18 Movies That Make Us Ugly Cry Every Time

Movies open a bevy of emotions most viewers can’t control when they watch them at the theater. From simple dialogue lines and character deaths to superb landscapes, movies speak to the human soul. Even if they involve explosive action or cheesy comedy, a moving picture’s power transcends an enjoyable experience for any spectator of the silver screen.

While many movies cause tears to drop, some particularly trigger intense sobbing out of left field. Instead of a drop, filmgoers submit to mild breakdowns resulting from eye waterfalls and heavy throats. In those moments, the viewer ultimately connects with the moving art.

Though a significant number of movies deliver ugly-crying sentiments and moments, these films specifically tug at the heartstrings.

Philadelphia (1993)

Tom Hanks’ most acclaimed roles came in director Jonathan Demme’s Philadelphia drama. The film stars Hanks as attorney Andrew Beckett, who endures a court case due to his HIV/AIDS diagnosis. He recruits lawyer Joseph Miller (Denzel Washington) to help him in the case against the law firm that fired him for his status. The two attorneys form a bond as the film progresses, their connection propelling themes of brotherhood and love.

TriStar Pictures distributed Philadelphia in 1993, more than a decade after the first reported AIDS case in the U.S. drew massive attention. As Beck works through the case, his symptoms continually hold him back, which leads to his hospital visit. Beck’s health deteriorates, yet Miller fights on.

Hanks earned his first Academy Award for the Best Actor category with Philadelphia; audiences broke down as they watched Beck and Miller tackle homophobia.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Tom Hanks’ second Oscar trophy for Best Actor belongs to director Robert Zemeckis’ Forrest Gump. A treasured film by many, the film follows the titular Forrest and his many moments in American history. Big football games, U.S. presidents, the Beatles, and Vietnam War horrors all influence Forrest’s life. In truth, Forrest Gump remains a cinematic classic because of its soundtrack, cast, visual effects, and story.

Many scream “Run, Forrest, Run” whenever Gump’s film title comes up in conversation. Some immediately remember the two gravesite scenes when Forrest talks to his deceased loved ones. Particularly regarding Jenny (Robin Wright), Forrest cries when he mentions his son, Forrest Jr. (Haley Joel Osment). Viewers cannot help but join Forrest and his raw emotions.

The Lion King (1994)

The same year Forrest Gump premiered, Disney introduced families to The Lion King. Featuring an ensemble voice cast, the animated musical film illustrates a lion cub’s rise as a king. The destined king, Simba (Matthew Broderick and Jonathan Taylor Thomas), faces opposition, with his uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons) seeking the throne. Of course, villains must enact evil deeds, which he successfully fulfills by murdering his brother Mufasa (James Earl Jones).

While Simba’s ascension plays a role in the film’s latter half, Mufasa’s downfall serves as his ultimate turning point. Trampled by a stampede, Mufasa lies lifeless on the road, only for his son to approach him. As Simba inspects his father’s body, families grab their heavy throats, watching as a son grieves.

Charlotte’s Web (1973)

Not all children’s animation falls in the line of pure G-rated content. Charlotte’s Web remains popular among family members who fondly remember Debbie Reynolds’ performance as the titular spider. In addition to Hanna-Barbera Productions handling the adaptation, the film features music from the Sherman Brothers. The results spell a magical experience, while thoughtful motifs of death get thrown into the mix.

“What’s life anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, and we die,” the titular spider tells Wilbur (Henry Gibson) before she passes away in Charlotte’s Web. Wilbur and Templeton (Paul Lynde) rescue Charlotte’s eggs as she sings herself to sleep. Like any young ones in the audience, the pig cries out for Charlotte, believing the spider’s time still clicks.

Despite the loss, Wilbur befriends three of Charolette’s hatched offspring, naming them as they introduce themselves to him.

Old Yeller (1957)

Losing a friend never equals an easy outcome, and many young viewers feel this pull with Old Yeller. Starring Tommy Kirk as farmboy Travis Coates, Old Yeller examines a son’s fondness for his dog. The boy helps raise the canine with his family until a brutal attack jeopardizes the pet’s life. Old Yeller gets infected with rabies, prompting Travis to shoot the animal toward the film’s conclusion.

Old Yeller’s death stands as one of cinema’s most memorable tearjerkers, packing an emotional punch few viewers can withstand. For the “a boy and his dog” story structure, the 1957 film delivers all the right notes and then some. Moreover, it inspired the Savage Sam sequel in 1963, yet audiences don’t remember it as much as the original.

Of Mice and Men (1992)

John Steinbeck fans remember Gary Sinise’s Of Mice and Men adaptation for its primary actors: Sinise and John Malkovich. Playing George Milton and Lennie Small, respectively, the actors exhibit believable performances that send the dramatic narrative home. Though they face hardships in the movie, Malkovich’s Small particularly stuns audience members with his depiction of a mentally disabled individual.

