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{{Short description|2024 Thai dramedy film}} {{Short description|2024 Thai film by Pat Boonnitipat}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies | name = How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
| image = File:Southeast_Asian_poster_for_How_To_Make_Millions_Before_Grandma_Dies.jpg | image = File:How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies poster.jpg
| alt = A middle-aged woman stands between two standing middle-aged men. A younger woman stands beside the man on the right. A girl sits on the arm of a chair an elderly woman is sitting on. A young man sits in the foreground wearing headphones and holding an electronic device. There is Thai text below and to the left of the image, and Chinese text on the right. | alt = A middle-aged woman stands between two standing middle-aged men. A younger woman stands beside the man on the right. A girl sits on the arm of a chair an elderly woman is sitting on. A young man sits in the foreground wearing headphones and holding an electronic device. There is Thai text below and to the left of the image, and Chinese text on the right.
| caption = Thai theatrical release poster | caption = Thai theatrical release poster
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| production_companies = ] | production_companies = ]
| distributor = ] | distributor = ]
| released = {{Film date|2024|04|04}} | released = {{Film date|2024|04|04|Thailand}}
| runtime = 125 minutes | runtime = 125 minutes
| country = Thailand | country = Thailand
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}} }}
| budget = | budget =
| gross = $73.8 million
| gross = $50 million<ref>{{cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-global-release-1235978825/|title=Thai Blockbuster 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Scores Theatrical Releases in North America, China and Europe|website=Hollywood Reporter|date=August 19, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref>
}} }}


'''''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies''''', known in Thai as '''''Lahn Mah''''',{{efn|{{langx|th|หลานม่า}}, {{RTGS|''Lan Ma''}}, {{IPA-th|lǎːn mâː|pron}}, lit. 'Grandma's grandchild'}} is a 2024 Thai ] film directed by ] and co-written by Pat and Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn. It stars ] and Usha "Taew" Seamkhum in their debut feature film roles. In the film, M (Putthipong), a university dropout low on money, volunteers to take care of his terminally ill grandmother Mengju (Usha), in the hope of pocketing an inheritance. '''''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies''''', known in Thai as '''''Lahn Mah''''',{{efn|{{langx|th|หลานม่า}}, {{RTGS|''Lan Ma''}}, {{IPA-th|lǎːn mâː|pron}}, {{lit|Grandma's grandchild}}}} is a 2024 Thai ] film directed by ] and written by Pat and Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn. It stars ] and Usha Seamkhum in their debut feature film roles. In the film, M (Putthipong), a university dropout low on money volunteers to take care of his terminally ill grandmother (Usha) in the hope of pocketing an inheritance.


Development on the film began in 2020 after Thodsapon completed the first draft of the screenplay, which underwent several revisions after Pat was hired as director. Putthipong and Usha were hired soon after the screenplay was complete. ] took place in ], with filming locations including ]. Upon release, ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' ], spurred by a social media trend where viewers posted videos of themselves crying after watching the film. Development on the film began in 2020 after Thodsapon completed the first draft of the screenplay, which underwent several revisions after Pat was hired as director. Putthipong and Usha were hired soon after the screenplay was complete. ] took place in ], with filming locations including ]. Upon release, ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' ], spurred by a social media trend where viewers posted videos of themselves crying after watching the film.


''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' was released in Thailand on April 4, 2024, by ]. It has grossed over $50 million worldwide, becoming the ], the ], and broke box office records in several countries across Asia. It received praise from critics for its direction, screenplay, acting performances, music, and heavy emotional weight. ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' was released in Thailand on April 4, 2024, by ]. It has grossed an estimated $78.3 million worldwide, becoming the ] and ], and also broke box office records in several countries across Asia. It received praise from critics for its direction, screenplay, acting performances, music, and heavy emotional weight. The film was selected as Thailand's ] for ] at the ] and became Thailand's first submission ever to advance to the 15-film shortlist.<ref name=":1" />


==Plot== ==Plot==
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==Cast== ==Cast==
* ] as M, a college dropout * ] as M, a college dropout.
* Usha "Taew" Seamkhum as Mengju, M's 79-year-old grandmother who is diagnosed with late-stage ] * Usha "Taew" Seamkhum as Mengju, M's 79-year-old grandmother who is diagnosed with late-stage ].
* Sarinrat "Jear" Thomas as Sew, Mengju's daughter and M's mother * Sarinrat "Jear" Thomas as Sew, Mengju's daughter and M's mother.
* Sanya "Duu" Kunakorn as Kiang, Mengju's eldest son * Sanya "Duu" Kunakorn as Kiang, Mengju's eldest son.
* Pongsatorn "Phuak" Jongwilas as Soei, Mengju's youngest child * Pongsatorn "Phuak" Jongwilas as Soei, Mengju's youngest child.
* ] as Mui, M's younger cousin * ] as Mui, M's younger cousin.
* Duangporn Oapirat as Pinn, Kiang's wife * Duangporn Oapirat as Pinn, Kiang's wife.
* Himawari Tajiri as Rainbow, Kiang and Pinn's daughter * Himawari Tajiri as Rainbow, Kiang and Pinn's daughter.


==Production== ==Production==

===Development=== ===Development===
] films (including those produced by its wholly owned subsidiary production company ]) are typically developed by its producers or directors. However, ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' was the first GDH film to be initiated by a screenwriter – Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn, a full-time screenwriter at GDH since 2009. In December 2020, he pitched the project with a 10-page synopsis inspired by his experiences caring for his grandmother during the ], and the fallout from her not giving her daughter or caregivers any inheritance upon her death.<ref name=":0" /> Producers Vanridee Pongsittisak and Jira Maligool worked with Thodsapon to make an "accessible and entertaining" screenplay compared to the initial treatment, creating a ] featuring a grandmother and grandchild.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=Merican |first=Sam |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/thai-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-southeast-asia-1235975589/|title=Stirring Thai Film 'How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Has Won Over Both The Southeast Asian Box Office & The TikTok Generation|website=Deadline|date=June 19, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> ] films (including those produced by its wholly owned subsidiary production company ]) are typically developed by its producers or directors. However, ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' was the first GDH film to be initiated by Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn, a full-time screenwriter at GDH since 2009. In December 2020, he pitched the project with a ten-page synopsis inspired by his experiences caring for his grandmother during the ], and the fallout from her not giving her daughter or caregivers any inheritance upon her death.<ref name=":0" /> Producers Vanridee Pongsittisak and Jira Maligool worked with Thodsapon to make an "accessible and entertaining" screenplay compared to the initial treatment, creating a ] featuring a grandmother and grandchild.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=Merican |first=Sam |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/thai-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-southeast-asia-1235975589/|title=Stirring Thai Film 'How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Has Won Over Both The Southeast Asian Box Office & The TikTok Generation|website=Deadline|date=June 19, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref>


] (pictured in 2018) wrote and directed the film in his directorial debut.]]
According to Vanridee, this version of the film, which was titled ''The Chinese Family'', was deemed to have "lost original charm" of Thodsapon's treatment. As such, after ] director ] was hired, he worked with Thodsapon to adopt a more emotionally-driven narrative. Pat had previously worked with GDH on '']'' (2017–2018) and '']'' (2020).<ref name=":0" /> He incorporated elements from his own life to develop the final screenplay: his maternal grandmother, who helped raise him and with whom he still lives, was diagnosed with late-stage ] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thestandard.co/the-chinese-family/|title=บิวกิ้น พุฒิพงศ์ – ตู ต้นตะวัน รับบทนำใน The Chinese Family หนังเรื่องใหม่จากผู้กำกับ พัฒน์ บุญนิธิพัฒน์ |trans-title=Billkin Puttipong, Tu Tontawan take on lead roles in The Chinese Family, a new film from director Pat Boonnitipat|date=2023-06-29|accessdate=2024-04-21|language=thai|work=The Standard|first=Supat|last=Sivapornpan}}</ref> Pat and Thodsapon worked on the screenplay for two years.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=Bo |first=Gao |title=Thailand's phenomenal tearjerker 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' inspires cross-cultural resonance all over the world |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2024/09/20/thailand039s-phenomenal-tearjerker-039how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies039-inspires-cross-cultural-resonance-all-over-the-world |website=The Star|access-date=September 26, 2024}}</ref> Pat later stated it took him eight months to learn how to write for film compared to television; ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' is his feature film debut.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |date=August 7, 2024 |title=Exclusive Interview: Director Pat Boonnitipat talks about heartwrenching film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies |url=https://www.thereviewgeek.com/interview-director-patboonnitipat-howtomakemillionsbeforegrandmadies/ |access-date=June 20, 2024 |website=The Review Geek}}</ref> According to Vanridee, this version of the film, which was titled ''The Chinese Family'', was deemed to have "lost original charm" of Thodsapon's treatment. As such, after ] director ] was hired, he worked with Thodsapon to adopt a more emotionally-driven narrative. Pat had previously worked with GDH on '']'' (2017–2018) and '']'' (2020).<ref name=":0" /> He incorporated elements from his own life to develop the final screenplay: his maternal grandmother, who helped raise him and with whom he still lives, was diagnosed with late-stage ] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thestandard.co/the-chinese-family/|title=บิวกิ้น พุฒิพงศ์ – ตู ต้นตะวัน รับบทนำใน The Chinese Family หนังเรื่องใหม่จากผู้กำกับ พัฒน์ บุญนิธิพัฒน์ |trans-title=Billkin Puttipong, Tu Tontawan take on lead roles in The Chinese Family, a new film from director Pat Boonnitipat|date=2023-06-29|accessdate=2024-04-21|language=thai|work=The Standard|first=Supat|last=Sivapornpan}}</ref> Pat and Thodsapon worked on the screenplay for two years, which evolved to include other characters beyond the grandmother and grandson.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=Bo |first=Gao |title=Thailand's phenomenal tearjerker 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' inspires cross-cultural resonance all over the world |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2024/09/20/thailand039s-phenomenal-tearjerker-039how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies039-inspires-cross-cultural-resonance-all-over-the-world |website=The Star|access-date=September 26, 2024}}</ref> Pat later stated it took him eight months to learn how to write for film compared to television; ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' is his feature film debut.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |date=August 7, 2024 |title=Exclusive Interview: Director Pat Boonnitipat talks about heartwrenching film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies |url=https://www.thereviewgeek.com/interview-director-patboonnitipat-howtomakemillionsbeforegrandmadies/ |access-date=June 20, 2024 |website=The Review Geek}}</ref>


