When it comes to movies, we often turn to them for entertainment, escapism, and relaxation. But, sometimes, movies can tug on our heartstrings and leave us feeling more emotional than ever. Whether you want to cry to feel a release or dive headfirst into your feelings, these heartbreaking sad movies that will make you cry are sure to leave you feeling completely bereft.
- Terms of Endearment (1983)
The melancholia and warmth of Terms of Endearment make this a must-watch if you are preparing to have a good cry. This movie follows the ups and downs of a mother and daughter as they experience the trials and tribulations of life. Themes of mortality, marriage, divorce, and unconditional love are explored with achingly real moments of sadness and joy that will leave you feeling emotionally drained in the best possible way.
- My Girl (1991)
My Girl follows the story of a young girl named Vada and her friendship with Thomas J as they go through childhood and into adulthood. With lighthearted moments, this movie will make you laugh as often as it will make you cry. From Vada’s blossoming relationships to her inevitable loss, My Girl will stay with you long after the credits roll.
- Steel Magnolias (1989)
Steel Magnolias shows the story of a mother and daughter struggling with their divergent relationships in the wake of tragedy. Utterly heartbreaking but still full of life, the film is an emotionally charged rollercoaster filled with poignancy and sorrow. From the angst of early adulthood to the struggles of heartbreaking loss, this movie is sure to give you an intense emotional release.
- Dead Poets Society (1989)
Dead Poets Society is as much about life as it is about death. Exploring themes of mortality, belonging, and morality, this movie will make you cry as you watch a group of boys strive to learn and live life to their utmost capacity in a restrictive environment. From bittersweet moments of friendship to heartbreaking scenes of pain and anguish, this movie is sure to break your heart into pieces.
- The Champ (1979)
The Champ is a tear-inducing story that follows a washed-up boxer, who is trying hard to win back custody of his nine-year-old son. With an unforgettable ending that is guaranteed to make you shed a tear or two, this movie will tug at your heartstrings with its moving portrayal of a father-son relationship.
- Philadelphia (1993)
Philadelphia is a story about two men working to fight injustice in the face of tragedy. Starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, this movie follows a law firm’s struggle to prove that their client was wrongfully dismissed for having AIDS. As the lawyers fight to prove innocent, the story’s sadness is heightened with its inspiring look at the fairness of the law.
- Away from Her (2006)
Away from Her explores the destructive effects of Alzheimer’s disease and the love that remains even in the face of memory loss. The delicate story will take you on a heartbreaking journey of love and loss that will move you to tears. Despite the pain, compassion and empathise will replace your sadness as you watch this beautiful story unfold.
- The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook is a classic when it comes to sad and romantic movies. The film follows the love of Noah and Allie, set against the backdrop of war and social tension. Soulful and beautiful, The Notebook will have you both crying and smiling through its unforgettable ending.
- Atonement (2007)
Atonement will make you feel every emotion imaginable as you witness a daughter’s guilt manifest itself in tragedy and eventual restorative justice. This movie highlights the power of circumstance and the lessons to be learnt when you own up to the mistakes of your past.
- Life is Beautiful (1997)
Though slightly uplifting, Life is Beautiful is a heartbreaking story of how one man’s courage serves to protect his family from the horrors of a concentration camp. By making use of laughter, Roberto Benigni’s comedic genius will take you on an unforgettable journey of pain and pleasure.
SEO Tips for Writing about Heartbreaking Sad Movies that Will Make You Cry
Writing about heartbreakingly sad movies will make you come up against strong competition in terms of SEO. To make sure your article stands out above the rest, there are a few SEO tips you should consider when writing.
- Choose a Descriptive, Targeted Title
Your title should grab people’s attention. For example, rather than simply titling your article “sad movies”, you can include more specific words such as “Heartbreaking Sad Movies That Will Make You Cry”. This will be more likely to pique people’s interest.
- Optimize with Relevant Keywords
When writing about heartbreaking sad movies, you should make sure to include relevant keywords throughout your article. For example, consider including words such as “crying”, “heartache” and “emotional” to explain what you are writing about. Additionally, try to include keywords relating to the movies you have listed such as the titles where relevant.
- Utilize Headings and Lists
Headings and lists make your article more scannable and help readers to clearly identify what the article is about. Additionally, headings and lists are great ways to include useful keywords and key phrases that relate to your topic.
- Aim for at Least 1000 Words
SEO algorithms measure content length and quality when determining how to rank your articles. As a result, it is important to ensure your article is over 1000 words.
- Add Metadata and Alt Tags
Metadata and Alt tags are key for making sure your article is readable to search engines. Metadata refers to the extra information you can include about your post such as the author, category and description. Alt tags are alternative text descriptions that you can add to photos that describes their content.
- Consider Internal and External Linking
Internal and external links can provide readers with additional resources to learn more, while also helping to improve your rankings in search engines. Make sure your links are relevant to the content and set your links to open in a new window.
- Include a Call-to-Action
A clear call-to-action at the end of your article will help to increase engagement, conversions, and click-through rates. Consider asking readers to share their thoughts or rate one of the movies you featured to further increase engagement.
Heartbreaking sad movies have the ability to make us experience the full range of emotions. These movies will keep you invested in their stories, as tragedy and triumph often go hand in hand. From the laughs of My Girl and the courage in Life is Beautiful to the everlasting love of The Notebook, these heartbreaking sad movies that will make you cry offer a wide array of feelings that will stay with you for a long after.
