[7][8][9] Despite a 50% discount that was offered to student viewers,[10] by the beginning of its fourth week, the film was well on its way to reaching the ₱200 million gross ticket sales.

[5] The film's success spawned the sequel Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral, which focuses on General Gregorio Del Pilar during the Philippine–American War.

During a battle, Luna asks for reinforcements from the Kawit battalion but their commander Pedro Janolino refuses as the order did not come from Aguinaldo himself.

Luna then declares his infamous "Article One", which states that those refusing to follow his orders shall be executed on the spot, to put insubordinate soldiers and officers under his control while mobilizing more men for the army.

In another meeting, Buencamino and Paterno propose to have the country become a protectorate under American rule in an attempt to secure peace, prompting Luna to arrest them as traitors.

While the two generals prepare to clash in Pampanga, the Americans advance steadily, forcing the Filipino army to retreat up north alongside Aguinaldo.

Tarog got permission to re-write the script, which was originally written entirely in English,[19] and then asked fellow director Alvin Yapan to help translate it into formal Tagalog.

She also added that the choice to portray General Mascardo with only a partially formed moustache was symbolic, reflecting his frustration about being overshadowed by Luna.

[28] In many cases, BlackBurst removed modern elements such as electric wires from houses and other backgrounds shot on location, or changed details, such as roof shingles on buildings, to match the period.

In other cases BlackBurst added digital set extensions, notably the ships in the scene of the Americans arriving in Manila, early in the film.

[21] Acclaimed singer-songwriter Ebe Dancel, Tarog's fellow alumnus from the UP Rural High School in Los Baños, Laguna, was commissioned to write and perform the movie's theme song, "Hanggang Wala Nang Bukas" (Until there's no Tomorrow) which was published in October 2015 under Star Music.

[7] As an independent film, Heneral Luna had a limited marketing budget, resulting in relatively low sales in its first week - ₱15 million from September 9 to 15, 2015.

[8] Due to positive word of mouth, ticket sales surged on Heneral Luna's second release week, earning ₱44 million from September 16 to 22.

Among the bonus features of the DVD are English subtitle, a music video for the film's official theme song, "Hanggang Wala Nang Bukas" by Ebe Dancel, a making of - documentary, and a short film entitled Illustrado Problems directed by JP Habac, which featured the illustrado characters from Heneral Luna in a comedic light.

[39] A forum dubbed as “The Heneral Luna Revolution: Game Changer in Film Distribution” was held at Cinema 1 of Trinoma on October 27, 2015.

The forum co-presented by QCinema and InterAksyon.com mainly tackled about the box office success of Heneral Luna and how could other indie films replicate this feat.

The forum was moderated by InterAksyon.com editor-in-chief Roby Alampay and led by panel members director Jerrold Tarog and associate producers Vincent Nebrida and Ria Limjap.

[45][46] Historian and former National Commission for Culture and the Arts chair Ambeth Ocampo strongly recommended the film,[45] calling it "an engaging narrative, supported by wonderful cinematography and grounded on sound historical research."

He added that "When I previewed the film, I commented that it should not open with a disclaimer simply because it is a cinematic retelling of what many consider textbook history and is not a doctoral dissertation.

[47][48][49] Philippine Daily Inquirer Arts and Books editor Lito B. Zulueta suggests that "By focusing on arguably the most rugged—and therefore the most dynamic—figure of the Philippine war against the American invaders, Jerrold Tarog’s 'Heneral Luna' revives the historical action movie and in effect, revitalizes two dormant genres—the action film and more important, the historical film.

Gripping.”[51] Rappler critic Oggs Cruz calls the film “precise in its storytelling and in its depiction of the major players of the revolution," furthering that "John Arcilla is excellent.

[67] Tarog described the film as an "attempt to identify the ills" of Philippine society, emphasizing that the Filipinos' biggest enemy has been their own selves and not necessarily colonialization, and has been in "a cycle of betrayal".

Also, the man who saved Luna after his brave charge on horseback wasn't Colonel Roman as depicted in film, but was actually Alejandro Avecilla.

[71][page needed] In an interview with CNN Philippines' Pia Hontiveros, Tarog revealed that the name of the character Isabel, played by Mylene Dizon, is "a wink" to conspiracy theorists who believe there was a relationship between Luna and Ysidra Cojuangco.

[76] Reacting to the film, Transport secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, who is one of Aguinaldo's descendants, said that he maintains his belief that his great-grandfather did not assassinate Luna.

[80][failed verification] The Optical Media Board and the Philippine National Police made raids against the distribution of illegal DVD copies of the film.

[81] Noting the breakout success of Heneral Luna, director Jerrold Tarog said there are plans to make it the first of a trilogy if it generated enough revenues.

[79][82] Tarog has also expressed interest in making a film featuring female revolutionary Teresa Magbanua, who led troops in the Visayas region during the war.

[19][85] At a special thanksgiving party on October 29, 2015 - Antonio Luna's 149th birth anniversary - co-producer EA Rocha confirmed that the del Pilar biopic is "in development" with a projected release scheduled in a few years time.

A second commercial was released; while also promoting the same products and offers, it featured Luna with three Filipino KFC colonels played by Ronaldo Valdez, Leo Martinez, and Pen Medina.