Pat stated that his grandmother directly opined on the screenplay after he moved back in with her when writing,<ref name=":5">{{citeweb|url=https://www.lifestyleasia.com/hk/entertainment/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-director-pat-boonnitipat-interview/|title=Director of ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ breaks down his tearjerking movie|publisher=Lifestyle Asia|date=July 26, 2024|accessdate=September 26, 2024|first=Jianne|last=Soriano}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> while the other characters were based on his ] mother’s family, describing the representation in the film is as “exactly the same , even the dialogue".<ref name=":6">{{cite web |last=Wee |first=Sui-Lee |title=Why Southeast Asia Is Crying Over This Movie|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/23/world/asia/make-millions-before-grandma-dies-crying.html|website=New York Times|date=June 23, 2024 |access-date=September 25, 2024}}</ref> The writers revised the screenplay to include themes on contemporary Thai family dynamics,<ref>{{cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |title=Thai "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" Heads to Southeast Asia |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/thai-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-southeast-asia-1235975589/ |website=Deadline |date=June 15, 2024 |access-date=June 20, 2024}}</ref> specifically related to western and Asian attitudes regarding ] and ].<ref name=":5" /> Benediktus Yogatama of '']'' argued the film also contained several themes related to ] and ]ing.<ref name=":7">{{cite web |last=Yogatama |first=Benediktus |title=Learn about Finance from the Movie "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" |url=https://www.kompas.id/baca/english/2024/05/26/en-belajar-keuangan-dari-film-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies|website=Kompas|date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=September 25, 2024}}</ref> ]'s Jake Yancey stated ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' explores ], generational divides and similarities, aging, and the ] cultural experience.<ref name=":8">{{cite web |last=Yancey |first=Jake |title=‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ – Bridging Generations Through Laughter, Love, and Legacy|url=https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies/|website=Kompas|date=September 26, 2024}}</ref> Pat stated that his grandmother directly opined on the screenplay after he moved back in with her when writing,<ref name=":5">{{citeweb|url=https://www.lifestyleasia.com/hk/entertainment/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-director-pat-boonnitipat-interview/|title=Director of ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ breaks down his tearjerking movie|publisher=Lifestyle Asia|date=July 26, 2024|accessdate=September 26, 2024|first=Jianne|last=Soriano}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> while the other characters were based on his ] mother’s family, describing the representation in the film is as “exactly the same , even the dialogue".<ref name=":6">{{cite web |last=Wee |first=Sui-Lee |title=Why Southeast Asia Is Crying Over This Movie|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/23/world/asia/make-millions-before-grandma-dies-crying.html|website=New York Times|date=June 23, 2024 |access-date=September 25, 2024}}</ref> The writers revised the screenplay to include themes on contemporary Thai family dynamics,<ref>{{cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |title=Thai "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" Heads to Southeast Asia |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/thai-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-southeast-asia-1235975589/ |website=Deadline |date=June 15, 2024 |access-date=June 20, 2024}}</ref> specifically related to western and Asian attitudes regarding ] and ].<ref name=":5" /> Benediktus Yogatama of '']'' argued the film also contained several themes related to ] and ]ing.<ref name=":7">{{cite web |last=Yogatama |first=Benediktus |title=Learn about Finance from the Movie "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" |url=https://www.kompas.id/baca/english/2024/05/26/en-belajar-keuangan-dari-film-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies|website=Kompas|date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=September 25, 2024}}</ref> '']'''s Jake Yancey stated ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' explores ], generational divides and similarities, aging, and the ] cultural experience.<ref name=":8">{{cite web |last=Yancey |first=Jake |title=‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ – Bridging Generations Through Laughter, Love, and Legacy|url=https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies/|website=Kompas|date=September 26, 2024}}</ref>


===Casting=== ===Casting===
] (pictured in 2024) was cast in his debut lead film role.]]
] was cast in his debut lead film role, alongside acting debutante Usha "Taew" Seamkhum.<ref>{{cite web|work=]|accessdate=2024-04-21|date=2024-03-20|language=thai|title=เกือบได้เป็นนักร้องวงสุนทราภรณ์ในวัยเยาว์ "อุษา เสมคำ" สู่น้องใหม่ในการแสดงในวัย 78 |trans-title=Almost a singer in the Suntaraporn Band, Usha Seamkhum is a newcomer to acting at the age of 78|url=https://mgronline.com/onlinesection/detail/9670000022265}}</ref> Putthipong was the producers' first choice but Pat disliked his initial audition: Putthipong was hired following a second audition, after taking a long break from acting to attend acting classes.<ref name=":0" /> Pat immediately wanted to hire the 78-year-old Usha after her audition, with his assistant director discovering her through a modelling agency Usha was signed to after taking part in a video for a seniors dance competition in 2019.<ref name=":9">{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Will |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-07/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-lahn-mah-film/104048662|title=Blockbuster Thai family drama How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is coming to Australian cinemas|website=ABC Australia|date=July 6, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Speaking on hiring Usha, Pat stated "I wanted the acting to be natural ideal way to be natural is to find someone who has never acted. didn’t have any pre-concept of acting. She just believed in the story. She became an actor. It’s her gift and it’s very charming".<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.goldderby.com/video/pat-boonnitipat-interview-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies/|title=Pat Boonnitipat interview: ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’|publisher=Gold Derby|accessdate=9 December 2024}}</ref>


Usha was ultimately hired after a recast with Putthipong, with the producers wanting a first-time actor for the role.<ref name=":0" /> Putthipong said that the film required "detailed and focused acting" compared to his appearances in the television series '']'' (2019) and '']'' (2021): he had to lose weight and alter his natural walk and speech patterns to portray his character in the film. Putthipong also claimed to have declined numerous other film and television projects until ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies''.<ref name=":10">{{cite web |last=Ngamkala |first=Asa |url=https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/others/billkin-talks-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies|title= Exclusive interview: Putthipong "Billkin" Assaratanakul talks about his first film lead role in 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'|website=TatlerAsia|date=June 12, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> In an interview with ''The Review Geek'' on August 2024, Pat said he catered the screenplay and the character to fit Putthipong.<ref name=":4" /> This included using a year's worth of acting workshops in place of standard rehearsals between Pat and Putthipong prior to filming.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.goldderby.com/video/pat-boonnitipat-interview-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies/|title=Pat Boonnitipat interview: ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’|publisher=Gold Derby|accessdate=9 December 2024}}</ref> The remaining cast was then rounded out, which included the feature film debut for ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet Tontawan ‘Tu’ Tantivejakul, star of Thai hit film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies: she’s a fashionista, Dior ambassador – and dental student |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3278191/meet-tontawan-tu-tantivejakul-star-thai-hit-film-how-make-millions-grandma-dies-shes-fashionista |website=South China Morning Post |date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 26, 2024}}</ref>
] was cast in his debut lead film role, alongside acting debutante Usha "Taew" Seamkhum.<ref>{{cite web|work=]|accessdate=2024-04-21|date=2024-03-20|language=thai|title=เกือบได้เป็นนักร้องวงสุนทราภรณ์ในวัยเยาว์ "อุษา เสมคำ" สู่น้องใหม่ในการแสดงในวัย 78 |trans-title=Almost a singer in the Suntaraporn Band, Usha Seamkhum is a newcomer to acting at the age of 78|url=https://mgronline.com/onlinesection/detail/9670000022265}}</ref> Putthipong was the producers' first choice but Pat disliked his initial audition: Putthipong was hired following a second audition, after taking a long break from acting to attend acting classes.<ref name=":0" /> Pat immediately wanted to hire the 78-year-old Usha after her audition, with his assistant director discovering her through a modelling agency Usha was signed to after taking part in a video for a seniors dance competition in 2019.<ref name=":9">{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Will |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-07/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-lahn-mah-film/104048662|title=Blockbuster Thai family drama How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is coming to Australian cinemas|website=ABC Australia|date=July 6, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

Usha was ultimately hired after a recast with Putthipong, with the producers wanting a first-time actor for the role.<ref name=":0" /> Putthipong said the film required "detailed and focused acting" compared to his appearances in the television series '']'' (2019) and '']'' (2021): he had to lose weight and alter his natural walk and speech patterns to portray his character in the film. Putthipong also claimed to have declined numerous other film and TV projects until ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies''.<ref name=":10">{{cite web |last=Ngamkala |first=Asa |url=https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/others/billkin-talks-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies|title= Exclusive interview: Putthipong "Billkin" Assaratanakul talks about his first film lead role in 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'|website=TatlerAsia|date=June 12, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> In an August 2024 interview with ''The Review Geek'', Pat said he catered the screenplay and the character to fit Putthipong.<ref name=":4" /> The remaining cast was then rounded out, which included the feature film debut for ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet Tontawan ‘Tu’ Tantivejakul, star of Thai hit film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies: she’s a fashionista, Dior ambassador – and dental student |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3278191/meet-tontawan-tu-tantivejakul-star-thai-hit-film-how-make-millions-grandma-dies-shes-fashionista |website=South China Morning Post |date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 26, 2024}}</ref>


===Filming=== ===Filming===

] primarily took place in ], a traditional Chinese community recognized as one of ]s.<ref>{{cite web|language=thai|work=]|url=https://www.mcot.net/view/vXmojquW#google_vignette|title=ชวนเที่ยว ตลาดพลู ตามหา อาม่า |trans-title=Come to Talat Phlu to Find Grandma|date=2024-04-14|accessdate=2024-04-21}}</ref> Filming locations included the Talat Phlu Market and ],<ref>{{cite web |last=Chantan |first=Vichayuth |url=https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/global/destinations/southeast-asia/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-filming-location-inside-talat-phlu-amahs-neighbourhood-in-bangkok/|title=Exploring the Shooting Locations of How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies|website=Travel + Leisure Asia|date=June 14, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> both of which became popular visiting locations among fans following the film's release.<ref>{{cite web|title= "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" collects RM 4.2 million|url=https://www.cinema.com.my/articles/news_details.aspx?search=2024.n_htmmbgdcollectsrm4million_66713|website=Voi|date=June 4, 2024}}</ref> According to Putthipong, filming lasted for 25 days and was primarily done using a ] setup.<ref name=":10" /> Boonyanuch Kraithong, the director of photography for ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'', used narrow apertures and wide shots to add depth and emphasize the characters' surroundings, constrating contemporary films that use a shallow focus. Pat also instructed to use ] to achieve this effect, which was inspired by filmmaking techniques present in Thai films from the 1950s until the 1970s.<ref name=":5" /> ] primarily took place in ], a traditional Chinese community recognized as one of ]s.<ref>{{cite web|language=thai|work=]|url=https://www.mcot.net/view/vXmojquW#google_vignette|title=ชวนเที่ยว ตลาดพลู ตามหา อาม่า |trans-title=Come to Talat Phlu to Find Grandma|date=2024-04-14|accessdate=2024-04-21}}</ref> Filming locations included the Talat Phlu Market and ],<ref>{{cite web |last=Chantan |first=Vichayuth |url=https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/global/destinations/southeast-asia/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-filming-location-inside-talat-phlu-amahs-neighbourhood-in-bangkok/|title=Exploring the Shooting Locations of How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies|website=Travel + Leisure Asia|date=June 14, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> both of which became popular visiting locations among fans following the film's release.<ref>{{cite web|title= "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" collects RM 4.2 million|url=https://www.cinema.com.my/articles/news_details.aspx?search=2024.n_htmmbgdcollectsrm4million_66713|website=Voi|date=June 4, 2024}}</ref> According to Putthipong, filming lasted for 25 days and was primarily done using a ] setup.<ref name=":10" /> Boonyanuch Kraithong, the director of photography for ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'', used narrow apertures and wide shots to add depth and emphasize the characters' surroundings, constrating contemporary films that use a shallow focus. Pat also instructed to use ] to achieve this effect, which was inspired by filmmaking techniques present in Thai films from the 1950s until the 1970s.<ref name=":5" />


