Holy Week 2026: Movies and series to stream for reflection

The Holy Week is here, and it is a short but necessary season to reflect on one's journey, faith, identity, and more.

Consuming art is a way to understand our inner workings more, how we treat others, and even ourselves.

Here are 10 films and series that allow for reflection in this quiet time.

Green Bones

"Green Bones," follows Xavier Gonzaga (Ruru Madrid), a young police officer, who has a special interest in notorious criminal Domingo Zamora (Dennis Trillo). While grieving his sister's death, Xavier works to make sure that Domingo remains behind bars.

The film asks, "Who is truly good?" It is a reflection on kindness, morals, and keeping an open mind.

"Green Bones" is streaming on Netflix.

Himala

"Himala" is the classic Filipino movie starring Nora Aunor, directed by Ishmael Bernal, and written by Ricky Lee.

The story follows Elsa, who is believed to have healing powers given by the Virgin Mary. She performs miracles in her poor town, and earns a crowd of followers. However, it is later revealed that Elsa does not have powers and that miracles are only created by people.

"Himala" tackles themes of true faith, mass hysteria, and fanaticism, allowing viewers to ask questions about what to really believe in.

"Himala" is streaming on Netflix and YouTube.

Seklusyon

"Seklusyon" follows a group of young aspiring priests in 1947, who were sent to live in seclusion to shield them from evil. In the small town, there is a young girl named Anghela performing miracles.

Miguel, one of the aspiring priests, uncovers dark secrets about Anghela, the town, and his own past.

"Seklusyon" tackles themes of blind faith, temptation, and the facade of goodness. It helps us reflect on guilt and the human weakness, and how messiah figures are created.

"Seklusyon" is streaming on Netflix.

Smaller and Smaller Circles

"Smaller and Smaller Circles" is a crime-drama film where two priests try to solve murders of young boys.

The priests, portrayed by Nonie Buencamino and Sid Lucero, become frustrated at police incompetence, and also uncover corruption and disturbing patterns, such as learning that the victims are all street children.

The characters struggle to act morally against evil because of the many challenges. It is a disturbing film about how evil happens not just through murder, but through corruption, silence, neglect, and inaction.

"Smaller and Smaller Circles" is streaming on YouTube and Netflix.

Sta. Nina

"Sta. Nina" follows Pol, who discovers that the body of his daughter, Marikit, did not decay inside her coffin two years after her death.

People in the village begin to claim that they are healed by Marikit and turn Pol's home into a place of faith and worship. Pol works to have his daughter beatified by the church into sainthood. He even undergoes a crucifixion to let the church know how serious he is.

The film brings up long-buried emotions, questions of faith, guilt, love, sin, and miracles.

"Sta. Nina" is streaming on YouTube.

Lolo and the Kid

Joel Torre stars as a con artist who takes in a kid, played by Euwenn Mikaell. Lolo pretends the kid is orphaned and once the wealthy family takes them in, the pair steal their valuable items.

In the comedy film, it deals with themes of family, sacrifice, and survival. It also tackles the concept of survival and doing what you can for your family.

"Lolo and the Kid" is streaming on Netflix.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

"Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" is all about Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who investigates the mysterious death of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin). He collapsed and was seemingly stabbed inside a locked church room.

The detective uncovers a scheme and ends up exposing the true culprits.

The film blends solving the mystery with themes of greed, redemption, and faith.

"Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" is streaming on Netflix.

Midnight Mass

"Midnight Mass" follows Father Paul, (Hamish Linklater) who performs miracles on the townspeople on Crockett Island. He renews the town's faith. The townspeople also seek forgiveness and salvation. Tensions then rise and residents uncover dark truths that test their beliefs.

The horror miniseries is a reminder of hope and connection, and how blind faith can lead to something dangerous.

"Midnight Mass" is streaming on Netflix.

Jesus Christ Superstar

One of the world's most popular musicals, "Jesus Christ Superstar," is a telling of the Passion of Christ's story, or the last week of Jesus' life.

It goes through the emotions of the characters, especially Judas, who is dissatisfied with Jesus and his leadership of the disciples.

The rock opera tackles themes of human nature, betrayal, faith, and doubt. It is a closer look at the characters' thoughts and feelings told through the lens of Jesus Christ's story.

"Jesus Christ Superstar" streams on Amazon Prime Video.

Frankenstein

The 2025 film "Frankenstein" by Guillermo del Toro stars Jacob Elordi as the Creature.

The scientist Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) assembles corpses and brings them to life. The Creature has intelligence and sensitivity, and also has human experiences like the desire for connection, responsibility, abandonment, cruelty, and rejection.

The scientist and the Creature go through a journey of identity, loneliness, and the consequences of playing a god holding the power over a life.

"Frankenstein" is a reflection on kindness and treatment of others, and how misunderstandings cause pain.

"Frankenstein" is streaming on Netflix. —MGP, GMA Integrated News