1. If Beale Street Could Talk 2018，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 52791, ID: 7125860 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 If Beale Street Could Talk is a poignant film that beautifully captures the essence of love, family, and racial bias, revolving around a young woman fighting for her falsely accused lover, deeply moving many viewers to tears.
2. Dead Poets Society 1989，IMDB Rating: 8.1, IMDB Votes: 554528, ID: 0097165 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Dead Poets Society is a timeless coming-of-age story that explores themes of individuality and freedom through the unconventional teaching methods of John Keating, with its emotional depth and tragic ending leaving many viewers in tears.
3. Brokeback Mountain 2005，IMDB Rating: 7.7, IMDB Votes: 387509, ID: 0388795 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Brokeback Mountain is a poignant film that explores the complex relationship between two cowboys in a time and place where their love had to remain a secret. The film’s exploration of forbidden love, longing, and loss is deeply emotional and has moved many viewers to tears.
4. The Farewell 2019，IMDB Rating: 7.5, IMDB Votes: 71825, ID: 8637428 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Farewell is a touching exploration of family dynamics and cultural identity, telling the story of a Chinese-American woman visiting her sick grandmother in China, grappling with the cultural practice of not disclosing the grandmother’s terminal diagnosis, adding another layer of emotional depth.
5. Minari 2020，IMDB Rating: 7.4, IMDB Votes: 98902, ID: 10633456 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Minari is a heartfelt portrayal of a Korean family’s pursuit of the American dream in rural Arkansas. The film beautifully captures the family’s struggles and their efforts to adapt to their new life. The film’s focus on the young boy David, who is allowed to be a child for the first time in his life, adds a touching element to the story. The film’s ending, where the family decides to make the farm their permanent home despite all the hardships, can bring tears to the viewer’s eyes.
6. Nuovo Cinema Paradiso 1988，IMDB Rating: 8.5, IMDB Votes: 285842, ID: 0095765 Photo by snl.no, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Nuovo Cinema Paradiso is a beautiful tribute to the magic of cinema. The film tells the story of a young boy’s love for cinema and how it grows over the years. The film’s exploration of the boy’s relationship with the projectionist, who introduces him to the mysteries of the projection machine, is deeply moving. The film’s ending, where the now grown-up boy returns to his hometown and the cinema, can bring tears to the viewer’s eyes.
7. The Green Mile 1999，IMDB Rating: 8.6, IMDB Votes: 1422796, ID: 0120689 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Green Mile, directed by Frank Darabont, is a profound exploration of the human spirit, telling the story of John Coffey, a man with supernatural healing powers wrongfully accused and sentenced to death, with its heart-wrenching climax deeply moving viewers.
8. Schindler’s List 1993，IMDB Rating: 9.0, IMDB Votes: 1465636, ID: 0108052 Photo by goodfon.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Schindler’s List, directed by Steven Spielberg, is a powerful depiction of the Holocaust and the impact one person can have. The film tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. The film’s stark portrayal of the horrors of the Holocaust, combined with the poignant depiction of Schindler’s transformation from a profit-driven opportunist to a savior, makes it a deeply emotional viewing experience. The scene where Schindler breaks down, regretting not saving more lives, is profoundly moving.
9. Dancer in the Dark 2000，IMDB Rating: 7.9, IMDB Votes: 117591, ID: 0168629 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Dancer in the Dark, directed by Lars von Trier and starring the singer Björk, is a unique blend of drama and musical that packs a powerful emotional punch. The film tells the story of Selma, a factory worker and single mother who is slowly losing her sight. As her world darkens, she escapes into elaborate musical fantasies. The film’s exploration of themes such as sacrifice, dreams, and the power of music, combined with Björk’s captivating performance, makes it a deeply affecting viewing experience. The film’s tragic climax, which sees Selma executed for a crime she didn’t commit, is a devastating commentary on the harsh realities of life.
10. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me 1992，IMDB Rating: 7.3, IMDB Votes: 106290, ID: 0105665 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 A haunting prequel to the Twin Peaks series, it explores the last seven days of Laura Palmer’s life. The film’s exploration of her downward spiral into drugs and crime, and her inevitable tragic end, is deeply affecting. The poignant ending, showcasing the selfless love of a character, makes it a tear-jerker.
11. A.I. Artificial Intelligence 2001，IMDB Rating: 7.2, IMDB Votes: 324993, ID: 0212720 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 A thought-provoking film that explores the complex themes of artificial intelligence and consciousness. The story of David, a robot boy who yearns for the love of his human mother, is emotionally resonant. The film’s exploration of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of happiness evokes tears.