Pat sought to differentiate the style of ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' to the faster-paced television series he previously worked on, which included reducing the use of music. In a July 2024 interview with ''Lifestyle Asia'', Pat said the filming choices worried GDH executives, who considered them to be too unconventional.<ref name=":5" /> Pat aimed to make the film as quick as possible to make sure his maternal grandmother could watch it and for him to return to helping out at his family’s mirror and glass-making business.<ref name=":2" /> He also used the reaction of the film's crew to assess its scenes, saying, "the first camera assistant a very cool guy and while he was doing the focus pulling on set, he cried so much that he couldn't keep his hand on the wheel. That's when I knew scene work so well, because it broke his wall".<ref name=":9" /> Pat sought to differentiate the style of ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' to the faster-paced television series he previously worked on, which included reducing the use of music. In a July 2024 interview with ''Lifestyle Asia'', Pat said the filming choices worried GDH executives, who considered them to be too unconventional.<ref name=":5" /> Pat aimed to make the film as quick as possible to make sure his maternal grandmother could watch it and for him to return to helping out at his family’s mirror and glass-making business.<ref name=":2" /> He also used the reaction of the film's crew to assess its scenes, saying, "the first camera assistant a very cool guy and while he was doing the focus pulling on set, he cried so much that he couldn't keep his hand on the wheel. That's when I knew scene work so well, because it broke his wall".<ref name=":9" />


To accommodate for Usha's age, the crew implemented regular breaks during shooting to allow her to rest. According to Pat, scenes which featured Usha walking or talking with Putthipong took the most takes to complete, owing to her inexperience as an actress and Pat's strict blocking requirements.<ref name=":5" /> According to Jake Yancey of '']'', ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' uses strict opposing colors for its characters and settings to reinforce the film's themes of generational and emotional difference.<ref name=":8" /> To accommodate for Usha's age, the crew implemented regular breaks during shooting to allow her to rest. According to Pat, scenes which featured Usha walking or talking with Putthipong took the most takes to complete, owing to her inexperience in acting and Pat's strict blocking requirements.<ref name=":5" /> Pat also stated that most of the scenes were filmed without prior rehearsal.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.goldderby.com/video/pat-boonnitipat-interview-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies/|title=Pat Boonnitipat interview: ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’|publisher=Gold Derby|accessdate=9 December 2024}}</ref> According to Jake Yancey of '']'', ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' uses strict opposing colors for its characters and settings to reinforce the film's themes of generational and emotional difference.<ref name=":8" /> Pat refused to show the film's designers references to create its indoor sets and instructed them to solely use the screenplay as inspiration: the designer subsequently designed the indoor set depicting Mengju's home as a replica of his mother's.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.ft.com/content/392a3ba8-9727-4075-8236-a65380571fc1|title=Pat Boonnitipat expected to lose money on his debut film. It’s become an Asian cultural supernova|publisher=Financial Times|date=12 December 2024|accessdate=16 December 2024}}</ref>


==Music== ==Music==
Jaithep Raroengjai was hired to compose the film's score and the soundtrack album was released digitally by ], the parent company of GDH, on September 17, 2024. It includes 7 songs featured in or inspired by the film, including its theme song "Ever-Forever" performed by Putthipong, and a cover of the Chinese traditional folk song "Aum Kim Kong" performed by Usha.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hype.my/2024/410042/billkin-putthipong-7-fun-facts-about-the-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-actor/|title= Billkin Putthipong: 7 Fun Facts About The “How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” Actor|publisher=HypeDesk|date=9 June 2024 |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref> In a June 2024 interview with ''Magdalene'', Raroengjai said the music was composed to be "natural" to make ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' "feel real, raw, and close to the audience".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://magdalene.co/story/composer-kong-how-to-make-millions/|title= The Conversation with the Composer of “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies”|publisher=Magdalene|date=22 June 2024 |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref> Jaithep Raroengjai was hired to compose the film's score and the soundtrack album was released digitally by ], the parent company of GDH, on September 17, 2024. It includes seven songs featured in or inspired by the film, including its theme song "Ever-Forever" performed by Putthipong, and a cover of the Chinese traditional folk song "Aum Kim Kong" performed by Usha.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hype.my/2024/410042/billkin-putthipong-7-fun-facts-about-the-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-actor/|title= Billkin Putthipong: 7 Fun Facts About The “How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” Actor|publisher=HypeDesk|date=9 June 2024 |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref> In a June 2024 interview with ''Magdalene'', Raroengjai said the music was composed to be "natural" to make ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' "feel real, raw, and close to the audience".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://magdalene.co/story/composer-kong-how-to-make-millions/|title= The Conversation with the Composer of “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies”|publisher=Magdalene|date=22 June 2024 |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref>


==Marketing== ==Marketing==
''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' saw increased worldwide popularity after videos of staff at ] theatres in ] handing tissues to viewers prior to screening the film went ].<ref name="BBC" /> Its virality was boosted on social media after users took part in a trend of posting videos of themselves crying from watching the film.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":11">{{cite web |last=Wee |first=Sui-Lee |title=Thai Film How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Sparks TikTok Trend Where Netizens Show How Much They Cried While Watching The Movie |url=https://www.8days.sg/entertainment/local/how-make-millions-grandma-dies-tiktok-trend-netizens-cry-831276|website=8 Days Singapore|date=June 3, 2024 |access-date=September 25, 2024}}</ref> Indonesian production company Falcon Pictures hosted press conferences with Pat in ] between May 25 and May 27 in response to the film's initial success.<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Reaches 500 Thousand, Director Will Go to Jakarta |url=https://voi.id/en/lifestyle/383583|website=Voice of Indonesia|date=May 22, 2024 |access-date=September 27, 2024}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> After its success in Singapore, Usha and Pat attended a ticketed fan event hosted by Golden Village in ] on June 24, 2024. The event featured a screening of ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' and a meet-and-greet,<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.herworld.com/life/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-fan-meet-singapore|title=‘Grandma’ actress from 'How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' is coming to Singapore fan meet|publisher=HerWorld|date=June 20, 2024|accessdate=September 26, 2024|first=John|last=Lui}}</ref> and sold out almost immediately. A second event was added and took place later that same day.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/how-make-millions-grandma-dies-singapore-meet-and-greet-392121|title= Second session for How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies meet and greet added, following fan demand |publisher=CNA Lifestyle|date=June 20, 2024|accessdate=September 26, 2024|first=Hazeeq|last=Sukri}}</ref> ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' saw increased worldwide popularity after videos of staff at ] theatres in ] handing tissues to viewers prior to screening the film went ].<ref name="BBC" /> Its virality was boosted on social media after users took part in a trend of posting videos of themselves crying from watching the film.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":11">{{cite web |last=Wee |first=Sui-Lee |title=Thai Film How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Sparks TikTok Trend Where Netizens Show How Much They Cried While Watching The Movie |url=https://www.8days.sg/entertainment/local/how-make-millions-grandma-dies-tiktok-trend-netizens-cry-831276|website=8 Days Singapore|date=June 3, 2024 |access-date=September 25, 2024}}</ref> Indonesian production company Falcon Pictures hosted the press conferences with Pat in ] between May 25 and May 27 in response to the film's initial success.<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Reaches 500 Thousand, Director Will Go to Jakarta |url=https://voi.id/en/lifestyle/383583|website=Voice of Indonesia|date=May 22, 2024 |access-date=September 27, 2024}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> After its success in Singapore, Usha and Pat attended a ticketed fan event hosted by Golden Village in ] on June 24, 2024. The event featured a screening of ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' and a meet-and-greet,<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.herworld.com/life/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-fan-meet-singapore|title=‘Grandma’ actress from 'How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' is coming to Singapore fan meet|publisher=HerWorld|date=June 20, 2024|accessdate=September 26, 2024|first=John|last=Lui}}</ref> and sold out almost immediately. A second event was added and took place later that same day.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/how-make-millions-grandma-dies-singapore-meet-and-greet-392121|title= Second session for How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies meet and greet added, following fan demand |publisher=CNA Lifestyle|date=June 20, 2024|accessdate=September 26, 2024|first=Hazeeq|last=Sukri}}</ref>


==Release== ==Release==

===Theatrical=== ===Theatrical===
''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' was released in Thailand by GDH on April 4. It premiered internationally in competition at the ] on 17 July 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/new-york-asian-film-festival-2024-lineup-1235015989/ |title=New York Asian Film Festival 2024 Hosts 'Twilight of the Warriors' and 'Fly Me to the Moon' Premieres |date=13 June 2024 |publisher=] |last=Bergeson |first=Samantha |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref> Tickets for its initial premiere sold out almost immediately; a second screening then took place, which was attended by Pat and Putthipong.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://www.screendaily.com/features/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-producer-talks-thai-breakout-hit-exclusive/5195456.article|title= ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ producer talks Thai breakout hit (exclusive)|publisher=Screen Daily |last= Wong |first=Silvia|date=15 July 2024 |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref> The film was screened in ] for officials of the Thai embassy in China on August 18, organized by Thailand's Ambassador to China, Chatchai Viriyavejakul. It premiered in the "A Window on Asian Cinema" program at the ] on October 3<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_view.asp?idx=75951&c_idx=401&sp_idx=&QueryStep=2|title= How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies : BIFF|publisher=] |last= Kyunghwan |first=Boo |access-date=25 September 2024}}</ref> and competed at the 2024 ] on November 16.<ref>{{citeweb |last=Horst |first=Carole |date=October 31, 2024 |title=International Oscar Contenders Boost Asian World Film Festival Competition Lineup (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/asian-world-film-festival-competition-1236195752/ |accessdate=November 5, 2024 |publisher=]}}</ref> ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' was released in Thailand by GDH on April 4. It premiered internationally in competition at the ] on 17 July 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/new-york-asian-film-festival-2024-lineup-1235015989/ |title=New York Asian Film Festival 2024 Hosts 'Twilight of the Warriors' and 'Fly Me to the Moon' Premieres |date=13 June 2024 |publisher=] |last=Bergeson |first=Samantha |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref> Tickets for its initial premiere sold out almost immediately; a second screening then took place, which was attended by Pat and Putthipong.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://www.screendaily.com/features/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-producer-talks-thai-breakout-hit-exclusive/5195456.article|title= ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ producer talks Thai breakout hit (exclusive)|publisher=Screen Daily |last= Wong |first=Silvia|date=15 July 2024 |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref> The film was screened in ] for officials of the Thai embassy in China on August 18, organized by Thailand's Ambassador to China, Chatchai Viriyavejakul. It premiered in the "A Window on Asian Cinema" program at the ] on October 3<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_view.asp?idx=75951&c_idx=401&sp_idx=&QueryStep=2|title= How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies : BIFF|publisher=] |last= Kyunghwan |first=Boo |access-date=25 September 2024}}</ref> and competed at the 2024 ] on November 16.<ref>{{citeweb |last=Horst |first=Carole |date=October 31, 2024 |title=International Oscar Contenders Boost Asian World Film Festival Competition Lineup (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/asian-world-film-festival-competition-1236195752/ |accessdate=November 5, 2024 |publisher=]}}</ref>


