Top 9 'Soul-Stirring' Tearjerker Movies to try for a Good Cathartic Cry this winter
The winter chill is setting in, beckoning us indoors to the comfort of warm blankets, steaming mugs of tea, and the soft glow of a screen. It’s a season for introspection, for slowing down, and for feeling things a little more deeply. Sometimes, amidst the hustle and bustle of life, we build up emotional dams, holding back stress, unspoken grief, and quiet anxieties. We all know the feeling—that lump in your throat, that weight on your chest. What you need is a release. What you need is a good, soul-cleansing cry.
Here on the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe in embracing all our emotions as a vital part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A cathartic cry isn't about wallowing in sadness; it's an emotional pressure valve. It’s a powerful, therapeutic act that can lower stress, release toxins, and leave you feeling lighter, calmer, and more connected to yourself. It’s the emotional equivalent of a deep tissue massage—it might hurt a little in the moment, but the afterglow is pure relief.
So, if you’re ready to let it all out, I’ve curated a list of nine profoundly moving films guaranteed to open the floodgates. These aren't just sad movies; they are soul-stirring stories of love, loss, sacrifice, and the beautiful, aching fragility of the human (and sometimes animal) condition. Grab your softest blanket, a family-sized box of tissues, and prepare for an emotional journey.
1. Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)
If you have ever loved a pet, this film will absolutely wreck you in the most beautiful way possible. Based on a true story from Japan, Hachi follows a college professor, Parker Wilson (Richard Gere), who finds a lost Akita puppy at his train station. Despite his wife's reservations, he takes the dog in, and they form an unbreakable, once-in-a-lifetime bond. Hachi becomes a local legend, waiting for Parker at the same spot at the train station every single day to greet him after work.
The emotional gut-punch of this film comes from its exploration of pure, unconditional loyalty. It’s a simple story, but its power lies in that simplicity. There are no complex villains or plot twists; there is only the unwavering love of a dog for his person. The film masterfully builds this quiet, daily ritual into the central pillar of the story, so when life inevitably intervenes, the devastation is felt not through loud, dramatic scenes, but through the quiet, persistent, and heartbreaking continuation of that ritual.
Hachi will make you cry because it reminds us that the most profound love often exists without words. The final third of the film is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, relying on imagery and music to convey a depth of grief and loyalty that is almost too much to bear. My tip? Cuddle your own pet tightly while watching, and be prepared for the waterworks to start and not stop until long after the credits roll.
2. The Green Mile (1999)
Adapted from the Stephen King novel, The Green Mile is a film that will stay with you for years. Set in a 1930s prison, the story is told from the perspective of death row officer Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks). His world, and the lives of his colleagues, are forever changed by the arrival of John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a gentle giant of a man convicted of a terrible crime, who possesses a miraculous, supernatural gift.
This film is a slow-burn tearjerker that builds an overwhelming sense of injustice and profound sadness. You fall in love with John Coffey—his innocence, his kindness, and his empathy in the face of unspeakable cruelty. The tears here come from a place of outrage and helplessness. You are forced to witness pure goodness being condemned by a broken, fearful world. Duncan’s performance is monumental; he portrays a character who feels all the pain of the world, and you, the viewer, feel it right along with him.
The most heart-wrenching moments aren't just the big, dramatic ones, but the quiet conversations where the weight of Coffey's burden becomes clear. The line, "He killed them with their love," is one of the most devastating in cinema history. This is a long film, but it uses its runtime to fully immerse you in its world, making the final act an almost unbearable, but necessary, emotional reckoning.
3. Coco (2017)
Don't let the vibrant animation fool you—Pixar’s Coco is an emotional heavyweight champion. The film follows a young boy named Miguel who dreams of becoming a musician, despite his family's generations-old ban on music. In his quest to prove his talent, he accidentally travels to the stunningly beautiful Land of the Dead, where he must find his great-great-grandfather to receive his blessing and return to the living world.
Coco is a celebration of family, culture, and memory, and it’s this last theme that delivers the knockout emotional blow. The film beautifully articulates the idea that we are kept alive by the stories our loved ones tell about us. The fear isn't just death, but being forgotten—the "final death." This concept provides the stakes for an incredibly moving climax that ties together generations of love, misunderstanding, and forgiveness.
The moment the tears will inevitably fall is during the performance of the song "Remember Me." It’s a scene so perfectly executed, so emotionally resonant, that it transcends the screen. It taps into our deepest fears of losing our loved ones, not just physically, but from our memories. It’s a film that will make you want to call your grandparents immediately and ask them to tell you a story.
4. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
A word of warning: this film is not just a tearjerker; it is a truly devastating, emotionally harrowing experience. Directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli, Grave of the Fireflies is often cited as one of the greatest war films ever made. It tells the story of two young siblings, Seita and Setsuko, as they struggle to survive in Japan during the final months of World War II.
Unlike other war films that focus on soldiers and battles, this one focuses on the forgotten victims: the children. The film pulls no punches in its depiction of starvation, desperation, and the catastrophic loss of innocence. The tears here are born from a place of profound despair and anger at the cruelty of war and the failure of humanity to protect its most vulnerable. The animation is beautiful, which creates a haunting contrast with the horrific reality the children face.
This is not a film to be watched lightly. There is no happy ending, no silver lining. It is an unflinching look at the human cost of conflict. If you choose to watch it, be prepared for an emotional experience that is less "cathartic release" and more "soul-crushing sorrow." It’s a film that everyone should probably see once, but may never have the strength to watch again.
