How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Budget

What is the budget of How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies?

"How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies," a drama released in 2024, was directed by Pat Boonnitipat and stars Putthipong Assaratanakul, Usha Seamkhum. The production budget was $1,000,000, placing it in the micro-budget range for drama productions of its era.

Key Budget Allocation Categories

While specific budget breakdowns are not publicly available, typical cost drivers for a drama production like this include:

• Above-the-Line Talent: Drama films live or die on the strength of their performances.
• Location Filming & Period Production Design: Authentic locations , whether contemporary or historical , require scouting, permits, travel, lodging, and often significant dressing to match the story's time period.
• Post-Production, Color Grading & Score: The editorial process for dramas is typically longer than genre films, with careful attention to pacing and tone.
• Development: Unlike most GDH films, (including those produced by its wholly owned subsidiary production company Jor Kwang Films), which are usually developed by producers or directors, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies was pitched by GDH screenwriter Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn in December 2020.

What were the major cost factors in How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies?

Several factors contributed to the overall production costs of "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies."

• Above-the-Line Talent: Above-the-Line Talent is one of the primary cost drivers in drama productions of this scale.
• Location Filming: Location Filming & Period Production Design is one of the primary cost drivers in drama productions of this scale.
• Post-Production: Post-Production, Color Grading & Score is one of the primary cost drivers in drama productions of this scale.

How Does How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies's Budget Compare to Similar Films?

At $1,000,000, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies sits in the micro-budget range. Here is how it compares to productions with a similar budget:

• Gone in 60 Seconds (1974): Budget $1,000,000, Worldwide Gross $40,000,000
• A Woman Under the Influence (1974): Budget $1,000,000, Worldwide Gross $12,200,000
• Rear Window (1954): Budget $1,000,000, Worldwide Gross $37,042,336
• Raise the Red Lantern (1991): Budget $1,000,000, Worldwide Gross $16,600,000
• The Turin Horse (2011): Budget $1,000,000, Worldwide Gross $162,088

The median budget for wide-release drama films in the 2020s ranges from $30 to 80M for mid-budget to $150M+ for tentpoles.

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Box Office Performance

"How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" earned $303,772 domestically and $73,800,000 worldwide at the box office. Against a production budget of $1,000,000, the film performed strongly at the box office.

A film typically needs to earn approximately twice its production budget to cover marketing and distribution costs. For "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies," that break-even threshold was roughly $2,000,000. With worldwide earnings of $73,800,000, the film cleared that threshold comfortably.

• Production Budget: $1,000,000
• Worldwide Gross: $73,800,000
• Net Return: $72,800,000
• ROI: approximately 7280%

At 7280%, "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" earned roughly $73.8 for every $1 invested in production.

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Production History

Unlike most GDH films, (including those produced by its wholly owned subsidiary production company Jor Kwang Films), which are usually developed by producers or directors, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies was pitched by GDH screenwriter Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn in December 2020. Thodsapon's idea revolved around a ten-page synopsis inspired by caring for his grandmother during the COVID-19 pandemic and the family conflict over the lack of inheritance given to her daughter or caregivers. As such, after Thai Chinese director Pat Boonnitipat was hired, he worked with Thodsapon to adopt a more emotionally-driven narrative for the film: Pat had previously worked with GDH on Project S: The Series (2017 to 2018) and Bad Genius (2020).

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. Usha was hired after a screen test with Putthipong, with the producers also wanting a first-time actress for the role.

Principal photography primarily took place in Talat Phlu, a traditional Thai Chinese community recognized as one of Bangkok's Chinatowns. Filming locations included 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: To accommodate for Usha's age, the crew implemented regular breaks during shooting to allow her to rest.

Awards and Recognition

16 wins & 11 nominations total

Critical Reception

The site's critical consensus reads, "A comedy of generational manners that blossoms into a sweet tearjerker, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies bets big on earnestness and hits the jackpot." Audiences polled by Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an average rating of 96%, The Philippine Star's Jelou Galang praised the production design and Kraithong's cinematography.