Some movies start with huge expectations and an even huger budget and yet end up earning barely enough to be considered profitable. These movies employ superstars and go the extra mile, all in vain. It holds the truth that the next great thing is just a matter of luck. The public may or may not decide to pay attention to it. For example, some low-budget movies like rom-coms might have started with zero expectations and no publicity, but end up garnering so much attention that their earnings go off the roof. Here are the Top 10 Low Budget Thai Films That Became Massive Success.
1. I Fine... Thank You, Love You
I Fine... Thank You, Love You is a GTH production Thai rom-com that won the hearts of audiences in and outside Thailand. This movie was made with the budget of an ordinary rom-com, but scored big with the box office and earned 29.17 million baht on the opening day alone!
2. Deep
Deep is a Netflix original Thai film that was shot by a bunch of students from Bangkok University in collaboration with Transformation Films. This film became a fan favorite soon enough and also an internet sensation with fans thronging to see what was so special about it.
3. Brother Of The Year
Brother Of The Year is a Thai film starring supermodel Urassaya Sperbund and is one of the highest-grossing films to be released across Asia. Brother Of The Year managed to earn 250 million baht and even overtook Bad Genius within the first week of its release, which is a feat all in its own.
4. Killer Tattoo
Killer Tattoo is a movie that managed to feature comedians Yuthlert Sippapak, Pongsak Pongsuwan, and Petchtai Wongkamlao who are renowned in the comedy scene. It was no wonder that fans thronged to see this film, where they play wanted thugs on the run.
5. Bad Genius
Bad Genius is a Thai film based in high school and follows an ingenious system set up to promote foolproof cheating in exams. Bad Genius had such a unique and innovative plot that it received accolades everywhere and managed to bring in 42.35 million USD, making it one of the highest-grossing in Thailand.
6. Pee Mak
Pee Mak, a Thai folktale adaptation, is the highest-grossing Thai movie to date, and won several awards including the OK! Awards' Spotlight Award, the Special Jury Award at the ASEAN International Film Festival, and Movie of the Year at the Daradaily The Great Awards.
7. Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior
Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior was an action movie starring Tony Jaa, an elite martial artist. Ong Bak was made with a budget of 1.1 million USD but ended up earning 20 times this amount in the box office, which is no easy feat. This film even had two prequels Ong Bak 2 and Ong Bak 3.
8. A Crazy Little Thing Called Love
A Crazy Little Thing Called Love or First Love is a high school take on the puppy love and has a seemingly normal plot to viewers today. But it was far ahead of its time when it got released and is now a cult classic that Thai fans cannot help but watch, and even earned 70 million baht when it came out.
9. The Overture
The Overture is a lovely film that focuses on Thai culture, specifically piphat, a fading Thai classical music. The Overture has won several awards at ceremonies like the Star Entertainment Awards, Bangkok Critics Assembly Awards, and the Thailand National Film Association Awards among others.
10. Bangkok Traffic Love Story
Bangkok Traffic Love Story is an adorable Thai rom-com that won the heart of Thai audiences and managed to earn 57 million baht in the opening week, going on to become the highest-grossing in 2009, even beating Fan Chan's record. This film shot actress Cris Horwang to fame and skyrocketed her career.
