From time to time, it’s healthy to flush out the emotional pipes with a good, solid cry. Even if you just shed the cliche single tear, having a brief encounter with self-produced waterworks never hurts. When life isn’t providing the material you need to get your cry on, try these 12 films proven to yank on your heartstrings (and tear ducts).
1. Dead Poets Society (1989)
When people in a movie forum asked for suggestions of films that get you every single time, Dead Poets Society was the top response. And, since Robin Williams’ passing, the movie’s emotional weight has only become heavier. Oh Captain, My Captain, would you please pass the tissues?
2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
After all their trials and tribulations in Shawshank State Prison, there is just something about (spoiler alert) Andy Dufresne and Red’s reunion on a picturesque beach that ties together a darn near perfect movie in the darn near perfect way. I’m not crying. You’re crying.
3. Field of Dreams (1989)
Putting on Field of Dreams is like unleashing a firehose of tears for any father or son with half a heart. The scene where Kevin Costner’s Ray Kinsella reunites with the ghost of his father to have a catch is where most viewers lose it, especially if they have lost their pops.
4. Stand By Me (1986)
“I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?” Want to feel the tinge of sadness that comes with nostalgia and perhaps even cry a little bit over long-lost friends? Watch Stand By Me, one of the most reliable coming-of-age films ever made.
5. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
After three epic films culminating in the crowning of Aragorn as the king of Gondor, one movie fan gets choked up at the line “My friends, you bow to no one,” which Aragorn speaks to his hobbit companions Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin.
6. Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Anyone who has experienced a loss will find that Manchester by the Sea strikes a nerve or perhaps even a well of tears. While the film explores the complicated ways that each person processes grief, those who know grief well will likely find that this film resonates with them and may conjure memories of loved ones lost.
7. Magnolia (1999)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterpiece Magnolia intertwines several different narratives, each of which is heartbreaking in its own way. Unabashedly diving into themes of addiction, loneliness, peaking too early, and estranged loved ones. The ending of Magnolia is as poignant as endings come.
8. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
Like its predecessor Marley & Me, the pup-centric film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale preys upon our affinity for domesticated canines. Predatory as it may be, the filmmakers’ bet that we couldn’t resist yet another man’s-best-friend trope is a winning one.
Rather than recycle the dog-dies-too-soon narrative, though, Hachi puts a new spin on the dog film genre to the same tear-jerking effect.
9. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Knowing that The Pursuit of Happyness is based on the true story of rags-to-riches stockbroker Chris Gardner makes your tears all the more justifiable. Cry away, you big baby. You’ve earned this one.
10. Up (2009)
You’re crying about a kid’s film? Aren’t you like 30? Yes, I am, and yes, I am. However, the animation doesn’t make the timeless story of Carl and Ellie Fredrickson any less touching.
11. October Sky (1999)
Based on the true story of Homer Hickam, who loves rocket science but comes from a coal mining family. He leaves his small town to pursue his dreams.
“October Sky when Homer’s dad comes to launch the last rocket with him,” says one fan. “It gets me.”
12. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
One fan says, “Olive talking to her grandpa feeling like a loser” makes them cry every time. The movie is authentic and relatable.
This thread inspired this article.
READ MORE FROM WEALTH OF GEEKS:
10 Movies That Were Huge Once but Have Been Forgotten by Most People
Some masterpieces get lost with the tides of time. But every true piece of art is timeless. It remains relevant decades later — movies like Titanic and The Sound of Music are huge testaments of this.
Though these timeless films may remain as significant as the years they were made, newer films are rolling out daily. New and more brilliant movies take the world by storm, each release inching away at older films people grew up watching. Here are 10 movie masterpieces that people have forgotten about.
10 Movies That Were Huge Once but Have Been Forgotten by Most People
12 Movies People Didn’t Expect to Like but Were Actually Really Good
Movies have the power to surprise us in unexpected ways. Sometimes, we go into a film with low expectations, only to thoroughly enjoy it.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 12 movies people didn’t expect to like but were pleasantly surprised by. These movies range in genre, style, and era, but they all share one thing in common: they exceeded expectations.
12 Movies People Didn’t Expect to Like but Were Actually Really Good
15 Movies With Plot Twists You’ll Want to Watch Immediately
Are you a fan of films that twist you, turn you, and blow you away with their insane plot twists? We got you covered. An online discussion asks, “I wanna watch a movie with a massive plot twist. Something that makes you go holy cow by the end.”
They continued, “I remember watching a movie with my ex. I don’t know the title, but it was the biggest ‘holy [Sugar-Honey-Ice-Tea] what the fridge was that?’ of my life. I needed a moment to process what even happened.” Here are the top film nominations for insane plot twists.
15 Movies With Plot Twists You’ll Want to Watch Immediately
10 Movies That Were Masterpieces Right After You Watched It but Now They’re Just Alright
Sometimes, movies are only great for one watch.
Here are 10 movies that used to be epic but are now just meh.
10 Movies That Were Masterpieces Right After You Watched It but Now They’re Just Alright
10 Movies With the Worst/Dumbest Premises That Were Not Trying To Be Silly
If you watch movies, you’ve inevitably stumbled across a premise so bad it distracts from the film.
With a lousy script, not even talented actors can save the story. Here are 10 films the internet says tried to cement a serious story but fell flat due to a bad premise.
10 Movies With the Worst/Dumbest Premises That Were Not Trying To Be Silly
This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