The film began screening on May 15, in ]; May 29, in the ], May 30 in ], ], ], and ]; ] on May 31; in ] on June 7; ] and ] on June 13; ] on June 18; ] on June 21; and ] on June 26. It was released in ] and ] on July 18,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Movie/How-To-Make-Millions-Before-Grandma-Dies|title=How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies|publisher=Event Cinemas|accessdate=25 September 2024}}</ref> and in mainland ] on August 23. It was theatrically released in ] on October 9:<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://en.nkcontents.co.kr/|title=How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies|publisher=NK Contents|date=October 9, 2024|accessdate=October 12, 2024}}</ref> the film was distributed by NK Contents in the country. GDH handled the film's theatrical distribution across Southeast Asia and the Chinese release was handled by Teamer Media.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-theatrical-release-north-america-europe-asia-1236042089/|title='How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Secures Theatrical Releases Across North America, China & Europe|publisher=Deadline|first=Sara|last=Merican|date=August 26, 2024}}</ref> In China, the film opened in 1000 theatres across 30 cities. Its Australian and New Zealand release was acquired by Chinalion Film Entertainment, which previously distributed '']'' (2017) in the countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thailand's "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" Set to Captivate Audiences in Australia and New Zealand |url=https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/thailands-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-set-to-captivate-audiences-in-australia-and-new-zealand/ |accessdate=September 25, 2024 |publisher=]}}</ref> Further international distribution was handled by Mokster Films and WME Independent, with the film set to be released in ] on January 9, 2025.<ref name=":12">{{cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-global-release-1235978825/|title=Thai Blockbuster 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Scores Theatrical Releases in North America, China and Europe|website=Hollywood Reporter|date=August 19, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> The film began screening on May 15, in Indonesia; May 29, in the Philippines, May 30 in Brunei, Laos, Malaysia, and Singapore; Myanmar on May 31; in Vietnam on June 7; Hong Kong and Macao on June 13; Cambodia on June 18; Taiwan on June 21; and Timor-Leste on June 26. It was released in Australia and New Zealand on July 18,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Movie/How-To-Make-Millions-Before-Grandma-Dies|title=How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies|publisher=Event Cinemas|accessdate=25 September 2024}}</ref> and in mainland China on August 23. It was theatrically released in South Korea on October 9:<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://en.nkcontents.co.kr/|title=How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies|publisher=NK Contents|date=October 9, 2024|accessdate=October 12, 2024}}</ref> the film was distributed by NK Contents in the country. GDH handled the film's theatrical distribution across Southeast Asia and the Chinese release was handled by Teamer Media.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-theatrical-release-north-america-europe-asia-1236042089/|title='How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Secures Theatrical Releases Across North America, China & Europe|publisher=Deadline|first=Sara|last=Merican|date=August 26, 2024}}</ref> In China, the film opened in 1000 theatres across 30 cities. Its Australian and New Zealand release was acquired by Chinalion Film Entertainment, which previously distributed '']'' (2017) in the countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thailand's "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" Set to Captivate Audiences in Australia and New Zealand |url=https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/thailands-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-set-to-captivate-audiences-in-australia-and-new-zealand/ |accessdate=September 25, 2024 |publisher=]}}</ref> The film's distribution in 110 other international territories was handled by Mokster Films and WME Independent,<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.screendaily.com/features/oscars-international-feature-race-2025-guide-the-asia-pacific-contenders/5199181.article|title=Oscars international feature race 2025 guide: the Asia Pacific contenders|publisher=Screen Daily|first=Michael|last=Rosser}}</ref> with the film set to be released in Russia on January 9, 2025.<ref name=":12">{{cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-global-release-1235978825/|title=Thai Blockbuster 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Scores Theatrical Releases in North America, China and Europe|website=Hollywood Reporter|date=August 19, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref><ref name=":2" />


In August 2024, Vertigo Releasing acquired the film's theatrical distribution rights for the ] and ]: this was followed by Vedette Film for the ] and ], PVR for ], and ] for ]. ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' began a limited release in North America on September 13, in the Netherlands on October 10, and Belgium on November 13. The film will be released across 50 to 60 screens in the United Kingdom and Ireland on December 26.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/thai-hit-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-uk-ireland-release-date-vertigo-1236156167/|title=Thai Hit ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Sets UK & Ireland Release Date|website=Deadline|date=October 23, 2024 |accessdate=October 25, 2024}}</ref> The Indian release date is yet to be confirmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-theatrical-release-north-america-europe-asia-1236042089/|title='How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Secures Theatrical Releases Across North America, China & Europe|publisher=Deadline|first=Sara|last=Merican|date=August 26, 2024}}</ref> In August 2024, Vertigo Releasing acquired the film's theatrical distribution rights for the United Kingdom and Ireland: this was followed by Vedette Film for the Netherlands and Belgium, PVR for India, and ] for ]. ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' began a limited release in North America on September 13, in the Netherlands on October 10, and Belgium on November 13. The film will be released across 50 to 60 screens in the United Kingdom and Ireland on December 26.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/thai-hit-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-uk-ireland-release-date-vertigo-1236156167/|title=Thai Hit ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Sets UK & Ireland Release Date|website=Deadline|date=October 23, 2024 |accessdate=October 25, 2024}}</ref> The Indian release date is yet to be confirmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-theatrical-release-north-america-europe-asia-1236042089/|title='How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Secures Theatrical Releases Across North America, China & Europe|publisher=Deadline|first=Sara|last=Merican|date=August 26, 2024}}</ref>


===Home media=== ===Home media===
''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' was released on ] in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines by ] on September 12, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://about.netflix.com/en/news/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-streams-september-12|title=Thai Tearjerker Film 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Streams on Netflix Across Southeast Asia Starting September 12|publisher=Netflix|date=12 August 2024|accessdate=26 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Merican |first=Sara |date=13 August 2024 |title=Netflix Picks Up Thai Hit 'How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' For Southeast Asia, Sets Release Date |url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/netflix-thai-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-southeast-asia-1236027527/ |accessdate=26 August 2024 |publisher=Deadline}}</ref> It was the fourth-most viewed program on Netflix in its debut week in the Philippines in a shortened tracking period, with 3 million views in the week tracked from September 9 to September 15.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/17/kim-woo-bin-s-officer-black-belt-billkin-s-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-debut-in-top-10-on-netflix|title=Kim Woo-bin’s ‘Officer Black Belt,’ Billkin’s ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ debut in top 10 on Netflix |publisher=Manila Bulletin|first=Jonathan|last=Hicap|date=18 September 2024|accessdate=26 September 2024}}</ref> ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' was released on ] in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines by ] on September 12, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://about.netflix.com/en/news/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-streams-september-12|title=Thai Tearjerker Film 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Streams on Netflix Across Southeast Asia Starting September 12|publisher=Netflix|date=12 August 2024|accessdate=26 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Merican |first=Sara |date=13 August 2024 |title=Netflix Picks Up Thai Hit 'How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' For Southeast Asia, Sets Release Date |url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/netflix-thai-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-southeast-asia-1236027527/ |accessdate=26 August 2024 |publisher=Deadline}}</ref> It was the fourth-most viewed program on Netflix in its debut week in the Philippines in a shortened tracking period, with 3 million views in the week tracked from September 9 to September 15.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/17/kim-woo-bin-s-officer-black-belt-billkin-s-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-debut-in-top-10-on-netflix|title=Kim Woo-bin’s ‘Officer Black Belt,’ Billkin’s ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ debut in top 10 on Netflix |publisher=Manila Bulletin|first=Jonathan|last=Hicap|date=18 September 2024|accessdate=26 September 2024}}</ref> It was also the second most searched film on ] in the country in 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2024/12/10/these-are-the-most-searched-shows-and-movies-in-ph-on-google-for-2024-1555|date=December 10, 2024|publisher=]|title=These are the most searched shows and movies in PH on Google for 2024|access-date=December 11, 2024|via=abs-cbn.com}}</ref>

Outside of Asia, the film was released for ], on ], ], and ] in North America by ] on December 10.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://geekvibesnation.com/well-go-usa-to-release-international-hit-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-on-blu-ray-this-december/|title=
Well Go USA To Release International Hit ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ On Blu-Ray This December|first=Dillon|last=Gonzales|date=December 1, 2024|accessdate=December 16, 2024}}</ref>


