Top 8 Movies Based on Nguyễn Nhật Ánh's Novels

The Thousand-Petaled Glasses is the longest work by author Nguyễn Nhật Ánh, consisting of 54 humorous stories that reflect the joys and struggles of student life. The tales focus on playful mischief, meaningful life lessons, and the deep bond shared by three main characters: Quý Ròm, Nhỏ Hạnh, and Tiểu Long. Each episode delivers a different story, offering insights into life that resonate with audiences of all ages.

The Thousand-Petaled Glasses was adapted into a film series, with three seasons released in 2005, 2006, and 2008, and broadcast on HTV9 by the Ho Chi Minh City Television Station. The film series helped launch the careers of actors Ngọc Trai, Anh Đào, and Vũ Long. Despite its age, the series remains a nostalgic look at the innocence and charm of school life.

The novel Balloons Floating to the Sky was adapted into both a Southern stage play and a Northern television drama. The story is a heartfelt tale about family love, one that has moved many readers to tears.

The plot revolves around a young boy named Thường, who lost his father at an early age while his father was saving a life. Thường grew up under the loving care of his mother. Witnessing his mother's struggles, Thường took up selling candy to help support the family, all while pretending to be a tutor. He befriends Tài Khôn, a girl who sells balloons, writing her dreams on them and sending them into the sky.

The two quickly bond over their shared personalities and form a close friendship. Though the actors were relatively unknown, their authentic performances, paired with a script faithful to the original story, made the film unforgettable for audiences.

The film The Troublemaker follows two friends, Nghi and An, who help each other with their studies. However, An, a poor student, constantly causes trouble for Nghi due to his wealthy background, lack of interest in academics, and his belief that he can make money easily in the future. With a compelling plot and many amusing moments, the child actor Phùng Ngọc fully convinces the audience, making them believe he is the troublesome An.

School years always hold unforgettable memories for all of us. The mischievous yet endearing moments of youth are vividly depicted through the characters of Nghi and An in this film. Their innocent and charming story reflects the small yet meaningful moments of childhood that, although simple, evoke nostalgia and remind us of a time we can never return to.

The work "The Schoolgirls" is the author's first story to be adapted into a film, which was titled "White Uniforms on Campus." Produced in 1994, the movie received a lot of praise for its close connection to the school years.

The film follows three schoolgirls, Thục, Xuyến, and Cúc Hương, who notice a mysterious figure in the café across from their school. With their mischievous nature, they approach the stranger and form a beautiful friendship. But one day, they are shocked to discover that Gia, an older friend of theirs, is actually the new homeroom teacher. In 2008, the story was adapted for television again, but despite a new version, it failed to gain the same support from the audience due to significant differences from the original story.

Apart from the famous works of Nguyen Nhat Anh that have already been adapted into films, such as "Blue Eyes", "I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass", and others, the beloved novel "Once Upon a Love Story" is soon to be released on the big screen. Directed by Trinh Dinh Le Minh, this film promises to captivate audiences with its heartwarming and dramatic tale.

Once Upon a Love Story revolves around the love and friendship between two boys, Phuc and Vinh Miền, and a girl, as they journey from childhood to adulthood. It’s a story filled with both subtle, tender emotions and unexpected, tragic twists, with darker elements compared to Nguyen Nhat Anh's other works. The characters face heart-wrenching consequences, including the female protagonist’s difficult path as a single mother after a hasty decision during her youth.

Dreamy Eyes is one of Nguyen Nhat Anh's most iconic works, part of a series about young love, alongside titles like "The Little Devil" and "The Girl from Yesterday". Considered a hallmark of his literary career, it was even translated into Japanese by Kato Sakae under the title "つぶらな瞳" to introduce it to Japanese readers. The novel's immense popularity led to its adaptation by director Victor Vu into a film, which became one of the highest-grossing films of 2020.

Dreamy Eyes masterfully blends Nguyen Nhat Anh's pure literary charm with Victor Vu’s stunning cinematic visuals, a combination that left audiences in awe, much like his previous hits “The Heroic Fate” and “I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass”.

The Girl from Yesterday is one of Nguyen Nhat Anh's most beloved novels, considered a staple for generations of Vietnamese students for decades since its release. The story, told through the mischievous eyes of Thư, intertwines the past and present, as his childhood memories with his friend Tiểu Li mix with the funny yet heartwarming moments shared with his classmate – the beautiful Việt An. This charming narrative has captivated countless readers over the years.

Following the success of the Korean remake "My Dear Liar" (Em Là Bà Nội Của Anh), director Phan Gia Nhật Linh, known for his box-office hits, took on the challenge of adapting the nostalgic Vietnamese novel, The Girl from Yesterday. Adapting a book is always challenging, but bringing the story to life in the 90s era was even harder. However, Phan Gia Nhật Linh succeeded in capturing the essence of the 90s, allowing viewers to not only enjoy the beloved story on the big screen but also relive their own childhood memories from that time.

I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass was adapted into a film of the same name by author Nguyen Nhat Anh. The movie received widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally.

I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass is a heartfelt tale about hometowns, family, and the fleeting nature of youth. The story centers on Tường, a sweet and innocent boy, and Thiều, his selfish, narrow-minded older brother. Alongside their complicated sibling bond, filled with love, jealousy, regret, and reconciliation, the film also explores the friendships and childhood memories of rural children in Central Vietnam during the late 1980s. The story unfolds through their playful squabbles, imaginative games, innocent dreams of princesses and princes, and the first sparks of young love. I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass was acquired by Fortissimo Films for international distribution and premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. The film hit theaters on October 2, 2015, and ran until February 2017.