1. Schindler’s List 1993，IMDB Rating: 8.9，Douban Rating: 9.5，ID: tt0108052 Schindler’s List is a powerful and moving film that depicts the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved more than a thousand Jews from the Holocaust by employing them in his factories during World War II. The film, directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Steven Zaillian, is based on the novel Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally, which was inspired by the testimonies of the survivors known as Schindlerjuden.
2. Grave of the Fireflies 1988，IMDB Rating: 8.5，Douban Rating: 8.7，ID: tt0095327 Based on a semi-autobiographical short story by Akiyuki Nosaka, this film tells the tragic story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, who lose their home and parents during the bombing of Kobe in World War II. Alone and hungry, they try to survive in a hostile and indifferent world, finding refuge in an abandoned bomb shelter and comfort in each other’s company. The film does not shy away from depicting the harsh realities of war and its impact on innocent lives, as well as the social and moral decay of a nation on the verge of defeat, making it a deeply moving experience.
3. Make Way for Tomorrow 1937，IMDB Rating: 8.2，Douban Rating: 8.3，ID: tt0029192 Make Way for Tomorrow is a 1937 drama film directed by Leo McCarey that tells the story of an elderly couple who lose their home and have to live separately with their ungrateful children. The film is widely regarded as one of the saddest movies ever made, as it depicts the harsh realities of aging, poverty, and family neglect in Depression-era America.
4. Million Dollar Baby 2004，IMDB Rating: 8.1，Douban Rating: 8.7，ID: tt0405159 A heartbreaking and inspirational tale of a woman who overcomes prejudice and the odds to become a champion boxer, assisted by an unwilling mentor who ends up being her closest friend.It is not just a movie about boxing, but also a work that deeply explores human nature, dreams, family, and the meaning of life, triggering profound reflection from the audience on these themes.
5. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale 2009，IMDB Rating: 8.1，Douban Rating: 9.4，ID: tt1028532 Hachi: A Dog’s Tale is a 2009 American drama film based on the true story of Hachikō, a loyal Akita dog who waited for his owner at the train station every day, even after his owner’s death. The film is a remake of the 1987 Japanese film Hachikō Monogatari, but it changes the setting from 1920s Japan to modern-day America. The film stars Richard Gere as Parker Wilson, a music professor who finds Hachi as a puppy at the station and takes him home.
6. The Green Mile 1999，IMDB Rating: 8.6，Douban Rating: 8.9，ID: tt0120689 The Green Mile is a 1999 film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel of the same name, directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan. The film tells the story of Paul Edgecomb, a death row prison guard during the Great Depression, who encounters John Coffey, a gentle giant with a mysterious power to heal people’s ailments. As Paul witnesses John’s miracles and learns more about his past, he begins to question his fate and the justice system that condemned him.
7. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest 1975，IMDB Rating: 8.7，Douban Rating: 9.1，ID: tt0073486 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a psychological drama film based on the novel by Ken Kesey. It tells the story of Randle McMurphy, a rebellious criminal who fakes insanity to avoid prison and is sent to a mental institution. There, he clashes with the authoritarian Nurse Ratched, who rules the ward with an iron fist. McMurphy tries to inspire the other patients to stand up for themselves and challenge the oppressive system, but he also faces the consequences of his actions.
8. The Color of Paradise 1999，IMDB Rating: 8.2，Douban Rating: 8.7，ID: tt0191043 The Color of Paradise is a 1999 Iranian film directed by Majid Majidi. It tells the story of a blind boy named Mohammad who lives with his father, sisters and grandmother in a rural village. Mohammad loves nature and has a special connection with it, but his father is ashamed of his blindness and wants to get rid of him. The film explores the themes of love, faith, disability, family and sacrifice.
9. American Beauty 1999，IMDB Rating: 8.3，Douban Rating: 8.5，ID: tt0169547 American Beauty is a dark comedy-drama that explores the themes of disillusionment, repression, and liberation in suburban America. The film follows the lives of Lester Burnham, a middle-aged man who is unhappy with his marriage and career, and his family and neighbors, who are all struggling with their own issues and secrets.
10. American History X 1998，IMDB Rating: 8.5，Douban Rating: 8.5，ID: tt0120586 American History X is a harrowing and heartbreaking film that exposes the horrors of racism and hatred. It tells the story of Derek and Danny Vinyard, two brothers who are drawn into the white supremacist movement in Los Angeles. Derek, the older brother, is arrested and sentenced to three years in prison after killing two black men who tried to steal his car. In prison, he is confronted with the reality of his beliefs and befriends a black inmate who helps him change his perspective.
