Pass the tissues! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most gut-wrenching films that can turn the toughest bro into a blubbering puddle.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most gut-wrenching
00:09films that can turn the toughest bro into a blubbering puddle.
00:13We won't be including any animated entries.
00:16Yeah, any time, they're all welcome here.
00:22Number 20.
00:24Gran Torino In 2008, director Clint Eastwood tapped into
00:28a lingering problem that has only worsened over the past few decades, male loneliness.
00:34Eastwood stars as Walt Kowalski, a widowed veteran grinding out his final years in self-imposed
00:40isolation.
00:46Despite his racist and cantankerous demeanor, Walt unexpectedly becomes a mentor figure
00:52to his young Hamong neighbors, eventually forming a bond with them.
00:56When these neighbors become the target of local gangs, Walt sacrifices his life to save
01:01them.
01:02Many older men who have racked up a lifetime of regrets deeply resonate with Walt's journey.
01:17Through his eventual willingness to connect with others and his redemption act of sacrificing
01:22himself, Walt's story has the power to bring even the toughest old men to tears.
01:29Number 19.
01:30Furious 7 After the tragic death of Paul Walker, the
01:34seventh film in this franchise was delayed in order to give loved ones time to mourn
01:39and the filmmakers time to decide how to respectfully continue without the actor.
01:54Alongside the movie's resonant themes about the importance of family and friendship, the
01:58final scene in particular packs one heck of a heart-wrenching conclusion.
02:03As we see Dom and Brian driving alongside each other on an open road, we're treated
02:07to flashbacks of times the two shared in prior films.
02:11This not only pays tribute to both the character and Paul Walker himself, it also indicates
02:16that his memory will never die as they both go their separate ways.
02:28Number 18.
02:29The Pursuit of Happiness In the 2006 drama The Pursuit of Happiness,
02:34Will Smith showcased his acting prowess with his portrayal of Chris Gardner, a real-life
02:39salesman turned broker.
02:55The film captures Chris on a downward spiral as his lack of success in sales leads to his
03:01eviction, plunging him and his young son into poverty and homelessness.
03:06Throughout their ordeal, Chris attempts to shield his son from the worst of their financial
03:10woes while maintaining his own dignity.
03:13The Pursuit of Happiness is a relatable story about the difficulties of making ends meet
03:18in America.
03:32It is skillfully written, beautifully acted and injected with multiple aspects that will
03:37surely strike a chord with every working man.
03:41Number 17.
03:43About Time About Time is a sci-fi rom-com that manages
03:46to perfectly blend both genres.
03:49Donald Gleeson stars as Tim Lake, who learns that he has inherited the ability to time
03:54travel, allowing him to revisit moments in his life and make different choices.
04:05Using his power, Tim forges a romance with Rachel McAdams' character and connects with
04:10his dad, played by Bill Nye.
04:12With their shared time-traveling ability, father and son form a bond that lasts through
04:17multiple lifetimes.
04:34Even after his father's death, Tim continues to travel back to see him.
04:38Eventually, Tim must choose to abandon his father in the past to protect the existence
04:43of his own son.
04:45Their parting is bittersweet and we challenge you to watch the film without sobbing.
04:51Number 16.
04:52Homeward Bound – The Incredible Journey In the history of cinema, there are few connections
04:57as pure as that between a boy and his dog.
05:14Baby boomers got their collective heart broken when Travis Coates had to put down his beloved
05:19family dog, Old Yeller.
05:21For Gen X and elder millennials, Homeward Bound is the dog film that brought them to
05:27Two dogs and a cat accidentally get separated from their human family and are forced into
05:32a grueling journey through the wilderness to return home.
05:42They survive many dangers, from bears and mountain lions to river rapids, and finally
05:48make it home.
05:50This heartfelt reunion is certainly capable of bringing a tear to the eye of any man with
05:55even half a heart.
05:57Number 15.
05:58E.T. – The Extraterrestrial Steven Spielberg's E.T. was a pop culture
06:03cornerstone in the childhoods of 80s kids.
06:11It's the quintessential kids on bikes story and arguably has one of the saddest scenes
06:16from the entire decade.
06:18After befriending a young boy and his friends, a friendly alien, E.T., is captured by shady
06:24government agents.
06:25He's strapped to a table in front of his young friend as they run medical experiments.
06:29The not-so-tender actions of the government appear to lead our intrepid little extraterrestrial
06:35to his demise.
06:36Seeing a little boy mourn his alien friend is utterly heartbreaking.
06:40Even when E.T. comes back to life, their tearful goodbye is too emotional to endure without
06:46crying.
07:04Number 14.
07:05Armageddon – The 1990s were filled with summer blockbusters that featured one apocalyptic
07:11event after another.
