of the spectacle with a film that’s a sequel to two different films. Millie Bobby Brown, Alexander Skarsgard and Rebecca Hall join the titular monsters. Remember: “Let them fight.” You got it.
‘The Eternals’
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) expands even further with this film about the Eternals, a race of seemingly immortal, immensely powerful beings caught up in a war of thousands of years with Deviants—the comic book was created by Jack Kirby. There’s a little “Game of Thrones” reunion between Ikarus (Richard Madden) and Black Knight (Kit Harington). Oh, and Angelina Jolie is in it as Thena.
Komikon Grande 2020
The most important event for Filipino comic book fans and creators happens at the Bayanihan Center in Mandaluyong City. Be there.
‘Raya and the Last Dragon’
Walt Disney Animated Studios does its first Southeast Asian-inspired film from “Crazy Rich Asians” screenwriter Adele Lim. In the kingdom of Kumandra, smart and brave Raya (Cassie Steele) must overcome all kinds of obstacles to find the aforementioned last water dragon Sisu (Awkwafina).
December:
‘Coming 2 America’
Yes, a “Coming To America” sequel is coming 31 years after its release. “Coming 2 America” will star Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Tracy Morgan, Wesley Snipes and James Earl Jones among others.
‘Tom and Jerry’
Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Ken Jeong and Rob Delaney star in a new live-action/animated version of “Tom and Jerry.”
Also in 2020:
The following have no exact release dates yet, but that doesn’t mean we’re any less excited for them.
‘Voltes V Legacy’
GMA-7 made many a Gen X-er’s New Year’s Day when they released the teaser trailer for this live-action reimagining of the 1977 Japanese mecha anime “Chodenji Mashin Voltes V,” a cultural necessity for any young Filipino. Details are scarce, but the teaser looks awesome so we’re getting into V-formation for this.
‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’
The Netflix adaptation of “The Haunting of Hill House” fascinated and frightened us, so of course we’re going to watch creators Mike Flanagan’s follow-up.
Lee Min-ho is back
Lee Min-ho (“The Heirs,” “Legend of the Blue Sea”) sure took his time before appearing in a new drama since his military discharge but perhaps it is because he chose it well. Actress Kim Go-eun (“Goblin”) joins him in “The King: The Eternal Monarch.” The fantasy romance tells a story of two parallel worlds. One is modern-day Korea, the other is ruled by a monarch. The lead characters must work together to close the door between them if they want both worlds to survive. This is also the latest work of screenwriter Kim Eun-sook whose impressive resume includes “Goblin”, “Mr. Sunshine,” and “Descendants of the Sun.”
Release date: First half of 2020
Kim Soo-hyun’s comeback
The five-year-drought is over. We will finally see Kim Soo-hyun star in his own drama since “My Love from the Star.” The last time we saw the actor was when he did a cameo for “Hotel del Luna.” The drama he chose to star in next is “Psycho but it’s Okay”. It’s about a man working in a psychiatric ward. One of the patients is played by Seo Ye-ji (“Hwarang”), a narcissistic and rude children’s writer.
Release date: First half of 2020
‘Love Alarm 2’
Whether you are Team Sun-oh or Team Hye-yeong, you know that this Netflix Original Drama will keep you glued on your phone… or any device that you watch this drama on. Kim So-hyun, Jung Ga-ram and Song Kang will still star in the series.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 12 and ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ Season 5
There’s been a “Drag Race”-shaped hole in our hearts for months and we need it filled, pronto. They’re done filming season 12, according to the rumor mill, so what’s the tea, hunty? We’re ready to fall in love with a new batch of Ru girls.
Ji Chang-wook
One of our favorite leading men confirmed that Manila will be one of his stops for Asia Fan Meeting Tour “Waiting For You.” There are no details yet but Ji Chang-wook Philippines started saving up for it.
Ikea Philippines
Ikea is opening their first store in the Philippines, supposedly the biggest in the world, in late 2020.
Aesop in Manila
Australian skincare brand Aesop will open in Manila this year.
2020 Funko Pop! releases
New Funko Pop releases include the Backstreet Boys, Stephen King and Andy Sachs and Miranda Priestly from “The Devil Wears Prada.”
Olive Garden in the Philippines
The Bistro Group is opening the first Olive Garden in the Philippines at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in the first quarter of 2020.
Manam and more
Manam will open in Baguio, Bacoor and Cebu. The Moment Group is also opening the biggest Din Tai Fung in the country and rolling out two new Filipno concepts in 2020. We can’t wait.