==Reception== ==Reception==


===Box office=== ===Box office===
''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' has grossed US$50 million worldwide,<ref name=":12" /> including ]339 million ($12.4 million) in Thailand,<ref>{{cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/at-the-movies-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-is-a-hit-the-beach-boys-nails-the-music|title= At The Movies: How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is a hit, The Beach Boys nails the music |website=Straits Times|date=May 29, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref><ref name=m/> and became the ] after grossing ฿250 million ($7.6 million) in its first fourteen days of release.<ref name="m">{{cite web |date=2024-04-18 |title=หลานม่า รายได้ล่าสุด ขึ้นแท่นอันดับ 1 หนังทำเงินสูงสุดในรอบปี |trans-title=''Lahn Mah'' is officially the highest grossing movie of the year |url=https://www.sanook.com/movie/167219/ |accessdate=2024-04-21 |work=Sanook.com |language=thai}}</ref> It grossed ฿172.6 million ($5.3 million) in combined receipts in ] and ] alone, becoming the highest-grossing GDH film in Thailand and ].<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |last1=Ng|first1=Kelly|title=The hit Thai film moving TikTokers to tears|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv22dg1y2lpo|accessdate=June 22, 2024 |publisher=] |date=June 12, 2024}}</ref> The film grossed ]1.4 million in Singapore in its first eleven days of release,<ref>{{cite web |last=Soh |first=Joanne |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-tops-singapore-box-office|title= How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies tops Singapore box office |website=Straits Times|date=June 10, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> and grossed $5.8 million in its first two weeks in China. As of September 8, 2024, ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' has grossed $14.8 million in China,<ref>{{cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=September 8, 2024 |title=China Box Office: Thai Comedy ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Climbs to Third, as ‘Alien: Romulus’ Reaches $100 Million Milestone |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/china-box-office-alien-romulus-milestone-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-1236137674/ |accessdate=October 21, 2024 |website=]}}</ref> and $25 million across Western markets.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shackleton |first=Liz |date=November 5, 2024 |title=TCCF: Thailand Unveils Plans For THACCA Content Agency; Including New Film Festival, Funding & Export Drive|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/thailand-creative-culture-agency-chalermchatri-yukol-1236167476/|accessdate=November 5, 2024 |website=]}}</ref> ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' has grossed US$73.8 million worldwide, including {{Currency|334000000|THB}} ($12.3 million) in Thailand,<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/at-the-movies-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-is-a-hit-the-beach-boys-nails-the-music|title= At The Movies: How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is a hit, The Beach Boys nails the music |website=Straits Times|date=May 29, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref><ref name=m/> and became the ] after grossing ฿250 million ($7.6 million) in its first fourteen days of release, before being surpassed by '']'' and pushed down to 2nd place.<ref name="m">{{cite web |date=2024-04-18 |title=หลานม่า รายได้ล่าสุด ขึ้นแท่นอันดับ 1 หนังทำเงินสูงสุดในรอบปี |trans-title=''Lahn Mah'' is officially the highest grossing movie of the year |url=https://www.sanook.com/movie/167219/ |accessdate=2024-04-21 |work=Sanook.com |language=thai}}</ref><ref name="boxoff-2024">{{cite web |language=th|url=https://www.komchadluek.net/entertainment/590595|title="ธี่หยด2" แรงไม่หยุด ฮาโลวีน ทุบสถิติรายได้เกิน700 ล้าน แซง หลานม่า?|trans-title="Tee Yod 2" is still going strong. Halloween breaks the record with revenue exceeding 700 million, surpassing Lahn Mah?|website=]|date=October 31, 2024 |accessdate=December 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220100657/https://www.komchadluek.net/entertainment/590595|archive-date=December 20, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> It grossed ฿172.6 million ($5.3 million) in combined receipts in ] and ] alone, becoming the highest-grossing GDH film in Thailand and ].<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |last1=Ng|first1=Kelly|title=The hit Thai film moving TikTokers to tears|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv22dg1y2lpo|accessdate=June 22, 2024 |publisher=] |date=June 12, 2024}}</ref><ref name="boxoff-2024"/> The film grossed ]1.4 million in Singapore in its first eleven days of release,<ref>{{cite web |last=Soh |first=Joanne |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-tops-singapore-box-office|title= How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies tops Singapore box office |website=Straits Times|date=June 10, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> and grossed $5.8 million in its first two weeks in China. As of September 8, 2024, ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' has grossed $14.8 million in China,<ref>{{cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=September 8, 2024 |title=China Box Office: Thai Comedy ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Climbs to Third, as ‘Alien: Romulus’ Reaches $100 Million Milestone |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/china-box-office-alien-romulus-milestone-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-1236137674/ |accessdate=October 21, 2024 |website=]}}</ref> $25 million across Western markets,<ref>{{cite web |last=Shackleton |first=Liz |date=November 5, 2024 |title=TCCF: Thailand Unveils Plans For THACCA Content Agency; Including New Film Festival, Funding & Export Drive|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/thailand-creative-culture-agency-chalermchatri-yukol-1236167476/|accessdate=November 5, 2024 |website=Deadline}}</ref> and $34 million across Southeast Asia and Australia,<ref>{{cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-global-release-1235978825/|title=Thai Blockbuster 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Scores Theatrical Releases in North America, China and Europe|website=Hollywood Reporter|date=August 19, 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> making for an estimated worldwide gross of $73.8 million.


According to GDH, ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' has been screened to over ten million people,<ref name="Variety">{{Cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=June 27, 2024 |title=Thai Film 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Reaches $27 Million in Southeast Asia Rollout – Global Bulletin |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/thai-film-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-asia-rollout-1236050530/ |access-date=October 21, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> and it topped the box office in Singapore from June 6-9,<ref name=":6" /> grossing $256,000, setting the record for the biggest opening weekend for a Thai film.<ref name=":11" /> Shirley Low, the chief marketing officer of the Malaysian-based ], noted ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' exceeded their domestic box-office expectations for a Thai film.<ref name=":6" /> In Indonesia, the film sold over 3.5 million tickets (including selling 2 million in its first 13 days),<ref name=":11" /> setting the record for the most admissions for an Asian film in the country, surpassing the South Korean horror '']'' (2024), which sold 2.6 million tickets.<ref name=":2" /> According to GDH, ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' has been screened to over ten million people,<ref name="Variety">{{Cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=June 27, 2024 |title=Thai Film 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Reaches $27 Million in Southeast Asia Rollout – Global Bulletin |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/thai-film-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-asia-rollout-1236050530/ |access-date=October 21, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> and it topped the box office in Singapore from June 6-9,<ref name=":6" /> grossing $256,000, setting the record for the biggest opening weekend for a Thai film.<ref name=":11" /> Shirley Low, the chief marketing officer of the Malaysian-based ], noted ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' exceeded their domestic box-office expectations for a Thai film.<ref name=":6" /> In Indonesia, the film sold over 3.5 million tickets (including selling 2 million in its first 13 days),<ref name=":11" /> setting the record for the most admissions for an Asian film in the country, surpassing the South Korean horror '']'' (2024), which sold 2.6 million tickets.<ref name=":2" />


The film broke or set several other box office records:<ref name="dd" /> in Indonesia, it is the highest-grossing Thai film and highest grossing Asian film,<ref>{{cite web |date=2024-05-18 |title=หลานม่า เปิดตัวแรง ทำชาวอินโดน้ำตาท่วม ขึ้นแท่นหนังไทย ทำรายได้เปิดตัวสูงสุด |trans-title=''Lahn Mah'''s record debut brings Indonesians to tears, posting the highest opening income |url=https://www.thairath.co.th/entertain/news/2786636 |accessdate=2024-05-21 |work=] |language=thai}}</ref><ref name=dd>{{cite news |last1=Merican |first1=Sara |title='How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' breaks Indonesia box office records |url= https://deadline.com/2024/06/thai-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-southeast-asia-1235975589/|accessdate=June 19, 2024 |publisher=] |date=June 19, 2024}}</ref> and it became the highest-grossing Thai film in Australia, New Zealand,<ref name=":12" /> Singapore,<ref>{{cite news |last1=So |first1=Joan |title=How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies tops Singapore box office|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-tops-singapore-box-office |accessdate=June 11, 2024 |publisher= ]|date=June 10, 2024}}</ref><ref name="dd" /> Myanmar,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://about.netflix.com/en/news/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-streams-september-12|title=Thai Tearjerker Film 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Streams on Netflix Across Southeast Asia Starting September 12|publisher=Netflix|date=12 August 2024|accessdate=26 August 2024}}</ref> Vietnam,<ref name="Variety"/> Malaysia,<ref name="dd" /><ref>{{cite web|title= "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" collects RM 4.2 million|url=https://www.cinema.com.my/articles/news_details.aspx?search=2024.n_htmmbgdcollectsrm4million_66713|website=Voi|date=June 4, 2024}}</ref> and the Philippines.<ref name="Variety" /> In the Philippines, tickets were sold out on its opening day and screenings were increased to meet demand.<ref name=":6" /> The film broke or set several other box office records:<ref name="dd" /> in Indonesia, it is the highest-grossing Thai film and highest grossing Asian film,<ref>{{cite web |date=2024-05-18 |title=หลานม่า เปิดตัวแรง ทำชาวอินโดน้ำตาท่วม ขึ้นแท่นหนังไทย ทำรายได้เปิดตัวสูงสุด |trans-title=''Lahn Mah''s record debut brings Indonesians to tears, posting the highest opening income |url=https://www.thairath.co.th/entertain/news/2786636 |accessdate=2024-05-21 |work=] |language=thai}}</ref><ref name=dd>{{cite news |last1=Merican |first1=Sara |title='How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' breaks Indonesia box office records |url= https://deadline.com/2024/06/thai-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-southeast-asia-1235975589/|accessdate=June 19, 2024 |publisher=] |date=June 19, 2024}}</ref> and it became the highest-grossing Thai film in Australia, New Zealand,<ref name=":12" /> Singapore,<ref>{{cite news |last1=So |first1=Joan |title=How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies tops Singapore box office|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-tops-singapore-box-office |accessdate=June 11, 2024 |publisher= ]|date=June 10, 2024}}</ref><ref name="dd" /> Myanmar,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://about.netflix.com/en/news/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-streams-september-12|title=Thai Tearjerker Film 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' Streams on Netflix Across Southeast Asia Starting September 12|publisher=Netflix|date=12 August 2024|accessdate=26 August 2024}}</ref> Vietnam,<ref name="Variety"/> Malaysia,<ref name="dd" /><ref>{{cite web|title= "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" collects RM 4.2 million|url=https://www.cinema.com.my/articles/news_details.aspx?search=2024.n_htmmbgdcollectsrm4million_66713|website=Voi|date=June 4, 2024}}</ref> and the Philippines.<ref name="Variety" /> In the Philippines, tickets were sold out on its opening day and screenings were increased to meet demand.<ref name=":6" />


===Critical response=== ===Critical response===
{{RT data|prose}}<ref name=rt>{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=How to Make Millions before Grandma Dies|type=m|id=how_to_make_millions_before_grandma_dies|accessdate={{RT data|accessdate}}}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> Audiences polled by Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an average rating of 96%,<ref name=rt/> and audiences rated the film 8.9/10 based on 140,000 reviews on the Chinese review platform ].<ref name=":3" /> {{MC film|82|4|ref=yes|access-date=2024-10-27}}<ref name=mc>{{cite Metacritic|title=How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies|type=movie|id=how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies|accessdate=2024-10-27}}</ref> {{RT data|prose}}<ref name=rt>{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=How to Make Millions before Grandma Dies|type=m|id=how_to_make_millions_before_grandma_dies|accessdate={{RT data|accessdate}}}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> Audiences polled by Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an average rating of 96%,<ref name=rt/> and audiences rated the film 8.9/10 based on 140,000 reviews on the Chinese review platform ].<ref name=":3" /> {{MC film|82|4|ref=yes|access-date=2024-10-27}}<ref name=mc>{{cite Metacritic|title=How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies|type=movie|id=how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies|accessdate=2024-10-27}}</ref>


