Emotional Thai films to watch after ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’

If there is one thing that Thai filmmakers know how to do best, it’s tapping into a cultural zeitgeist and drawing out heartfelt emotions that strike a chord with Southeast Asians across the region. That is especially true with 2024’s tear-jerking blockbuster How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, which has witnessed nothing short of rave reviews since landing on Malaysian shores. But what other sad Thai movies should you watch after this?

We all need a good cry sometimes. Whether it’s a breakup, or simply a long day at work, a good cry keeps our emotions in check.

Thai movies are not the only go-to when it comes to emotional movies. In fact, Thailand is also famous for its very sad commercials, but that doesn’t mean they can’t do emotional long form films. Many do it right. Here’s our favourite sad pick of the bunch.

[Hero and featured image credit: Die Tomorrow/IMDb]

Sad Thai movies to binge after watching How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies

Bangkok Traffic Love Story, 2009

When the world hit the golden age of romantic comedies during the 2000s, Thailand was also swept up into brilliant rom-coms. One of the best examples is undoubtedly Bangkok Traffic Love Story.

Mei Li is an office worker at the age where all her friends are getting married. She then meets an engineer, Lung, through many chance encounters. This pushes her to follow her heart. If you’re in the mood of yearning for love, or with a fresh wound, it’s a good movie to cry to.

Bangkok Love Story has a 7.1/10 on IMDb, with a run time of 126 minutes. Lifestyle Asia rates this movie 8/10. Available to stream on Netflix Thailand.

Dear Galileo, 2009

Dear Galileo invokes many different emotions, and the experience varies depending on your age. The movie follows two close friends with their own life problems, choosing to escape to travel Europe together on a backpacking trip.

Many are emotionally overwhelmed by their friendship, while a lot feel heavy with the theme of escaping adulthood. If you easily feel emotional with journeys of self-discovery and overcoming adversity, this sad Thai movie is the one.

Dear Galileo has a 6.6/10 rating on IMDb, with a run time of 130 minutes. Lifestyle Asia rates this movie 7/10. Available to stream on Netflix and Apple TV.

Die Tomorrow, 2017

“If tomorrow is your last day, what would you do?” can be a simple ice-breaking question, but for the majority of the people, the day before someone’s last day is just another ordinary day.

Director Ter Nawapol took inspiration from newspaper headlines that appeared between 2012-2016, and turned them into an anthology of people living the last days of their lives. The film evokes questions of life and death, as well as tear-jerking scenes as people face the fact of having to let go of the ones they love forever.

Die Tomorrow has 7.1/10 on IMDb, and 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a run time of 75 minutes. Lifestyle Asia rates this movie 9/10. Available to stream on Prime Video.

Sunset at Chao Phraya, 2013

We all love a good star-crossed lover story. Think of Romeo & Juliet, but at a legal age, and throw in some World War II in there, and you have Sunset at Chao Phraya. Angsumalin, a Thai woman who is involved with the Free Thai Movement and already promised her heart to another man, is charmed by Imperial Japanese officer Kobori.

Given its wartime theme, the story gets another layer of difficulty for the two, and more tension for viewers to feel. Whatever happens, war is heartbreaking, and you’ll have tears running down your face in no time.

Sunset at Chaophraya has 8.1/10 on IMDb, with a run time of 150 minutes. Lifestyle Asia rates this movie 8.5/10. Available to stream on iQIYI.

Where We Belong, 2019

Where We Belong isn’t a film that makes you burst into tears, but rather a slow-burn that make your chest feel heavy.

Sue lives in the quiet province of Chantaburi, and wants to leave her birthplace behind. So, she makes a checklist to complete before she goes. Accompanying her to fulfil the list is her best friend, Belle. It turns out the hardest thing about leaving her home is also having to leave her best friend.

Where We Belong has a 6.9/10 on IMDb, with a run time of 130 minutes. Lifestyle Asia rates this movie 7.5/10. Available to stream on Netflix.

My Girl, 2003

A classic movie that is arguably a household name in Thailand, My Girl or Faen Chan plays on the theme of nostalgia, and how we long for a simpler time. It tells the story of Jeab, who is invited to attend the wedding of his childhood sweetheart Noi-Naa, so he travels to the quaint little town he grew up in. He is then flooded by memories playing with his friends in the 1980s.

Sometimes we have one of those poppy love stories that we never acted upon, and this sad, nostalgic Thai film centres around that idea.

My Girl has 7.9/10 on IMDb, and 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a run time of 70 minutes. Lifestyle Asia rates this movie 9/10. Available to stream on Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime.

Heart Attack, 2015

In life, what should you pride yourself in? Is it the amount of work you can do, or being of prime health, or finding someone to love? Heart Attack presents itself as a rom-com, but is more closely defined as a dark comedy.

Freelance graphics designer Yoon is devoted to work, to the point of bragging how he once went on without any sleep for five days straight. Because of his deteriorating health, he meets Imm, a doctor in a public hospital. Thus begin his quest to become “better,” and the audience’s journey to question the life of Yoon, his priorities, and how decisions aren’t the most straightforward thing. Its slow-burn nature makes this film a great watch.

Heart Attack has a 7.7/10 on IMDb, and 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a run time of 70 minutes. Lifestyle Asia rates this movie 8/10. Available to stream on Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime.