Need another good cry? Here are movies like How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has been sweeping Southeast Asia with its heartwarming tale that everyone can relate to regardless of ethnicity or age. People on the internet have been bawling their eyes out, and reviews have been glowing for the Thai film with 8.5/10 on IMDB, a 4.9/5 on Google reviews, and a 4.0 on Letterboxd. It was the biggest opening of a Thai movie in Singapore earning more than SGD 330,000 according to CNA, and that’s not even accounting for its THB 250 million earnings here for its first 14 days.
The movie is clearly a hit both at the box office and in our feels. If for some reason you still have tears left to cry; or you just want a good cathartic emotional release; or you take joy in emotionally wrecking yourself, then this list is a great place to start. If you’re looking for movies like How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, consider some of these films.
[Hero image: GDH]
Right in the feels: Movies like How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
Marley and Me (2008)
LSA Tearjerker Rating: Can’t talk, bawling
Scene that’ll open the floodgates: “You’re a great dog, Marley”
Someone on social media has made the very astute observation that whenever a book or a movie features a dog, it doesn’t usually bode well for the dog. To be fair, nothing violent happens to the eponymous Marley in this movie. In fact, it’s a heartwarming and funny look at the life he spent with her loving and patient owners. But it does show his life from beginning to end, and by the end of the movie, you feel like you’ve been with Marley for years, making it very difficult to say goodbye.
Watch it on Netflix
Miss Granny (2014)
LSA Tearjerker Rating: Will definitely cry
Scene that’ll open the floodgates: The blood transfusion
Back when it was released in 2014, this movie was a blockbuster hit in South Korea and placed only second behind Frozen before seeing an uptick in moviegoers due to people raving about it. An old and bitter woman gets a new lease on life after a magical photobooth reverts her to her 20-year-old self. Seizing her second chance, she lives the life she’s always dreamed of back when she was young but also learns about the things she may have overlooked. The film was such a hit that even Thailand remade it with Davika Hoorne in the lead role.
CODA (2021)
LSA Tearjerker Rating: Can’t talk, bawling
Scene that’ll open the floodgates: Ruby’s audition
It’s been years since an Oscar Best Picture winner was actually entertaining. The 2022 winner follows Ruby, who is the only hearing member of her deaf family. When she finds a passion for music, she struggles between pursuing her dreams or staying with her family to help them in their business. The movie is a poignant and moving look at the love of family and the hardships of life.
Watch it on Apple TV+
My Girl (1991)
LSA Tearjerker Rating: Can’t talk, bawling
Scene that’ll open the floodgates: “He can’t see without his glasses!”
This film has long lived in infamy for emotionally wrecking many people, and that remains true more than thirty years after. The story of Vada and Thomas’ friendship has long enamoured audiences, and its conclusion has constantly wrenched the hearts of everyone who watches the movie. Seriously, if you don’t shed a tear during that iconic scene, you’re probably heartless.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
LSA Tearjerker Rating: Can’t talk, bawling
Scene that’ll open the floodgates: Setsuko “playing”
The fact that this is a Studio Ghibli film should already tell you that you should prepare for a heart-wrenching watch. On top of that, it’s about two siblings who are trying to survive the last few months of World War II. That should give you an idea of what you’re in for, but trust us when we say nothing can prepare you. This will wreck you.
A Walk to Remember (2002)
LSA Tearjerker Rating: Can’t talk, bawling
Scene that’ll open the floodgates: “She did. It was you.”
Yet another movie that’s been known to turn on the waterworks, the adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ novel has been a favourite of many people for years. Landon and Jamie’s love story from awkward and reluctant friends to lovers has made many feel butterflies ever since it was released in 1999—and its ending has had a near-perfect success rate of making people weep. Does it get a little too corny at times? Sure. But when Mandy Moore starts singing “Cry” in the ending, there’s a good chance you’ll do exactly that.
The Last Five Years (2014)
LSA Tearjerker Rating: Might cry
Scene that’ll open the floodgates: “All I could do was love you hard and let you go”
Fans of Broadway will be familiar with this Jason Robert Brown musical. The film chronicles the love story of Jamie and Cathy from each of their perspectives, except their told in different “directions” in time. Cathy’s perspective begins when their relationship has ended and Jamie’s begins right at the beginning of their romance. From the get-go, the audience already knows the relationship is doomed, but it’s the unique style of story telling and the way everything unravels that makes everything so utterly heartbreaking.
Watch it on Netflix
The Teacher’s Diary (2014)
LSA Tearjerker Rating: Might cry
Scene that’ll open the floodgates: When the teacher rows his boat to visit the kids
When a teacher gets assigned to teach at a houseboat, he discovers a diary left behind by his predecessor. Smitten, he starts writing his own thoughts in the diary, and when he leaves, she eventually returns and reads his writing. The two form a bond though they never meet, and while the film is romantic, it’s their relationship with the kids that might make you shed a tear or two.
Watch it on Netflix
My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday (Tomorrow I Will Date with Yesterday’s You) (2016)
LSA Tearjerker Rating: Might cry
Scene that’ll open the floodgates: The montage
This Japanese film has an interesting premise: two people fall head over heels in love with each other, and for a moment, it seems like it’s any other romantic story. However, it’s soon revealed that the girl is Benjamin Button-like, but she doesn’t just age backwards. Time goes backwards for her, which makes their relationship a little complicated—and pretty heartbreaking.
Watch it on Netflix
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Written by
Eric E. Surbano
Senior Writer | Entertainment & Tech
Eric can be found lost in his own world jamming with headphones on while writing when he's not prepping for a DnD session or researching 'Star Wars' galactic history on Wookiepedia. A proud Ravenclaw, he loves playing (and writing about) video games, humming the 'Doctor Who' theme under his breath, and rewatching 'Friends', 'New Girl', and 'The West Wing'.
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