In Asia, ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' received industry-wide praise: Shirley Low, the chief marketing officer of ], commended the film's realistic portrayal of family life, saying, "everything in the film my family". A similar sentiment was echoed by Ruby Ann O. Reyes, the vice president for corporate marketing for ].<ref name=":6" /> According to Pat, the film "stunned" his family (whom the characters are based on) and he stated they " talk about but they feel good that it happened".<ref name=":6" /> In a review for '']'', Danisha Liang praised Putthipong’s convincing portrayal and highlighted Usha's "sassy—almost feisty" presence as the film's standout.<ref>{{cite web |last=Liang |first=Danisha |url=https://grazia.sg/culture/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-thai-movie-billkin-tu-tontawan/|title=Don't Forget Your Tissues When You Catch 'How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' In Cinemas|website=Grazia Singapore|date=14 June 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> ]'s Jelou Galang praised the production design and Kraithong's cinematography.<ref>{{cite web |last=Galang |first=Jelou |date=10 June 2024 |title=Review: In ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,’ attention is supreme love |url=https://philstarlife.com/geeky/689289-review-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies?page=2 |website=Philstar Life}}</ref> In Asia, ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' received industry-wide praise: Shirley Low, the chief marketing officer of ], commended the film's realistic portrayal of family life, saying, "everything in the film my family". A similar sentiment was echoed by Ruby Ann O. Reyes, the vice president for corporate marketing for ].<ref name=":6" /> According to Pat, the film "stunned" his family (whom the characters are based on) and he stated they " talk about but they feel good that it happened".<ref name=":6" /> Pat later paid his grandmother from the film's proceeds for her influence on the film.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.ft.com/content/392a3ba8-9727-4075-8236-a65380571fc1|title=Pat Boonnitipat expected to lose money on his debut film. It’s become an Asian cultural supernova|publisher=Financial Times|date=12 December 2024|accessdate=16 December 2024}}</ref> In a review for '']'', Danisha Liang praised Putthipong’s convincing portrayal and highlighted Usha's "sassy—almost feisty" presence as the film's standout.<ref>{{cite web |last=Liang |first=Danisha |url=https://grazia.sg/culture/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-thai-movie-billkin-tu-tontawan/|title=Don't Forget Your Tissues When You Catch 'How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' In Cinemas|website=Grazia Singapore|date=14 June 2024 |accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> '']'''s Jelou Galang praised the production design and Kraithong's cinematography.<ref>{{cite web |last=Galang |first=Jelou |date=10 June 2024 |title=Review: In ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,’ attention is supreme love |url=https://philstarlife.com/geeky/689289-review-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies?page=2 |website=Philstar Life}}</ref>


In a review for '']'', Kania Pasaman commended the slower pace, saying "subtlety is where the film’s true strength lies" and called the performances "rich with nuance and emotion". He also wrote the "skillful incorporation" of humor added "depth and charm" and the ending was "profoundly moving and emotionally enriching". He praised ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' for being an accurate reflection of Asian family dynamics,<ref>{{cite web |last=Pasaman |first=Kania |url=https://medium.com/@kaniapsm22/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-a-profound-lensed-cinematic-journey-through-familial-55b3ec59bbad|title=How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies — A Profound Cinematic Journey Through Familial Bonds|website=Medium Indonesia|date=May 24, 2024|accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> which was echoed by Noel Wong in his review for '']''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wong |first=Noel |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2024/06/03/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-a-touching-thai-tearjerker/|title='How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies': a touching Thai tearjerker|website=Free Malaysia Today|date=June 3, 2024|accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> Writing for '']'', Keran Raj called the "witty and natural" screenplay as "one of the film's strongest aspects", while also praising the "charming and convincing" performance by Putthipong, the "warmth and wisdom" of Usha's performance, and their on-screen chemistry, which he labelled the "heart and soul" of the film.<ref>{{cite web |last=Raj |first=Keran |url=https://www.therakyatpost.com/living/2024/06/10/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-a-simple-yet-refreshing-movie/|title=How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies – A Simple Yet Refreshing Movie|website=The Rakyat Post|date=June 10, 2024}}</ref> In a review for '']'', Kania Pasaman commended the slower pace, saying "subtlety is where the film’s true strength lies" and called the performances "rich with nuance and emotion". He also wrote the "skillful incorporation" of humor added "depth and charm" and the ending was "profoundly moving and emotionally enriching". He praised ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' for being an accurate reflection of Asian family dynamics,<ref>{{cite web |last=Pasaman |first=Kania |url=https://medium.com/@kaniapsm22/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-a-profound-lensed-cinematic-journey-through-familial-55b3ec59bbad|title=How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies — A Profound Cinematic Journey Through Familial Bonds|website=Medium Indonesia|date=May 24, 2024|accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> which was echoed by Noel Wong in his review for '']''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wong |first=Noel |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2024/06/03/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-a-touching-thai-tearjerker/|title='How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies': a touching Thai tearjerker|website=Free Malaysia Today|date=June 3, 2024|accessdate=September 25, 2024}}</ref> Writing for '']'', Keran Raj called the "witty and natural" screenplay as "one of the film's strongest aspects", while also praising the "charming and convincing" performance by Putthipong, the "warmth and wisdom" of Usha's performance, and their on-screen chemistry, which he labelled the "heart and soul" of the film.<ref>{{cite web |last=Raj |first=Keran |url=https://www.therakyatpost.com/living/2024/06/10/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-a-simple-yet-refreshing-movie/|title=How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies – A Simple Yet Refreshing Movie|website=The Rakyat Post|date=June 10, 2024}}</ref>
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===Accolades=== ===Accolades===
''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' has been considered an atypical box office hit for Thai cinema, which has historically favored horror, action, or comedy films.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" /> This was echoed by the film's producer Vanridee Pongsittisak, who said "we did not expect this scale of success".<ref name=":0" /> In July 2024, the film won the Audience Award at the ].<ref name="awards:variety">{{Cite news |author=Frater |first=Patrick |date=July 29, 2023 |title=Thai Hit ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Wins Audience Award at New York Asian Film Festival |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/new-york-asian-film-festival-award-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-1236088563/ |access-date=July 29, 2023 |work=] |language=en}}</ref> In October, the film was selected by the ] as Thailand's ] for ] at the ],<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Frater |first1=Patrick |last2=Barraclough |first2=Leo |last3=Lang |first3=Jamie |last4=Keslassy |first4=Elsa |last5=Ritman |first5=Alex |last6=Shafer |first6=Ellise |last7=Vivarelli |first7=Nick |last8=Ramachandran |first8=Naman |last9=Hopewell |first9=John |date=2024-10-03 |title=International Oscars Race: Hit Comedy ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Selected by Thailand |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/international-feature-oscar-submissions-1236103822/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> of which, the 15-film shortlist is expected in December and the final nominations announced in January 2025. ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' has been considered an atypical box office hit for Thai cinema, which has historically favored horror, action, or comedy films.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" /> This was echoed by the film's producer Vanridee Pongsittisak, who said "we did not expect this scale of success".<ref name=":0" /> In July 2024, the film won the Audience Award at the ].<ref name="awards:variety">{{Cite news |author=Frater |first=Patrick |date=July 29, 2023 |title=Thai Hit ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Wins Audience Award at New York Asian Film Festival |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/new-york-asian-film-festival-award-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-1236088563/ |access-date=July 29, 2023 |work=] |language=en}}</ref> In October, the film was selected by the ] as Thailand's ] for ] at the ].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Frater |first1=Patrick |last2=Barraclough |first2=Leo |last3=Lang |first3=Jamie |last4=Keslassy |first4=Elsa |last5=Ritman |first5=Alex |last6=Shafer |first6=Ellise |last7=Vivarelli |first7=Nick |last8=Ramachandran |first8=Naman |last9=Hopewell |first9=John |date=2024-10-03 |title=International Oscars Race: Hit Comedy ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Selected by Thailand |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/international-feature-oscar-submissions-1236103822/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> It became Thailand's first submission ever to advance to the 15-film shortlist, announced in December;<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lui |first1=John |title=Thai film How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies makes Best International Feature Oscar shortlist |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/thai-film-how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies-makes-best-international-feature-oscar-shortlist |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=The Straits Times |date=18 December 2024 |language=en-SG}}</ref> the final nominations will be announced in January 2025.


{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
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| ] | ]
| Audience Award | Audience Award
| rowspan="4"|''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies'' | ''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies''
| {{win}} | {{win}}
| align="center"| <ref name="awards:variety" /> | align="center"| <ref name="awards:variety" />
|-
| rowspan=2| Kino Bravo International Film Festival
| rowspan=2| 4 October 2024
| Best Actress
| Usha Seamkhum
| {{win}}
| rowspan=2 align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web|title=The 1st Kino Bravo International Film Festival Winners|url=https://kinobravo.ru/en/winners/|access-date=2024-12-02|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| Best Cinematography
| Boonyanuch Kraithong
| {{win}}
|- |-
| ] | ]
| 7 November 2024 | 7 November 2024
| Audience Award | Audience Award
| rowspan="3"|''How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies''
| {{runner-up}} | {{runner-up}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-11-07|title=GEMS 2024 Audience Award Winners|url=https://miamifilmfestival.com/gems-2024-audience-award-winners/|access-date=2024-11-07 |website=]|language=en-US}}</ref> | align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-11-07|title=GEMS 2024 Audience Award Winners|url=https://miamifilmfestival.com/gems-2024-audience-award-winners/|access-date=2024-11-07 |website=]|language=en-US}}</ref>
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| ] | ]
| 10 November 2024 | 10 November 2024
| PLUS Award Best Film by the Young Jury | PLUS Award for Best Film by the Young Jury
| {{win}} | {{win}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-11-10|title=Julie Keeps Quiet is Best Feature Film of 22nd ZFF|url=https://zff.hr/en/julie-keeps-quiet-is-best-feature-film-of-22nd-zff/|access-date=2024-11-13 |website=]|language=en}}</ref> | align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-11-10|title=Julie Keeps Quiet is Best Feature Film of 22nd ZFF|url=https://zff.hr/en/julie-keeps-quiet-is-best-feature-film-of-22nd-zff/|access-date=2024-11-13 |website=]|language=en}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=9|]
| rowspan=9|1 December 2024
| Best Picture
| {{win}}
| rowspan=9 align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-12-01|title=【第61届亚太影展颁奖典礼】《破·地狱》夺4奖成大赢家!卫诗雅封影后哽咽哭了 “金孙” Billkin首夺影帝|url=https://www.orientaldaily.com.my/news/entertainment/2024/12/01/696866|access-date=2024-12-02|website=]|language=zh}}</ref>
|-
| Best Director
| ]
| {{nominated}}
|-
| Best Leading Actor
| ]
| {{win}}
|-
| Best Leading Actress
| Usha Seamkhum
| {{nominated}}
|-
| Best Supporting Actress
| ]
| {{nominated}}
|-
| Best Original Screenplay
| Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn and Pat Boonnitipat
| {{win}}
|-
| Best Original Music Score
| Jaithep Raroengjai
| {{nominated}}
|-
| Best Art Direction
| Tassanai Lertkai
| {{nominated}}
|-
| Best Makeup & Costume Design
| Jirateep Kluewan and Chayanuch Savekvattana
| {{nominated}}
|- |-
|} |}
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==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}

