Comedy films are an unexpected, but surprisingly effective source of heartfelt stories that succeed in getting audiences to cry. What's considered funny varies from person to person, but finding a narrative that pulls on audiences' heartstrings is a bit easier to narrow down. Displaying a great deal of comedic moments, certain films within the genre are also able to touch on heartfelt themes of friendship and family, eliciting tears from audiences in the process.

The number of tears shed by audiences isn't consistent with every tear-jerking movies like Don't Look Up and Being There. Though several comedy films are successful in getting audiences to let out a hearty laugh, a few also require audiences to have a box of tissues on standby.

10 Marley & Me (2008)

Directed by David Frankel

Several movies about dogs aim to make audiences cry with the bond between owners and their pets acting as the emotional driving force of the film. One of the best examples of this is Marley & Me, starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. Marley & Me is inspired by a true story and follows Wilson and Aniston's characters as owners of the titular dog, a labrador retriever, chronicling their life with Marley as they grow as a couple and as parents.

Marley & Me isn't as strongly comedic as other emotional comedies, but there are moments of laughter when Marley causes trouble for the household. Seeing Marley age as the film progresses, audiences know what they're in for, but it doesn't make the film's ending any easier to sit through. Dog lovers or those who've had a pet before are likely unable to finish Marley & Me without letting out some tears.

9 Don't Look Up (2021)

Directed by Adam McKay

Having earned a split response regarding its Best Picture nomination, Netflix's Don't Look Up is a satirical disaster film about a devastating comet rapidly approaching Earth. In the film, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence play two scientists who do all they can to relay the urgent message to the public.

The scientists' efforts prove to be unsuccessful as the President of the United States (Meryl Streep) doesn't share the same sense of urgency and the world's reaction appears to be split. The film has a poor reputation as critics and audiences were divided in their feelings about its commentary.

One side argued Don't Look Up succeeded in its message about the media's response to the climate crisis, while others felt the satirical elements were too much to make such a message effective. Still, the careless and conceivable responses from people in the film and the bleak ending of Don't Look Up are enough to make audiences tear up.

8 Being There (1979)

Directed by Hal Ashby

Compared to other comedies that make audiences cry, Being There isn't likely to elicit streams of tears from audiences. However, the bittersweet satire will certainly make audiences' eyes water. The film stars comedian Peter Sellers as a middle-aged, TV-obsessed man, Chance, who finds himself interacting with the higher-ups of Washington, D.C. society.

Released in 1979, the commentary on society and politics heavily reflects the times, but much of the film's core message has remained relevant throughout the years.

Known best for his comedic performances, there's no shortage of laughter with Sellers at the center of the film. Chance's ignorance of the world around him is comedic to audiences and impressive to influential political figures in the film.

Released in 1979, the commentary on society and politics heavily reflects the times, but much of the film's core message has remained relevant throughout the years. Being There's ending, while confusing to some upon first watch, ties together the film's message in a powerful way that's sure to stick with audiences for a while.

7 Meet The Parents (2000)

Directed by Jay Roach

Though Robert De Niro is known best for his dramatic roles, Meet the Parents allowed the actor to show off the best of his comedic talent as well. The first in a trilogy of comedies, Meet the Parents follows Ben Stiller's Greg Focker and his attempts to impress his girlfriend's parents before proposing to her.

One family member in particular seems to cause the most trouble for Greg, and that's his girlfriend's father, Jack (De Niro). The conflict between the two provides the most humor in the film, with Stiller and De Niro's comedic performances being wonderfully matched.

As expected of such a film, there comes a moment when Jack embraces Greg and welcomes him into the family. Though the shared moment between the two won't leave audiences emotionally distressed, it's difficult to avoid tearing up as the characters make peace.

6 Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Directed by Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris

Following a dysfunctional family traveling to California in a rickety Volkswagen van, Little Miss Sunshine is equal parts comedy and tragedy. The family, made up by Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin, Steve Carell, and Alan Arkin, make the trip in hopes of entering the youngest (Breslin) into a beauty pageant.

The setbacks experienced by the family vary from drug addiction, career troubles, and the breakdown of the van itself. Many of the family's troubles are presented comedically, but the film's more heartfelt scenes see them leaning on one another during the tough times.

There are a handful of emotional scenes in the road trip movie, one of which includes a realization Dano's character has about his dream of becoming a pilot. However, Little Miss Sunshine is likely to earn the most tears from audiences during a scene between Arkin and Breslin, where the former shares earnest words of encouragement.

