"This Film Should Be Illegal" – 31 Devastatingly Sad Movies That'll Get You Sobbing Into 2024

"What I got was 30 minutes of full-on snot bubble sobbing at the end."

As we get into the real depths of winter (where I am, at least), sometimes we just wanna cuddle up and have a good sob to a movie. Well, we've been talking a lot about the saddest films this year, and there have been some titles that never fail to come up.

Paramount Pictures

1. Marley & Me

20th Century Fox

"I went to see it with a friend…. Starts all fun and laughs and then goes to a real gut punch. I was full-on ugly crying as was my friend. It was the first and only time I have been full-on sobbing in a cinema. Went home and gave my lab a big hug and lots of love."

—loz1986

2. The Outsiders

Warner Bros. Pictures

"It's just so heartbreaking."

—mkennedyb88

3. Grave of the Fireflies

Studio Ghibli

"Watched it one night by myself, not knowing what it was about. I expected a light-hearted anime in the style of Studio Ghibli, but what I got was 30 minutes of full-on snot bubble sobbing at the end."

—karlkarloffs

4. Five Feet Apart

Lionsgate

"I bawled for hours after that movie."

—abigaillewis7060

5. Empire of The Sun

Warner Bros.

"It's one of the finest Christian Bale performances of his career to date."

—emmam4f8580614

6. The Fisher King

TriStar Pictures

"Michael Jeter’s character is perfection and Robin Williams is amazing. I cried my eyes out during and after the film."

—laurav9

7. Seven Pounds

Sony Pictures Releasing

"It has to be here. That closing scene..."

—michaelwgilbert

8. The Whale

A24

"I was a mess after watching it. I sat in the cinema with red, puffy eyes and a snotty nose because I was in absolute bits, I was mortified when the lights came up."

—vellichords

9. The Boy In the Striped Pyjamas

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

"I watched once 15 years ago and it still haunts me."

—fantasyfound17

10. Basketball Diaries

New Line Cinema

"It gets to me every time. Seeing Leo DiCaprio’s character battle with addiction and begging his mom for help."

—jennymjimenez212

11. Flowers of War

EDKO Film

"That movie is in my top five 'made me cry so hard can’t actually talk about it out loud'."

—natashayanikyan

12. Lion

Transmission Films

"We watched Lion in class at my high school when it came out and I cried in front of everyone."

—rorygilmore07

13. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale

Stage 6 Films

"This film should be illegal."

—rorygilmore07

14. Encanto

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

"It completely wrecked me. My six-year-old was very concerned about how much I was crying."

—francesjoys

15. The Green Mile

Warner Bros.

"I almost threw up I was crying so hard."

—francesjoys

16. La La Land

Lionsgate

"It had me straight ugly sobbing during the montage at the end. I know so many people didn’t like it but I genuinely love that movie and the combined emotions at the end of the film were too much. Maybe it’s just because of how much I related to their relationship so seeing that ending killed me."

—kgblincoe1022

17. Beaches

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"I got emotional just reading the tiny few lines of it. I watched it as a 12-year-old with my best friend – at 45 I still have that same best friend and it still gets me."

—imaflamibgo

18. Inside Out

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

"I have watched it so many times and I cry every single time. When Riley breaks down because she finally lets sadness take over the controls. I had to go to a new school senior year and it was just the worst time of my life. 

I had to start all over trying to make friends and slowly grow apart from my existing friends. I felt abandoned and angry and everything about that time was hard. My parents don't understand to this day how traumatic it was for me. All those feelings come flooding back to me when I watch that scene and I know exactly what she's going through so I completely empathise with her."

—erincadigan1

19. The Fox And The Hound

Buena Vista Distribution

"I'm 38 and have only watched it three times in my life because it leaves me crying for hours and sad for weeks."

—debbiefrazer

20. The Fault In Our Stars

20th Century Studios

"BRUTAL. I was blowing my nose in my sleeve."

—rachie2518

21. My Sister’s Keeper

Warner Bros. Pictures

"Hold on to your heart with this one."

—rosadokayla

22. Dead Poets Society

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"If you're anything like me, the ending will have you ugly crying."

—kyleeanderla6

23. Old Yeller

Buena Vista Distribution

"I saw it once as a small child and it made me cry so hard and traumatised me so much I never could watch it again."

—jennyjen1211

24. Wonder

Lionsgate

"I must have seen it thrice, but I can't help tearing up."

—inigowilhelmus

25. Simon Birch

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"Omg, I was 8-10 watching it by myself and my dad came home from work and I was HYSTERICAL. To this day, saddest movie I’ve ever seen. 10/10 would recommend once. Never twice."

—sampleallyson

26. The Art of Racing in the Rain

20th Century Studios

"I never cry in the theatre but this got me."

—jeremyo811

27. Coco

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

"I made the mistake of watching it on an airplane! The little girl in the middle seat next to me was VERY concerned about me."

—jennerator

28. Toy Story 3

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

"Particularly at the end. I took my teenagers to see that and my son and I were bawling but then again so was most of the theatre."

—jeanettec439d752da

29. The Killing Fields

Columbia-EMI-Warner Distributors

"It’s a magnificent film but a devastating one."

—snodge27

30. Steel Magnolias

TriStar Pictures

"It’s absolutely hilarious in parts, and then Sally Field has me sobbing. It’s honestly a masterpiece and I watch it when I need a cathartic cry."

—skybluedays

31. Schindler’s List

Universal Pictures

"Even 30 years later that movie deeply haunts me."

—bestcookie705

What's the saddest film you've ever seen? Let us know in the comments below!