==External links== ==External links==
*{{IMDb title|31392609}} *{{IMDb title|31392609}}

{{Thai submissions for the Academy Award}} {{Thai submissions for the Academy Award}}

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Latest revision as of 15:17, 23 December 2024

2024 Thai film by Pat Boonnitipat

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
A middle-aged woman stands between two standing middle-aged men. A younger woman stands beside the man on the right. A girl sits on the arm of a chair an elderly woman is sitting on. A young man sits in the foreground wearing headphones and holding an electronic device. There is Thai text below and to the left of the image, and Chinese text on the right.Thai theatrical release poster
Directed byPat Boonnitipat
Written by
  • Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn
  • Pat Boonnitipat
Produced by
  • Vanridee Pongsittisak
  • Jira Maligool
Starring
CinematographyBoonyanuch Kraithong
Edited byThammarat Sumethsupachok
Music byJaithep Raroengjai
Production
company
Jor Kwang Films
Distributed byGDH
Release date
  • April 4, 2024 (2024-04-04) (Thailand)
Running time125 minutes
CountryThailand
Languages
Box office$73.8 million

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, known in Thai as Lahn Mah, is a 2024 Thai comedy drama film directed by Pat Boonnitipat and written by Pat and Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn. It stars Putthipong Assaratanakul and Usha Seamkhum in their debut feature film roles. In the film, M (Putthipong), a university dropout low on money volunteers to take care of his terminally ill grandmother (Usha) in the hope of pocketing an inheritance.

Development on the film began in 2020 after Thodsapon completed the first draft of the screenplay, which underwent several revisions after Pat was hired as director. Putthipong and Usha were hired soon after the screenplay was complete. Principal photography took place in Bangkok, with filming locations including Talat Phlu. Upon release, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies went viral, spurred by a social media trend where viewers posted videos of themselves crying after watching the film.

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies was released in Thailand on April 4, 2024, by GDH. It has grossed an estimated $78.3 million worldwide, becoming the second highest-grossing Thai film of 2024 and twelfth-highest grossing domestic film of all time, and also broke box office records in several countries across Asia. It received praise from critics for its direction, screenplay, acting performances, music, and heavy emotional weight. The film was selected as Thailand's entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards and became Thailand's first submission ever to advance to the 15-film shortlist.

Plot

Mengju and her adult children Sew, Kiang, and Soei celebrate the Qingming Festival with Sew's son, M, a university dropout and aspiring video game streamer. She tells her family she wants to be buried on a big plot when she dies, which costs millions to purchase. After receiving hospital treatment for a fall, Mengju is diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer; her family decides to keep the diagnosis hidden from her. After M's wealthy paternal grandfather dies, most of his estate is left to his primary carer, Mui, M's cousin and an online sex worker. M then volunteers to become Mengju's carer, hoping to inherit her estate.

Before moving in, M lists Mengju's Talat Phlu house for sale. He initially struggles to curry favour with her, finding her demanding and unfiltered, and questions the morality of his decision but is convinced by Mui to continue. M tells Mengju of her diagnosis, and she begins to become more receptive to his care. M also assumes Mengju's job as a street congee vendor. During a weekly family gathering (which Kiang's wife, Pinn, their daughter, Rainbow, and M attend for the first time), Mengju tells her family that M informed of her cancer. All of Mengju's children suddenly suggest methods to help care for her, which raises M's suspicions about their motives. Afterward, M increases his efforts as her primary carer.

Kiang, a wealthy stockbroker, arranges for Mengju to live with him and his family. Kiang offers to pay M to care for Mengju, but he declines the money. Mengju and the rest travel to the Golden Mount at Wat Saket. By reading their prayer cards, M finds that Mengju has prayed for her entire family and that Kiang and his family have only prayed for themselves; M is the only one who prayed for Mengju, for her to "win the lottery". Mengju declines to move in with Kiang, and she grows closer to M.

Mengju finds out Soei stole ฿200,000 hidden in her kitchen to help cover his ฿1 million gambling debt. After confronting Soei, M gives him a pure silver belt he inherited from his paternal grandfather to help him pay off his debt. M lies about meeting Soei, telling Mengju that Soei is "out of town on work". After the doorbell rings, Mengju assumes Soei's creditors have found her house: she instructs M to hide and answers the door. It is instead a respondent to M's sale listing of Mengju's house, whom she turns away.

Mengju takes M to meet her brother, who inherited millions upon the passing of their parents, and asks for money to purchase the plot. Her brother refuses and it is revealed that Mengju was their parents' carer until they died. Mengju tells M she wants a large burial plot, hoping it will bring her family together as they visit her gravesite. After Mengju's doctors tell M that continuing treatment would be futile, he lies to her and says she will instead receive treatment "based on her symptoms". Kiang asks Sew for the deed to Mengju's house, but she gives it to Soei, per Mengju's wishes. M angrily reacts to this and moves back home.

M learns that Sew, unlike him or Sew's siblings, did not want anything in exchange for caring for Mengju. Mui offers M half of her expected inheritance if he helps care for her dying aunt, but he refuses. Soei sells Mengju's house, fully covering his debts, and moves Mengju to a nursing home. He attempts to repay M, who refuses. M moves Mengju into his home. He also insults Soei and Kiang for their selfishness. After Mengju dies, M receives a call from a bank, which tells him that Mengju put aside money in his name since he was a child after he said he wanted to "buy her a new house". M empties the account and uses the money to buy a big plot for her burial, which everyone attends.

Cast

  • Putthipong "Billkin" Assaratanakul as M, a college dropout.
  • Usha "Taew" Seamkhum as Mengju, M's 79-year-old grandmother who is diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer.
  • Sarinrat "Jear" Thomas as Sew, Mengju's daughter and M's mother.
  • Sanya "Duu" Kunakorn as Kiang, Mengju's eldest son.
  • Pongsatorn "Phuak" Jongwilas as Soei, Mengju's youngest child.
  • Tontawan "Tu" Tantivejakul as Mui, M's younger cousin.
  • Duangporn Oapirat as Pinn, Kiang's wife.
  • Himawari Tajiri as Rainbow, Kiang and Pinn's daughter.

Production

Development

GDH films (including those produced by its wholly owned subsidiary production company Jor Kwang Films) are typically developed by its producers or directors. However, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies was the first GDH film to be initiated by Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn, a full-time screenwriter at GDH since 2009. In December 2020, he pitched the project with a ten-page synopsis inspired by his experiences caring for his grandmother during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the fallout from her not giving her daughter or caregivers any inheritance upon her death. Producers Vanridee Pongsittisak and Jira Maligool worked with Thodsapon to make an "accessible and entertaining" screenplay compared to the initial treatment, creating a slapstick comedy featuring a grandmother and grandchild.

Pat Boonnitipat (pictured in 2018) wrote and directed the film in his directorial debut.

According to Vanridee, this version of the film, which was titled The Chinese Family, was deemed to have "lost original charm" of Thodsapon's treatment. As such, after Sino-Thai director Pat Boonnitipat was hired, he worked with Thodsapon to adopt a more emotionally-driven narrative. Pat had previously worked with GDH on Project S: The Series (2017–2018) and Bad Genius: The Series (2020). He incorporated elements from his own life to develop the final screenplay: his maternal grandmother, who helped raise him and with whom he still lives, was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer in 2004. Pat and Thodsapon worked on the screenplay for two years, which evolved to include other characters beyond the grandmother and grandson. Pat later stated it took him eight months to learn how to write for film compared to television; How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is his feature film debut.

Pat stated that his grandmother directly opined on the screenplay after he moved back in with her when writing, while the other characters were based on his Cantonese mother’s family, describing the representation in the film is as “exactly the same , even the dialogue". The writers revised the screenplay to include themes on contemporary Thai family dynamics, specifically related to western and Asian attitudes regarding extended and nuclear families. Benediktus Yogatama of Kompas argued the film also contained several themes related to financial planning and personal budgeting. Hollywood Insider's Jake Yancey stated How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies explores gender roles, generational divides and similarities, aging, and the Thai-Chinese cultural experience.

Casting

Putthipong "Billkin" Assaratanakul (pictured in 2024) was cast in his debut lead film role.

Putthipong "Billkin" Assaratanakul was cast in his debut lead film role, alongside acting debutante Usha "Taew" Seamkhum. Putthipong was the producers' first choice but Pat disliked his initial audition: Putthipong was hired following a second audition, after taking a long break from acting to attend acting classes. Pat immediately wanted to hire the 78-year-old Usha after her audition, with his assistant director discovering her through a modelling agency Usha was signed to after taking part in a video for a seniors dance competition in 2019. Speaking on hiring Usha, Pat stated "I wanted the acting to be natural ideal way to be natural is to find someone who has never acted. didn’t have any pre-concept of acting. She just believed in the story. She became an actor. It’s her gift and it’s very charming".

Usha was ultimately hired after a recast with Putthipong, with the producers wanting a first-time actor for the role. Putthipong said that the film required "detailed and focused acting" compared to his appearances in the television series My Ambulance (2019) and I Told Sunset About You (2021): he had to lose weight and alter his natural walk and speech patterns to portray his character in the film. Putthipong also claimed to have declined numerous other film and television projects until How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. In an interview with The Review Geek on August 2024, Pat said he catered the screenplay and the character to fit Putthipong. This included using a year's worth of acting workshops in place of standard rehearsals between Pat and Putthipong prior to filming. The remaining cast was then rounded out, which included the feature film debut for Tontawan "Tu" Tantivejakul.

