If you’re anything like me, you love cuddling up in bed on a Friday night with a tragic movie and a pint of Ben & Jerry’s–psychotic behavior, I know. Here, I’ve compiled a list of my top ten favorite tear-jerkers that are guaranteed to leave you reaching for the tissue box.
10. Up
In my humble opinion, this animated masterpiece is the peak of modern-day cinema. This “children’s movie” teaches so many life lessons about the importance of finding true love, living out your dreams while you still have the time, and meeting unlikely friends along the way. It’s also no secret why “Married Life” by Michael Giacchino won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition in 2010. If you can get through even the first ten minutes without shedding a tear, then you have my utmost respect (but also, seek help…I’m worried about you).
9. Titanic
This classic hit me slightly harder than I anticipated, and by that, I mean one minute, I was swooning over young Leonardo DiCaprio’s long blonde hair, and the next minute, I was practically drowning myself in tears. That door was big enough for the two of them, and I will die on that hill. I also would like to personally speak to whoever decided to add fuel to the fire by inserting “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion immediately as the credits began to roll. Not cool.
8. Me Before You
If you feel like ruining your mood for approximately 18 hours, then boy, do I have the film for you! This movie centers around a bitter and depressed man suffering from quadriplegia following a sudden accident and his quirky and cheerful caretaker. Let’s just say that if you’re looking for a happy ending, look elsewhere.
7. The Notebook
Calling all Ryan Gosling fans! I have this movie to thank for my unreasonably high standards for men. Watching lovebirds Noah and Allie lie beneath the streetlights made me want to lie down in traffic. Also, for the record, if your boyfriend doesn’t build you the house of your dreams and write you handwritten letters every single day of the year, respectfully, dump him.
6. La La Land
Ohhh, boy. Ryan Gosling does it again. I could write an essay on this one, but I’ll spare you. This film depicts the right person, wrong time trope so beautifully. Sometimes in the midst of pursuing your dreams, you have to leave some people behind. The last thirty minutes is a masterpiece in cinematography. Show this to your best friend who “hates musicals” and tell them to get back to you.
5. Call Me by Your Name
Is this film therapy? Or is it the reason I need therapy? Anyways… After my 2020 Timothée Chalamet awakening, I innocently threw on this movie without knowing too much about it. Timmy speaking French and Italian? I’m in! Timmy sitting in front of a fireplace crying for the final three minutes of the movie? I’m rocking back and forth in a ball in the corner of my room. “Elio, Elio, Elio, Elio, Elio… I remember everything.” Screw you, Luca Guadagnino.
4. The Fault in Our Stars
I have a very distinct memory of my mother asking me how I was doing after watching this movie for the first time. I was convinced that I was “totally fine” and “not going to cry,” and she was quite surprised. Flash-forward an entirety of 30 seconds and I am sobbing in front of the bathroom mirror. Who would have anticipated that a film about two adolescents with cancer who fall in love would be… sad?!
3. Beautiful Boy
Death by Timothée Chalamet…again. This movie is TRAGIC. You have been warned. It’s concerning that as a Timmy stan, I have only seen this movie once…and barely. This film battles themes of drug addiction and the accompanying familial struggles. Why does he audition for such depressing roles? Maybe somebody should check in on him, too.
2. Aftersun
This is one of my absolute favorite films. While it is not incredibly plot-heavy, it sure does pack a punch. The beautiful Paul Mescal stars as Calum, father of eleven-year-old Sophie, as they take a holiday vacation together in this Charlotte Wells directorial debut. While you feel a sense of looming dread throughout the film, you’re not entirely sure why, as its subtlety is carefully constructed. Just like a sunburn, it isn’t until later that the damage of this film becomes apparent, and the second that the credits start rolling, you will be hit by all of it. The next time that “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie comes on the radio and I start bawling my eyes out, asking my dad to change the station, I’m anticipating that he will be slightly confused.
1.Manchester by the Sea
I have watched this movie a grand running total of two and a half times, and it leaves me feeling absolutely sick to my stomach… but it’s so good!!! It features some of the greatest acting performances that I can think of by Lucas Hedges and Casey Affleck, and it includes the best depictions of grief, PTSD, and anxiety that I have ever witnessed in cinema. Nevermind getting through it without crying, if you can even finish this movie, then you should probably call your local mental health facility.
If you needed a good cry, I hope that I was able to offer some assistance. Now, go watch a comedy!