We don’t always want to watch happy, feel-good movies. Sometimes we’re just in the mood for a good cry, and there’s no better place to find sad movies than Hulu.
Get your tissues ready, because we’re about to walk you through the 15 saddest movies you can stream on Hulu right now. Curl up on the couch and let the sadness wash over you with the best sad movies Hulu has to offer.
1. The Fault in Our Stars” (2014)
Hazel and Gus, two teens battling cancer, fall in love after meeting in a support group. Their story gives us all the feels as we experience the highs and lows of their relationship.
This moving adaptation of John Green’s popular YA novel reminds us to live life fully despite its fragility.
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We sobbed through this Oscar-winning film. Casey Affleck stars as Lee Chandler, a brooding handyman whose life is shattered when he’s forced to return home to care for his 16-year-old nephew.
Heartbreaking flashbacks reveal Lee’s devastating backstory and troubled history with his ex-wife Randi. Director Kenneth Lonergan crafted a haunting, emotional story of loss, grief, and the possibility of forgiveness.
3. Room” (2015)
We found Room heartbreaking yet hopeful. As viewers, our hearts shattered for Joy, a young woman held captive for seven years who gives birth to a son, Jack, who has never known the outside world.
The bond between mother and child is intensely moving. When they finally escape, watching Jack experience ordinary life for the first time filled us with joy and wonder. Though the subject matter is dark, the story is ultimately one of resilience, love and human spirit. Room is a film that will stay with you.
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This slow-burning psychological horror film will leave you with chills. When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter Annie starts to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry. We watch in horror as the family is subjected to a sinister fate they can’t escape.
Hereditary is a masterclass in atmospheric dread and builds tension through unsettling music, strange symbols, and glimpses of the terror to come. By the end, we’re left haunted with more questions than answers. This is a must-watch for any horror fan – if you dare.
5. The Lovely Bones” (2009)
We were utterly heartbroken watching this poignant film adaptation of Alice Sebold’s bestselling novel. This supernatural drama centers around a teenage girl named Susie Salmon who is brutally murdered.
From Heaven, she watches her family and friends cope with her tragic death, all while her killer continues to walk free. It’s a profoundly moving story of loss, grief, and healing that left us reaching for the tissues.
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6. Marley & Me” (2008)
We can’t even watch Marley & Me without sobbing. This heartfelt story of a family and their rambunctious Labrador retriever is a tearjerker, to say the least.
From puppyhood to old age, Marley shares many adventures and life lessons with his owners.
7. Million Dollar Baby” (2004)
This heart-wrenching film features a stellar cast including Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Hilary Swank. As boxing trainers, we think this movie packs an emotional punch and will have you sobbing by the end.
The story follows Maggie, a determined waitress who dreams of becoming a professional boxer. She convinces the reluctant trainer Frankie to help her achieve her goal. What follows is a powerful tale of struggle, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between a trainer and their trainee. Have tissues ready!
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We’ve all had that heart-wrenching breakup that felt like the end of the world. This romantic drama starring Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried as young lovers torn apart by war will remind you of that pain. When John enlists in the Army shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he must say goodbye to his childhood sweetheart, Savannah.
Over the course of his deployment, the difficulties of separation take an enormous toll on their relationship through emotional hardships and life-changing events.If you’re looking for a good cry, Dear John won’t disappoint. The poignant tale of love and loss will tug at your heartstrings from beginning to end.
9. The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006)
This biographical drama based on entrepreneur Chris Gardner’s nearly one-year struggle being homeless is one of Will Smith’s most poignant and moving films. We watch Gardner, a loving father and driven man, face immense hardship as he pursues his dream of becoming a stockbroker while securing a stable life for him and his young son.
Though at times a painful reminder of the harsh realities of poverty and homelessness, the film leaves you with a sense of hope in the human spirit and a belief in never giving up on your goals. Overall it’s a memorable, melancholic yet motivational movie experience.
Read More - 17 Movies to Watch When You Can’t Decide10. My Sister’s Keeper” (2009)
Watching this film, we were totally unprepared for the wave of emotion that hit us. Based on Jodi Picoult’s novel, “My Sister’s Keeper” follows a family with two daughters – Kate, who has leukemia, and Anna, who was conceived as a “savior sibling” to provide blood transfusions and bone marrow to help save Kate’s life.
As Kate’s health declines and she needs a kidney transplant, Anna files a lawsuit for medical emancipation from her parents so she can stop donating organs to her sister. The storyline is heart-wrenching, and the ending left us sobbing. This is a poignant exploration of family, love, and sacrifice that will stick with you long after the credits roll.
11. Fruitvale Station” (2013)
We found this biographical drama incredibly sad yet poignant. Based on the true story of Oscar Grant III, it follows the final hours of his life on New Year’s Eve in 2008.
The film highlights the human side of this young man whose life was cut short at the Fruitvale BART station, leaving behind a young daughter. It’s a sobering reminder of racial injustice and police brutality.
12. The Impossible” (2012)
The Impossible is based on the true story of a Spanish family’s experience during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The sheer power of the tsunami scenes will leave you breathless.
As Maria and her family struggle to survive and find each other in the aftermath of the disaster, you can’t help but become deeply invested in their stories. The movie is a poignant reminder of human resilience in the face of unthinkable tragedy. By the end, have tissues handy – you’re going to need them.
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This heart-wrenching indie film chronicles the slow dissolution of a once loving young couple’s relationship. Dean and Cindy seem perfect for each other at first, but soon harsh realities of life seep in.
We watch as they go from playful and passionate to distant and resentful. It’s a poignant look at how relationships evolve and how we change as individuals. By the end, you’ll likely find yourself reflecting on your own past loves and losses. Have the tissues ready for this one, folks.
14. Rabbit Hole” (2010)
This film is emotionally devastating in the best possible way. Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart play a married couple grieving the loss of their young son in an accident. We follow them as they navigate the unimaginable pain of losing a child and how it strains their relationship.
Kidman gives one of her finest performances as a mother drowning in sorrow. The story is achingly sad but also a moving testament to the human spirit’s ability to persevere in the face of tremendous anguish and heartbreak.
15. A Monster Calls” (2016)
We can’t think of a sadder movie on Hulu than this heartbreaking fantasy drama. When 12-year-old Conor’s mom is dying of cancer, he’s visited in the middle of the night by a massive tree-like monster who tells him three stories to help him process his grief.
The film is a sobering look at loss, grief, and learning to say goodbye to loved ones. Have the tissues ready.
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Wrapping Up
So there you have it – our picks for the 15 saddest movies you can currently stream on Hulu. From heartbreaking dramas like Manchester by the Sea to devastating documentaries like Boy Interrupted, this list has a great mix of films guaranteed to make you reach for the tissues.
Thanks for joining us on this cinematic emotional rollercoaster – now go give those streaming eyes a rest!