Filming

Principal photography primarily took place in Talat Phlu, a traditional Chinese community recognized as one of Bangkok's Chinatowns. Filming locations included the Talat Phlu Market and Wat Chantharam Worawihan, both of which became popular visiting locations among fans following the film's release. According to Putthipong, filming lasted for 25 days and was primarily done using a single-camera setup. Boonyanuch Kraithong, the director of photography for How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, used narrow apertures and wide shots to add depth and emphasize the characters' surroundings, constrating contemporary films that use a shallow focus. Pat also instructed to use blocking to achieve this effect, which was inspired by filmmaking techniques present in Thai films from the 1950s until the 1970s.

Pat sought to differentiate the style of How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies to the faster-paced television series he previously worked on, which included reducing the use of music. In a July 2024 interview with Lifestyle Asia, Pat said the filming choices worried GDH executives, who considered them to be too unconventional. Pat aimed to make the film as quick as possible to make sure his maternal grandmother could watch it and for him to return to helping out at his family’s mirror and glass-making business. He also used the reaction of the film's crew to assess its scenes, saying, "the first camera assistant a very cool guy and while he was doing the focus pulling on set, he cried so much that he couldn't keep his hand on the wheel. That's when I knew scene work so well, because it broke his wall".

To accommodate for Usha's age, the crew implemented regular breaks during shooting to allow her to rest. According to Pat, scenes which featured Usha walking or talking with Putthipong took the most takes to complete, owing to her inexperience in acting and Pat's strict blocking requirements. Pat also stated that most of the scenes were filmed without prior rehearsal. According to Jake Yancey of Hollywood Insider, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies uses strict opposing colors for its characters and settings to reinforce the film's themes of generational and emotional difference. Pat refused to show the film's designers references to create its indoor sets and instructed them to solely use the screenplay as inspiration: the designer subsequently designed the indoor set depicting Mengju's home as a replica of his mother's.

Music

Jaithep Raroengjai was hired to compose the film's score and the soundtrack album was released digitally by GMM Music, the parent company of GDH, on September 17, 2024. It includes seven songs featured in or inspired by the film, including its theme song "Ever-Forever" performed by Putthipong, and a cover of the Chinese traditional folk song "Aum Kim Kong" performed by Usha. In a June 2024 interview with Magdalene, Raroengjai said the music was composed to be "natural" to make How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies "feel real, raw, and close to the audience".

Marketing

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies saw increased worldwide popularity after videos of staff at SM Supermalls theatres in Manila handing tissues to viewers prior to screening the film went viral. Its virality was boosted on social media after users took part in a trend of posting videos of themselves crying from watching the film. Indonesian production company Falcon Pictures hosted the press conferences with Pat in Jakarta between May 25 and May 27 in response to the film's initial success. After its success in Singapore, Usha and Pat attended a ticketed fan event hosted by Golden Village in Suntec City on June 24, 2024. The event featured a screening of How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies and a meet-and-greet, and sold out almost immediately. A second event was added and took place later that same day.

Release

Theatrical

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies was released in Thailand by GDH on April 4. It premiered internationally in competition at the 23rd New York Asian Film Festival on 17 July 2024. Tickets for its initial premiere sold out almost immediately; a second screening then took place, which was attended by Pat and Putthipong. The film was screened in Beijing for officials of the Thai embassy in China on August 18, organized by Thailand's Ambassador to China, Chatchai Viriyavejakul. It premiered in the "A Window on Asian Cinema" program at the 29th Busan International Film Festival on October 3 and competed at the 2024 Asian World Film Festival on November 16.

The film began screening on May 15, in Indonesia; May 29, in the Philippines, May 30 in Brunei, Laos, Malaysia, and Singapore; Myanmar on May 31; in Vietnam on June 7; Hong Kong and Macao on June 13; Cambodia on June 18; Taiwan on June 21; and Timor-Leste on June 26. It was released in Australia and New Zealand on July 18, and in mainland China on August 23. It was theatrically released in South Korea on October 9: the film was distributed by NK Contents in the country. GDH handled the film's theatrical distribution across Southeast Asia and the Chinese release was handled by Teamer Media. In China, the film opened in 1000 theatres across 30 cities. Its Australian and New Zealand release was acquired by Chinalion Film Entertainment, which previously distributed Bad Genius (2017) in the countries. The film's distribution in 110 other international territories was handled by Mokster Films and WME Independent, with the film set to be released in Russia on January 9, 2025.

In August 2024, Vertigo Releasing acquired the film's theatrical distribution rights for the United Kingdom and Ireland: this was followed by Vedette Film for the Netherlands and Belgium, PVR for India, and Well Go USA for North America. How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies began a limited release in North America on September 13, in the Netherlands on October 10, and Belgium on November 13. The film will be released across 50 to 60 screens in the United Kingdom and Ireland on December 26. The Indian release date is yet to be confirmed.

Home media

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies was released on streaming in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines by Netflix on September 12, 2024. It was the fourth-most viewed program on Netflix in its debut week in the Philippines in a shortened tracking period, with 3 million views in the week tracked from September 9 to September 15. It was also the second most searched film on Google in the country in 2024.

Outside of Asia, the film was released for digital download, on Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD in North America by Well Go USA on December 10.

Reception

Box office

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has grossed US$73.8 million worldwide, including ฿334,000,000 ($12.3 million) in Thailand, and became the highest-grossing Thai film of 2024 after grossing ฿250 million ($7.6 million) in its first fourteen days of release, before being surpassed by Death Whisperer 2 and pushed down to 2nd place. It grossed ฿172.6 million ($5.3 million) in combined receipts in Metropolitan Bangkok and Chiang Mai alone, becoming the highest-grossing GDH film in Thailand and twelfth-highest grossing domestic film of all time. The film grossed $1.4 million in Singapore in its first eleven days of release, and grossed $5.8 million in its first two weeks in China. As of September 8, 2024, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has grossed $14.8 million in China, $25 million across Western markets, and $34 million across Southeast Asia and Australia, making for an estimated worldwide gross of $73.8 million.

According to GDH, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has been screened to over ten million people, and it topped the box office in Singapore from June 6-9, grossing $256,000, setting the record for the biggest opening weekend for a Thai film. Shirley Low, the chief marketing officer of the Malaysian-based Golden Screen Cinemas, noted How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies exceeded their domestic box-office expectations for a Thai film. In Indonesia, the film sold over 3.5 million tickets (including selling 2 million in its first 13 days), setting the record for the most admissions for an Asian film in the country, surpassing the South Korean horror Exhuma (2024), which sold 2.6 million tickets.

The film broke or set several other box office records: in Indonesia, it is the highest-grossing Thai film and highest grossing Asian film, and it became the highest-grossing Thai film in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In the Philippines, tickets were sold out on its opening day and screenings were increased to meet demand.

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 13 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.9/10. Audiences polled by Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an average rating of 96%, and audiences rated the film 8.9/10 based on 140,000 reviews on the Chinese review platform Douban. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 82 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".

In Asia, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies received industry-wide praise: Shirley Low, the chief marketing officer of Golden Screen Cinemas, commended the film's realistic portrayal of family life, saying, "everything in the film my family". A similar sentiment was echoed by Ruby Ann O. Reyes, the vice president for corporate marketing for SM Supermalls. According to Pat, the film "stunned" his family (whom the characters are based on) and he stated they " talk about but they feel good that it happened". Pat later paid his grandmother from the film's proceeds for her influence on the film. In a review for Grazia Singapore, Danisha Liang praised Putthipong’s convincing portrayal and highlighted Usha's "sassy—almost feisty" presence as the film's standout. The Philippine Star's Jelou Galang praised the production design and Kraithong's cinematography.

In a review for Medium Indonesia, Kania Pasaman commended the slower pace, saying "subtlety is where the film’s true strength lies" and called the performances "rich with nuance and emotion". He also wrote the "skillful incorporation" of humor added "depth and charm" and the ending was "profoundly moving and emotionally enriching". He praised How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies for being an accurate reflection of Asian family dynamics, which was echoed by Noel Wong in his review for Free Malaysia Today. Writing for The Rakyat Post, Keran Raj called the "witty and natural" screenplay as "one of the film's strongest aspects", while also praising the "charming and convincing" performance by Putthipong, the "warmth and wisdom" of Usha's performance, and their on-screen chemistry, which he labelled the "heart and soul" of the film.

The film was a critical success outside Asia. Writing for Film Threat, Alex Saveliev gave How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies a positive review, saying it "brims with wisdom and insight" and called the comedy "acerbic and gentle". He also praised the dialogue, labelling it "biting, crisp, smart, and frequently heartbreaking". Simon Abrams of RogerEbert.com complimented the music, comedy, and Pat's direction, saying "every scene was packed with lived-in details". He also applauded the "care" and "sensitivity" in the screenplay, concluding the film is "a sunny, gracious portrait of family life". ScreenDaily's Allan Hunter further praised the direction, calling How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies "a sentimental journey to redemption that Boonnitipat grounds in understanding and empathy", and lauded the emotional weight of Raroengjai's music. Hunter also commended the performances of the leads, calling Putthipong "nicely understated and thoughtful" and said Usha was "remarkable" in her portrayal of "a wise and gracious figure – not a typical cuddly grandma but someone canny, realistic and determined".

Accolades

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has been considered an atypical box office hit for Thai cinema, which has historically favored horror, action, or comedy films. This was echoed by the film's producer Vanridee Pongsittisak, who said "we did not expect this scale of success". In July 2024, the film won the Audience Award at the 23rd New York Asian Film Festival. In October, the film was selected by the National Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations as Thailand's submission for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards. It became Thailand's first submission ever to advance to the 15-film shortlist, announced in December; the final nominations will be announced in January 2025.

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
New York Asian Film Festival 28 July 2024 Audience Award How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Won
Kino Bravo International Film Festival 4 October 2024 Best Actress Usha Seamkhum Won
Best Cinematography Boonyanuch Kraithong Won
Miami Film Festival 7 November 2024 Audience Award How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Runner-up
Zagreb Film Festival 10 November 2024 PLUS Award for Best Film by the Young Jury Won
Asia-Pacific Film Festival 1 December 2024 Best Picture Won
Best Director Pat Boonnitipat Nominated
Best Leading Actor Putthipong Assaratanakul Won
Best Leading Actress Usha Seamkhum Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Tontawan Tantivejakul Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn and Pat Boonnitipat Won
Best Original Music Score Jaithep Raroengjai Nominated
Best Art Direction Tassanai Lertkai Nominated
Best Makeup & Costume Design Jirateep Kluewan and Chayanuch Savekvattana Nominated

See also

Notes

  1. Thai: หลานม่า, RTGSLan Ma, pronounced [lǎːn mâː], lit. 'Grandma's grandchild'

References

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