“La tristesse durera toujours." Those were Vincent van Gogh’s last words; they mean, “The sadness will last forever.” While that may be true on an existential level, sometimes we can package sadness into a neat two hours and call it a movie.
As a vehicle for emotion, few mediums are as powerful as the moving image. We turn to great comedy movies to make us laugh, terrifying horror movies to make us scream, and yes, sad movies to make us cry. The films on this list all fall into the latter category for different reasons, but definitely shouldn’t be movie night picks unless a person is ready tofeelsomething. While one might not want to watch a sad movie every day, there’s nothing like the true catharsis of shedding a tear because of an on-screen tragedy, igniting every ounce of empathy in the body.
These films elicit an emotional response because they hit on something personal for people, something we can latch onto and relate to, even if they seem to bear no resemblance to one’s own life. After all, that is what is so magical about movies — the best ones accomplish something so universal through incredibly specific stories. So, whether it’s romantic dramas, stories of families torn apart or reunited after many years, or even tales of injustice on an individual or massive scale that reduce one to a puddle of tears, these are some of the greatest, downright certified tearjerkers.
35The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook
Adapted from Nicholas Sparks' novel of the same name, The Notebook is a romantic drama film that follows a couple who fall in love during the 1940s. Duke, an older man, recounts the story of two young lovers whose lives never lined up quite right to a fellow patient in his nursing home. Reading from the notebook pages, the movie keeps flashing from the present into the past to tell the story of the one that got away.
The film follows Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) who fall in love one summer, but unfortunately, the two are separated due to war and Allie’s parents' disapproval. Years later, they find their way back to each other. The film intercuts between elderly Noah and Ally, and unfortunately, Ally has Alzheimer’s and simply can’t remember their love for each other.
What Makes It a Certified Tearjerker?
Think about it like this:The Notebookwas so sad that a certain streamer felt the need to change the heartbreaking ending to ease the pain. Meanwhile, the film is unquestionably one of the most iconic love stories ever. We’d be a bit surprised if you’re not crying by the end — edited version or otherwise.
34Titanic (1997)
For the newer generations, let it be known that Celine Dion’s iconic “My Heart Will Go On” originates from James Cameron’s 1997 masterpiece.Titanicis rightfully one of the most successful movies ever made. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet star as the ill-fated lovers Jack and Rose — two of their most iconic roles, which skyrocketed each of them to stardom.
James Cameron broke ground in terms of cinematography, special effects, and editing, leading to the result of winning 10 Oscars at the ceremony that year. Uttering the line, “I’ll never let go” to someone you know — whether it be a joke or used seriously — seems to be an American pastime at this point.
33Harold and Maude (1971)
Harold and Maude
The classic Hal Ashby filmHarold and Mauderedefined the parameters of the romantic comedy for the New Hollywood era; it’s a love story for people who hate romance movies. The film follows a rich and suicidal young man who feels imprisoned in his prim and proper mother’s house. His mind is opened and he gets a new lease on life when he meets a freewheeling octogenarian living her best life.
Without spoiling anything,Harold and Maudeis a tragicomedy that is obsessed with death, in both humorous and melancholy ways, so you may find yourself weeping at the cruelty of mortality. At the same time, you may shed a happy tear at just how beautiful the titular relationship is, and how life-changing Maude’s carefree attitude is on harold.
32My Girl (1991)
Beloved ’90s child star Macaulay Culkin appeared alongside the charming Anna Chlumsky in the coming-of-age dramedyMy Girl,in which the stars portray two 11-year-olds who develop a profound friendship during a life-altering summer in 1972 Pennsylvania.
Tackling heavy issues like death, grief, mental illness, and the growing pains of adolescence, the film is perhaps best remembered for the emotionally crippling death of Culkin’s character Thomas from a bee attack. The scene where Chlumsky’s Vada is visibly distraught when attending Thomas' funeral, noticing he’s not wearing his glasses, is a punch to the gut of viewers and still causes even the toughest to shed a tear.
31Toy Story 3 (2010)
Toy Story 3
Toy Storyis a franchise that has delighted children for almost three decades. What kid has never pretended or wished that their favorite toy was alive? However,Toy Story 3chose to go with a much darker plot, where an evil, jealous pink bear called Lotso (Ned Beatty) hunts down our beloved Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and their friends.
What Makes It A Certified Tearjerker?