5 Muriel's Wedding (1994)

Directed by P. J. Hogan

Muriel's Wedding sees Toni Collette in only her second film role. The comedy is regarded as one of Collette's best films and the actor earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance. The film follows an awkward Muriel (Collette) whose life in her hometown isn't fulfilling.

Muriel's friendships are falling apart and her father is controlling of her and her siblings. The adventures and awkward situations Muriel finds herself in are presented with an appreciated amount of humor. Much of the appeal of Muriel's Wedding comes from Collette as the lead and Muriel's relatable desires.

Whether it's her wish to have a lavish wedding or her wish to move away from home and start living a better life, there's a great sense of connection felt by audiences. It is in the moments of vulnerability where Muriel confesses her dreams and stands up for herself that audiences can't help but get teary-eyed.

4 50/50 (2011)

Directed by Jonathan Levine

Starring the rare, yet effective acting duo of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen, 50/50 is a heartfelt comedy inspired by screenwriter Will Reiser's personal experience with cancer. In the film, Gordon-Levitt plays Adam, a man going through chemotherapy with his best friend, Kyle (Rogen), and therapist (Anna Kendrick) by his side.

The comedic moments in the film stem from Gordon-Levitt and Rogen's on-screen friendship and the charming bond forming between Adam and his therapist. 50/50 gets its name from the survival rate of Adam's diagnosis, and there are effective heartfelt moments dispersed throughout the film that don't need to do much to impact audiences.

However, the moment in which audiences are guaranteed to cry comes after a fight between Adam and Kyle. Despite his playful and immature exterior, Kyle's genuine care and worry about his friend is finally realized by Adam. Gordon-Levitt and the film itself were nominated for a Golden Globe.

3 Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Directed by Chris Columbus

A film that largely defines Robin Williams' career, Mrs. Doubtfire sees the actor do what he is ed for doing best — creating a timeless character by fully embodying the role. In the film, Williams plays Daniel Hillard, a struggling actor whose wife divorces him and gains sole custody of their children.

In between Williams' celebrated comedic performance lies a heartfelt story about a father who only wishes to be with his kids.

In an effort to see his kids, Daniel poses as an elderly nanny under the name Mrs. Doubtfire. Daniel's plan is comedically complicated, especially in an instance where he must change in and out of his Mrs. Doubtfire costume during a birthday dinner. However, in between Williams' celebrated comedic performance lies a heartfelt story about a father who only wishes to be with his kids.

The quieter moments throughout the film highlight the emotional struggles that come with the family's new arrangement. The film's ending features Mrs. Doubtfire's most poignant quote, a sentiment that is guaranteed to make audiences of all ages cry.

2 The Big Sick (2017)

Directed by Michael Showalter

Written by Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani, The Big Sick is a comedy film inspired by their real-life relationship. Nanjiani stars in the film alongside Zoe Kazan as a fictionalized version of Gordon, as The Big Sick depicts the complications that come with the couple's differing backgrounds.

The Big Sick has a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Nanjiani and Kazan are comedically in sync throughout the film, bouncing off one another seamlessly and producing an endearing dynamic that allows audiences to instantly connect with them. As seen in several romantic comedies before, The Big Sick sees Nanjiani and Kazan's characters go through a rough patch in their relationship.

While the tension between the two successfully brings invested audiences to worry about their fate as a couple, an unforeseen hospitalization heightens such emotions. The Big Sick is full of comedic moments that easily draw laughs, but the film doesn't let audiences walk away without shedding a good amount of tears first.

1 Planes, Trains And Automobiles (1987)

Directed by John Hughes

Led by Steve Martin and John Candy, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a film audiences are guaranteed to have a good time with. The film is among the funniest road trip movies and follows a marketing executive, Neal (Martin), rushing to get home in time for Thanksgiving after his flight is diverted.

Neal is accompanied by Del (Candy), a salesman who means well but often annoys Neal. During their journey, the two face a series of comedic mishaps. Despite the film's largely cartoonish tone, there's a lot of heart in Planes, Trains and Automobiles. During the film's runtime, it's near-impossible to find oneself not invested in the budding friendship between Neal and Del.

Following their bumpy but successful trip, audiences can expect to tear up at the film's ending. Neal has a heartbreaking realization about Del and changes his attitude towards him entirely. Planes, Trains and Automobiles' balance of heart and humor has made it a holiday classic and an essential Thanksgiving movie.