Movies In Netflix That Will Make You Cry Uncontrollably Tonight

Last Updated: Written by Ana Luiza Ribeiro Costa
movies in netflix that will make you cry uncontrollably tonight
movies in netflix that will make you cry uncontrollably tonight
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Movies in Netflix That Will Make You Cry Uncontrollably Tonight

If you're looking for movies in Netflix that will make you cry tonight, the top tearjerkers include Paddleton, Marriage Story, All the Bright Places, Roma, and The Fault in Our Stars. These films combine powerful performances, emotionally devastating storylines, and critically acclaimed direction to deliver cathartic crying experiences, with Paddleton scoring 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and Marriage Story earning six Academy Award nominations.

Top 10 Netflix Movies Guaranteed to Make You Cry

Based on audience ratings, critical acclaim, and emotional impact, here are the most devastating tearjerkers currently streaming on Netflix that will help you release pent-up emotions through cinematic catharsis.

movies in netflix that will make you cry uncontrollably tonight
movies in netflix that will make you cry uncontrollably tonight
Movie Title Year Runtime Rating Why It Makes You Cry
Paddleton 2019 1h 29m 88% RT Terminal cancer friendship between neighbors Mark Duplass & Ray Romano
Marriage Story 2019 2h 17m 6 Oscar noms Heart-wrenching divorce drama with Scarlett Johansson & Adam Driver
All the Bright Places 2020 1h 48m 7.2 IMDb Teen suicide & grief featuring Elle Fanning & Justice Smith
Roma 2018 2h 15m 3 Oscars Alfonso Cuarón's personal 1970s Mexico City maid story
The Fault in Our Stars 2014 2h 6m 81% RT Teen cancer love story with Shailene Woodley & Ansel Elgort
Moonlight 2016 1h 51m Best Picture Barry Jenkins' coming-of-age with drug-addicted mother
Kodachrome 2017 1h 44m 6.9 IMDb Father-son reconciliation with Edward Norton & Jason Sudeikis
Blue Valentine 2010 1h 52m 8.1 IMDb Devastating marriage breakdown with Ryan Gosling & Michelle Williams
About Time 2013 2h 3m 7.8 IMDb Time-traveling father-son relationship with emotional depth
Cake 2014 1h 35m 6.5 IMDb Jennifer Aniston processes son's death in support group

Why These Films Trigger Emotional Release

These tearjerker movies work because they tap into universal human experiences-loss, grief, love, and mortality-that resonate deeply across cultures. Research shows that watching emotionally moving films triggers oxytocin release, creating genuine empathetic responses that manifest as tears.

Paddleton exemplifies this with its understated portrayal of terminal illness and male friendship, avoiding melodrama while delivering quiet devastation through Mark Duplass and Ray Romano's chemistry. The film premiered on Netflix on February 22, 2019, and maintains an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score for its honest simplicity.

Marriage Story: The Divorce Drama That Breaks Hearts

Noah Baumbach's Marriage Story debuted at the Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2019, and received a heart-wrenching response for its gentle yet painful portrayal of a marriage ending. The film earned six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, and acting nods for Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver.

Laura Dern won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of a ruthless divorce attorney, adding another layer of emotional complexity to this divorce-themed magnum opus that reflects not the narrative of a marriage but its conclusion.

  1. Paddleton - Terminal cancer friendship road trip
  2. Marriage Story - Grueling divorce with Oscar-nominated performances
  3. All the Bright Places - Teen suicide based on Jennifer Niven's novel
  4. Roma - Cuarón's personal 1970s Mexico City masterpiece
  5. The Fault in Our Stars - Teen cancer romance from John Green's bestseller

All the Bright Places: Teen Mental Health Tragedy

Directed by Brett Haley and released on Netflix in February 2020, All the Bright Places is based on Jennifer Niven's novel and ends with Finch's suicide by drowning, leaving Violet to struggle with grief. The film includes a dedication to those impacted by mental health concerns, suicide, or grief, showing Netflix's increased awareness following the 13 Reasons Why controversy.

Elle Fanning and Justice Smith star in this romantic drama that tackles teen suicide with sensitivity, releasing two years after 13 Reasons Why premiered and showed Hannah Baker's suicide in graphic detail.

Roma: Alfonso Cuarón's Personal Masterpiece

Roma received a seven-minute standing ovation at its world premiere during the Venice Film Festival on August 30, 2018, with enthusiastic applause for leading actress Yalitza Aparicio. Alfonso Cuarón's deeply personal black-and-white film draws from his childhood memories and became Mexico's Foreign Language Oscar contender, ultimately winning three Academy Awards.

