We have to be honest—we love a good cry. There’s something good about watching a sad movie and just letting those tears flow. We’re talking classics like Titanic and Forrest Gump. We’re talking devastating new releases like A Quiet Place.
So grab a box of tissues and get ready to ugly cry, because we’re counting down the 15 saddest movies you can stream on Paramount+.
Whether you’re in the mood for a romantic tragedy or a historical heartbreaker, this list has something that will give you all the feels.
1. Titanic (1997)
We all know the story of the doomed ocean liner, but James Cameron’s epic film brings the tragedy to life like never before. When Rose boards the ship of dreams with her family and fiance, she’s resigned to a life of duty and propriety.
Then she meets Jack, a charming artist who frees her spirit and steals her heart. Their forbidden love seems destined to go down with the mighty vessel. By the time Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” swells over the end credits, our hearts have sunk to the bottom of the Atlantic.
Read More - 20 War Movies on Hulu That You Should Watch2. Ordinary People (1980)
This heartbreaking film follows a family dealing with the loss of their oldest son. We watch as the Jarretts struggle to connect and support each other in the aftermath of tragedy.
The emotional performances of Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton stay with you long after the credits roll. It’s a raw, moving portrait of grief and healing that resonates even today.
3. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
This film was a heartbreaking tale of friendship between two boys. We bawled our eyes out watching this one. The story follows Bruno, a young German boy whose father works as a Nazi commandant during World War II. Bruno befriends a Jewish boy named Shmuel who lives in a nearby concentration camp.
The boys form an unlikely friendship and Bruno is completely unaware of the atrocities happening around him. The ending is devastating and stays with you long after the credits roll. This film provides a sobering glimpse into life during the Holocaust through the eyes of children. Have tissues at the ready for this one.
Read More - 20 Most Interesting Movies to Watch4. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008)
We found this film profoundly poignant. Following Benjamin Button’s life in reverse as he ages from an old man into a baby tugs at our heartstrings. His love story with Daisy is bittersweet, as they meet in the middle, with her aging forward and him backward.
The movie is a poignant reminder to live each moment as fully as we can while we have the chance. It’s a timeless tale of life, love and loss that stayed with us long after the credits rolled.
5. “A Quiet Place” (2018)
We don’t know about you, but this post-apocalyptic sci-fi horror film absolutely terrified us. In the film, terrifying creatures with ultra-sensitive hearing have taken over Earth. The few remaining humans must live in near silence to avoid being detected and killed.
The story follows a family struggling to survive in this world without sound, led by Emily Blunt and John Krasinski. The tension is nail-biting as the slightest noise could lead to a jump scare at any moment. This heart-pounding thriller will leave you holding your breath until the very end.
Read More - 17 Movies to Watch When You Can’t Decide6. “Blue Valentine” (2010)
We really felt for the characters in this emotional film. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams star as Dean and Cindy, a couple whose relationship is disintegrating. As they look back on their early days together, we see what drew them to each other in the first place.
But the present-day story shows how they’ve grown apart, lost the connection they once shared, and struggle to communicate. It’s a poignant look at love and heartbreak. Have tissues handy for this one.
7. “Manchester by the Sea” (2016)
We won’t lie, this one is a real tearjerker. Casey Affleck gives a devastating performance as Lee Chandler, a man called back to his hometown after his brother’s death to take care of his teenage nephew.
Lee is haunted by a tragedy in his own past, and has to face the ghosts of his memories.
Read More - 15 Similar Movies Like Jumanji You Can Watch8. “Terms of Endearment” (1983)
You’ll need tissues for this heartbreaking film that follows the complex relationship between a mother and daughter over 30 years. Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger deliver powerhouse performances as Aurora and Emma Greenway, who navigate life’s ups and downs together.
Despite their differences and occasional clashes, the deep love they share is evident in every scene. Directed by James L. Brooks, this bittersweet drama will make you laugh and cry. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. An American cinema classic.
9. “Marley & Me” (2008)
We can’t even think about this movie without crying. Following a family as they adopt an adorable Labrador puppy named Marley, we watch him grow up into a lovable but mischievous handful.
Marley teaches them life lessons along the way, creating many heartwarming and funny memories. But as he ages, the inevitable heartbreak comes. This film reminds us to cherish each moment we have with our furry friends. Keep tissues handy for this one!
10. “The Fault in Our Stars” (2014)
We sobbed through this romantic drama based on John Green’s popular YA novel of the same name. Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) is a 16-year-old cancer patient who meets and falls in love with 17-year-old amputee and cancer survivor Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort) at a support group.
They bond over their shared dark humor and love of books. As Hazel and Gus embark on an epic first love, they also grapple with deep questions about life, death, and the meaning of it all.
Read More - 20 Movies Similar to Taken That Will Keep You Hooked11. “Fireflies in the Garden” (2008)
This emotional drama really tugs at our heartstrings. Set over the course of 30 years, it follows a family dealing with loss, betrayal and the struggle to reconnect.
12. “Still Alice” (2014)
We found this film deeply moving and poignant. Julianne Moore gives a devastating performance as Alice Howland, a renowned linguistics professor who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. As the disease progresses, we witness Alice’s struggle to retain her identity and connections with her family.
Moore’s portrayal of the gradual loss of self is heartbreaking yet inspiring. Overall, “Still Alice” is a sensitive and emotionally affecting look at relationships, identity and the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of a debilitating illness. This film will stay with you long after the credits roll.
13. “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” (2011)
This poignant post-9/11 film will wreck you emotionally. Oskar Schell, a quirky 9-year-old amateur inventor, jewelers, and pacifist. He is on a quest through New York City to find the lock that matches a mysterious key left behind by his father, who died in the World Trade Center on 9/11.
Oskar’s journey leads him to encounters with a variety of New Yorkers, some kind and some not. He struggles to come to terms with his father’s death, while learning some life lessons along the way about loss, love and hope.
14. “A Monster Calls” (2016)
We had never heard of this film before finding it on Paramount Plus, but were intrigued by its stellar reviews. This underrated gem wrecked us. The story of a boy coping with his mother’s illness through fantasy and the power of storytelling moved us in ways we didn’t expect.
The darkly imaginative monster and fairy-tale world the boy escapes into as a way to avoid the grim reality of what’s happening with his mom was poignant yet deeply affecting. Have tissues ready for the emotional ending of this stunning film.
15. “Remember Me” (2010)
We find “Remember Me” heart-wrenching every time we watch it. The movie follows Tyler, a rebellious young man in New York City, who is struggling with his brother’s suicide. He begins a romance with Ally, a girl with a troubled past. Just as their relationship starts to heal them both, tragedy strikes on 9/11.
The ending shocked us and left us in tears. Robert Pattinson and Emilie de Ravin have fantastic chemistry and give emotional performances. This poignant romantic drama reminds us that life is fragile, and we should make the most of each moment.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it – our picks for the 15 saddest movies you can stream on Paramount Plus right now. We know, we know – that was a major feels trip. But sometimes you just need a good cry, and these films definitely deliver on that front.
Just be sure to have some tissues handy, and maybe a pint of ice cream too. Let us know if you think we missed any other major tearjerkers on Paramount Plus.
We’re always looking for new sad movie recommendations! In the meantime, we’re going to go ugly-cry our way through Titanic…again. The heart will go on, but our emotions may not.
