12 Movies That Will Make You Cry

Sometimes, we all need a good cry. Whether you’re going through some tough stuff or you’re simply in the mood for an emotional film, there are plenty of reasons to seek out a movie that will make you cry. There’s something about an emotional release that can feel great. Plus, some of the deepest and most artistic movies have a tragic element to them, and you can seek them out in order to have your very own movie night. Whether you binge a few in one night or you decide that one good cry is enough, this selection of films is a great place to begin your search.

Sure, you could go for the standard rom-com, but that doesn’t always suit the mood of the situation. If you want a tearjerker, there’s nothing wrong with going for the gold. Here are a few top choices for movies that will tug at your heart and make you cry — because sometimes, that’s what we all need.

1. Call Me By Your Name

With three Oscar nominations and one win, Call Me By Your Name is a love story that will absolutely have you in puddles by the time the credits roll. An LGBTQ romance set in Europe in the 1980s? Sign us up right away!

2. The Farewell

You didn’t think this list would be all love stories, did you? The Farewell is a touching story about first-generation Billi returning to China with her family to spend time with her grandmother. This film is about family, love grief and connection — and it’s bound to pull tears. 

3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

If you could erase an ex from your memory, would you? Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind explores that question and more in this sci-fi love story landscape. The aesthetics alone are worth the price of admission, but the substance will have you thinking about it for days. 

4. Roma

Following the lives of domestic workers in 1970s Mexico City, Roma is a film about family, class and social expectations. Beautifully shot and masterfully acted, Roma snagged three Oscars, including Best Foreign Language Film.

5. Marriage Story

You’ve probably already heard of Marriage Story — the one with lots of fighting, yelling and the downfall of a marriage — but if you haven’t seen it yet, this is the film that will make you want to divorce your partner you don’t even have. It’s raw, real, and bound to pull tears.

6. Malcolm and Marie

This minimal romance drama film is a rollercoaster ride if you’ve ever seen one. Similar to Marriage Story, this movie shows the ups and downs of a couple as they fight through it a single night of ravenous conflict. Even with everything heightened and dramatized, these characters and their lives will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see if — and how — they’ll reconcile.

7. Persepolis

Based on the graphic memoir of the same name, this masterfully animated film follows a young girl’s life coming of age during revolutionary era Iran. This story perfectly ties the personal to the political in a way that is sure to jerk tears.

8. Romeo + Juliet

The classic tale of star-crossed lovers is a tale as old as time, and even though this movie was made in 1996, it brings something completely new to the script that Shakespeare originally penned. If you haven’t seen this version of Romeo and Juliet yet, do yourself a favor and set two hours aside to drink it all in. Who can pass on young Leo DiCaprio?

9. The Florida Project

Set in the low-income shadow of Orlando, Florida, The Florida Project follows a young child and her mother living in a motel. Watching the harsh reality of the world around her through the lens of the child protagonist, Moonee, The Florida Project is a sad and gritty story that needs to be told and listened to.

10. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

One of Wes Anderson’s less popular films, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou centers around an oceanographer and his crew searching for vengeance upon A shark that took a member of their crew from them. This movie is definitely sad, and is bound to bring tears. If you love Wes Anderson, this is definitely one to check out.

11. Moonlight

Moonlight is one of the most celebrated films of the past few years, and it’s easy to see why. As this film follows the life of its protagonist in three parts, it manages to tackle themes of love, community and growing up as a young Black man. It even won Best Picture at the Oscars in 2017!

12. Submarine

If you want to hop across the pond for your tearjerker, look no further than Submarine. Also based on a book, Submarine follows a teen boy in Wales as he sets out to lose his virginity before he turns 16, keep his family together, and get a girlfriend. An aesthetically pleasing love story, this film has a melancholy tone that is sure to make you cry.

Movies to Make You Cry

We all need a good cry every now and then, and if you can find a movie to help you do that, all the better! Do any of these movies catch your eye?