Thai films are grabbing the world by storm with their vivid cultural aspects and fast-paced action and suspense.
These films have to have a lot of on-set costs and attention to detail to make it to the top. It is infamously quoted, "Filmmaking is not for the faint of heart, nor the shallow of pocket." More input may not always provide the best returns, but there is a higher probability of success for these films.
Keeping your best interests in mind, here are the top 10 high-budget Thai films in 2021.
1. Pee Mak
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Directed By: Banjong Pisanthanakun
Starring: Mario Maurer, Davika Hoorne, Nattapong Chartpong
This film, starring Mario Maurer as Mak, is based on the Thai folktale of Mae Nak Phra Khanong. It is the highest-grossing Thai film in history. The story revolves around Mak, a soldier, invites his friends home to meet his wife and infant son. But his friends are slowly beginning to realize that Mak's family is not as it seems.
2. The Medium
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Drama
Directed By: Banjong Pisanthanakun
Starring: Narilya Gulmongkolpech, Sawanee Utoomma, Sirani Yankittikan
The film tells the story of a Thai documentary team that wishes to document the life of a village deity Bayan, who has been possessing women from medium Nim's family for decades. It is the 6th highest-grossing film in co-production with South Korea and has received the Bucheon Choice Award for best film 2021.
3. The Cave
Genre: Action, Drama
Directed By: Tom Waller
Starring: Jim Warny, Ekawat Niratvorapanya, James Edward Holley
Based on the Tham Luang cave rescue of 2018, this film portrays a Thai soccer team stuck in a cave, and the points of view of the team as well as the rescue workers who have to save them as precious time ticks away.
4. Ghost Lab
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Directed By: Paween Purijitpanya
Starring: Thanapob Leeratanakachorn, Paris Intarakomalyasut, Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich
The film commences when two doctors witness a paranormal event in their hospital. Driven to prove the truth, they become more and more obsessed with collecting scientific proof. This film got released as a Netflix original film in 2021.
5. Tootsies & The Fake
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Directed By: Kittiphak Thongauam
Starring: Araya A. Hargate, Paopetch Charoensook, Thongchai Thongkanthom
An LGBT Thai comedy, this movie is the story of four diverse artists that try to avoid a lawsuit after they accidentally knock out a celebrity before an important job. How? They hire a look-alike to replace her.
6. One For The Road
Genre: Drama
Directed By: Nattawut Poonpiriya
Starring: Thanapob Leeratanakachorn, Ice Natara, Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying
Boss is a club owner in New York who has it all, until one day a call from his Thai friend Aood, where the latter reveals his final stage terminal cancer diagnosis, changes his world for the better. This film was awarded the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.
7. The Chain: You've Got 48 Hours
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Drama
Directed By: Tanit Jitnukul
Starring: Bela Padilla, Ploypailin Thangprapaporn, Sonya Singha
This movie is a dark thriller. You have 48 hours to live from the moment you possess this mysterious chain. The protagonists try to find the chain's secrets as the clock ticks against them in this bone-chilling horror.
8. Sang Krasue/ Inhuman Kiss
Genre: Drama, Romance, Horror
Directed By: Nattawut Poonpiriya
Starring: Phantira Pipityakorn, Oabnithi Wiwattanawarang, Sapol Assawamunkong
Sai, a typical girl, has a curse. A monster called a Krasue that feeds on flesh possesses her at nightfall. As she struggles with her dark side, the story follows her friends as they try to protect her from the wrath of the villagers.
9. The Con- Heartist
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Directed By: Mez Tharatorn
Starring: Nadech Kugimiya, Pimchanok Leuwisetpaiboon, Thiti Mahayotaruk
This movie made itself into the 20th New York Asian Film Festival's Crowd Pleaser section. It follows the story of Ina, a former bank employee, who manages to capture a clever con-artist Tower, and tricks him into swindling her ex-boyfriend as revenge.
10. Low Season
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Romance
Directed By: Nareubadee Wetchakam
Starring: Mario Maurer, Ploypailin Thangprapaporn, Kidakarn Chatkaewmanee
Lin, a woman who can see ghosts, just broke up with her boyfriend. She embarks on a trip to a resort on a Northern mountain only to find many other similarly lonely fellows like her. The movie follows her adventures in this resort.
