When you’re in the mood for a good cry, these top 10 movies are perfect companions – each one is crafted to pull at your heartstrings and leave the tissue box trembling. From heartbreaking romances to soul‑stirring dramas, this list has every tear‑inducing gem you could ask for.
Proceed with caution: spoilers ahead! Grab a pillow, a blanket, and perhaps a box of Kleenex, because you’ll need them.
Top 10 Movies to Make You Cry
10. Me Before You (2016)
I’ve got a bone to pick with Jojo Moyes – the author of the book Me Before You dared to smash our feelings wide open. The story follows Louisa Clark, a bright‑eyed, quirky girl who lands a job caring for Will Traynor, a wealthy adrenaline junkie rendered quadriplegic after a motorcycle crash.
Will, once a high‑flying businessman, now wrestles with a life he never imagined. As Louisa’s sunny optimism and quirky charm seep into his world, a tender bond blossoms, and love inevitably sparks between them.
The romance takes a gut‑wrenching turn when Louisa discovers Will has arranged for assisted suicide in Switzerland, hoping to end his suffering. Determined, she fights to convince him that life still holds worth, setting the stage for an emotional showdown.
The chemistry between Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin is undeniable, and the audience finds themselves rooting for a happy ending. Yet Will’s resolve to walk away shatters that hope, delivering a wave of sobs that feel as if you can’t breathe.
When Will finally passes away surrounded by family and love, the audience is left with a bittersweet mix of sorrow and understanding – an aching realization of his desire to escape relentless pain.
9. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
Brace yourself before diving into this tale of two teenage cancer warriors; it’s a roller‑coaster that ends both heartbreakingly and beautifully. Based on John Green’s bestselling novel, the film tracks Hazel Grace Lancaster, a sharp‑tongued teen battling lung cancer, as she joins a support group.
In that very group, she meets Augustus Waters, a witty, charming survivor of osteosarcoma. Their connection ignites over a shared love for a novel titled An Imperial Affliction, sparking a deep, unexpected romance.
Driven by curiosity and love, Hazel and Augustus embark on a trip to Amsterdam to confront the reclusive author, Peter Van Houten, seeking answers to lingering questions. Their encounter with the gruff writer adds a layer of frustration to their journey.
Just when the pair seem to have found a sliver of peace, Augustus’s cancer resurfaces with brutal force, thrusting the audience into an unrelenting cascade of tears that refuse to stop until the final credits roll.
8. My Sister’s Keeper (2009)
Imagine being born solely as a genetic match for a sibling – that’s the heart‑wrenching premise of My Sister’s Keeper. Based on Jodi Picoult’s novel, the story follows Anna Fitzgerald, a teenager conceived through IVF to save her older sister Kate, who battles leukemia.
Anna endures countless medical procedures – bone‑marrow transplants, blood donations – all in the name of keeping Kate alive. When Kate’s illness escalates, demanding a kidney transplant, Anna decides to sue her parents for medical emancipation, demanding control over her own body.
The film probes the moral dilemma of sacrifice versus autonomy, asking whether Anna’s devotion has crossed into exploitation. The courtroom drama intensifies the emotional stakes, making viewers question the limits of familial love.
The goodbye scene stands out as the most gut‑punching moment: Kate, aware of the burden she’s placed on Anna, offers a heartfelt apology for the pain her mere existence has caused, delivering a tear‑filled climax that lingers long after the screen fades.
7. Becoming Jane (2007)
Who would have guessed that the famed author of timeless romance novels endured a love life riddled with sorrow? Becoming Jane is a biographical drama that draws inspiration from the early years of Jane Austen, blending fact with imaginative storytelling.
Anne Hathaway portrays a spirited Jane, navigating the strictures of late‑18th‑century England while yearning for a suitable husband. Enter Tom Lefroy, a penniless yet charismatic lawyer whose sharp wit and playful banter ignite an undeniable connection.
As their affection deepens, societal pressures and family expectations threaten to tear them apart. Jane faces the agonizing choice between following her heart and adhering to the obligations imposed upon women of her era.
The film’s most tear‑inducing segment arrives when viewers realize that, despite their mutual love, circumstances conspire against them. Even knowing the historical outcome, the audience can’t help but wish Tom would abandon his responsibilities for a chance at true love, making the final scene a bittersweet blend of closure and lingering yearning.
6. Finding Neverland (2004)
At first glance, a movie about the creator of Peter Pan promises whimsical adventure, but Finding Neverland flips that expectation on its head, delivering a flood of emotions. Directed by Marc Forster, this historical fantasy dramatizes J.M. Barrie’s life, earning seven Oscar nominations.
Johnny Depp stars as Barrie, a struggling playwright who encounters a widowed mother and her four lively sons. Their bond becomes the wellspring of inspiration for the iconic tale of pirates, fairies, and eternal youth.
As Barrie integrates himself into the family’s world, he faces criticism from his own wife and society, which question his motives and unconventional behavior. Nevertheless, his dedication to bringing the magical story to the stage remains unwavering.