07:12This genre was capped off with 1998's Armageddon.
07:31In the movie, a team of oil rig operators led by a grizzled Bruce Willis and his right-hand
07:36man Ben Affleck embark into space to save the world.
07:40The lads land on the surface of a world-killer asteroid set to destroy it, but the trip exacts
07:46a heavy toll, claiming the lives of half the squad.
07:50Ultimately, it is Willis who makes the ultimate sacrifice.
08:07His emotional goodbyes to his daughter and his future son-in-law were truly heartbreaking
08:12to audiences.
08:13Said to Aerosmith's I Don't Want to Miss a Thing, the two scenes were serious tear-jerkers
08:18for late 90s men.
08:20Number 13.
08:21Rudy – We all have a dream, and that's what makes this film based on a true story
08:26so powerful.
08:27Rudy wants nothing more than to play football at the University of Notre Dame, despite a
08:32series of overwhelming odds and unexpected roadblocks.
08:44As we watch Rudy struggle to convince the school to admit him, we really begin to feel
08:48for his hardship while simultaneously rooting for him based on his undying determination.
08:54Once Rudy finally achieves what he wanted to do, don't be surprised if you find yourself
08:58standing and cheering for his accomplishment.
09:01As we all know, it can be a struggle working towards a goal, and the pride that comes with
09:05achieving it is unmatched.
09:15Number 12.
09:16Logan – Who would have expected a movie about an aged mutant with razor-sharp claws
09:22and a wicked temper to hit us right in the feels?
09:37Well thanks to director James Mangold's smart decision to move away from superheroics
09:42for a more personal tale about family and redemption, this third solo Wolverine flick
09:47was just as emotionally moving as it was extremely violent.
09:51Whether you have tears of joy from seeing Logan's triumphant berserker rages one last
09:56time or a bawling one from the loving bond he creates with Laura, this is one comic book
10:02movie that tugs at the heartstrings far more than many of its counterparts.
10:16Number 11.
10:17Dead Poets Society Dead Poets Society is a story about a group
10:21of young boys at an elite New England boarding school.
10:24Living away from their families at a formative age, they are desperate, even if they don't
10:29know it, for an encouraging father figure.
10:31They find him in Robin Williams' Mr. Keating.
10:44They find him in Robin Williams' Mr. Keating.
10:47Keating is their poetry teacher who teaches the young boys how to think for themselves
10:52in an institution pushing conformity.
10:54He introduces them to the concept of seizing the day in their own lives, incidentally popularizing
11:00the Latin phrase parpe diem.
11:03When Keating is forced to leave his position, the students signal their allegiance to him
11:07in a heartfelt but ultimately futile scene.
11:16Number 10.
11:17It's A Wonderful Life In addition to being a Christmas classic,
11:21Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life is a harrowing tale about the difficulties in achieving
11:26stability in America.
11:43The protagonist, George Bailey, spends his life sacrificing his own aspirations to support
11:48his family and community.
11:50His selflessness costs him dearly, pushing his family business to the brink of insolvency.
11:56At this dark moment, George considers taking his own life, but is stopped by an angel named
12:01Clarence who shows him all the good he's contributed.
12:08This low point is shockingly emotional for a movie made in 1946.
12:13When the community ultimately rallies around George, it's hard not to tear up at the thought
12:18of good deeds finally being rewarded.
12:21Number 9.
12:22Rocky IV In Rocky III, the heavyweight champ loses
12:26everything.
12:27Clever Lang takes his title and a heart attack takes the life of his trainer and surrogate
12:32father, Mickey.
12:41It's only by befriending and training with his former rival, Apollo Creed, that Rocky
12:46makes it back to the top.
12:48That friendship blossoms in Rocky IV.
12:51Apollo invites Rocky to be his corner man when taking on the giant Soviet, Ivan Drago.
12:56Despite Rocky's protestations, Apollo underestimates his adversary and pays the ultimate price.
13:09His death is an absolute shock for Rocky and the audience, who are both forced to mourn
13:15him throughout the film.
13:16When Rocky's rage transforms into grace and a call for peace, it's impossible not
13:21to be moved.
13:23Number 8.
13:24The Green Mile The concept of a personal journey during life
13:27in prison isn't a new one, as it's been done several times in movies.
13:32As in the other Stephen King tale, the Oscar-nominated Shawshank Redemption, however, we'd argue
13:49that The Green Mile delivers its heartfelt message more effectively.
13:53Much of this can be attributed to stellar performances from Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke
13:58as we watch their characters bond and share their personal experiences and perspectives.
14:18The subject matter is dark, but if the film successfully teaches us anything, it's to
14:23hold on to hope, even in the direst of situations.
