Saddest Movies on Paramount+ to Watch Right Now

Sadness: though it may not feel too good, most would agree that it’s an incredibly important part of the human condition. Without it, you could argue that life itself would start to lose its meaning, as all the fun and happiness of being alive would have no counterbalance to make it feel truly special. Some of the greatest films ever made even feature sadness as one of their most prominent themes, often using it as a precursor to a happy if not bittersweet ending.

If you’re looking for emotionally powerful movies, Paramount+ has got you covered. We’ve assembled some of the best tearjerkers on this streamer for your convenience, spanning a plethora of genres, moods, and settings for your sob story needs. Any film that requires the Paramount+ with Showtime subscription plan will be noted where applicable.

Updated on March 29, 2024, by Neville Naidoo: This article has been updated with additional information and site features to keep the discussion fresh and relevant.

15 Trainspotting (1996)

Billed as a black comedy-drama, Trainspotting was a film released in 1996 and was based on a book of the same name by Irvine Welsh that had been published three years earlier. Painting a devastating portrait of addiction, the film follows a group of heroin addicts through the tumultuous events of their lives as they struggle with their diseases. Showcasing just how crazy it can get trying to balance an extreme addiction amid the pangs of poverty and other struggles, the film is now considered a cult classic.

Why Trainspotting Is Sad

Debuting to critical acclaim, the film showcased the worst of how addiction devastates lives. Featuring everything from death, illness, and the immense pain suffered by those who have to live through it all, Trainspotting acts as a tragic, and sometimes hilarious, cautionary tale of just how deadly and soul-killing addiction can be.

Taking place in an economically impoverished part of Edinburgh, the film featured a great cast led by Ewan McGregor and has since earned itself a great legacy among British cinema. Subsequently, after years of planning and waiting, in 2017, a sequel was made that also landed well among critics.

14 Selma (2014)

Selma is a powerful story written by Paul Webb and directed by Ava DuVernay. The film recounts the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches initiated by James Bevel and led by Martin Luther King Jr. The film stars David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Tom Wilkinson, Giovanni Ribisi, and Cuba Godding Jr. The movie begins with Dr. King receiving a Nobel Prize while his community is being killed or his rights to register to vote are negated. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference was forced to rally in numbers and force Alabama Governor George Wallace to secure the lawful rights of black people.

Why This Movie Is Sad

Looking back at the civil rights movements in the USA, it is unique from an outsider’s perspective. The fact that people allow themselves to hate another living, breathing human being on account of their skin color is baffling. Yet, this sort of evil persists in American society. Selma is a film that digs deep into the wound, but it’s not merely content with portraying the white man as the sole evil, as mistrust and personal political agendas are also taking place within the ranks of the civil rights movement. Selma would go on to win Best Original Song in addition to securing a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards in 2015.

13 There Will Be Blood (2007)

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There Will Be Blood is a stern critique of capitalism written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, based on the novel Oil! by Upton Sinclair. The film features the acting talents of Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, and Ciarán Hinds. The story is focused on the life of a silver miner turned oil tycoon named Daniel Plainview, who moves to California and uses his understanding of geography to acquire land by scamming its owners. A local preacher questions Plainview’s motives and begins a longstanding feud with the man that would last most of their lives. The film released in 2007 alongside other fantastic movies like No Counrtry for Old Men, and would secure Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapated Screenplay.

Why There Will Be Blood Is Sad

Business can turn ruthless people by nature; for most industrialists in the early stages of capitalism, people were merely assets and numbers to be used to accumulate riches. Very little has changed to this day, even if technology and social norms have changed for the better. Plainview is a practical man who dislikes damaged goods. When his son becomes a liability, he sends him away. When someone posing as his brother begins to make him feel human, he uncovers the ruse and has the man killed. When Preacher Eli tries to make Plainview good on his word, he lets him know how he’s been robbing him blind for years before killing him. This oil tycoon might be powerful, but he’s far from human.