11. Amour 2012，IMDB Rating: 7.9，Douban Rating: 8.6，ID: tt1602620 Amour is a French-language romantic drama film that tells the story of Georges and Anne, an elderly couple who are retired music teachers. Their peaceful and loving life is shattered when Anne suffers a stroke that leaves her partially paralyzed and dependent on Georges’ care. The film explores the themes of love, aging, death, and dignity in a realistic and heartbreaking way, capturing the profound emotional struggles they face.
12. The Elephant Man 1980，IMDB Rating: 8.1，Douban Rating: 8.2，ID: tt0080678 The Elephant Man is a biographical drama film that tells the story of John Merrick, a man who suffers from severe deformities and is treated as a freak in Victorian London. He is rescued by Dr. Frederick Treves, a surgeon who sees beyond his appearance and recognizes his intelligence and humanity. The film beautifully portrays Merrick’s journey from being a sideshow attraction to finding dignity and friendship, highlighting the power of compassion and understanding.
13. Requiem for a Dream 2000，IMDB Rating: 8.3，Douban Rating: 8.7，ID: tt0180093 Requiem for a Dream is a 2000 American psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and based on the novel of the same name by Hubert Selby Jr. It tells the story of four characters who are addicted to different drugs and how their lives spiral out of control as they pursue their dreams. The film is widely regarded as one of the saddest and most disturbing movies ever made, as it depicts the harsh realities and consequences of drug abuse, addiction, and withdrawal.
14. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas 2008，IMDB Rating: 7.8，Douban Rating: 9.1，ID: tt0914798 The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a 2008 film based on a novel by John Boyne. It tells the story of Bruno, a young German boy who lives near a Nazi concentration camp during World War II, and his friendship with Shmuel, a Jewish boy who is imprisoned there. The film explores the themes of innocence, ignorance, and humanity in the face of horror and tragedy, making it a poignant and unforgettable tale.
15. The Pianist 2002，IMDB Rating: 8.5，Douban Rating: 9.2，ID: tt0253474 The Pianist is a harrowing and heartbreaking account of the Holocaust, seen through the eyes of a Jewish pianist who struggles to survive in Nazi-occupied Warsaw. Based on the memoir of Władysław Szpilman, the film depicts his ordeal of hiding, starving, witnessing atrocities, and losing his family and friends, while clinging to his music as a source of hope and dignity. The film’s powerful storytelling and emotional depth make it a must-watch.
16. Life Is Beautiful 1997，IMDB Rating: 8.6，Douban Rating: 9.5，ID: tt0118799 Life Is Beautiful is a 1997 Italian film directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, who co-wrote the film with Vincenzo Cerami. The film tells the story of Guido, a Jewish-Italian bookshop owner, who uses his imagination and humor to protect his son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. The film is a mix of tragedy and comedy, as it depicts the cruelty of the Holocaust and the power of love and hope, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.
17. Titanic 1997，IMDB Rating: 7.8，Douban Rating: 9.4，ID: tt0120338 Titanic is one of the most famous and saddest movies ever made, depicting the doomed romance of Jack and Rose, two passengers from different social classes on board the R.M.S. Titanic. The movie explores themes such as classism, survival, sacrifice, and love, as well as the human cost of the tragic disaster that claimed more than 1,500 lives. Titanic is a masterpiece of filmmaking that will make you cry for days.
18. The Notebook 2004，IMDB Rating: 7.8，Douban Rating: 8.5，ID: tt0332280 Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, this romantic drama tells the story of Noah and Allie, two young lovers who are separated by their social differences and the outbreak of World War II. Years later, they reunite, but Allie is engaged to another man. Noah tries to win her back. The Notebook is a movie that will make you cry, but also make you appreciate the power of love, making it a timeless classic.
19. Marley & Me 2008，IMDB Rating: 7.1，Douban Rating: 7.9，ID: tt0822832 The film follows John and Jenny Grogan, a young couple who move to Florida and adopt a puppy to test their readiness for parenthood. They soon discover that Marley is not an ordinary dog, but a hyperactive, destructive, and uncontrollable force of nature that turns their lives upside down. Despite his antics, Marley becomes a loyal and lovable member of the family, who teaches them valuable lessons about love, loss, and life.
20. The Fault in Our Stars 2014，IMDB Rating: 7.7，Douban Rating: 7.9，ID: tt2582846 The movie tells the story of Hazel and Gus, two teenagers who meet and fall in love at a cancer support group. Hazel has thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs, and Gus has lost a leg to bone cancer. They decide to travel to Amsterdam and meet Hazel’s favorite writer. However, their trip is not what they expected, and they face some harsh realities about their condition and their future.
20 Heart-Wrenching Movies That Will Leave You in Tears
