JoshLia Reunion Movie Un/Happy For You Earns P20.5M on Opening Day
UN/HAPPY FOR YOU – The latest film of Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto, popularly known as JoshLia, has made a huge splash at the box office, earning an impressive P20.5 million on its first day in theaters.
This marks the biggest opening gross for a local film this year. Star Cinema celebrated the milestone on their Instagram account, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support and love from the audience.
The movie is currently showing in 230 cinemas nationwide. Star Cinema encouraged viewers to experience the story of the lead characters, Juancho and Zy, as the film’s success continues to generate buzz. Joshua Garcia’s pivotal role in the movie has sparked discussions about his contribution to Julia Barretto’s career revival. Despite Julia’s extensive filmography with various co-stars, Un/Happy for You stands out as her first major box office hit.
Several factors contributed to the film’s success, including extensive promotion, strong early ticket sales, and support from block screenings. This achievement is particularly significant for the local cinema industry, which is still recovering from the pandemic’s impact. The last major box office hit in the Philippines was Rewind, starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, released eight months ago.
Meanwhile, Un/Happy for You is a 2024 Philippine romantic drama directed by Petersen Vargas. The film marks the first on-screen reunion of Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto in four years. The story centers on Juancho, a Bicolano chef who reconnects with his ex-girlfriend, Zy, two years after their breakup. Still harboring bitterness, Juancho initially tries to sabotage Zy’s engagement but ends up falling for her again. The film, produced by ABS-CBN Studios, Star Cinema, and Viva Films, was released nationwide on August 14, 2024. The supporting cast includes Nonie Buencamino, Ketchup Eusebio, and Kaila Estrada.