Sometimes, you’re in the mood for an emotional movie that will bring a tear to the eye. When this is the case, the fastest way to not only get misty-eyed but to have a good cry is to watch these heart-wrenching movies. Even if you know the plot and are aware of how tragic these stories are, that doesn’t stop them from making an impact, leaving you devastated by the final moments of the film. While the writing and storytelling are a large part of this, all of these movies are elevated by the actors’ dedication to their emotionally-wrought roles.

These are movies that will make you cry no matter how much you watch them, making them perfect for first-time viewers and fans who come back to these тιтles many times over. There are plenty of films that are simply tear-jerkers and don’t have deeper emotional and cultural messages within the story, but that isn’t the case with these movies. The reason that none of these projects struggle to hit home is that their themes are relevant and poignant, encouraging the audience to self-reflect.

10

Never Let Me Go (2010)

Directed by Mark Romanek

Never Let Me Go is a dystopian, sci-fi period piece that’s just as layered and complex as its many genres. Starring Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, and Keira Knightley, Never Let Me Go is about a trio of friends who learn that they’re clones who’ve been raised as essentially living organ donors. This is an inherently tragic premise and is made even more upsetting by the everyday sadness and emotionally fraught experiences of coming-of-age that the characters still go through, even though their lives aren’t their own.

Thanks to the strong source material from Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go isn’t merely a Shakespearean tragedy but a triumph of storytelling that thrives off the richness of the characters.

The original novel by Kazuo Ishiguro is a sci-fi book that’s more fiction than science, using its otherworldly premise to drive home its message of empathy and humanity even further. Thanks to the strong source material from Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go isn’t merely a Shakespearean tragedy but a triumph of storytelling that thrives off the richness of the characters. Though the narrative is a quiet, deliberate exploration of their lives, this doesn’t make it any easier to witness their losses.

9

Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020)

Directed by Eliza Hittman

Watching Never Rarely Sometimes Always can feel like a test of patience and endurance, as its sparse dialogue and slow pace reflect the intensity of the main character’s experience. Sidney Flanigan plays Autumn, the protagonist, who travels to New York from Pennsylvania with her cousin, Skylar (Talia Ryder), to get an abortion. Though Never Rarely Sometimes Always doesn’t shy away from the political implications of the story, it’s the relationship between Skylar and Autumn that will stay with you for a long time.

As we learn more about Autumn and her past, it’s impossible not to feel deeply for her and put together the pieces of how she got here and how important it is that Skylar shows her the love and support she does. It’s a restrained film that doesn’t lean into melodrama or graphic moments to communicate the depth of the despair that both Autumn and Skylar feel. The young women have to fight for every moment of peace and win in the movie, immersing you in their journey.

8

Manchester By The Sea (2016)

Directed by Kenneth Lonergan

It’s not surprising that Casey Affleck won an Academy Award for his performance in Manchester by the Sea, as his role is a raw exploration of grief and loss. His chemistry with Lucas Hedges, who plays his nephew, creates moments of lightness and a path forward in the tragic darkness of the story. The audience knows that Lee (Affleck) is hiding a devastating piece of his past throughout the story, but there’s no way to prepare for what it is by the time it’s ultimately revealed.

The ensemble cast also boasts Michelle Williams and Kyle Chandler, who both give their all to relatively small parts, fleshing out the world of Manchester by the Sea. The emotionally exhausting film doesn’t hide the fact that there is some grief from which there is no coming back. However, it simultaneously communicates that there’s a way to keep living while carrying this weight. Watching Lee come to terms with the depth of his sadness will shake the viewer to their core.

7

The Farewell (2019)

Directed by Lulu Wang

Though The Farewell blends plenty of comedy into its narrative, it’s impossible not to be moved by the familial and personal impact of the movie. Lulu Wang vulnerable explores her own experiences through the fictionalized story of The Farewell, and Awkwafina proves herself to be capable of dramatic acting in her turn as Billi. Billi is the story’s protagonist, and we watch her grapple with the ethical and personal dilemma of lying to her grandmother about her life-threatening illness.

The cultural differences between the East and West are on display in The Farewell, as Billi’s family argues for a collectivist approach to her grandmother’s illness, carrying the burden for her. While this unfolds and Billi considers her role in the family, she also struggles with personal setbacks and the question of the meaning of her own life. The relationship between Billi and her grandmother, played by Zhao Shu-zhen, overflows with love, making the conceit of the story even more nuanced.

6

The Iron Giant (1999)

Directed by Brad Bird

Before he became a key director at Pixar, Brad Bird directed the unforgettable Cold War adventure The Iron Giant. Following the story of Hogarth, the misunderstood boy searching for connection and understanding, The Iron Giant wastes no time in making you care deeply about a mechanical alien. When Hogarth meets the Iron Giant, they become fast friends, and it’s easy to see why Hogarth grows to love the Giant, as the viewer does the same.

Don’t let the animated format fool you; The Iron Giant is more emotionally nuanced and intelligent than many similar live-action projects.