14:27If that's not worthy of shedding a tear or two, then what is?
14:31Number 7.
14:33Warrior Brothers fight, it's just sibling nature.
14:36But to have to square off in a brutal MMA cage fight is another thing entirely.
14:41Warrior establishes that the relationship between brothers Tommy and Brendan hasn't
14:46exactly been all that buddy-buddy, with a great deal of distance created between them
14:50over the years.
15:00Despite their estranged family dynamics, as well as dozens of punches and kicks they toss
15:05at each other's faces, these two brothers manage to put their differences aside and
15:09realize how much they actually care for one another.
15:13It's a stunning display of the unconditional love found in brotherhood and packs quite
15:18the punch.
15:26Number 6.
15:28Forrest Gump Watching the life, struggles, and triumphs
15:32of Forrest Gump is enough to make even the most stoic, burly man bawl his eyes out.
15:37Tom Hanks is no stranger to emotionally charged films, like the epic drama Castaway.
16:01But it's his tender, kind-hearted performance as Mr. Gump, a man born a little different,
16:07still with a heart of gold, who's trying to find his place in the world.
16:11That hits way harder.
16:12Whether Forrest is explaining to Jenny how he understands the concept of love, meeting
16:16his son, or summing up life with a box of chocolates, this man brings up some valuable
16:21life lessons, and we should bring along some tissues.
16:39Number 5.
16:40Interstellar When Earth's resources are exhausted, former
16:44NASA pilot Cooper has no choice but to help in a reconnaissance mission to find a new
16:49planet for humanity to call home.
16:56Saving the human race means Cooper has to leave his family behind, which includes his
17:00young daughter Murph, with whom he shares an incredibly strong bond.
17:04Any fathers watching in particular would feel the weight of having to leave their child
17:08for a greater good.
17:10Pouring even more salt in the wound, Cooper receives video messages from Earth and has
17:14to witness all the events he is missing in his daughter's life, with one scene having
17:19to break him down entirely, and we're inclined to join him.
17:32Number 4.
17:34Brian Song Sports are recognized for developing friendships
17:38and bringing people together despite the difficulties of modern life.
17:42Nowhere is this more evident than in Brian Song, an ABC TV movie that was later released
17:47in theaters.
17:54Based in the mid-60s, when racial tension was highly prevalent within American society,
18:00football players Brian and Gale shatter all societal norms of their day by forming an
18:05unbreakable friendship despite the colors of their skin.
18:08Their shared connection served as a symbol of civility and harmony in an era that otherwise
18:13frowned upon it.
18:15Both men stayed by one another's side through all trials and tribulations, including Brian
18:20developing cancer.
18:21Now that's a true bromance right there.
18:30Number 3.
18:32Saving Private Ryan Saving Private Ryan was so realistic, the
18:36Department of Veteran Affairs had to create a specific hotline for World War II vets who
18:40were traumatized by it.
18:52Even those who never saw war would struggle to hold back tears.
18:56By forcing the audience deep into the trenches, they are made to share in the experience of
19:01the squad of soldiers.
19:02With each member's death, viewers begin to feel like they're losing a personal friend.
19:07Like Schindler's List before it, Spielberg expertly compels his audience to confront
19:12the harsh realities of war.
19:21From the sorrow of watching many perish during the Holocaust to the horror of soldiers witnessing
19:26their comrades' fall, Spielberg brought men across America to tears.
19:32Number 2.
19:33Good Will Hunting In this extremely personal story about finding
19:37your place in the world and moving on from the hardships of life, there's no shortage
19:41of moments to send waterfalls flowing out from your eyes.
19:56As we learn more about Will's family difficulties in life, we feel more connected with him and
20:01whatever pain he goes through, and we fully sympathize.
20:05Pick your pick for the saddest scene, but most would agree it's the powerfully acted
20:09and written It's Not Your Fault sequence.
20:16With all that in mind, it's not your fault either if you end up crying during this movie.
20:21Number 1.
20:41Field of Dreams Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella is a simple man who
20:46one day hears voices urging him to build something, which Ray interprets as a baseball field.
20:58He sets up a baseball diamond in his cornfield and before he knows it, baseball stars of
21:03the past like Shoeless Joe Jackson visit him.
21:06Despite others taunting him and the fact that it threatens to send him into bankruptcy,
21:11Ray maintains the field.
21:12In the end, this field of dreams allows Ray to learn more about himself than he ever imagined.
21:17It also provides him with a chance to introduce his daughter to her grandfather, as he ends
21:22up being one of the many visitors on the field.
21:30Do you consider yourself a macho man, yet always reach for the tissue box during a specific
21:46movie?
21:47Share your favorite tearjerker of yours in the comments below.