Entertainment

The 21 Saddest Movies You Can Stream Right Now, With A Box Of Tissues By Your Side

by Chrissy Bobic

Universal Pictures

As weird as it might be to admit, there are so many of us who are masochists when it comes to watching movies. There’s nothing quite like letting out a good cry while watching a terribly sad movie. So if you’re ever in the mood to be emotionally crushed, these are easily the 21 saddest movies you can stream right now, with a much-needed box of tissues by your side.

Are you a sucker for a tragic love story? Do you sob uncontrollably over heartbreaking character deaths? Can even animated storylines bring you to tears? Believe me when I say that you are not alone. I've spent many a nights crying on my couch thanks to various soul-crushing films. And yet we all still continue to watch this movies time and time again. Why? Because they're just too good not to, and honestly, an occasional weep-fest never hurt anyone.

There will always be a need, however strange it may be, for heart-wrenching movies, and these are some of the absolute saddest films you can stream at the moment, whether it be on Netflix, Hulu, or some other various online platform. So get those tissues ready and let those tears start streaming!

Me Before You — Hulu

The 2016 romantic drama, based on the book by the same name, follows the unexpected (though in reality, totally expected) relationship that blossoms between a young caretaker (Emilia Clarke) and her paralyzed patient (Sam Claflin). You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll fall in love with this adorable couple.

Warner Bros.

Titanic — Netflix

That’s right, everyone’s favorite '90s love story is on Netflix and if you don’t already know the fictional story of Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) aboard the Titanic, it’s easy to guess how their fast romance hits an iceberg right when things are heating up. (See what I did there?)

Paramount Pictures

Charlie St. Cloud — Netflix

Back when Zac Efron was still a fresh-faced 20-something, he starred in the film adaptation of the book Charlie St. Cloud, which follows his character as he continues his close relationship with his brother’s ghost following a tragic car accident.

Universal Pictures

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas — Netflix

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas follows two young boys during World War II, who strike up a friendship. Only, one is the son of a Nazi commander and the other kid lives on the other side of the fence in a concentration camp. Can you feel the tears already?

Miramax

One Day — YouTube & Amazon Video

After the night of their college graduation, Dexter (Jim Sturgess) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) are shown reconnecting once a year on the anniversary of the day they first met. It’s definitely an interesting take on your classic romantic drama, but you’d better believe there are going to be tears.

Random House Films

Fruitvale Station — Netflix

Based on a true story and starring Michael B. Jordan, Fruitvale Station is about a recently paroled criminal trying to start his life over on the outside with his girlfriend and young daughter. Scenes on the last day of his life show how he was accidentally mixed up in an altercation that cost him the ultimate price.

Forest Whitaker's Significant Productions

Where the Day Takes You — Netflix

If you’ve watched this movie once and already went through the motions of seeing the Los Angeles runaways — some with dark paths and others with brighter futures — navigate their way through the city, you’ll probably already be crying when you start it over again.

Cinetel Films

My Girl — Hulu

Obviously the end of My Girl is totally heartbreaking, but if you want a good cry, then coming-of-age film is easily a solid pick, thanks in large part to Anna Chlumsky's outstanding performance as Vada.

Columbia Pictures

P.S. I Love You — YouTube & Amazon Video

Even if romantic dramedies aren’t your forte, this story of a recently widowed woman (Hilary Swank) following the scavenger hunt of clues left behind by her late husband (Gerard Butler) is the perfect kind of sappy. Those flashback scenes of their life together before his death will get you every time.

Warner Bros.

I Am Sam — Netflix

Sean Penn stars in this drama with a young Dakota Fanning, who plays his daughter. Penn portrays a mentally handicapped dad working to gain custody of his daughter, who is placed in foster care when it’s revealed that he has been her sole caregiver. So basically, get ready to ball throughout the entire thing.

New Line Cinema

The Fault in Our Stars — YouTube & Amazon Video

Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort star in this must-see adaptation of John Green's novel, which tells the story of two teenage cancer patients, Hazel Grace Lancaster (Woodley) and Augustus Waters (Elgort) who fall in love when they need it most.

20th Century Fox

Beaches — YouTube & Amazon Video

If you’re like me, then your mom probably made you watch Beaches no less than a dozen times as a kid. But as an adult and as a mother now, I cry even harder while watching CC (Bette Midler) and Hilary’s (Barbara Hershey) friendship span over decades.

Buena Vista Pictures

The Laramie Project — YouTube

The Laramie Project is a drama filmed to look like a documentary-style movie about the real-life beating and murder of openly gay college student Matthew Shepard, as well as the aftermath of the crime.

HBO Films

Stepmom — YouTube & Amazon Video

I can no longer hear "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough" anymore without immediately thinking of the heartwarming (and heartbreaking) story of Stepmom. The movie follows a dying mother (Susan Sarandon) as she comes to terms with the younger girlfriend (Julia Roberts) of her ex-husband, who will become stepmom to her children after she dies.

TriStar Pictures

The Pursuit of Happyness — Hulu

Starring Will Smith and his real-life son Jaden Smith, The Pursuit of Happyness is the true story of entrepreneur Chris Gardner, who spent almost a year being homeless while struggling to find work with his son by his side. If you don’t cry within the first 15 minutes, you’re probably a robot.

Columbia Pictures

Boys Don’t Cry — YouTube & Amazon Prime

Based on a true story, Boys Don’t Cry stars Hilary Swank as Brandon Teena, an American trans man who was brutally beaten to death in a hate crime. It's a devastating story, but one that's very important to tell.

Fox Searchlight

Carol — Netflix

Starring Rooney Mara as Therese and Cate Blanchett as Carol, this love story between two women in the 1950's will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotion, but in the very best way.

The Weinstein Company

Marley & Me — YouTube & Amazon Video

Dealing with on-screen animal deaths can sometimes feel impossible to endure. Marley & Me is no exception to that rule as it takes you on an unforgettable journey about man's best friend and the paw prints our beloved pets can leave behind once they're gone.

Regency Enterprises

Up — YouTube & Amazon Video

The entire movie isn’t a tale of sorrow by any means, but that opening sequence is enough to find you reaching for the tissues again and again and again.

Disney Pixar

InSide Out — YouTube & Amazon Video

Riley may have thought her life was perfect, but after a major, life-changing event turns her world upside-down, she (and her various emotions) soon realizes this world can be full of surprises, good and bad.

Disney Pixar

Room — YouTube & Amazon Video

Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay star as a mother and son who’ve lived in captivity for years in one single room, before they finally manage to escape. Honestly, it’s legitimately difficult to bring myself to watch it again and it’s been a long time since I saw it for the first time. But if you’re looking for a good cry, then this is definitely for you.

Whether you prefer to stream through Netflix, Hulu, or any of the other handful of streaming services out there, trust and believe that there’s no shortage of sad films to give you a good cry, and maybe even help you work through your own feelings. Movies are kind of amazing that way.

Element Pictures
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