How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Movie Review (2025)
When you hear a movie title like How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, you may be wondering what could possibly be going on, but this lovely little film will take you on a charming little ride.
When you are a teenager, the world is small. You don’t know that, of course, but because you are so busy figuring out who you are and focusing on your own future, you often can’t see the forest for the trees. That perspective hopefully matures over time, but sometimes it takes something – or someone – special to help it along.
How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is the story of M, a college dropout and video game streamer (to 4 or 5 viewers), who lives at home with his mother. He needs money, isn’t earning anything, and is basically a huge slacker. When he sees that his deceased grandpa has left his house and inheritance to M’s cousin (who was grandpa’s full-time caretaker), M decides to move in with his grandma and help her after she receives a diagnosis of colon cancer. Grandma hasn’t asked for this and has three children, but M insists that he be a part of grandma’s daily life, hoping to become her #1 and win her inheritance.
This is a very sweet story of a self-absorbed young man who has much to learn from a wise and stubborn old woman. And in return, she learns to have fun, laugh a little more, and find the benefit of a few more modern inventions, even if they aren’t her favorite.
First and foremost, if you watch this film, I highly suggest watching it in Thai with English subtitles. There is an advantage to hearing the tones and intentions of the actor’s voices that just doesn’t come across in the English dubbing. My son has a shirt that says, “Subbing Not Dubbing” and I completely agree – particularly here. That said, if it is difficult to read subtitles or you would avoid this film because of them, please do watch it in English. It is worth your time either way.
There is a real loveliness to the storytelling in this movie. M knows what he knows, likes what he likes, looks for shortcuts (i.e. microwave over stove), and has always been that way. Grandma does things in an old-school way that has benefited her (i.e. being awake at 5am to set up her food stand to sell breakfast) and is wary of the intentions of all of the people around her. And for good reason.
In the Chinese culture displayed in this movie (I cannot say that this is global, but as focused on in this film), there is a “favorite child” or #1 person who receives the inheritance when someone dies. It is a competition that everyone is aware of, so as an older person, grandma knows that M and her children are all vying for her money.
For M, this story is one of self-discovery. Of learning how to love in a different way and learning that the moments matter. Not just the quantity of time spent, but the quality. It’s a beautiful growth-arc to watch him go from the beginning to the end of the film and to watch how his relationship with his grandma changes. You will enjoy it.
Runtime: 126 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG
Languages Spoken In The Film: English OR Thai with English subtitles (my suggestion)
Should You Watch It? Yes, it’s a lovely movie
Did I Cry? Yes, I teared up
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Available: Free on Netflix, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
