Sad Movies on Netflix for Your Next Good Cry

When you’re feeling down, you’ve got two types of movie choices to make. One option is to put on something feel-good in the hopes of lifting your spirits, whether it’s a steamy romance, a happy musical, or an epic Western adventure. The other, probably more therapeutic route, is to embrace your current emotions, and put on a sad movie that matches your mood.

No matter what’s got you upset (be it heartbreak, loss, or just one of those days), there’s nothing like grabbing some tissues and pressing play on a movie that will get the waterworks going. These stories encompass everything from personal misfortunes, to relationship struggles, to real historical tragedies that can affect us for days to come. Given their profound emotional impact, it makes you wonder: why do we opt for these movies during our lowest points?

According to Greatist, the answer may be because sad movies actually put us in a happier mood after watching them. Research suggests that they help put our own problems into perspective, and they also release chemicals in the brain that prompt empathy for others in real life. This seems counterintuitive considering all the runny mascara that results, but could explain why watching sad movies is a tradition we continually come back to.

Once you’re ready to find a tearjerker, Netflix has an extensive library to browse through. Titles range from earlier classics like What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), to newer dramas like The Florida Project (2017) and Walk. Ride. Rodeo. (2019). With so much melancholy to choose from, it’s never been easier to stream some sadness into your movie night and let it all out.