12 The Eternal Memory (2023)

A 2023 Chilean documentary, The Eternal Memory was a brilliantly made film directed by Chilean director and producer, Maite Alberde. It chronicles the story of the Chilean journalist, Augusto Góngora, and his relationship with Paulina Urrutia. Augusto was one of the country’s most prominent journalists and a TV presenter. Meanwhile, Paulina rose to fame as an actress but also distinguished herself after serving as the nation’s Minister of Culture and the Arts. They’ve been together almost 25 years and lived a remarkable life together. However, eight years prior, Augusto was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and Paulina now cares for him, with both of them dreading the day when he will no longer be able to recognize her.

Why The Eternal Memory Is Sad

Given how remarkable their lives were and how deep a bond the couple share, it’s heartbreaking to see how the disease tears at the fabric of all they once held dear. It’s also tragic to see Augusto’s mental disintegration, given that he was once a fearless reporter who dedicated himself to ensuring the dictator Pinochet’s many atrocities were never forgotten.

Now, the pair face an uphill battle trying to help Augusto maintain his identity as his mind and memories slowly slip away. Through it all, the couple’s deep love and humor make for a remarkable watch. A beautifully told story, the film was highly acclaimed, nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film, and has won a host of other prestigious awards.

11 Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Saving Private Ryan is Steven Spielberg’s World War II grand masterpiece written by Robert Rodat. The film is based on the story of the Nilands brothers with some elements of other families that faced similar situations during armed conflicts, such as the Sullivan brothers and the Bixby brothers. The movie stars Tom Hanks, Vin Diesel, Barry Pepper, and Tom Sizemore, with Matt Damon making a special appearance as Private Ryan. In the story, we follow a hardened Captain named John Miller, who is ordered to take a group of men behind the enemy lines to bring back Private James Ryan after his four brothers are killed in action. With more time on their hands, each soldier faces a personal journey and the struggle to carry out their mission.

Why Saving Private Ryan Is Sad

No film depicts the chaotic horror that was the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. The opening scene of this film is worth the price of admission alone. When Miller is stripped of his command and sent to retrieve Ryan, he follows his order to the letter, but he’s faced with the challenge of taking out multiple soldiers that could be used in the front to go on a suicide mission. As expected, many of the soldiers on his team die in combat, while others are struck by the horrors of a war that is bigger than any of them. All hope seems lost when Ryan refuses to leave his post, but a last-minute save by the Air Force leaves Ryan with Miller’s last words resonating in his heart until he grows old: “Earn this.”

10 Lady Bird (2017)

Greta Gerwig made a great first impression in Hollywood with her coming-of-age drama Lady Bird. The film, written and directed by Gerwig, stars Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, and Beanie Feldstein. The story begins with a day in the life of Christine McPherson, who wakes up one day and decides she needs to be addressed as Lady Bird. Christine has big dreams and wants to study at a prestigious university, but her mother barely keeps their family together after her husband loses his job. We follow the life of Christine as she goes through the motions of her last year of high school, only to realize how much she cherishes her relationship with her strong-willed mother.

Why Lady Bird Is Sad

Lady Bird is a movie that speaks closely to the hearts and minds of parents. Christine is incredibly opinionated and is not about to remain quiet when she perceives the wrongs surrounding her. This makes her relationships and friendships very special, as she surrounds herself with people who value her as she is.

However, Christine fails to appreciate her mother for most of the film and how much she keeps from her to keep her safe. As Christine finally leaves to study at the college of her dreams, she realizes how much she loves her mother, thanks to her dad and his little bag of secrets. The film was a critical darling, earning five nominations at the Academy Awards (including Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Actress).

9 Magnolia (1999)

An ensemble film written, directed, and co-produced by the immensely talented filmmaker, Paul Thomas Anderson, Magnolia featured a ridiculously good cast. Weaving together the intricate tales of a myriad of people, it follows the fates of some intriguing characters, including a dying father, two geniuses, and an estranged daughter. Playing on a myriad of themes, the film brilliantly intermingles the different stories of its characters into one highly emotive film.