The Iron Giant is an essential animated movie everyone should see, as it’s not just for kids and will hit home for audiences of all ages. Don’t let the animated format fool you; The Iron Giant is more emotionally nuanced and intelligent than many similar live-action projects. The beautiful and immersive visual style uplifts the central message of The Iron Giant and places us right in the action as Hogarth learns to trust himself and experiences loss at such a young age.

5

The Elephant Man (1980)

Directed by David Lynch

Audiences typically expect more surreal and offbeat projects from David Lynch, but his contemplative and empathetic take on the life of Joseph Merrick is just as in line with the heart of his style. Though the film takes liberties with Merrick’s story, its emotional realism is what sets The Elephant Man apart, cementing it as a highlight of Lynch’s work. John Hurt is unforgettable as Merrick, with Anthony Hopkins costarring as Frederick Treves, the doctor who becomes a key part of Merrick’s life.

The nature of humanity and how people engage with those who are different from them are at the forefront of The Elephant Man, forcing the audience to think deeply about their own actions and how they move through the world. It’s painful to watch Merrick, who we come to know as a kind and caring man, suffer so much and be treated as an object by even those with good intentions. Though the ending of The Elephant Man doesn’t come as a surprise, this doesn’t make it any less heartbreaking.

4

Moonlight (2016)

Directed by Barry Jenkins

Barry Jenkins is a filmmaker who has never struggled to bring a tear to the eye, with projects like If Beale Street Could Talk and his Oscar-winning project, Moonlight. A character-driven journey and intimate exploration of a young man’s life and idenтιтy, Moonlight follows Chiron through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Chiron’s relationship with his mother, Sєxual idenтιтy, and experience as a young Black man in America play significant roles in his coming-of-age, and the audience witnesses how the world changes Chiron as he grows.

Jenkins doesn’t shy away from the depth of pain the characters feel, sitting with this aspect of the story to great effect.

While there are deeply emotional moments in each section of the film, Trevante Rhodes’s turn as the adult Chiron and his admissions of how life has hurt him are unforgettable. This, along with the quiet pain and struggle of Mahershala Ali as Juan, demonstrates how Moonlight is enriched by its performances. No matter how many times audiences revisit Moonlight, the poignant impact of Chiron’s story only gets stronger. Jenkins doesn’t shy away from the depth of pain the characters feel, sitting with this aspect of the story to great effect.

3

Boys Don’t Cry (1999)

Directed by Kimberly Peirce

Hilary Swank and Chloë Sevigny lead the cast of the heart-wrenching romantic drama Boys Don’t Cry​​​​​​. Though Swank isn’t trans, she brings remarkable empathy and depth to her performance as the young trans man, Brandon, who falls in love with Lana (Sevigny) and attempts to make a future for himself in a violent, prejudiced world. Though the romance between Lana and Brandon is the centerpiece of the story, Boys Don’t Cry is really about the tragedy of hatred.

It’s not easy to watch Boys Don’t Cry, especially since it’s loosely based on actual events. Taking a look not only at LGBTQ+ issues but the dynamics of many idenтιтies, Boys Don’t Cry isn’t just a tearjerker but a film that makes the viewer reflect on greater cultural and social themes. While it’s difficult to find the glimmer of hope that exists at the heart of Boys Don’t Cry, it’s in the brief moments of joy and love that the film’s ultimate message comes through, and the audience sees Brandon as not just a tragic figure but as a person.

2

In The Mood For Love (2000)

Directed by Wong Kar-wai

Much of Wong Kar-wai’s filmography touches upon doomed romance and the pain of trying to find a place in a world that doesn’t accept you. However, In the Mood for Love is widely considered his most effective and moving work, thanks to the central love story between Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) and Chow Mo-wan​​​​​​​ (Tony Leung Chiu-wai). The chemistry between Cheung and Leung deepens the impact of In the Mood for Love, as watching the characters repress their desires through the gorgeous atmosphere that Wong creates through the style and direction.

Though the audience knows from the start of their affair that the lovers can never truly be together, it’s impossible not to hope that things might change and they’ll escape their circumstances. In the Mood for Love captures the devastating tragedy of the inevitable and how people enter into relationships like this despite already knowing their outcome. Even in its quiet, contemplative moments, audiences will struggle to hold back tears and never fail to relate to the plight of the characters.

1

Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)

Directed by Isao Takahata

Though there are inherently anti-war messages woven into the fabric of Grave of the Fireflies, it would be unfair to pigeonhole this sweeping portrait of grief and sacrifice into just one genre. Studio Ghibli, the production company behind Grave of the Fireflies, is best known for the works directed by Hayao Miyazaki. However, Isao Takahata crafts an unforgettable world throughout his film, eliciting a strong emotional reaction from the audience from the first moments of the story.

The relationship between the central characters, Seita and Setsuko, a pair of siblings struggling to survive at the end of World War II, is so real and gripping that it’s impossible to look away. Seita spends most of the story trying to protect Setsuko from the grim reality of their situation and the state of the world around them. However, Grave of the Fireflies doesn’t hold back from demonstrating the harsh realities of war and the price that the innocent siblings are forced to pay.