12. Atonement 2007，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 302343, ID: 0783233 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Atonement is a heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, and regret. The film’s narrative structure, which reveals the tragic truth in its final moments, leaves a profound impact. The performances, especially James McAvoy’s, are breathtaking, and the cinematography is stunning. The ending, revealing the harsh reality behind the seemingly happy reunion of the lovers, is a gut punch that makes it impossible not to shed a tear.
13. Little Women 2019，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 250715, ID: 3281548 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Little Women is a beautifully crafted film that explores the complexities of sisterhood and ambition. The performances are stellar, and Greta Gerwig’s screenplay is magnificent. The film’s portrayal of Jo’s struggle between independence and romance is particularly moving. The scene where Jo realizes her feelings for Friedrich and chases him to the train station is one of the many moments that can bring tears to the viewer’s eyes.
14. The Notebook 2004，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 628005, ID: 0332280 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Notebook is a poignant love story that explores the enduring power of love and the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s. The performances by Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams are compelling, and their on-screen chemistry is palpable. The film’s narrative, particularly the scenes depicting Allie’s struggle with Alzheimer’s and Noah’s unwavering love for her, is deeply moving and often brings viewers to tears.
15. Beaches 1988，IMDB Rating: 7.0, IMDB Votes: 29173, ID: 0094715 Photo by picryl.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Beaches, a melodrama with music, is a rollercoaster of emotions exploring the strong friendship between two women, Midler and Hershey, over the years, known to make viewers cry with its genuine portrayal of friendship and life’s ups and downs.
16. Idi i smotri 1985，IMDB Rating: 8.4, IMDB Votes: 99764, ID: 0091251 Photo by wixmp.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Idi i smotri, or Come and See, is a haunting portrayal of the traumatic realities of war. The film follows a young boy who witnesses the horrors of the Nazi punitive action, transforming from a cheerful teenager into a gray-haired old man in just two days. Its emotionally scarring narrative and stark depiction of war’s brutality make it a deeply moving film that’s bound to bring tears to the viewer’s eyes.
17. Never Let Me Go 2010，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 154091, ID: 1334260 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Never Let Me Go is a dystopian drama that explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition. The film follows the lives of three friends, who are clones raised to donate their organs. As they grapple with their feelings for each other and their inevitable fate, viewers are drawn into their poignant journey, making it a deeply emotional film that can easily bring one to tears.
18. Terms of Endearment 1983，IMDB Rating: 7.4, IMDB Votes: 66170, ID: 0086425 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Terms of Endearment is a film that masterfully balances humor and sadness in its portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship. The film explores the complexities of love and loss through the lives of its remarkable women characters. Its ability to evoke both laughter and tears in its audience is a testament to its emotional depth and resonance, making it a classic tear-jerker.
19. The Fault in Our Stars 2014，IMDB Rating: 7.7, IMDB Votes: 404558, ID: 2582846 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Fault in Our Stars is a heart-wrenching tale of young love and tragedy. The story revolves around Hazel, a teenager battling cancer, and her transformative relationship with Augustus, a fellow cancer patient. The film’s portrayal of their journey is so emotionally charged that it’s known to make viewers cry. The performances are compelling, particularly Shailene Woodley’s portrayal of Hazel, which is both strong and moving. The film’s exploration of love, life, and death is deeply affecting, making it a tear-jerker that resonates with audiences.
20. All the Bright Places 2020，IMDB Rating: 6.6, IMDB Votes: 39128, ID: 3907584 Photo by convergencemag.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 All the Bright Places is a poignant film about two teenagers, Violet and Theodore, who are grappling with emotional and physical scars of their past. Their journey of self-discovery and the bond they form is beautifully portrayed, often leading to emotional moments that can bring viewers to tears. The performances by Elle Fanning and Justice Smith are charming and tender, adding depth to their characters’ struggles. The film’s exploration of mental health issues and the impact of loss make it a deeply emotional watch.
21. Kodachrome 2017，IMDB Rating: 6.8, IMDB Votes: 20119, ID: 1880399 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Kodachrome is a touching film about a father and son reconnecting during a road trip to the last Kodak photo lab, exploring themes of regret, reconciliation, and the fleeting nature of time, with poignant moments likely to move viewers to tears.
22. Roma 2018，IMDB Rating: 7.7, IMDB Votes: 170805, ID: 6155172 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Roma is a deeply personal film by Alfonso Cuaron that tells the story of Cleo, a maid serving a family in Mexico City in the 1970s, capturing her journey through a year of personal and societal upheavals, making it a deeply emotional experience for viewers.
Get Ready to Cry: 22 Heart-Wrenching Movies That Will Leave You Sobbing