Why Magnolia Is Sad

With dazzling beauty and emotional creativity that tugs at viewers’ heartstrings with every turn, the film is a stunning meditation on existential questions of life like loss, forgiveness, happiness, and the meaning of it all — told through a mosaic of characters from the San Fernando Valley. Highly acclaimed, like virtually every project by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film starred the likes of Tom Cruise, Jeremy Blackman, Julianne Moore, and the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman, amid a myriad of other talented actors. Beautiful, haunting, and superbly made, this is definitely one to watch for lovers of melodrama.

8 Forrest Gump (1994)

Tom Hanks and tearjerkers go hand in hand, with 1994’s Forrest Gump being an excellent example. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this popular dramedy tells the story of Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks), a well-meaning man who isn’t very well-read. After being approached by a stranger one faithful day, Gump reveals that he has lived a life of unimaginable historical significance, taking him from college football fields to the jungles of Vietnam in record time.

Why Forrest Gump Is Sad

Forrest Gump continues to invite discussions surrounding its themes even today. Though Gump himself is the story’s focus, the characters he surrounds himself with — including his love interest, Jenny (Robin Wright) — are arguably even more interesting to analyze given how they intersect with Gump’s journey. It’s an incredibly sentimental film overall, with some key moments that’ll stab at your emotions dotted throughout Gump’s grandiose life.

7 Into the Wild (2007)

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Some of the best biographical films also happen to be effective tearjerkers. Take 2007’s Into the Wild, for instance. Based on the story of Christopher McCandless — aka Alexander Supertramp — Into the Wild follows McCandless in the early 90s as he hikes into the Alaskan wilderness. Taking refuge inside an abandoned bus, we learn his life story as we jump between the past and present, ultimately leading to a fate nobody could’ve expected.

Why Into the Wild Is Sad

Sean Penn, who previously acted in Dead Man Walking and Mystic River, was responsible for directing this feature. It’s a captivating story, painting a picture of someone who risked everything to live a life of nomadic isolation. There’s some authentic humanity to be found here, with Emile Hirsch portraying a complicated character you can’t help but feel sorry for once the credits roll.

6 Interstellar (2014)

It wouldn’t be a sad movie list without Interstellar, a heart-wrenching science-fiction drama set in the not-too-distant future. After a cataclysmic blight wipes out most of Earth’s food supply, a group of astronauts is sent on a last-ditch mission to discover hospitable planets elsewhere in outer space. However, as resources start to dwindle and false hopes are thoroughly crushed, there’s no telling if our brave crew will ever be able to make it back home.

Why Interstellar Is Sad

Though Interstellar is primarily an ambitious science-fiction epic, it’s carried heavily by the emotional performances of its lead cast. Matthew McConaughey puts on a career-defining performance as a widowed NASA pilot, with his broad range of emotions leaving you misty-eyed by the time everything is said and done. Couple that with some impressive visual effects and some interesting topics backed by real science, and you end up with one of Christopher Nolan’s most beloved films.

5 Titanic (1997)

Arguably the most iconic example of a star-crossed romance film, James Cameron’s Titanic is as entertaining as it is saddening. We’re given the perspective of an elderly Rose Bukater (Kate Winslet), a survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster, as she relives her experiences on the ship’s first voyage. From there, a burgeoning romance between her and a lower-class artist named Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) will blossom until the two come face to face with their tragic fates.

Why Titanic Is Sad

It’s hard to overstate just how popular Titanic was after it premiered in 1997. Its captivating romance story, well-rounded characters, and incredible effects amounted to a film that would dominate box office records for more than a decade. Of course, we’d be remiss to not mention the tearjerker finale that’ll leave you at the edge of your seat. Against all odds, Titanic turned out to be an emotional blockbuster that strikes a chord with just about everyone who sees it.