Of Mice and Men readers know the book’s outcome, and Sinise retains it to a heartbreaking degree in the adaptation. For the uninformed, Milton sees no other solution but to kill Small due to a fatal accident. He does so, yet Malkovich’s portrayal wrecks every soul in the cinema. Sinise sells the soul-crushing bit of killing his friend, yet many leave the theater remembering Lenny’s fascination with rabbits.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Some directors pull John Steinbeck’s works for inspiration, while others turn to Stephen King’s extensive library for easy scares. However, Frank Darabont took a different route with King’s Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption short story. Instead of aiming for scares, Darabont lunged for deep direction with Andy Dufresne’s story in The Shawshank Redemption. Andy walks as a prisoner of Shawshank prison, though he develops a friendship with fellow inmate Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman).

With Tim Robbins in the starring role, Andy crawls through filth as he escapes from Shawshank State Prison. Not guilty of a crime, Dufresne’s motivation reaches a pivotal point when freedom does not seem likely. He acquires his freedom by evading through the prison’s sewage system and walking out into the rain, embracing the open air. Composer Thomas Newman provides the ethereal theme accompanying Dufresne’s grand escape.

The Green Mile (1999)

Frank Darabont adapted another one of King’s works with The Green Mile. Premiering five years after The Shawshank Redemption, Darabont’s new film visits a different prison. With Tom Hanks and Michael Clark Duncan in prominent roles, The Green Mile explores the complexities of the human condition. Moreover, Thomas Newman wrote the film’s score, again administering those familiar sentimental overtones.

The film plays on, and audiences begin sympathizing with Duncan’s John Coffey. When his death sentence approaches, nothing but dread fills the air, both in the film and out. Knowing Coffey’s innocence, the officers sorrowfully watch as they execute the gentle giant. As an officer places a hood over Coffey, the latter pleads for its removal, stating his fear of the dark. The entire scene makes anyone ugly cry, whether they know the context or not.

The Wrestler (2008)

Some men walk to their deaths, while others jump into it, as exemplified in director Darren Aronosky’s The Wrestler. The feature explores the debilitating drama of the titular athlete (Mickey Rourke) and his enervating health. The glory days trail long behind Randy “The Ram” Robinson, yet his ambitions remain high amid financial and personal struggles. Most of the film follows Rourke’s character as he prepares for a risky fight.

The matman ignores the doctor’s warnings and participates in a match, though not without some concerns from those around him. With his opponent down on the mat, the Ram climbs onto the top rope for a signature room. Knowing the gamble his heart faces, the Ram relives his fame and cries, thus jumping from the rope and the screen cutting to black. Though Randy struggled, his drive prevailed, and that’s what everyone relates to when they’re wiping away their tears.

Schindler’s List (1993)

Of course, some men see their mistakes and choose to correct them, which is what Oskar Schindler does in Schindler’s List. With Steven Spielberg behind the camera directing Liam Nesson’s Schindler, the film epic takes audiences on an unforgivable journey into the past. Set during World War II, Schindler’s List excavates the terrors of the Holocaust with terrifying sequences of murder and torture. Spielberg lays it out without shying away from the historical material.

As such, the horrors of the Holocaust remain inexcusable. Oskar’s efforts in saving more than a thousand Jewish individuals from German forces prove noteworthy toward the film’s end as those saved give thanks to Schindler. These rescued “Schindlerjuden” comfort a regretful Oskar, who believes his actions didn’t do enough for more Jewish survivors. They did, and the “Schindlerjuden” proved so by visiting his grave later in life.

“Whoever saves one life saves the world entire,” Oskar’s Jewish associate Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley) tells him before they depart.

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003)

Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy stands among cinema’s most adored pieces of work. The third installment, The Return of the King, sees the heroes of Middle-earth approaching critical chapters in their quests. The One Ring edges closer to its doom, though evil forces repeatedly halt its destruction. Epic action ensues, the One Ring drowns in fire, and the heroes reunite. Though a splendid ending, it doesn’t leave audiences without a saddening punch to the gut.

Near the film’s conclusion, the hobbits must bid farewell to Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Gandalf (Ian McKellen). The former faces a problematic life following an accident, prompting his exit. His friends each tearfully hug and share their goodbyes. His best friend Samwise (Sean Astin) goes in for the final hug, and his particular embrace brings everyone to tears. After saving the world, Sam now must part ways with his curly-haired companion.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Will Smith’s acting roles span decades, from his days as The Fresh Prince to winning an Oscar with King Richard. Another memorable role of Smith’s follows the struggles and miracles Chris Gardner weathers in The Pursuit of Happyness. Accompanied by his real-life son Jaden, Smith projects a beaten man striving for greatness amid plentiful issues hindering his life: no money, no promising roof to live under, and no support.

