Thailand selects director Pat Boonnitipat’s heartwarming blockbuster How to make millions before grandma dies Nominated for the 2025 Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category. The National Federation of Thai Film Societies (MPC) announced the selection on Friday.
Co-written by ‘Ped’ Thiptinnakorn, How to make millions before grandma dies It has become a cultural phenomenon in Thailand, grossing more than any other film in the country this year. Produced by popular Bangkok studio GDH, the film tells the irreverent but ultimately heartwarming story of a scheming young man who quits his job to care for his dying grandmother in hopes of inheriting her fortune. The grandson, played by pop singer-turned-actor Putthipong Assaratanakul (aka Billkin), was crucial to the film’s local appeal.
How to make millions The film grossed US$34 million at the theater box office in Southeast Asia and Australia/New Zealand, becoming the highest-grossing Thai film ever in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Myanmar, Australia and New Zealand. Following recent releases in the U.S. and China, the film’s global box office is now approaching the $50 million mark, GDH said.
In announcing the Oscar nominations, GDH said that in Thailand, the film “attracted people of all ages to theaters, with audiences in their 20s to 50s bringing grandparents in their 70s and 80s to watch the film. It’s an increasingly rare sight in today’s digital age.
Thailand has been submitting films to the Academy Awards for Best International Feature since 1994, but the country has yet to receive a nomination.
The shortlist of contenders for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards will be announced on December 17.
