If you’re anything like me, sometimes the best thing to do when you’re overwhelmed, stressed, or even just plain tired is to cuddle up on the couch, grab your favorite sweet treat, and bawl like a baby over fake people on a screen. If this sounds like you, I’m sure you’ve been through your fair share of sad movies and need some new suggestions. Here are the top 10 movies that have made me cry, ranked from “shedding a few tears” to “hysterically crying in a fetal position”.
Beautiful Boy- hysterically crying in a fetal position
Release Year: 2018
Director: Felix Van Groeningen
Starring: Timothee Chalamet and Steve Carell
This movie quite literally changed my life. Based on the true story of “Beautiful Boy” by David Sheff, it tells the story of a father’s journey through his son’s addiction. With an absolutely star studded cast and incredible story telling, this movie really paints a clear picture of the dangers of addiction and truly highlights the hardships and pain of loving someone who is addicted to drugs. Even in a world where some drug usage and alcohol abuse is normalize in the college years, this movie has definitely stopped me from ever even touching a drug. “Beautiful Boy” can be found on Amazon Prime Video.
Clouds- Bawling like a baby
Release Year: 2020
Director: Justin Baldoni
Starring: Fin Argus, Neve Campbell, and Sabrina Carpenter
The movie “Clouds” shares the true story of Zach Sobiech, a teenage musician who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The movie follows his last few months as he decides to follow his dreams with the time he has left and is hit with an unexpected wave of support for him and his music. This movie is absolutely heartbreaking but a wonderful example of why we all need to live our lives to the fullest and chase our dreams while we have the chance. You can watch “Clouds” on Amazon Prime Video.
The Fault in Our Stars- Mild hyperventilation but okay
Release Year: 2014
Director: Josh Boone
Starring: Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort
“The Fault in Our Stars” is based on the book by John Green about teenagers with cancer. They push each other to chase their dreams and go on a trip to meet their favorite author and live their lives while they have the chance. With a devastating ending, per John Green’s usual writing style, this movie is sure to cause a mild mental breakdown to those who love love. “The Fault in Our Stars” can be found on Disney+.
Five Feet Apart- Weeping for days
Release Year: 2019
Director: Justin Baldoni
Starring: Haley Lu Richardson and Cole Sprouse
The two main characters of this movie, Stella and Will, are both teenagers with cystic fibrosis, a disease that famously comes along with a rule that you cannot be within 5 feet of another person with the illness. The characters meet and fall in love from 5 feet away from each other. The movie follows how their lives change once each other are in it. This movie has such a unique yet true story and I think it’s a beautiful example of the concept that nothing can come between two people who are meant to be together. “Five Feet Apart” can be found on Amazon Prime Video.
Little Women- Hold on, I’m busy crying myself a river
Release Year: 2019
Director: Greta Gertwig
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, and Timothee Chalamet
If you know anything about me, you know that this movie is my all time favorite. Based on the 1868 book by Louisa May Alcott, “Little Women” tells the story of the March family and their experiences in finding their ways in the world and chasing their separate and unique destinies. This movie tells a powerful story of sisterhood, finding yourself in a world that has already defined you, and understanding what love means for you. Little Women can be found on Amazon Prime Video and I highly recommend it, especially for those who love literature.
Dear John- Shed a few tears
Release Year: 2010
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum
“Dear John” is an interpretation of the book by Nicholas Sparks that follows the story of a soldier who comes home on leave, falls in love, and then has to go back to war. The love birds then send each other a series of letters, sharing their lives on opposite sides of the world. They learn from each other and grow so entirely together. This is a great movie that I highly recommend to anyone who just wants to shed a few tears. “Dear John” can be found on Amazon Prime Video!
Up- A light sob
Release Year: 2009
Director: Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
Starring: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, and John Ratzenberger
A Disney Classic that follows the story of 78 year old Carl Fredrickson and a middle school aged boy flying to South Africa in a house lifted by balloons to fulfill the wish of Carl’s late wife. This movie can be found on Disney+ and sends a message that it is never too late to go on an adventure and that you can find friends in the most unexpected places. While it is a tearjerker, it is truly a feel-good movie that I recommend to children and adults alike.
Homeward Bound- Mild blubbering
Release Year: 1993
Director: Duwayne Dunham
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, and Don Ameche
I still remember watching this movie for the first time in 3rd grade and wailing like a baby on the floor. This movie follows 2 dogs and a cat who get separated from their owners and have to find their way back. This is a story of love and bonds that cannot be broken. I highly recommend this movie to anyone and it can be found on Disney+.
Waitress the Musical- Frantically sobbing
Release Year: 2023
Director: Diane Paulus and Brett Sullivan
Starring: Sara Bareilles, Drew Gehling, and Joe Tippett
I know, I know, the majority of the people reading this are probably not theatre people. But, I promise you that if you keep an open mind through the singing and choreography, you will be met with an absolutely heartbreaking and then hopeful story of a waitress who is stuck in a broken marriage, ends up pregnant, and then takes the reins of her own life for the sake of her unborn child. If you’re uninterested in the musical version, you could also try the original movie from 2007. This movie shows the reality of an unhappy marriage and the power that young women have over their lives even when they feel hopeless. This movie can be found on Amazon Prime Video as well!
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape- Floodgates=open
Release Year: 1993
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Johnny Depp, Leonardo Decaprio, and Juliette Lewis
This movie tells the story of a young man, played by Johnny Depp, and his struggles to take care of his mentally disabled brother as well as his morbidly obese mother who is unable to even leave the house because of her condition. This movie is a heartbreaking story of a young child having to handle more than he should be able to. With lovable characters and a unique story line, this movie is sure to get the tears flowing. You can watch this on, you guessed it, Amazon Prime Video!
Honorary Mentions:
Eras Tour Movie
Hannah Montana Movie
The Barbie Movie
Inside Out Two
As a self proclaimed sad movie connoisseur, I can almost guarantee that I have blocked at least one heart breaking out of my memory and therefore have left it off the list. Comment your favorite sad movies below and happy crying!
