Discover the best of Thai cinema, film, and television
Discover the definitive list of popular and critically-acclaimed movies and TV shows from Thailand. Find your next binge-watch, streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
The cinema of Thailand
Thai cinema has undergone a remarkable evolution from its humble beginnings in the 1960s to becoming one of Asia's most distinctive film industries. The early decades were dominated by luk thung musicals that celebrated Thailand's rural life in Isan, creating an entire genre that was hugely popular, with films often playing in cinemas for months at a time. The real revolution came in the late 1990s with the emergence of the Thai New Wave movement. Directors like Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang and Wisit Sasanatieng were at the forefront, exploring themes such as social and political issues, cultural identity and the human condition. Apichatpong Weerasethakul became the most famous Thai film director, achieving unprecedented international recognition when "Tears of the Black Tiger" (2000) became the first Thai film ever selected officially for the Cannes Film Festival. Television has been equally transformative with the beloved "lakorn" drama format. Lakorn are shown generally at prime-time on Thai television channels, with each series being a finished story, unlike Western "cliffhanger" dramas, but rather like Hispanic telenovelas. Recent successes include "The Gifted" which received the highest ratings among 2018's teenage series in Thailand, and "2gether," a rom-com series that gained massive popularity. What makes Thai cinema exceptional is its fearless blend of genres and willingness to challenge conventional storytelling. From surreal art films to romantic comedies, Thai filmmakers consistently produce content that captivates both domestic and international audiences, establishing Thailand as a creative powerhouse in Southeast Asian entertainment.
Best Thai series
Girl From Nowhere 2018
A mysterious, clever girl named Nanno transfers to different schools, exposing the lies and misdeeds of the students and faculty at every turn.
80
KinnPorsche: The Series 2022
Porsche agrees to guard mafia heir Kinn for his family's sake, but fighting off danger soon turns into fighting his own feelings.
85
Bad Buddy 2021
Pran and Pat, raised as rivals due to their families' feud, secretly become close friends. Their bond grows stronger, but they must keep it hidden.
87
2gether: The Series 2020
To evade an admirer, a college student plays up a relationship with a pretend boyfriend until the act turns to reality.
77
Not Me 2021
White returns to Thailand after years abroad to find his twin Black in a coma. Disguising himself as Black, he seeks to uncover the truth behind the betrayal.
87
TharnType 2019
Type hated the idea of sharing a room with a gay guy. But now, he's starting to question what he thought he knew.
76
Best Thai movies
Ong Bak 2003
When the head of a statue sacred to a village is stolen, a young martial artist goes to the big city and finds himself taking on the underworld to retrieve it.
73
Shutter 2004
After killing a young girl in a hit-and-run accident, a couple is haunted by more than just the memory of their deadly choice.
69
Bad Genius 2017
Lynn, a brilliant student, after helping her friends to get the grades they need, develops the idea of starting a much bigger exam-cheating business.
76
Ong Bak 2 2008
Tien, the son of Lord Sihadecho — a murdered nobleman — is taken under the wing of Chernang, a renowned warrior and leader of the Pha Beek Krut.
66
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies 2024
M, a university dropout low on money and luck, volunteers to take care of his terminally ill grandmother, in the hope of pocketing an inheritance.
83
The Protector 2005
A young fighter named Kham must go to Australia to retrieve his stolen elephant. With the help of a Thai-born Australian detective, Kham must take on all comers, including a gang led by an evil woman and her two deadly bodyguards.
72