Top 10 Movies to Watch When You Need a Good Cry
#10: “Me Before You” (2016)
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This drama goes for the jugular and scores a direct hit. "Me Before You" centers around the romance between Will, a rich man who has been fighting depression ever since becoming paralyzed, and the bubbly Lou. While their personalities initially clash, Lou and Will develop a close bond that allows both of them to grow in some ways. Tackling dark and serious themes, "Me Before You" builds up towards a devastating conclusion that will spark tears, be it of sadness or anger. While there are plenty of lighthearted and happy moments along the way, they only serve to make the heart-hitting scenes all that more impactful.
#9: “A Walk to Remember” (2002)
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Tears are a staple of Nicholas Sparks' stories, and "A Walk to Remember" is quintessential Sparks. When the arrogant Landon does something stupid and ends up in hot water, the teenager finds himself mingling with Jamie, a sweet girl with ties to the local Baptist church. Although the two hit it off quickly, high school's social ladder dictates these two should not be friends, something that Landon struggles to look past. As "A Walk to Remember" develops this relationship, Jamie makes Landon a better person, culminating in a tragic final act that also has a few hopeful moments.
#8: “Titanic” (1997)
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James Cameron's 1997 epic takes the Titanic tragedy and injects a passionate romance that challenges the social class divide. On this faithful journey, Rose - a socialite betrothed for financial reasons to a much older man - experiences love when she meets Jack Dawson, a charismatic third-class passenger. "Titanic's" final act consists of a visually stunning dramatization of the ship's crash and sinking, and the movie doesn't underplay the tragedy of the situation. The conclusion of Rose and Jack's relationship will naturally draw tears, but the leads are not the only ones that will get the waterworks going.
#7: “Bridge to Terabithia” (2007)
Disney films are known for having the occasional heartbreaking moment, but "Bridge to Terabithia" delivers the sorrow without much warning. Permitting someone hasn't read the book, "Bridge to Terabithia" mostly plays out like a coming of age story about two kids who escape their harsh lives by playing make-believe. It’s charming, whimsical, and earnest; well, that is until an irreversible tragedy hits and leaves the main character, Jess Aarons, devastated. "Bridge to Terabithia" does not glance over or minimize the shock or pain inflicted by this incident, opting to treat its characters and audience with respect.
#6: “Brokeback Mountain” (2005)
Set across two decades, "Brokeback Mountain" chronicles the devastating romance between Ennis and Jack, two guys who fall in love in a world that is not ready to accept them. Following their initial summer together, Ennis and Jack go back to their unhappy lives, with the only respite being their trips to meet each other. Peppered with many powerful scenes that show how these two are torn apart by the dual lives they lead, "Brokeback Mountain" clearly highlights the pain endured by not only Ennis and Jack but also their families. As the movie approaches its crushing climax, Ennis and Jack's futures drift further and further away from the happiness they dreamed of.
#5: “Life Is Beautiful” (1997)
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If nothing else, "Life Is Beautiful" will elicit complicated emotions. Primarily taking place in a concentration camp during World War II, "Life Is Beautiful" approaches its heavy subject material with humor, creating an experience that is equally as likely to provoke a laugh or a tear. Guido is an endless optimist who maintains that disposition even in the most terrible of circumstances, an effort done to keep his son, Giosue, alive. While filled with jokes and innocence, "Life Is Beautiful's" fantastical elements are not an escape from the cruel reality, a fact made abundantly clear by the ending.
#4: “The Fault in Our Stars” (2014)
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Yes, this will need all of the tissues. "The Fault in Our Stars" centers around two teenagers, Hazel and Gus, who are battling cancer. After hitting it off at a support group, the pair take a trip to Amsterdam in search of a writer and to explore their budding feelings for each other. "The Fault in Our Stars" does not hide the fact that it wants to draw tears, crafting a story that has just enough cute moments to make the heart-rending scenes all that more impactful. Hazel and Gus are also great together, which doesn't make things easier.
#3: “Marley & Me” (2008)
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Dog movies seem to exist for the sole purpose of making people cry, but they don't all do it as well as this 2008 hit. For the most part, "Marley & Me" is a charming and light family comedy about an adorable dog and the sweet impact he has on a couple trying to find their footing as newlyweds. While its gut punches are not entirely backloaded, "Marley & Me" devotes most of its time to just making its characters likable. Once the movie begins to viciously tug at the heartstrings, it’s all in service of characters who are fully developed and relatable.
#2: “The Green Mile” (1999)
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Based on a novel by Stephen King, "The Green Mile" is a prison drama with a supernatural edge and humanity to spare. Through a series of flashbacks, Paul recounts a life-changing event he experienced as a correctional officer revolving around an inmate named John Coffey. A long film that mostly maintains a soft tone, "The Green Mile" is punctuated by sharp flashes of disturbing horrors and uplifting demonstrations of innate goodness. An enigmatic force of nature, Coffey introduces an all-consuming warmth to each one of his scenes, bringing a light to the world that the Green Mile threatens to extinguish. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Toy Story 3” (2010) Because Childhood Doesn’t Last Forever & Pixar Shows That “Inside Out” (2015) Because Pixar’s Movie About Emotions Does Not Neglect Sadness “Terms of Endearment” (1983) Because This Film Fully Earns Its Reputation as a Heart-Rending Classic “My Girl” (1991) Because Death Does Not Wait Until Children Are Ready to Understand It “Up” (2009) Because This Film Opens with One of Pixar’s Most Emotionally Stimulating Sequences Ever
#1: “Hachi: A Dog's Tale” (2009)
Based on the story of Hachikō, a dog who lived during the 1920s and has multiple statues in Japan, "Hachi: A Dog's Tale" is all about that unbreakable human and pet bond. "Hachi" strips away any fluff and focuses solely on the relationship between a professor and an Akita dog he adopts. The two develop a delightful daily routine that sees Hachi heading to the train station every day to wait for his owner to come home; unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. "Hachi" will undoubtedly strike an emotional chord with animal lovers.
