Some films can really reduce me to a baby. Bring tissues for these ones...
These movies are not for the weak of tear ducts. Some can reduce you to a slobbering mess.
Let's make ourselves sad.... because sometimes, tears gets rid of fears.
1. 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Celebrated Black-excellence director Steve McQueen's slave epic, which won Best Picture that year, was a very vital and honest retelling of the black experience of early 19th century America. Expect lots of brutally graphic and no-holds barred torture scenes not of just the physical but also mental realm. The flogging scene was a tough one to watch.
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Sad | Very Sad | Teary | Need tissues | Drenched in tears |
2. Everybody's Fine (2009)
If you have or had a close relationship with grandpa or have an ageing father, this one will be painful to watch. Robert De Niro stars as a lonely papa bear to his kids who have all since grown up. A suprise reunion brings more than just daddy De Niro. The scene where he drops his pills on the ground while walking lonesomely in the tunnel did it for me.
So sad.
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Sad | Very sad | Teary | Need tissues | Drenched in Tears |
3. The Fault In Our Stars (2014)
I never thought I would cry before watching this, but let me just frankly tell you that it is almost impossible to get through the illness-stricken plot without shedding a tear or feeling horrible. It has such a bittersweet air to it which makes it quite a unique film- like a modern Romeo and Juliet.
Sad | Very sad | Teary | Need tissues | Drenched in tears |
4. Up (2009)
Might be one of the saddest animation films out there. Nothing can replace a grandparent/old person's love for their grandkid or a child. This unique bond is described very succintly in this tearjerker that will make you miss your grandpa/grandma. I know I did, and I sure did not hold back my tears.
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Sad | Very sad | Teary | Need Tissues | Drenched in tears |
5. Manchester By The Sea (2016)
Casey Affleck (brother of a famous Ben) won the academy award for Best Actor from his role in this. A slow burner this may be, but it tugs at your heart strings and shows you how crushing loneliness and grief can be. A powerful but slow piece that takes effort to watch.
Youtube 'Powerful Michelle Williams Scene'
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Sad | Very Sad | Teary | Need Tissues | Drenched in Tears |
6. Lion (2016)
This true life story of a succesful Australian Businessman's journey home to his native India, to find his birth parents is a sobfest. The heart behind the film is the fact that it is such a simple and unremarkable narrative but holds true for so many millions of people out there who have left their homes or for adoptees. It is a reminder that your roots will always stay the same no matter where you might grow towards.
Sia's soundtrack to the film is also worth a listen.
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Sad | Very Sad | Teary | Need Tissues | Drenched in tears |
7. Fences (2016)
2016 was the year of sadness, with three Best Picture nominess being particularly sorrowful albeit triumphant features. None more so than Fences, the stage-to-screen adaptation of August Wilson's Pulitzer-Prize winning play. Denzel Washington and Viola Davis gave a show-stopping performance that was the pinnacle of method acting; Sublime.
Not for everyone though. The film is literally 2 hours of dialogue amongst black folks.
In one famous scene, the very emotional Viola had snot dribbling down her face while channeling peak mammy realness, that's when i knew she was sure to win her first oscar -and she did.
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​Sad | Very Sad | Teary | Need Tissues | Drenched in tears |
8. Father (2020)
Anthony Hopkins. The Man. The Legend. Everything he touches turns to gold. The King Midas of film and we should all be so honored to have him with us.
Even in a picture as brief as this one-at 97 minutes, Hopkins displays his effortless command of the screen as an almost-senile man learning to live with his demons.
You feel for the Father and his daughter and the feels lead to tears.
"I feel as if I'm losing my all leaves..." - The Father
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Sad | Very Sad | Teary | Need Tissues | Drenched in tears |
9. Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
Morgan Freeman is a vampire because he looks exactly the same today as he did 33 years ago driving Miss Daisy. Miss Daisy is the oldest woman to have won the Best Actress Award at the oscars, 80 year old Jessica Tandy.
Back in 1989, racism was much more rampant than it was today and Jessica brought that out in her career-defining role as Daisy. Seeing the complex and serendipitous relationship between the two of them play out was a sweet and warming experience.
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Sad | Very Sad | Teary | Need Tissues | Drenched in Tears |
10. Train to Busan (2016)
Quite a surprise entry I know.
Everyone has heard about this landmark korean zombie film that starred the dashing Gong Yoo as a neglectful dad who does not prioritise his daughter until a zombie pandemic rocks Seoul and his soul.
The sadness overwhelms in the penultimate moments of the film and that ending with the little girl singing was truly heartbreaking.
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Sad | Very Sad | Teary | Need Tissues | Drenched in Tears |
So that's it. A list of ten films to make you cry like a baby.
I guess old people, tunnels and diseases are recipes for a tearful day to spend the day.
Thanks for reading and let me know of what other features to add in the future,
Leon
