If you walked into a crowded Philippine mall during Christmas 2025, you probably saw a line snaking around the cinema lobby like a giant python. That wasn't for a Marvel movie. It was for Call Me Mother, the latest entry in the massive catalog of vice ganda movies and tv shows.
Honestly, people have been predicting the "end" of the Vice Ganda era for a decade. They say the brand of humor is dated. They say the audience is tired. And yet, every single time, the "Unkabogable Queen" proves them wrong. As of early 2026, Vice remains the highest-grossing Filipino actor in history, with a cumulative box office gross north of ₱4.6 billion.
But it’s not just about the money. It's about how one person from Tondo managed to turn "bardagulan" (playful bickering) into a national pasttime.
The Pivot to "Call Me Mother" and the 2026 Landscape
For years, the formula for a Vice Ganda movie was predictable: high-energy slapstick, a parade of colorful costumes, and a mid-movie moral lesson that hits you like a freight train. But Call Me Mother, directed by Jun Robles Lana (the mind behind Die Beautiful), signaled a shift.
Sharing the screen with Nadine Lustre, Vice leaned into a more grounded, semi-dramatic role. It still had the laughs, but it felt... different. More mature? Maybe. It still topped the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) opening day with an estimated ₱49 million, proving that the audience is willing to follow Vice into more nuanced territory.
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We aren't just watching a comedian anymore. We're watching a cultural institution.
It’s Showtime: More Than Just a Noontime Slot
You can't talk about Vice Ganda without talking about the daily grind of It’s Showtime. In 2026, the show is still the heartbeat of ABS-CBN’s programming, even as the platform landscape has shifted entirely to hybrid digital-linear streaming.
Segments like Laro Laro Pick have replaced the older, more chaotic games. It’s a rock-paper-scissors-inspired jackpot game that has already minted over 20 winners in its first few months. Watching Vice interact with a "Magkakariton" (cart-pusher) or a "Rakiterang Nanay" (hustling mother) isn't just entertainment; it’s a masterclass in empathy disguised as comedy.
Vice has a way of making the person in front of her the star. She’ll roast their outfit one second and then pay for their child’s tuition the next. It’s that "Meme" energy—the motherly, slightly judgmental, but ultimately loving figure—that keeps the TV ratings alive.
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Breaking Down the Essential Filmography
If you're new to the "Vice-verse," or just want to relive the chaos, you have to look at the milestones. These aren't just movies; they are snapshots of Filipino pop culture over the last fifteen years.
- Petrang Kabayo (2010): This was the big break. A remake of a Roderick Paulate classic, it proved Vice could carry a film as a lead. It was loud, it was proud, and it was the start of the "Unkabogable" brand.
- The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin (2011): This broke the ₱300 million mark, which was insane at the time. It turned Vice into a bona fide action-comedy star.
- Beauty and the Bestie (2015): The partnership with Coco Martin was lightning in a bottle. This movie remains a fan favorite because the chemistry between the "Besties" felt real, mostly because it is real.
- The Super Parental Guardians (2016): This one holds a special place in history because of its ₱75 million opening day. It was the peak of the "Vice-Coco" era.
- And the Breadwinner Is... (2024): A return to form after the pandemic years, reminding everyone that the cinema is still Vice’s playground.
What's interesting is how the co-stars have changed. We went from the late director Wenn Deramas’s ensemble of "comedy bar" regulars to seeing Vice work with the likes of Piolo Pascual and Nadine Lustre. The "Vice Ganda movie" has upgraded its production value, but the heart—that Tondo-born wit—remains the same.
The Controversy of Ticket Prices in 2026
It hasn't all been roses. In early January 2026, Vice Ganda actually spoke out about the rising cost of movie tickets. The MMFF 2025 saw a slight dip in overall attendance compared to previous years, and Vice didn't mince words.
She basically told the press that while her movies are doing well, the average Filipino family is being priced out of the tradition. "We’ve been pushing for cheaper tickets," she noted in a recent interview. It's a rare moment of a superstar critiquing the very system that made them rich, but it’s consistent with the "voice of the people" persona she’s cultivated on It’s Showtime.
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Why the "Insult Comedy" Label is Misleading
Critics love to bash Vice for "insult comedy." And sure, in the early 2010s, the jokes could be sharp. But if you watch vice ganda movies and tv shows today, the humor has evolved. It’s moved toward observational comedy and situational irony.
She’s more likely to make fun of a corrupt politician or a ridiculous social trend than a person's physical appearance. It’s a survival tactic. You don’t stay at the top for 15 years by staying the same. You adapt. You learn what the audience finds "cringe" and you move away from it.
Actionable Steps for the "Vice" Fan in 2026
If you want to keep up with the Unkabogable Star without getting lost in the noise, here’s how to navigate the current content:
- Watch "Call Me Mother" on Streaming: If you missed the theatrical run, look for it on iWantTFC or Netflix (check your local listings for the 2026 digital drop). It’s her best acting work to date.
- Follow the "Tawag ng Tanghalan: Duets 2" Season: This is where the real vocal talent—and the best Vice banter—is happening right now on noontime TV.
- Check out "LOL: Last One Laughing Philippines": Vice hosts the local version of this global hit. It’s a different vibe—more restrained but equally hilarious.
The real takeaway? Vice Ganda isn't just a comedian; she's a mirror. Whether she’s playing a soldier, a mother, or a superhero, she’s reflecting the resilience and the "tawa-na-lang" (just laugh it off) attitude that defines the Filipino spirit. As long as people need a reason to smile during a tough week, there will always be a place for vice ganda movies and tv shows on our screens.