1. Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass
Released on October 2, 2015, this film quickly became a social media sensation and one of the most searched keywords of the time. Based on the famous novel by Nguyen Nhat Anh, its early trailers created a strong impact on viewers. It earned 80 billion VND, ranking as the fourth highest-grossing film, with many artistic elements. Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass closed out 2015 by winning the Golden Lotus Award for Best Feature Film at the 19th Vietnam Film Festival, a well-deserved recognition for the dedication and sacrifice of the entire cast and crew.
The name Thai Hoa is always a box-office magnet, as most of his films achieve remarkable earnings. He's often called the 'Box Office King' or the 'Million Dollar Actor' by fans. Released on December 20, 2013, Teo Em grossed 80 billion VND for the producers. The film follows the quirky journey of two adopted brothers, Ti and Teo. With humorous elements and a style often described as 'Hollywood-like,' it offers plenty of entertaining moments. This is another collaboration between Thai Hoa and director Charlie Nguyen.
Furie, starring the 'action queen' Ngo Thanh Van, made a huge impact when it premiered on February 22. Its stunning, intense action scenes, along with Ngo Thanh Van's convincing performance, helped the film quickly achieve massive box office success and received widespread praise from both audiences and critics. Just four weeks after its release, Furie earned a record-breaking 200 billion VND, making it the highest-grossing Vietnamese film in history at the time. This total came from Vietnam, the US, Canada, and some unreported sources. Furie later expanded to China, meaning its earnings could continue to soar beyond its current record.
4. Let’s Get Married Again
After nearly two months of dominating domestic cinemas during the 2019 Lunar New Year, this film featuring the duo Tran Thanh and Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc grossed 191.8 billion VND. According to the production team, this made it the highest-grossing Vietnamese film in history at the time in Vietnam. However, with international earnings factored in, it was soon surpassed by another film after just one month. If, as promised by the director, this film gets an international release, Let’s Get Married Again may have the potential to break new records and reclaim its top spot.
Released in 2017, I’m Not 18 Yet is a comedy about the awkward and humorous situation of Hoang, a rich young man known for his flirtatious behavior. With his good looks and a penchant for one-night stands, Hoang finds himself in trouble when he gets involved with Linh Dan, a young girl who's not yet 18. This one-night affair quickly turns into a nightmare when Hoang discovers her age. The film, featuring a cast well-suited to their roles, tells a familiar yet fresh story about teenage relationships, and director Le Thanh Son's modern take on the narrative resonated with young audiences. With 171 billion VND in earnings, the film held the record for the highest-grossing Vietnamese film for two years until 2019 when newer competitors came along.
Dreamy Eyes tells the story of Ngạn and Hà Lan, childhood friends who grew up together in the village of Đo Đo. Their bond remained strong through their youth and into adulthood, yet they never truly broke free from each other. Ngạn, a quiet village boy, is captivated by Hà Lan, whose sparkling blue eyes are filled with an alluring sadness. He becomes a poet, singer, and protector for her, always by her side. However, Hà Lan is drawn to the allure of city life and falls for a charming playboy, only to be betrayed. Despite this, Ngạn’s love for her never wavers. As time passes, Ngạn cares for Hà Lan's daughter, Trà Long, who shares her mother's blue eyes, and he finds solace in their bond. But in the end, Ngạn must leave, realizing that the only blue eyes that have ever truly captured his heart are Hà Lan's.
7. Face Off 4: The Walking Guests
Face Off 4: The Walking Guests is the latest installment in the popular horror-comedy series directed by Ly Hai. The film follows Vy and Huân returning home for what should have been a joyful family reunion, accompanied by their close friends Thông, Phương, and Bình. However, things take a strange turn as each person encounters bizarre, supernatural events, and Vy finds herself in grave danger. The locals suggest that Vy's house is haunted but only refer to the spirits as 'guests,' in line with local customs. As the group unravels the mystery, they must figure out how to save Vy and uncover the truth behind the eerie occurrences. The film has been a box-office hit, earning 117.5 billion VND after nearly two months in theaters, continuing Ly Hai's reputation for delivering successful films.
Siêu Sao Siêu Ngố is a romantic comedy film that follows the life of Thế Sơn, a successful movie star who enjoys fame and wealth but finds himself unable to live freely. Despite his luxurious lifestyle, he is constantly controlled and monitored by his management company, investors, and financial obligations. Directed by Đức Thịnh, the film became a box office success due to its timely release, resonating well with audiences. While actor Trường Giang's performance didn't offer major breakthroughs, he still delivered a likable and credible portrayal. This movie also marked a turning point in Trường Giang's career, propelling him to become one of the highest-paid actors in Vietnam's film industry, owing to his past box-office successes.
Trạng Quỳnh tells the humorous yet arduous journey of Trạng Quỳnh (Quốc Anh), Điềm (Nhã Phương), and Xẩm (Trấn Thành) as they attempt to rescue Điềm's father, Thầy Đoàn (Tùng Yuki), from the clutches of an unjust nobleman, Trịnh Bá (Công Dương), and the scheming woman Ả Liễu (Khả Như). Despite being oppressed by the corrupt feudal system, the trio never gives up on their quest. Upon its release during the 2019 Lunar New Year, the film made an impressive 100 billion VND in just 17 days. However, the film's plot, which attempts to weave together various folk tales, is often disjointed and lacks coherence, making it hard for audiences to connect with the story.
Gái Già Lắm Chiêu 3, the third installment in the Gái Già franchise, broke records by becoming the fastest Vietnamese film to reach 100 billion VND in box office sales. Directed by Nam Cito and Bảo Nhân, the film continues the story of Ms. Q (Ninh Dương Lan Ngọc) and Jack (Lê Xuân Tiền), who are now in a deeper relationship. Within just two weeks of release, the film earned a massive 165 billion VND, placing it among the highest-grossing Vietnamese films of all time. The movie's success can be attributed to its engaging plot, high production value, and stellar performances from the cast, solidifying the Gái Già universe as a dominant force in Vietnamese cinema.
In 2015, the film Em là bà nội của anh took Vietnamese cinema by storm, becoming a nationwide sensation and surpassing previous box office records. With a total revenue of 102 billion VND, it became the highest-grossing Vietnamese film at the time, beating out Để Mai Tính 2. A remake of the 2014 South Korean film Miss Granny, the story follows a grandmother who mysteriously returns to her 20s, causing chaos within her family. Directed by Phan Gia Nhật Linh, the film combined humor with heartfelt moments, winning over audiences and propelling young actress Miu Lê to fame, cementing her place in the spotlight.
Released before Em là bà nội của anh, Để Mai Tính 2 became a massive hit and achieved record-breaking box office revenue at the time. It set several records including the highest opening day earnings (424.6 million VND), the highest opening week earnings (42.6 billion VND), and the largest number of screenings, even surpassing foreign films' records in Vietnam until Fast & Furious 7 overtook it in April 2015. Directed by Charlie Nguyễn, the film's success boosted Thái Hòa's fame, cementing his status as one of the most sought-after actors with a sky-high salary.
Quả Tim Máu, a successful horror film directed by Victor Vũ, became one of the highest-grossing films in Vietnamese cinema history. Based on the play of the same name by Thái Hòa, it shattered box office records. Within just three days of its release, the film grossed 24 billion VND, setting a new record for Vietnamese cinema. By the 10th day, it had earned 55 billion VND, and within 17 days, it surpassed 1 million tickets sold. The film featured star performances from Thái Hòa, Nhã Phương, Kim Xuân, and Hoàng Bách, drawing large audiences to theaters.