Summary
- Sad movies have a lasting emotional impact, tapping into deep emotions and vulnerabilities, grappling with themes of love, loss, and personal struggles.
- These movies establish an empathetic connection between viewers and characters, making the audience feel deeply invested in their journeys.
- A wide range of genres can evoke tears, showcasing the unique ability of sad movies to touch audiences' hearts and tap into deep emotional reservoirs.
Sad movies guaranteed to make viewers cry are appreciated for their lasting emotional impact. These films often tap into the deepest emotions and vulnerabilities of the human experience, leaving audiences grappling with themes like love, loss, grief, sacrifice, or personal struggles. These movies typically feature poignant storylines, well-developed characters, and expertly crafted emotional arcs.
Indeed, movies that make viewers cry establish an empathetic connection between viewers and the characters, making the audience feel deeply invested in their journeys. These movies aren't just romantic stories and tragic or uplifting true story-inspired films - they hail from nearly all genres of cinema, even comedy. Whichever genres or tropes they employ, sad movies that evoke tears typically possess a unique ability to touch audiences' hearts and tap into deep emotional reservoirs.
10 Blue Valentine (2010)
Blue Valentine is a raw and emotionally charged drama that explores the tumultuous relationship between Dean and Cindy. Through a non-linear narrative, Blue Valentine alternates between the early stages of their ionate romance and the later years when their marriage is falling apart. The film delves into the complexities of love, highlighting how personal struggles, communication breakdowns, and external pressures can erode a once-vibrant connection. Blue Valentine's improvised dialogue and powerful performances are poignant and heartbreaking explorations of the fragility of relationships, leaving viewers with a sense of melancholic introspection.
9 Marriage Story (2019)
Marriage Story is about the dissolution of a marriage between a New York City theater director and former actor. The film revolves around Charlie and Nicole Barber, a couple navigating the painful process of divorce. It offers a deep exploration of their love, resentment, and the legal battles that ensue. With remarkable performances from the lead actors, the film captures the complexities and nuances of relationships, amid the romantic backdrop of New York West End culture. Marriage Story is a compelling and realistic portrayal of divorce, highlighting the enduring love and connection that can persist even as a marriage unravels.
8 In The Mood For Love (2000)
Out of director Wong Kar-wai's three films about the love connection between Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-zhen, In the Mood for Love is the one that's guaranteed to move viewers to tears. A visually stunning film, In the Mood for Love is about unfulfilled desire and the intricacies of human connection. Set in 1960s Hong Kong, the story follows the two neighbors, Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-zhen, who suspect their spouses of infidelity. As they spend time together, a profound emotional bond develops. The film is celebrated for its evocative cinematography, capturing the repressed longing and yearning of its characters, all set to a mesmerizing soundtrack.
7 The Iron Giant (1999)
A famous example of a great kids' movie that bombed at the box office, The Iron Giant beautifully explores themes of friendship, identity, and the fear of the unknown. While paying homage to 1950s sci-fi movies, The Iron Giant follows the story of a young boy named Hogarth Hughes who befriends a massive, amnesiac robot from outer space. This unlikely friendship leads to a climax that underscores the power of choice and comion. With stunning animation and a heartwarming narrative, The Iron Giant has earned its place as a beloved classic, renowned for its powerful message about humanity's capacity for understanding and empathy.
6 Life is Beautiful (1997)
Life is Beautiful is a unique blend of humor and heartache set against the dark backdrop of war. Not for the faint of heart, Life is Beautiful is about Guido Orefice, a Jewish father in World War II who uses his vivid imagination to shield his young son from the harsh realities of life in a concentration camp. Guido's whimsical and protective spirit turns the dire circumstances into a game for his son. Life is Beautiful is not always easy to watch, but it emphasizes the enduring power of hope, love, and laughter in the darkest of times. Ultimately, the movie leaves audiences with a heartfelt message about parenthood and resilience.
5 Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
A touching coming-of-age story based on the Katherine Paterson novel of the same name, Bridge to Terabithia centers on the friendship between Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke, two lonely children who create a magical world called Terabithia in the woods near their homes. This imaginative realm becomes an escape from their real-life challenges. The film beautifully captures the innocence and depth of childhood bonds, but it also deals with the themes of loss and coping with tragedy. Bridge to Terabithia reminds audiences of the transformative power of friendship and the lasting impact it can have on young hearts.
4 Brokeback Mountain (2005)
The groundbreaking LGBTQ+ movie Brokeback Mountain chronicles the secretive romance between two cowboys, Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, who meet while working in the Wyoming mountains in the 1960s. The deep connection between Jack and Ennis evolves into a ionate, forbidden love that spans decades, yet is constrained by societal expectations and prejudice. Brokeback Mountain explores themes of love, identity, and the profound impact of social norms on personal happiness. A subversion of machismo-driven Western genre tropes and a powerful portrayal of love transcending boundaries, Brokeback Mountain leaves an unforgettable impression for its emotional depth and social commentary.
3 Old Yeller (1957)
A beloved Disney classic, Old Yeller is about the unbreakable bond between a boy and his dog. Set in the post-Civil War Texas frontier, the movie follows young Travis Coates, who forms a deep connection with a stray dog named Old Yeller. Together, they face the challenges of frontier life, including dangerous wildlife and marauding animals. However, tragedy strikes when Old Yeller sacrifices himself to protect Travis from a rabid wolf. The film beautifully captures the inevitably bittersweet experience of growing up with an animal companion, making it a beloved classic that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.
2 The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
The biographical drama The Pursuit of Happyness tells the inspiring true story of Chris Gardner, a struggling sales agent facing homelessness while caring for his young son, Christopher. Set in 1980s San Francisco, the film is focused on Gardner's unwavering determination to overcome adversity and achieve his dream of a better life. Through hardship, homelessness, and an unpaid internship at a prestigious brokerage firm, Gardner's resilience and love for his son shine. With its poignant message about the pursuit of one's dreams against all odds, The Pursuit of Happyness is an emotionally impactful cinematic experience.
1 Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Largely recognized as one of the best Studio Ghibli movies, Grave of the Fireflies is a powerful animated film set in Japan during World War II. Grave of the Fireflies centers on the survival and the bond between a young brother and sister, Seita and Setsuko, who are orphaned by the war. As Seita and Setsuko struggle to find food, shelter, and hope in a devastated world, the movie explores the jarring consequences of armed conflict on innocent lives. Grave of the Fireflies is a poignant anti-war masterpiece that underscores the emotional toll of conflict - but also the enduring love between siblings in the face of unimaginable adversity.
