Pulse of Cinema

Tearjerker Dramas

470

The most moving drama films that will bring you to tears. Sometimes a good cry is the most cleansing emotion there is — and this list is made for exactly that. Stories of loss, sacrifice, goodbyes and unconditional love that touch the heart and linger long after the credits roll. Keep a box of tissues close; these films earn every tear. You will remember the scene that broke you for years.

Standouts from This Collection

Routes Through This List

Shorter picks (≤100 min) Macario (1960) Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace (2020) The Lion King (1994) Prayers for Bobby (2009) Autumn Sonata (1978)
Based on true stories Clouds (2020) Prayers for Bobby (2009) Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey (2018) Braveheart (1995) I'm Still Here (2024)
Classics (pre-1990) The Godfather (1972) Macario (1960) Harakiri (1962) Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) Scarface (1983)

All Films

The Godfather ★ 8.7

The Godfather

1972
Macario ★ 8.7

Macario

1960
Life Is Beautiful ★ 8.4

Life Is Beautiful

1997
A Silent Voice: The Movie ★ 8.4

A Silent Voice: The Movie

2016
Harakiri ★ 8.4

Harakiri

1962
Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace ★ 8.4

Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace

2020
Drawing Closer ★ 8.4

Drawing Closer

2024
The Lion King ★ 8.3

The Lion King

1994
Léon: The Professional ★ 8.3

Léon: The Professional

1994
Once Upon a Time in the West ★ 8.3

Once Upon a Time in the West

1968
The Prestige ★ 8.2

The Prestige

2006
Scarface ★ 8.2

Scarface

1983
Five Feet Apart ★ 8.2

Five Feet Apart

2019
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas ★ 8.2

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas

2018
Clouds ★ 8.2

Clouds

2020
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri ★ 8.1

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

2017
Full Metal Jacket ★ 8.1

Full Metal Jacket

1987
Prayers for Bobby ★ 8.1

Prayers for Bobby

2009
The Sixth Sense ★ 8.0

The Sixth Sense

1999
The Deer Hunter ★ 8.0

The Deer Hunter

1978
La Dolce Vita ★ 8.0

La Dolce Vita

1960
Mirror ★ 8.0

Mirror

1975
Autumn Sonata ★ 8.0

Autumn Sonata

1978
Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey ★ 8.0

Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey

2018
Nobody Knows ★ 8.0

Nobody Knows

2004
The Best of Youth ★ 8.0

The Best of Youth

2003
Day of Wrath ★ 8.0

Day of Wrath

1943
Strings ★ 8.0

Strings

2013
Braveheart ★ 7.9

Braveheart

1995
Gone with the Wind ★ 7.9

Gone with the Wind

1939
Rebecca ★ 7.9

Rebecca

1940
I'm Still Here ★ 7.9

I'm Still Here

2024
Winter Light ★ 7.9

Winter Light

1963
Faust ★ 7.9

Faust

1926
Death Note Relight 1: Visions of a God ★ 7.9

Death Note Relight 1: Visions of a God

2007
Cries and Whispers ★ 7.9

Cries and Whispers

1972
El Infierno ★ 7.9

El Infierno

2010
Beyond the Universe ★ 7.9

Beyond the Universe

2022
Aparajito ★ 7.9

Aparajito

1956
Cool Kids Don't Cry ★ 7.9

Cool Kids Don't Cry

2012
Big Fish ★ 7.8

Big Fish

2003
Rain Man ★ 7.8

Rain Man

1988
A Walk to Remember ★ 7.8

A Walk to Remember

2002
Midnight Sun ★ 7.8

Midnight Sun

2018
Fanny and Alexander ★ 7.8

Fanny and Alexander

1982
Close ★ 7.8

Close

2022
1900 ★ 7.8

1900

1976
All My Life ★ 7.8

All My Life

2020
Close to the Horizon ★ 7.8

Close to the Horizon

2019
The Phantom Carriage ★ 7.8

The Phantom Carriage

1921
Forbidden Games ★ 7.8

Forbidden Games

1952
World of Tomorrow ★ 7.8

World of Tomorrow

2015
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters ★ 7.8

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters

1985
The Ascent ★ 7.8

The Ascent

1977
Turtles Can Fly ★ 7.8

Turtles Can Fly

2004
Eternity and a Day ★ 7.8

Eternity and a Day

1998
Eureka ★ 7.8

Eureka

2001
Batman Begins ★ 7.7

Batman Begins

2005
Mystic River ★ 7.7

Mystic River

2003
Magnolia ★ 7.7

Magnolia

1999
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