Movies That Make Men Cry, Ranked By Guys Who Aren't Afraid To Show Emotion
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Only the most macho, insecure guys are afraid to admit they cry. It takes a healthy, well-adjusted mindset to recognize that the ability to tap into to emotions both happy or sad is a sign of humanity rather than weakness. Only a cyborg from the future would be able to sit down and watch films like Good Will Hunting and The Green Mile and not shed a single tear.
When emotionally secure bros want a good cry, there is nothing more likely to get the tears flowing than their favorite cinematic tearjerker. Some movies more than others pack the sort of emotional moments that are uniquely attuned to send guys to a vulnerable place. Get ready to feel some feels with this lineup of classic movies that are guaranteed to get your brother, father, boyfriend, or best friend sobbing.
- 1406 VOTESPhoto: Universal Pictures
The Green Mile follows death row prison guard Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) and his relationship with John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), an inmate accused of murdering two children. Paul soon learns the kind-hearted John possesses an amazing healing touch that helps others around him. More importantly, John is innocent. However, the gentle giant is at peace with what will become his fate.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: John's execution, especially when he asks to not have the hood over his head because he's afraid of the dark.
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: Percy Wetmore (Doug Hutchison) killing Del Delacroix's (Michael Jeter) pet mouse Mr. Jingles because he's a cruel S.O.B. Fortunately, John is able to revive the little rodent.
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- 2210 VOTESPhoto: Buena Vista Distribution
This 1957 classic film is all about a young boy named Travis Coates (Tommy Kirk) who finds a stray dog and names him Old Yeller (Spike). While Travis is enamored with the dog, the rest of his family isn't. That is, until he saves them from danger, proving Lassie isn't the only heroic pooch in Hollywood.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: Travis euthanizing Old Yeller after he develops rabies, contracted from a wolf he fought off to protect his human family. Let's not even mention it anymore, because it's too traumatic to think about.
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: Old Yeller's fight against the wolf, especially when the wolf sinks its teeth into him. There's a heart-stopping second when the audience thinks Yeller is a goner.
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- 3243 VOTESPhoto: Universal Pictures
The harrowing Schindler's List centers around German industrialist Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), whose actions during the Holocaust saved thousands. In WWII, he employs Polish-Jewish refugees in his factories as he tries to keep them safe. At the same time, his life is in danger if the Nazis discover what his intentions are.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: Countless scenes break the audience's collective heart, but the one that cuts the deepest is when Oskar suffers an emotional breakdown and thinks about all the people he couldn't save.
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: The cruelty of Reich officers who shoot a one-armed man because he can't shovel snow fast enough for their liking.
More Schindler's List- Dig Deeper...Movies That Won Best Picture at the Oscars and Golden Globes
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- 4245 VOTESPhoto: DreamWorks Pictures
Widely regarded as one of the greatest war films of all time, Saving Private Ryan takes place during the Normandy invasion of WWII. Three of the four Ryan brothers have perished in battle, so US Army Capt. John Miller (Tom Hanks) and his team are sent to find Private James Ryan (Matt Damon) and bring him back to the US. Of course, nothing happens as expected in a war zone, and the soldiers must fight for survival.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: The elderly James Ryan stares at the graves of his fellow soldiers and experiences survivor's guilt, asking his family to tell him he's a good man.
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: The heartbreaking reality as the news of the Niland brothers' deaths reaches their mother and she breaks down.
- 5273 VOTESPhoto: Columbia Pictures
In The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) gets life imprisonment for the alleged murder of his wife and her lover. When he arrives in prison, he builds a relationship with fellow inmate Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman) and others, helping the people around him and trying to better their conditions. Andy also draws the attention of the prison guards and administration, as he tries to survive and navigate this complicated environment.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: After 50 years of imprisonment, Brooks Hatlen (James Whitmore) gets released. However, he struggles to adapt to life on the outside and hangs himself in his room in a heart-wrenching scene.
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: Andy receives information that proves his innocence and takes it to warden Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton). However, the warden refuses to entertain his requests and ends up sending him to solitary confinement as punishment.
- Dig Deeper...Behind The Scenes Of 'The Shawshank Redemption,' And The Making Of An Unlikely Classic
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- 6204 VOTESPhoto: Miramax Films
In Good Will Hunting, Will Hunting (Matt Damon) is a mathematics savant. However, he encounters trouble and finds himself attending therapy sessions with Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). At first, Will refuses to open up. Over time, though, both Will and Sean dive deeper into the issues that haunt them, revealing trauma that's plagued them for a lifetime.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: When Will and Sean realize they were both victims of child abuse, Will breaks down. Sean hugs him and repeats: “It's not your fault.”
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: During a session, Sean recalls an anecdote about his late wife, revealing, "She used to fart in her sleep." Both men laugh about it, but the sadness creeps in as Sean realizes the love he held for her and how these funny moments are what make relationships memorable and worthwhile.
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- 7157 VOTESPhoto: Warner Bros.
The Iron Giant unleashes the waterworks from beginning to end. Set during the Cold War, it tells the story of young Hogarth Hughes (Eli Marienthal), who makes friends with a gigantic alien robot (Vin Diesel). The military comes after the Iron Giant, planning to destroy him because humans suck, as Hogarth does everything he can to save his new friend. At the same time, the Iron Giant learns all about Earth life from Hogarth.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: The "Superman" scene where the Iron Giant bids farewell to Hogarth and intercepts the missile to save everyone. Where are those tissues?
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: When the hunters kill the deer, Hogarth and his robotic friend have a heartfelt discussion about life and death, with Hogarth asserting: “Souls don't die.”