4 The Machinist (2004)

The Machinist is a film that hits even harder more than a decade after its original release. Christian Bale transforms himself into Trevor Reznik, an industrial machinist who is suffering from a peculiar affliction. A bout of insomnia that has lasted for more than a year has started to take a physical and mental toll on him, leading to significant weight loss and terrifying fits of paranoia. His occupation is already dangerous enough with a clear head, but when compounded by exponential fatigue, he may find himself diving headfirst into alienation and delusions.

Why The Machinist Is Sad

Bale infamously lost more than 60 pounds to portray Reznik, a shockingly convincing transformation that makes Reznik’s plight all the more depressing. The dramatic reveal of what caused his condition and the subsequent conclusion provide some fleeting resolution to an incredibly solemn story. You can even find some disturbing moments laden throughout in the form of otherworldly hallucinations.

3 The Elephant Man (1980)

Now considered a classic, The Elephant Man was a heart-wrenching film that told the story of a highly disfigured man whose physical differences see him forced to lead a sad life as a circus freak show attraction. Born with physical attributes that made his skull gigantic and deformed as a result, John Merrick becomes known as the ‘Elephant Man’, and suffers terribly as a result.

Starring the brilliant Sir Anthony Hopkins in the lead, and featuring an amazing performance from John Hurt as Merrick, it was the second feature by the now iconic director David Lynch — going a long way in establishing him as a legendary filmmaker.

Why The Elephant Man Is Sad

Telling a tragic tale of exploitation, prejudice, and horrific abuse, The Elephant Man is a deeply touching film that depicts the worst of humanity through its chief character’s pain and suffering. A brilliantly made film, between Hurt’s and Hopkins’ superb acting, and Lynch’s amazing directing, it earned itself eight Academy Award nominations. Sadly, it won none of them as it had the bad luck of being released in the same year as two other highly acclaimed classics; Ordinary People and Raging Bull.

2 Road to Perdition (2002)

Road to Perdition may look like a crime film on the surface, but underneath its gangster exterior is something truly profound. Tom Hanks leads this Great Depression revenge film as Michael Sullivan, an assassin with mafia ties. But when Michael discovers that his son was witness to a mob killing, it firmly places him in the crosshairs of his current employer. Sullivan finds himself on the run, both in a bid to save his son’s life while also taking on the very organization that employed him.

Why Road to Perdition Is Sad

Notable for featuring the last role performed by Paul Newman, Road to Perdition is a film that focuses less on the grimier aspects of crime, and more on how it affects those not directly connected with it. Hanks portrays a conflicted man trying to maintain his father-son relationship while attempting to break a cycle he was seemingly destined to fall into. It’s a film with a surprising amount of sentimentality under the bloodshed, with Hanks in particular playing a complex character thoroughly removed from his previous roles.

1 Gladiator (2000)

An epic tale set in ancient Rome, Gladiator proved to be the film that finally made the acting world stand up and take notice of what a brilliant talent Russell Crowe is. In the film, he played a powerful Roman general named Maximus Decimus Meridius, who had proven his mettle and loyalty to the empire on the battlefield many times. Favored by the elderly Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), over his own son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), Maximus is named heir to the empire over him. This enrages the cowardly Commodus, who murders his father and destroys Maximus’ life in the most brutal way, reducing him to a common gladiator who has to fight his way toward the revenge he seeks.

Why Gladiator Is Sad

While packed with stunning action scenes, an amazing cast, and unforgettable performances, at the center of it all is a tragic tale of a man who gave his entire life to his ideals, only to be betrayed and robbed of everything he held dear in life. While it’s Maximus’ rage that drives him, he’s a man who knows no amount of violence he unleashes in his quest for vengeance can ever heal the emotional pain he suffers inside. Nominated for twelve Oscars, the film won five, including Best Picture, and Best Actor for Crowe, who would go on to be nominated in that category three years in a row. A masterpiece by acclaimed director Ridley Scott, 24 years on, and the film’s popularity has led to a sequel that’s currently being filmed.