5. About Time (2013)
For those who want tears of bittersweet joy as much as sadness, About Time is the perfect choice. At age 21, Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) learns from his father (the magnificent Bill Nighy) that the men in their family can travel in time. Tim decides to use his ability to improve his life and win the heart of the woman of his dreams, Mary (Rachel McAdams).
What starts as a quirky romantic comedy slowly and beautifully transforms into a profound meditation on life, love, and family. The film's central message is not about changing the past, but about learning to appreciate the present. This is a film that Goh Ling Yong and I have discussed often; it’s a masterclass in finding beauty in the ordinary, which is a core theme we explore in our own lives. The time travel element becomes a vehicle to explore the simple, irreplaceable moments we so often take for granted.
The tears in About Time come from a place of overwhelming poignancy. The relationship between Tim and his father is the true emotional core of the film, leading to scenes that are so full of love and quiet wisdom that they will crack your heart wide open. It’s a film that doesn't just make you cry; it makes you want to live better. Watch it, and then go live a day as if you’ve chosen to come back to it.
6. Manchester by the Sea (2016)
This film offers a different kind of cry—a quiet, aching, and deeply empathetic one. Manchester by the Sea stars Casey Affleck in an Oscar-winning role as Lee Chandler, a janitor living a solitary existence in Boston. After his older brother Joe (Kyle Chandler) dies, he is shocked to learn he has been named the sole guardian of his teenage nephew, forcing him to return to his hometown and confront the unbearable tragedy from his past that he has been running from.
This is not a movie about overcoming grief; it's a movie about learning to live alongside it. Director Kenneth Lonergan masterfully portrays trauma and depression with unflinching realism. There are no grand speeches or dramatic emotional breakthroughs. Instead, the film is filled with awkward, fumbling, and painfully real conversations. Lee’s pain is so immense, so deeply buried, that he can’t even access it in a way that would offer release.
The film's most famous scene, a conversation between Lee and his ex-wife Randi (Michelle Williams), is one of the most raw and powerfully acted moments in modern cinema. It’s a scene of such profound, shattered humanity that it’s almost difficult to watch. You cry for these characters, for their inability to heal, and for the devastating truth that some wounds never fully close.
7. My Girl (1991)
For many, My Girl is a core childhood memory, and re-watching it as an adult is an entirely new level of emotional experience. The film is a coming-of-age story about 11-year-old Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky), a precocious hypochondriac living in a funeral home in the summer of 1972. Her best and only friend is the sweet, allergy-plagued Thomas J. (Macaulay Culkin).
The film perfectly captures the bittersweet nostalgia of childhood summers—first crushes, innocent adventures, and the feeling that the world is both impossibly big and small at the same time. It lulls you into a state of warm, fuzzy comfort with its charming characters and gentle humor. You are completely invested in Vada and Thomas J.'s pure and simple friendship.
This idyllic setup is precisely what makes the film's sudden turn so shocking and heartbreaking. It’s a story that introduces many young viewers to the concept of grief and the unfairness of loss for the first time. The scene where Vada cries, "He can't see without his glasses!" is seared into the collective memory of a generation for a reason. It’s a film that will transport you back to your own childhood, reminding you of its fleeting, precious innocence.
8. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Sometimes, the best tears are tears of triumph and relief. The Pursuit of Happyness is based on the incredible true story of Chris Gardner (Will Smith), a struggling salesman who finds himself and his young son (played by Smith's real-life son, Jaden) homeless. Despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds, Chris holds onto his dignity and his unwavering love for his child, all while trying to land an unpaid internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm.
This film is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the powerful bond between a father and son. Will Smith’s performance is raw and deeply moving; you feel every ounce of his desperation, his fear, and his determination. The tears here come from witnessing his struggle. You cry when he’s forced to sleep in a public restroom with his son, and you cry when he finally achieves his dream.
The emotional power of the film is in its authenticity. It doesn’t sugarcoat the realities of poverty or the immense pressure Chris is under. One of the most powerful scenes is simply Chris, after receiving the job offer, walking into a crowd and fighting back tears of joy and relief. It’s a moment of pure, hard-won victory that feels incredibly cathartic for the audience. This film will leave you feeling drained but ultimately inspired.
9. A Star Is Born (2018)
The fourth retelling of this classic Hollywood story, Bradley Cooper’s A Star Is Born is a raw, passionate, and ultimately devastating look at love, fame, and addiction. Cooper directs and stars as Jackson Maine, a seasoned musician with a drinking problem who discovers—and falls in love with—a struggling artist named Ally (Lady Gaga). As her career takes off, his personal demons threaten to destroy everything they’ve built.
The undeniable chemistry between Cooper and Gaga is the heart of the film. You believe in their love story from the very first moment they meet. The musical performances are electrifying, filmed in a way that makes you feel like you are right there on stage with them. This deep investment in their relationship is what makes the film’s tragic trajectory so painful to watch.
The film tackles the complexities of loving an addict with brutal honesty. You see the cycle of hope and heartbreak, the moments of beautiful clarity followed by devastating relapses. The tears flow from a place of helplessness as you watch Jackson's tragic decline and Ally's desperate attempts to save him. The final musical number is a soul-shattering tribute that will leave you sobbing in your seat, a testament to the enduring power of love even in the face of profound loss.
There you have it—nine films guaranteed to stir your soul and provide that much-needed emotional release. Crying is not a weakness; it’s a sign that you are open, empathetic, and deeply human. It's a way of processing the world and letting go of what weighs you down. So, give yourself permission to feel, to connect with these stories, and to let the tears fall.
Now it's your turn. What's your go-to movie for a good cathartic cry? Did I miss one of your favorites? Drop your recommendations in the comments below—I'm always looking to add another soul-stirring film to my list
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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