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- 8177 VOTESPhoto: Columbia Pictures
This coming-of-age story sees four young friends - Chris (River Phoenix), Gordie (Wil Wheaton), Teddy (Corey Feldman), and Vern (Jerry O'Connell) - embark on a journey to find the body of a teenager who was hit by a train. Along the way, they encounter danger, learn more about one another, and experience a special kind of adventure.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: When the boys say goodbye to one another, it symbolizes the end of childhood and their summers together as friends.
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: Adult Gordie fills the audience in on what everyone has been up to since they were kids - before revealing how Chris succumbed to injuries after trying to break up a fight. It's yet another reminder of how life can be cruel.
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- 9191 VOTESPhoto: Warner Bros. Pictures
After a plague ravages humanity, virologist Dr. Robert Neville (Will Smith) is the last survivor in New York. Along with his dog Sam, he tries to figure out how to cure the virus and avoid the cannibalistic creatures known as Darkseekers. Robert's blood is immune to the virus, but he must still uncover how to use it to reverse the effects of what has transpired.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: Robert having to strangle Sam after she becomes infected. Seriously, can Hollywood just stop killing animals in movies now?!
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: The flashback scene that shows how Robert's wife and child died in a helicopter accident while trying to evacuate the city.
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- 10121 VOTESPhoto: Sony Pictures Releasing
In Big Fish, Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) tells fantastical stories to his son, Will (Billy Crudup). While Will believes his father's stories to be tall tales, he starts to investigate the nature of them when Edward becomes gravely ill. Ultimately, Will learns more about his father, while also realizing the importance of never losing sight of wonder and magic in life.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: When Will narrates to his father how his life ends, he tells Edward an imaginative story that brings him comfort and joy, taking his father back to the lake from his tales. Finally, Edward dies at peace, and with happiness in his heart.
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: Will's anger and resentment toward his father's stories in the beginning of the film. As Will calls them all lies, the look on Edward's face after every word is heartbreaking.
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In Remember the Titans, racial tensions run amok in Alexandria, VA, in 1971. The newly integrated T. C. Williams High School and its football team are far from united, as racial issues continue to fester. Step forward new coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington), who works to bring his players together - both on the sports field and in life.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: The players reunite for the funeral of player Gerry Bertier (Ryan Hurst), who has the worst luck in this movie. There is no division or separation here, as they remember they are all brothers and mourn one of their own as a team and family.
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: Again, poor Gerry. In an earlier scene, he's involved in a car accident that paralyzes him. Upon receiving the news, team captain Julius Campbell (Wood Harris) breaks down.
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- 12149 VOTESPhoto: Sony Pictures Releasing
Chris Gardner (Will Smith) gambles on a business decision and loses his life's savings in The Pursuit of Happyness. As a result, his wife leaves him and he's forced to raise his young son, Christopher Jr. (Jaden Smith) on his own. Chris takes an unpaid internship as a stockbroker, trying to prove himself so he can get a full-time job and support his son. When it rains, though, it pours, as Chris experiences hardship and homelessness trying to stay afloat.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: Unhoused and with nowhere else to go, Chris and his son spend nights in a bathroom stall at the train station, while an emotional and broken Chris stays awake to hold the door shut and stroke his son's head.
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: After receiving his full-time job, Chris goes into the street and breaks down. It's a moment of happiness, but it's also a reminder of what he suffered to get to this point.
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- 13101 VOTESPhoto: TriStar Pictures
Rudy follows the titular character, Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger (Sean Astin), who dreams of becoming a football player for the University of Notre Dame. However, he lacks the financial means and necessary physical stature to do so. Despite the obstacles and setbacks, Rudy refuses to give up on his dream. Eventually, he receives the opportunity - but that doesn't mean it'll be smooth sailing from there.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: After Rudy enters the field for the final play and stops the quarterback, his teammates carry him off the field like the hero he is.
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: The emotional and rallying moment between groundskeeper Fortune (Charles S. Dutton) and a dejected Rudy. Fortune reveals how he quit the team because he thought his skin color prevented from playing, and he regretted giving up ever since. It's a poignant scene that changes the course of Rudy's life.
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- 14149 VOTESPhoto: Universal Pictures
In Field of Dreams, Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) hears a voice and receives a vision telling him to build a baseball field in his backyard. Feeling he hasn't accomplished much in his life and regretting his fractured relationship with his late father, avid baseball fan John Kinsella (Dwier Brown), Ray sets out to do so. Along the way, he experiences encounters that bring him closer to both his father and the sport of baseball.
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: Ray playing catch with John in the field he created, as they finally have their special father-son moment.
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: Ray recalling his father's dreams of being a baseball star, then encouraging Ray to pursue the sport. Ray also remembers how he refused to play catch with his father one day and called his dad's favorite player "a hero who was a criminal."
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- 1571 VOTESPhoto: Lionsgate
Warrior might look like it's all about mixed martial arts, but it's a touching family drama beneath the surface. The story follows former US Marine Thomas "Tommy" Riordan Conlon (Tom Hardy), who returns home and asks his recovering alcoholic father, Paddy, to train him in MMA. However, this soon puts him on a collision course to face off against his brother, Brendan (Joel Edgerton).
Top Tear-Jerking Moment: Brendan realizes his brother won't quit in the fight, so he puts Tommy in a rear-naked chokehold. He tells him he's sorry and loves him. In this moment, Tommy finally taps out, and both brothers are overcome with an abundance of emotion.
The Saddest Moment That Sneaks Up on You: Paddy's relapse. Even though it was a fight with Tommy that led him back to the bottom of the bottle, Tommy finds his father and comforts him. It's a real, raw moment that also helps heal the rift between them.
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