When Gardner obtains the opportunity of a lifetime to become a broker, he goes above and beyond for an internship. With barely any money in his pocket, his persistence brings him to a final meeting with the board members. Only good news emerges as Gardner receives the full-time position, bringing him to tears. He then rushes to his son’s daycare for a much-needed embrace.

The film ends with a cameo from the real Chris Gardner, whom Smith acknowledges.

Coco (2017)

Almost any Pixar animation movie guarantees some tearjerking moments, especially Coco and its death, family, and resurrection motifs. The film explores the Day of the Dead’s significance in Mexican culture while analyzing a family’s contribution to past and present relatives. Add wonderful music to the animation, and audiences hop on an emotional rollercoaster.

The film transcends its messages by revolving around the climactic scene between Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) and his great-grandmother Mamá Coco (Ana Ofelia Murguía). Forced to shudder his musical talents, Miguel strums “Remember Me” to his elderly relative, whose memory grows shoddy. Miguel plays on, watching as Coco begins remembering her past. Tears drop from Miguel and the other family members who watch on. Coco then shares stories of her father, prompting all the emotions from the audience to plunge.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Chadwick Boseman’s death sent earthshattering waves of heartbreak across the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the film industry. The South Carolina-born actor suffered from colon cancer, yet he hid his diagnosis from most heads in the world. Work continued, and Boseman unfortunately lost his life in 2020. With Marvel choosing not to recast his T’Challa role in the MCU, many eyes turned to the next Black Panther installment. Letitia Wright fills his shoes by playing Shuri, T’Challa’s ingenious sister.

In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the film opens with T’Challa losing his life to an unknown illness. Shuri tries to save him but to no avail. Though she becomes the new Black Panther, Shuri grieves for her brother throughout the movie. Toward the film’s conclusion, Shuri thinks of her brother, with the scene displaying flashbacks between the two. “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna plays as the credits roll, honoring Boseman.

Logan (2017)

Hugh Jackman played James Howlett/Logan/Wolverine in many X-Men films. Due to his immense favored presence, Jackman starred in his solo films, forming a trilogy in the process. X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Wolverine serve as the first two installments, while Logan concludes his story.

Simply titled Logan, the film follows an aging Wolverine and a dying Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart). Drowning in alcohol, depression, and suicidal thoughts, Logan wrestles with his demons in a mutant-less world. It’s not until Laura (Dafne Keen) shows up that Logan finds purpose again, defending her from murderous Reavers. Moreover, Laura’s genes come from Logan’s, ultimately designating her as his offspring.

Sadly, Logan meets his supposed end by the film’s finale. An emotional Laura tends to her dying father, utterly shocked at his critical condition. Logan passes as his daughter calls him “daddy,” wrecking all mutant hearts.

Titanic (1997)

The North Atlantic Ocean serves as one world James Cameron visits in his projects. When he’s not diving underwater with his Deepsea Challenger, he’s filming romantic dramas. On the surface, Titanic offers an epic microscope into the RMS Titanic sinking of 1912. By looking deeper into the water, audiences know something terrible approaches. In addition to the expected tragedy, the film’s central romance unluckily plays on.

Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose Bukater (Kate Winslet) act as Titanic‘s primary focus. With the RMS Titanic disaster as the backdrop, the ocean-crossed lovers fight for survival. Tiny debris fills the ocean top, with only Rose taking refuge on a broken door. With no space for the cold-shaken Jack, the two hang on until he succumbs to the bitter cold of the ocean. Jack sinks, and moviegoers can’t help but cry along with Rose.

The Impossible (2012)

Surviving a catastrophe brings out the best and worst in anyone. For the Bennett family, weathering the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami spells anxious doom. With Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, and Tom Holland in the leading roles, The Impossible explores the family’s scattered survival.

The topic in mind already provides ingredients for salt-tasting tears to fall. Several scenes offer emotional dosages. For one in particular, the reunion scene near the film’s ending stands as one of the most memorable from The Impossible.

My Girl (1991)

In My Girl, Macaulay Culkin and Anna Chlumsky star as two friends (Thomas and Vada, respectively) who meet during the summer of 1972. The two experience a few typical adolescent lessons revolving around puberty, bullying, and young love. Moreover, death surrounds Chlumsky’s character, consuming her worries. Tragedy strikes, and Culkin’s character suffers a depressing turn.

Though child deaths in film rarely appear, My Girl doesn’t hide from lifeless bodies on screen. At the funeral home, Vada approaches the coffin, intensely sobbing at the scene. She quickly becomes distraught, noting Thomas’ missing spectacles. “He can’t see without his glasses,” she utters as she looks at her deceased friend.