Directed by Nonzee Nimibutr
Filled with blood, sweat and tears, Nonzee's film offers an honest depiction of young Thai gangsters in the 1950s. Dang, who killed a man that was abusing his mother at the age of 13, leads his cohorts as a protection racketeer until martial law drives them upcountry.
Directed by Euthana Mukdasanit
The emotional journey of a young drug addict whose family struggles only feed further and further into his addiction.
Directed by Euthana Mukdasanit
Starring Ta Ta Young and Mos Patiparn, two of the biggest teen celebrities of the time, this film became the biggest first-day grossing movie ever in Thai history. The story follows the university lives of best friends Wati and Kom, when Kom falls in love with a girl with a red bike and gets accused of stealing it in his attempt to attract her attention.
Directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
Considered one of Thai cinema's most important new wave film-makers, Pen-Ek mad his debut at the 1997 Berlin Film Festival with what is arguably still his best movie. In this intriguing tale, little does Pu know she will fall in love with the hitman who's been ordered to kill her father for falling in love with a karaoke bar hostess.
Directed by Pinyo Roothum
The story of four friends, Prim, Foon, Art and Chompoo, who are all studying art at university and start to develop feelings for one another as their friendship grows. Let's face it—we've all been there.
Directed by Nonzee Nimibutr
Based on the famous Thai horror legend about a husband who returns home from war to his wife and son only to find that they are actually ghosts. For a more light-hearted remake of this story, see number #24 on this list.
Directed by Wisit Sasanatieng
This stunning Technicolor Thai homage to the Western genre is a tear-jerking, action-packed, at times bizarre, story about a working-class hero (Dum) who falls for Rumpoey, daughter of the provincial governer.
Directed by Thanit Jitnukul
A small group of villagers from Bang Rajan come together to block the invasion of the Burmese army into Siam during the 1767 invasion. The film was a success internationally, screening at film festivals in Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, Hawaii, Montreal and the Asia Pacific Film Festival.
Directed by Nonzee Nimibutr
Based on a famous erotic novel, this controversial film follows Jan Dara, who grows up under the care of his womanizing father after his mother dies in childbirth, leading him to a life filled with sex and misogyny. We could live without the 2012 remake, though.
Directed by Jira Maligool
This comedy-drama packed with Isaan culture, from fireballs to insect eating, explores the conflict between science and religion. Having grown up at a temple across the Mekong in Laos, Khan knows the truth behind the traditional Naga fireball phenomenon and is faced with the dilemma of following his beliefs or perpetuating the myth.
Directed by Vitcha Gojiew and Songyos Sugmakanan
In this nostalgic tale of puppy love, Jeab recalls the memories of his childhood sweetheart, Noi Na, as he drives to her wedding. The two grew up together as neighbors, sitting together on the schoolbus and playing together every day, until one day Jeab gets invited to play football with the neighborhood boys instead.
Directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul
This film consists of two interwoven stories: the love affair of a soldier (Keng) and a country boy (Tong), and a Thai folk-tale about a soldier encountering the spirit of a tiger shaman. It went on to win the Jury Prize at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, making it the first Thai film to win in the main competition.
Directed by Ekachai Uekrongtham
This heartfelt biographical film is bound to punch you straight in the feels, depicting the story of Parinya Charoenpol, the country's famous transgender Muay Thai champion who got into the sport to pay for his sex change operation.
Directed by Ittisoontorn Vichailak
Known for its famous ranad ek duel scene that proves xylophone playing can actually get pretty intense, this movie follows the life of Luang Pradit Pairoh, master of Thai classical music, and his journey towards national success.
Directed by Banjong Pisanthanakul and Parkpoom Wongpoom
A classic thriller. After a car accident, a young photographer and his girlfriend notice figures appearing in their photographs, forcing them to realize that they can never escape their past.
Directed by Yuthlert Sippapak
Kaewta, who is suffering from a rare brain disease, is suddenly hit by a car as she arrives in New York City in search for an escape. The car's driver, Jee, a Thai national working illegally in the country, is forced to take care of Kaewta at his house, where their romance begins.
Directed by Komgrit Triwimol
A classic feel-good movie about two best friends, Khaiyoi and Dakanda, who only come to realize that they have feelings for one another once Khaiyoi moves down South after graduation.
Directed by Jira Maligool
Based on the short stories by Ajin Panjapan about his time working in a mining camp after being expelled from Chulalongkorn University, quickly leading him to appreciate the comfortable Bangkok lifestyle he once had.
Directed by Nithiwat Tharathorn
This teen smash rom-com is all about the complications of high-school romance. Pom decides to pursue a music degree solely to follow a girl he's loved since freshman year, only to then meet a new girl who makes him reconsider his feeilngs.
Directed by Kompin Kemgumnird
The first ever Thai 3D animation feature film is still hard to top. The story follows a blue elephant in search of his long-lost father, before he gets captured by Burmese troops to be used as a war elephant.
Directed by HSH Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol
You could argue the epic series has carried on at least two installments too long, but we're still in thrall to original film about the life of King Naresuan, who liberated Siam from the rule of Burma. Part one involves the King's childhood, when he was captured by the Burmese as a child hostage, and quickly formed a rivalry with Mingyi Swa, the grandson of the Burmese King.
Directed by Chookiat Sakveerakul
Dominating the 2007 film award season, this is the dramatic story of two boys who meet again as teenagers and realise that their friendship actually involves deeper feelings.
Directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun
Exploding into Thai theaters two years ago, this comedy/horror film is a funny spin-off of the famous "Mae Nak" ghost story, about Mak who returns home from war to rumours that his wife and child have died in his absence.
Directed by Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit
We hadn't seen a Thai romantic comedy with such a deep, thought-provoking edge since... well, ever. Nawapol's follow up to the cult hit Mary is Happy, Marry is Happy made a cool B11.6 million on its opening day alone. When a freelance graphic designer overworks himself and has to seek medical help, he ends up falling in love with his doctor while still fighting to keep his body from breaking down.
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