There are days when you just have to get the waterworks going and cry out all your worries. Especially when your emotional rollercoaster hits a low ground, all you need is some low-cal frozen yoghurt and a decent cry. Watching a sad movie is a great way to let your emotions out. Research shows that crying causes the release of endorphins and oxytocin. As ironic as it sounds, crying can occasionally improve your mood and put you at ease. Movies have a unique way of touching our hearts. Movies that require a box of tissues by the side might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the fact remains that there are a lot of humans who seek out sad films for the therapeutic release given by a good crying session. Aristotle called it catharsis; we call it the intentional breaking of our own hearts. Here are some beautifully tragic movies that will leave an indelible mark on your heart.

1. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

The Fault in Our Stars is nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster. Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters are two characters who will take permanent residence in your hearts. The beautiful love story of two teenagers overshadowed by the gloom of a terminal illness is sure to make you weep. Unless you have a heart of stone, it is impossible to get through the movie without shedding a tear. 

2. A Walk to Remember (2002)

This tells the story of a high school student who falls in love with the leukemia-stricken daughter of a minister. The novel by Nicholas Sparks served as the basis for this movie. This heartbreaking film features strong performances from Shane West and Mandy Moore.

3. The Green Mile

A 1999 film about a gentle giant named John Coffey, who has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, is set on death row in a Southern prison in the 1930s. In this moving movie, Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan give outstanding performances.

4. The Book Thief (2013) 

The story of a young girl who finds solace in books during the war is based on the novel by Markus Zusak. The film is set in Nazi Germany. The film is beautiful and haunting, and Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nélisse give excellent performances.

5. The Pursuit of Happiness (2006)

The true story of a struggling salesman who becomes homeless with his young son is depicted in the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happiness, which stars Will Smith and his real-life son Jaden. Smith gives an incredible performance in the film, which is both heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time.

6. Schindler’s List (1993)

 This is the true story of a German businessman who saves the lives of more than a thousand Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg. The performance by Liam Neeson is outstanding, and the movie is powerful and moving.

7. My Sister’s Keeper (2009)

It tells the story of a family whose daughter is diagnosed with leukemia. It is based on a novel by Jodi Picoult. The parents choose to have another kid who can be a match for their wiped-out little girl, yet when the more youthful girl grows up and needs to settle on her own conclusions about her body, problems emerge. The movie is moving and sad at the same time.

8. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008) 

This is the story of a young German boy who makes friends with a Jewish boy in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. The young actors’ performances are outstanding, and the film is both tragic and beautiful.

9. The Notebook (2004) 

The love story set in the 1940s, tinted with a fine shade of sadness, is an absolute treat. Noah and Allie will surely rule your hearts, and just like any other story by Nicholas Sparks, this one too will make you feel the magical touch of love.

10. A Star is Born (2018)

The tumultuous and beautiful story of a musician who falls in love with a struggling artist is the perfect recipe for an emotional rollercoaster ride. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper star in the film. His personal struggles threaten to end their relationship as she advances in her career.

11. Manchester by the Sea (2016) 

Stars Michelle Williams and Casey Affleck, and is about a man whose brother’s death forces him to return to his hometown. He confronts painful memories from his past as he struggles with his grief and the responsibility of caring for his nephew.

In conclusion, these sad movies are sure to make you cry if you’re in the mood. You will be profoundly moved by each film’s powerful and moving narrative. Therefore, gather some tissues, settle in, and get ready to shed a few tears.