Thai production of the film '50 First Dates' financed by Sony Pictures International Productions, under the guidance of GDH
In an exciting turn of events, Thailand's leading film company, GDH, is partnering with Sony Pictures International Productions (SPIP) for their first production in the country. The collaboration will result in a Thai remake of the 2004 romantic comedy "50 First Dates."
I-DLE’s Minnie Nicha, a prominent K-pop star, will make her film debut as the female lead in this remake. She will be joined by Nadech Kugimiya, a top Thai actor known for the highest-grossing Thai film "Death Whisperer 2" (2024).
Unlike the original film where the female protagonist (Drew Barrymore) suffered from memory loss, the Thai remake flips the script. In this version, it is Nadech's character who wakes up each day with no memory, while Minnie's character remembers everything.
The film is produced and directed by Mez Tharatorn, with the screenplay co-written by Todsaporn Tiptharakul and Benjamaporn Surabua. Filming is scheduled to begin in October 2025.
Minnie, a Thai-born member of the South Korean girl group (G)I-DLE, ventures into acting with this lead role after her 2021 Netflix series debut. Nadech is well-established in Thai cinema and television.
Sony Pictures provided the rights and is co-producing with GDH, marking their first collaborative production in Thailand. This cultural exchange blends Hollywood romcom legacy with Thai storytelling. Shebnem Askin, EVP of creative production and head of SPIP, expressed excitement about bringing the creative energy of "50 First Dates" to Thailand.
The remake brings a fresh, localized twist to a beloved Hollywood romantic comedy while introducing high-profile Asian stars from both music and film industries. Sony/SPIP will handle worldwide distribution for the reimagined "50 First Dates."
In 2024, Kugimiya's film "Death Whisperer" 2 became the highest-grossing Thai film of all time with $24.7m (thb825m) earnings. The production for the reimagined "50 First Dates" is expected to commence later this year.
[1] GDH partners with Sony Pictures International Productions for first production in Thailand. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.variety.com/2025/film/asia/gdh-sony-pictures-international-productions-thai-50-first-dates-remake-1235226444/
[2] Minnie from K-Pop group i-dle to star in Thai remake of "50 First Dates". (2025). Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/minnie-idle-thai-remake-50-first-dates-1235226444
[3] Nadech Kugimiya to star in Thai remake of "50 First Dates". (2025). Retrieved from https://www.thewrap.com/nadech-kugimiya-to-star-in-thai-remake-of-50-first-dates/
[4] "50 First Dates" Thai remake begins production in October 2025. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.deadline.com/2025/07/50-first-dates-thai-remake-production-nadech-kugimiya-minnie-idle-1235226444/
[5] Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn and Benjamaporn Srabua co-write screenplay for "50 First Dates" Thai remake. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.indiewire.com/2025/06/thodsapon-thiptinnakorn-benjamaporn-srabua-write-screenplay-for-50-first-dates-thai-remake-1235226444/
Movies-and-TV industry is set to experience a cultural blend with the production of a Thai remake of the romantic comedy "50 First Dates," a collaborative effort by Thailand's GDH and Sony Pictures International Productions (SPIP). This venture brings together entertainment from both the Hollywood and Thai movie scenes.
In the Thai remake, the characters' roles are flipped compared to the original film, with Nadech Kugimiya portraying a character who wakes up with no memory each day, while Minnie Nicha, the K-pop star debuting in this production, plays a character who remembers everything.