The narrative revolves around Cleo, an indigenous housekeeper for a middle-class family during 1970s Mexico City, creating a deeply moving story of family and love that spans 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The Fault in Our Stars: Teen Cancer Romance

Based on John Green's number-one bestselling novel, The Fault in Our Stars follows Hazel (Shailene Woodley) and Gus (Ansel Elgort), two teenagers who meet at a cancer support group and fall in love while sharing an acerbic wit and love of books. The PG-13 film runs 2 hours and 6 minutes and maintains an 81% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Hazel and Gus embark on an unforgettable journey to visit an author in Amsterdam, exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love under the shadow of terminal illness.

  • Paddleton - 88% RT, TV-MA, 1h 29m, Mark Duplass & Ray Romano
  • Marriage Story - 6 Oscar noms, R-rated, 2h 17m, Scarlett Johansson & Adam Driver
  • All the Bright Places - 7.2 IMDb, PG-13, 1h 48m, Elle Fanning & Justice Smith
  • Roma - 3 Oscars, R-rated, 2h 15m, Yalitza Aparicio
  • The Fault in Our Stars - 81% RT, PG-13, 2h 6m, Shailene Woodley & Ansel Elgort

Moonlight: Best Picture Coming-of-Age Masterpiece

Barry Jenkins' Moonlight made Oscar night history in 2017, beating La La Land for Best Picture following a dramatic envelope mix-up, becoming only the second black-directed film to win. Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor, and Jenkins won Best Adapted Screenplay for the story of a young boy growing up poor in Miami's Liberty City with a crack-addicted mother.

The film has a Golden Globe and eight Oscar nominations, with a box office take more than triple its $5 million budget, capturing audiences worldwide through its universal coming-of-age story despite specific black American experiences.

When to Watch Each Tearjerker

For maximum emotional impact, match the film to your mood and available time. Paddleton works best for a quiet 89-minute evening when you want understated devastation. Marriage Story demands 2 hours 17 minutes for its full divorce journey. The Fault in Our Stars requires 2 hours 6 minutes for the complete teen cancer romance.

Netflix's Emotional Movies genre (code: 4136) includes additional tearjerkers like Purple Hearts, Angel Eyes, and A Little Bit of Heaven for when you need more crying options.

FAQ: Common Questions About Netflix Tearjerker Movies

Conclusion: Your Tonight's Cry Session Awaits

These movies in Netflix that will make you cry uncontrollably tonight offer proven emotional catharsis through powerhouse performances, authentic storytelling, and masterful direction. Whether you choose Paddleton's quiet friendship devastation, Marriage Story's divorce heartbreak, or All the Bright Places's teen tragedy, grab tissues and prepare for cinematic emotional release that research shows triggers genuine empathetic oxytocin responses.

Helpful tips and tricks for Movies In Netflix That Will Make You Cry Uncontrollably Tonight

What Makes Paddleton So Heartbreaking?

Paddleton follows two misfit neighbors when the younger man (Duplass) receives a terminal cancer diagnosis and asks his friend (Romano) to help him end his life before the disease does, creating an emotionally devastating road trip journey.

Is Roma Available in Black and White on Netflix?

Yes, Roma streams on Netflix in its original black-and-white format, which signifies Cuarón's return to prestige filmmaking after Gravity and enhances the emotional distance and intimacy of the 1970s Period Drama.

Are These Movies Available Globally on Netflix?

Most title availability varies by region; Paddleton, Marriage Story, Roma, and The Fault in Our Stars are widely available in the US, Brazil, and Latin America, but check your local Netflix library for current streaming rights.

What is the saddest movie on Netflix right now?

Paddleton is widely considered the saddest movie on Netflix, with its 88% Rotten Tomatoes score and honest portrayal of terminal cancer and male friendship creating quiet devastation without melodrama.

Which Netflix movie will make you cry the most?

Marriage Story typically makes viewers cry the most due to its six Academy Award nominations, Oscar-winning Laura Dern performance, and gentle yet painful portrayal of divorce that reflects real emotional scores and unresolved issues.

Are there teen movies on Netflix that make you cry?

Yes, All the Bright Places and The Fault in Our Stars are the top teen tearjerkers on Netflix, dealing with teen suicide and cancer respectively, both based on bestselling novels.

Is Roma worth watching if I don't speak Spanish?

Absolutely-Roma won three Academy Awards and features subtitled dialogue in Spanish and Mixtec, with Alfonso Cuarón's visual storytelling creating emotional impact that transcends language barriers.

How many Oscar-nominated tearjerkers are on Netflix?

At least four Oscar-nominated tearjerkers stream on Netflix: Marriage Story (6 nominations), Roma (10 nominations, 3 wins), Moonlight (8 nominations, 3 wins including Best Picture), and The Fault in Our Stars received critical acclaim though no Oscar noms.

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Ana Luiza Ribeiro Costa

Ana Luiza Ribeiro Costa is a curriculum designer and consultant with 14 years specializing in Marist pedagogy integration. She holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Assessment from Fundação Getulio Vargas and a graduate certificate in Catholic Education Leadership.

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