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Sometimes, you just need a good, cathartic cry, don't you? While we often look to movies for laughs or thrills, some films have an uncanny ability to tap right into our deepest emotions and leave us reaching for the Kleenex. Whether it's the devastating historical weight of films like Schindler's List or Sophie's Choice, the tragic romance of Titanic, or the poignant stories of love and loss found in films like A Walk to Remember, these movies remind us of the power cinema has to truly move us. Grab your tissues, curl up on the couch, and prepare yourself—we've rounded up 30 films that are practically guaranteed to open the floodgates.

#1

The Shawshank Redemption

Two men in prison uniforms stand outside, a scene from an emotional, tear-inducing movie.

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    #3

    The Green Mile

    A scene from a movie proven to cause tears, featuring a guard and an inmate in conversation.

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    Gia SDP
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mostly, I'm tired of people being ugly.

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    #4

    Forest Gump

    A man in a plaid shirt and red cap runs down a tree-lined path in an emotionally impactful movie scene.

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    #5

    The Color Purple

    Person smiling softly, wearing a floral dress, evoking an emotional moment in a film known to cause tears.

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    #6

    Hachi: A Dog's Tale

    Man kneeling, embracing a dog outdoors on a snowy ground.

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    A girl
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm actually afraid to watch this one. Just my son in law describing it made me cry

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    #7

    Mr. Holland's Opus

    A person holding a book in front of a chalkboard, evoking emotional scenes from tear-inducing movies.

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    Dread Pirate Roberts
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The funeral for the kid that died in Vietnam 😢 that was a gut punch and a half! Such a good movie, especially if you're a music lover 💙

    #8

    The Joy Luck Club

    Two women sharing an emotional moment in a room, symbolizing touching scenes in movies that cause tears.

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    #9

    Sophie's Choice

    A man and woman in a dramatic scene, evoking tears in an emotional movie moment.

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    #10

    Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind

    A woman with orange hair comforts a man, evoking tears in a heartfelt movie scene.

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    #11

    A.i.: Artificial Intelligence

    Young boy gazing forward with tears in his eyes, backlit in a dim scene, evoking emotional movie moments.

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    #12

    The Notebook

    A couple laughing and embracing, representing a scene from an emotional movie known to cause tears.

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    #13

    What Maisie Knew

    Young girl in a floral shirt by the water, evoking emotions tied to movies that cause tears.

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    #14

    Atonement

    Man in military uniform with teary eyes, touched gently by a woman, evoking emotion and tears in a heartfelt scene.

    Universal Pictures Report

    #15

    The Pursuit Of Happiness

    A man in a suit talking to a child by a chain-link fence, a touching movie scene that may cause tears.

    Columbia Pictures Report

    #16

    The Fault In Our Stars

    A young woman with a nasal cannula smiling at a young man in a leather jacket, outside a church.

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    #17

    An Affair To Remember

    A woman emotionally gestures, evoking tears, in a dramatic movie scene.

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    #18

    The Farewell

    Group of people seated around a table, looking serious, in a scene from an emotional movie that may cause tears.

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    #19

    A Walk To Remember

    A couple shares an emotional moment outdoors, reflecting a tearful movie scene.

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    #20

    P.s. I Love You

    A woman in a black hat reading a letter, with a man standing beside her, evoking emotions in this tear-inducing movie scene.

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    #21

    One True Thing

    A woman in a headscarf holding a bowl, in a scene from a tear-jerking movie.

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    #22

    Other People

    A woman in a car looking emotional, highlighted in a list of movies proven to cause tears.

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    #23

    The Way We Were

    Woman holding flowers, talking to a man in uniform, in a scene from a tear-jerker movie.

    Columbia Pictures Report

    #24

    The English Patient

    Man standing in front of vintage airplane, set in a desert scene from a movie known to cause tears.

    Miramax Report

    #25

    Maid

    Woman hugging child, sitting on floor wrapped in a blanket, with cleaning supplies nearby, highlighting emotional movie scene.

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    #26

    The Hours

    A child in pajamas cooks with a woman, evoking emotions linked to tear-inducing movies.

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    #27

    Titanic

    Period drama scene with an elegant couple, highlighting a moment proven to cause tears.

    20th Century Studios Report

    #28

    Casablanca

    Two actors in a black and white film, wearing hats, in a dramatic scene known to cause tears.

    Warner Bros. Report

    #29

    Never Let Me Go

    Three young adults in an emotional scene from a tear-jerking movie.

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    #30

    Bright Star

    A woman in period attire smiles warmly, holding a book by candlelight.

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