Favorite Tearjerkers

by rleegray-569-58158 | created - 31 Jan 2023 | updated - 1 week ago | Public

My list of favorite films and TV or streaming series that often make you shed a river of tears. From tragic romances to sorrowful period pieces to heartbreaking adaptations of true stories, the best tearjerkers bring the good with the sad: empathy, gratitude, new perspectives and a comfort that comes from feeling less alone in the face of our own hardships. If you’re in need of a good cry, you’ve come to the right place.

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1. 7th Heaven (1996–2007)

TV-G | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Family

Eric Camden, a minister, and his wife Annie deal with the drama of having seven children, ranging from toddlers to adults with families of their own.

Stars: Stephen Collins, Catherine Hicks, Jessica Biel, Beverley Mitchell

Votes: 26,989

2. Say Yes (I) (2018)

94 min | Drama

A young woman diagnosed with cancer tries to play matchmaker between her soon-to-be-widowed husband and her bisexual twin brother.

Director: Stewart Wade | Stars: Leah McKendrick, Patrick Zeller, Matt Pascua, Shari Belafonte

Votes: 656

3. The Resident (2018–2023)

TV-14 | 60 min | Drama

A group of doctors at Chastain Memorial Hospital face personal and professional challenges on a daily basis.

Stars: Matt Czuchry, Manish Dayal, Bruce Greenwood, Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Votes: 32,704

4. The Green Mile (1999)

R | 189 min | Crime, Drama, Fantasy

61 Metascore

A tale set on death row, where gentle giant John Coffey possesses the mysterious power to heal people's ailments. When the lead guard, Paul Edgecombe, recognizes John's gift, he tries to help stave off the condemned man's execution.

Director: Frank Darabont | Stars: Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt

Votes: 1,407,060 | Gross: $136.80M

5. Game of Thrones (2011–2019)

TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama

Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.

Stars: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Lena Headey

Votes: 2,283,730

6. The Patriot (2000)

R | 165 min | Action, Drama, History

63 Metascore

Peaceful farmer Benjamin Martin is driven to lead the Colonial Militia during the American Revolution when a sadistic British officer murders his son.

Director: Roland Emmerich | Stars: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs

Votes: 293,445 | Gross: $113.33M

7. The Young and the Restless (1973– )

TV-PG | 37 min | Drama, Romance

Set in Genoa City, this is the long-running soap that tells the story of the struggle behind the business, and sex-savvy Abbott and Newman clans.

Stars: Eric Braeden, Doug Davidson, Peter Bergman, Joshua Morrow

Votes: 6,837

8. A Million Little Things (2018–2023)

TV-14 | 43 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

A group of friends becomes motivated to live fuller lives after the unexpected death of a close friend.

Stars: David Giuntoli, Romany Malco, Allison Miller, Christina Moses

Votes: 16,947

9. Still Alice (2014)

PG-13 | 101 min | Drama

72 Metascore

A linguistics professor and her family find their bonds tested when she is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

Directors: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland | Stars: Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth

Votes: 143,474 | Gross: $18.75M

10. Welcome to the Rileys (2010)

R | 110 min | Drama

50 Metascore

On a business trip to New Orleans, a damaged man seeks salvation by caring for a wayward young woman.

Director: Jake Scott | Stars: James Gandolfini, Kristen Stewart, Melissa Leo, David Jensen

Votes: 25,270 | Gross: $0.15M

11. Little Women (1949)

Approved | 122 min | Drama, Family, Romance

61 Metascore

The four daughters of a New England family fight for happiness during and after the Civil War.

Director: Mervyn LeRoy | Stars: June Allyson, Peter Lawford, Margaret O'Brien, Elizabeth Taylor

Votes: 8,232 | Gross: $7.47M

12. Highway to Heaven (1984–1989)

TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Fantasy

A probationary angel, sent back to Earth, teams with an ex-cop to help people.

Stars: Michael Landon, Victor French, James Troesh, Margie Impert

Votes: 6,519

13. The Notebook (2004)

PG-13 | 123 min | Drama, Romance

53 Metascore

An elderly man reads to a woman with dementia the story of two young lovers whose romance is threatened by the difference in their respective social classes.

Director: Nick Cassavetes | Stars: Gena Rowlands, James Garner, Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling

Votes: 620,052 | Gross: $81.00M

14. The Doctors (1963–1982)

30 min | Drama, Romance

Dr. Matt Powers is chief of Hope Memorial Hospital in the city of Madison, and he cares about the lives of staff and patients.

Stars: James Pritchett, David O'Brien, Lydia Bruce, Elizabeth Hubbard

Votes: 248

15. Chicago Fire (2012– )

TV-14 | 43 min | Action, Drama

The story of firefighters and paramedics in the city of Chicago, both on a personal and professional level.

Stars: Taylor Kinney, Christian Stolte, Eamonn Walker, Joe Minoso

Votes: 64,540

16. E.T. (1982)

PG | 115 min | Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi

92 Metascore

A troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.

Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote, Dee Wallace

Votes: 437,429 | Gross: $435.11M

17. Terms of Endearment (1983)

PG | 132 min | Comedy, Drama

79 Metascore

Follows hard-to-please Aurora looking for love and her daughter's family problems.

Director: James L. Brooks | Stars: Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito

Votes: 65,465 | Gross: $108.42M

18. White Christmas (1954)

Not Rated | 120 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance

56 Metascore

A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.

Director: Michael Curtiz | Stars: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen

Votes: 51,126 | Gross: $30.00M

19. Rabbit Hole (2010)

PG-13 | 91 min | Drama

76 Metascore

Life for a happy couple is turned upside down after their young son dies in an accident.

Director: John Cameron Mitchell | Stars: Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest, Miles Teller

Votes: 51,117 | Gross: $2.23M

20. As the World Turns (1956–2010)

TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance

The focus in on the upper class Hughes and Stewart families plus their tribulations in Midwest Oakdale. The Stewarts fade away eventually to be replaced by the rural Snyders and wealthy Lucinda Walsh with her many intrigues.

Stars: Elizabeth Hubbard, Jon Hensley, Ellen Dolan, Colleen Zenk

Votes: 2,276

21. Bambi (1942)

G | 69 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama

91 Metascore

The story of a young deer growing up in the forest.

Directors: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, David Hand, Graham Heid, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield, Norman Wright, Arthur Davis, Clyde Geronimi | Stars: Hardie Albright, Stan Alexander, Bobette Audrey, Peter Behn

Votes: 154,055 | Gross: $102.80M

22. M*A*S*H (1972–1983)

TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy, Drama, War

The staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.

Stars: Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr

Votes: 63,781



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