The film’s most heartrending moments arise when tragedy strikes the mother, leaving the children motherless. Barrie steps into the role of guardian, guiding them through grief while they process loss, and the audience inevitably mirrors that emotional journey.
5. Life Is Beautiful (1998)
Set against the grim backdrop of World War II Italy, Life Is Beautiful follows Guido, a charismatic Jewish man played (and directed) by Roberto Benigni. After marrying his true love and starting a family, Guido and his young son Giosué are thrust into a concentration camp.
Determined to shield his son from the camp’s horrors, Guido convinces Giosué that the entire ordeal is an elaborate game, promising a reward – a tank – for accumulating enough points. This imaginative ruse allows the boy to find fleeting joy amidst relentless brutality.
The film does not shy away from the stark realities of war; its unflinching portrayal of suffering is balanced by Guido’s relentless optimism, showcasing humanity’s capacity for hope even in the darkest hours.
Winning three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Benigni, the movie stands as a testament to resilience, reminding viewers that love and laughter can survive even the most harrowing circumstances. For maximum impact, watch it in Italian with subtitles.
4. My Girl (1991)
My Girl delivers a coming‑of‑age tale that simultaneously wounds and heals, offering a poignant look at childhood, loss, and first love. Set in the summer of 1972, the story follows 11‑year‑old Vada Sultenfuss, a spunky tomboy navigating life in a funeral home.
Vada’s father, played by Dan Aykroyd, runs the mournful business, while Vada herself grapples with the recent loss of her mother, leading to an almost hypochondriac fascination with death. Amid school, crushes, makeup experiments, and her first period, she strives to understand the complexities of growing up.
Her adventures are shared with shy classmate Thomas J., portrayed by Macaulay Culkin. Their friendship deepens over the summer, culminating in a tragic moment when Thomas J., allergic to bee stings, is fatally attacked by a hive.
This heartbreaking incident triggers an outpouring of tears, forcing Vada to confront grief head‑on. Yet, the film’s conclusion offers a gentle lesson on resilience, leaving viewers with a lingering sense of hope amid sorrow.
3. Steel Magnolias (1989)
The final twenty minutes of Steel Magnolias are practically a masterclass in tear‑jerking, demanding a viewing party with friends – no one should endure the flood of emotions alone. This Southern‑charm classic celebrates friendship, community, and the indomitable spirit of women.
Directed by Herbert Ross and adapted from Robert Harling’s play, the film unfolds in a small Southern town, centering around a tight‑knit group of women who gather at Truvy’s beauty salon, run by Dolly Parton’s charismatic Truvy Jones.
Julia Roberts portrays Shelby, a newlyweds bride, while Sally Field embodies her mother M’Lynn, a fierce yet vulnerable matriarch. Their relationships, interwoven with humor and heart, showcase the power of female solidarity through life’s triumphs and tragedies.
The emotional climax arrives when M’Lynn faces the devastating loss of her beloved daughter. Field delivers a powerhouse performance that draws out an unstoppable wave of sobs, cementing the film’s status as an unforgettable tear‑jerker.
2. Love Story (1970)
Jennifer Cavilleri, played by Ali MacGraw, may initially appear obnoxious, but her evolving character draws viewers into a deep, emotional journey. In Love Story, Oliver Barrett IV, a privileged Harvard scion portrayed by Ryan O’Neal, falls head‑over‑heels for Jennifer, a spirited Radcliffe student from a modest background.
Their whirlwind romance defies Oliver’s snobbish family’s objections, leading to a marriage that tests their resolve. As they navigate financial strain, familial disapproval, and the looming shadow of a terminal illness, the couple’s love deepens, transitioning from youthful infatuation to steadfast devotion.
The film’s heartbreaking crescendo arrives when Jennifer’s diagnosis forces the audience into an emotional abyss, while the haunting score by Francis Lai gently lulls viewers into a reflective state, making the tears flow unchecked.
1. An Affair to Remember (1957)
Four women in Sleepless in Seattle famously break down over this timeless classic, and for good reason: An Affair to Remember is the ultimate romantic tear‑jerker. This 1957 masterpiece, starring Cary Grant as the charismatic playboy Nickie Ferrante and Deborah Kerr as the talented singer Terry McKay, set the gold standard for love stories.
On a transatlantic ocean liner, Nickie and Terry meet, instantly sparking a connection despite both being engaged to others. They pledge to reunite six months later at the top of the Empire State Building, a promise that fuels the film’s romance.
Tragedy strikes when Terry suffers a car accident, leaving her paralyzed and unable to keep the rendezvous. Nickie, unaware of her fate, waits through the night, his hope turning into heartbreak as the story unfolds.
The final moments, where the two finally reunite and confront the cruel twist of fate, deliver an emotional punch that will have you reaching for the last of your Kleenex supply, cementing the film’s place as a definitive tear‑jerking classic.