From Sophie’s Choice to Bambi’s tragic loss, from Oscar Schindler’s breakdown to E.T. saying goodbye, cinema has given us plenty of scenes that tear audiences apart. But what actually makes a movie a guaranteed tearjerker? And why do people even enjoy watching them?
It turns out there’s science behind it. Studies show that sad movies are actually therapeutic. Between sixty and seventy percent of viewers say they feel better after shedding a few tears in the theater. There’s something cathartic about crying in a safe, controlled environment.
The most important ingredient, though, is emotional investment. Audiences need to care about the characters before they can feel their pain. That’s why the most heartbreaking moments usually come in the final act, after we’ve spent a couple of hours getting attached. When a tragic scene happens right at the start, like in Guardians of the Galaxy or Midsommar, it rarely hits as hard. And that’s also why the death of billions on screen barely registers, but the loss of a single dog can shatter us.
A perfect example is The Impossible, based on the 2004 tsunami. The disaster killed over 227,000 people, yet the film narrows its focus to one family. As Naomi Watts explained, what drew her in was how the story wasn’t just about survival but also about discovering why we live and who we live for. That perspective gave the tragedy its emotional weight.
Another element that made The Impossible so moving was the performances — and more importantly, the chemistry. Tom Holland, who played Naomi Watts’ son, later described their dynamic as “playing tennis with emotions.” He credited her generosity as an actor with helping him tap into the role and give those gut-punch scenes real authenticity.
Music is another secret weapon for filmmakers. When done right, a single piece of music can make viewers tear up years after seeing the film. The Pianist is a great example. Its use of Chopin’s melancholic compositions not only anchored the setting but also shaped Adrien Brody’s performance. He later admitted the music helped him access the sadness and longing his character felt, creating an emotional connection that still lingers whenever he hears those notes.
It’s also worth noting that tragedy isn’t the only way to trigger tears. Emotional goodbyes and heartfelt reunions can be just as devastating. Just think of E.T. phoning home or the powerful reunion in Lion. Dev Patel, who played the lead, summed it up simply: at its core, the story was about the bond between a mother and her son. That’s what gave it its emotional punch.
And then there are sports dramas, which consistently know how to tug at our heartstrings. Warrior, a story about two estranged brothers entering an MMA tournament, builds to one of the most emotional climaxes in modern cinema. In fact, researchers once tried to identify the “saddest movie ever made” and concluded the title belongs to the 1979 boxing drama The Champ. Anyone planning to watch it should probably keep a box of tissues close at hand.
In the end, whether it’s death, loss, goodbyes, or victories, what makes audiences cry is the same: believable characters, authentic emotions, and just the right amount of music to push us over the edge.