This film features a terrifying scene where the toys are slowly drifting towards the center of an incinerator, and end up joining hands in acceptance of their fate – before being saved in extremis, of course. There is no doubt that this particular scene has left children, and probably some adults, in tears of horror or sadness for the poor helpless toys.
30Me Before You (2016)
Me Before You
If you are a fan of tearjerker movies, then you must have watched or at least heard aboutMe Before You.This 2016 movie stars Sam Claflin and Emilia Clarke in the two main roles of William and Louisa. The movie begins as we see that a very successful and active Will has become paralyzed from the neck down after an unfortunate accident with a motorbike. Years later, Louisa is hired by Will’s parents to assist him and also lift his spirits, which she does successfully. But she also gets to know that Will is planning to go down the path of assisted suicide.
Without spoiling the movie anymore, we will just let you know that it does not have your typical happy ending. You will shed a lot of tears and feel a lot of frustrated feelings while watching the movie. But the ending will also bring a smile to your face.
29Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Requiem for a Dream
Requiem for a Dreamgives achilling and intense accountof four different people in the gripes of drug addiction, and none of them get a happy ending. The acting is so realistic that all four main actors have been praised for their performances, and it may be one of Ellen Burstyn’s best roles despite her long career.
The saddest story of all is probably that of Sara Goldfarb (Ellen Burstyn), the mother of drug user Harry Goldfarb (Jared Leto), who becomes addicted to weight-loss pills without even realizing it. She becomes completely delusional about being invited on a TV show – the reason why she wants to lose weight in the first place, suffers hallucinations which are depicted very realistically, and everyone around her just believes that she is starting to get dementia.
28The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
The Banshees of Inisherin
The Banshees of Inisherinis somewhat of a cinema UFO. Colm, an Irishman living on the island of Inisherin, suddenly decides to stop talking to his lifelong friend Pádraic and threatens dire consequences if his decision is not respected. A drama on the surface, the film borrows from dark comedy, which has the effect of making the characters' feud even sadder. Death looms over the film, from animals to suicides, meaning the film uses almost literal gallows humor.
It is never truly revealedwhy Colm was mad at Pádraic, although he somewhat says that it is due to his obnoxious chatting and inability to listen. As well, the whole thing about cut-off fingers brings a layer of absurdity that somehow saddens the viewer even more. This film is both interesting and sad due to its depiction of rural Ireland and the Civil War. However, no endless green pastures can distract us from the melancholy of seeing these two irreconcilable best friends.
27Shoplifters (2018)
Shoplifters
Shoplifters is a Japanese drama film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. The story follows a poor family in Tokyo who survive through shoplifting and take in a young girl they find on the street. As they forge a unique bond, secrets of their past come to light, challenging their definition of family. The film won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018.
Hirokazu Kore-eda is one of the few filmmakers who can create a tear-jerker without ever making the audience feel emotionally manipulated. His realistic, down-to-earth portrayals of regular people struggling through modern life are consistently beautiful and meaningful. He won the Palme d’Or at Cannes forShoplifters, a beautiful film about a ragtag group of unhoused people who take in a young girl whose family has practically deserted her.
While wholly unique and brought to life with great charm from excellent actors,Shopliftersfollows the classic formula of a tear-jerker — two different people or groups reluctantly come together, bond in meaningful ways, and then are forced apart for whatever sad reason. The film takes its time, though, and really explores these characters' lives on the margins of society, creating a beautiful and empathetic portrait of kindhearted people trying to survive.
26Moonlight (2016)
Written and directed by Barry Jenkins, Moonlight follows Chiron (Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, and Alex Hibbert) during three stages of his life, starting in childhood and progressing all the way up through adulthood. The film explores themes of identity and sexuality, chronicling Chiron’s life as a gay black man growing up in Miami to an abusive, drug-addicted mother.
Moonlightfollows the story of young Black man Chiron (played by Alex R. Hibbert as Child Chiron / “Little,” Ashton Sanders as Teen Chiron, and Trevante Rhodes as Adult Chiron / “Black”) who discovers his gay identity in an environment where he absolutely cannot show it.
Aside from sexuality, the film also delves without restraint intotopics of Black maturity and identity, drug use, and independence. This movie tells an important story of intersectionality, with beautiful shots that evolve as the character ages. Chiron’s repressed self through the end leaves audiences with a lump in their throat for this man who seemingly wasted his life until he recognizes who he really is.
