The 16 Best Sad Movies On Netflix


Want to soak your eyes and get your heart wrenched watching some of the best sad movies on Netflix? Well, we are all humans, we all have a kind heart that sobs when we watch something emotional. Netflix, on the other hand, does not want its subscribers to become robots any time and have some movies about love, life, death and a lot of emotional movies that are sure to make you cry.

These sad movies available on Netflix right now are those that make you nostalgic. They make you feel like it’s your story portrayed on the screen and if you don’t cry, get yourself a robot license right away.

Sad movies on Netflix isn’t even a category unlike romance, comedies, even inspirational has a category. However, we took sometime looking through the library to discover some hidden gems that are sure to have the water works flowing.

Sad movies on Netflix have a common theme which is the story line that sparks emotion whether you have experienced what the characters are going through, you can put yourself in their shoes or just a well written story.

1. An Affair to Remember

An Affair to Remember (1957) Trailer

Initial Release: 1957
Director: Leo McCarey
IMDb: 7.6/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Score: 64%

A remake of a 1939 movie called Love Affair, An Affair to Remember is a dramatic, classic romance starring Cary Grant and Deborah Karr.

After falling in love, Nickie Ferrante (played by Cary Grant) and Terry McKay (played by Deborah Kerr) agree to meet at the Empire State Building six months in the future. At the start of the movie, Nickie has come back to New York to marry a wealthy heiress.

He is known as a playboy throughout the city. Terry is a singer in a nightclub. She is engaged, and plans to go home soon.

While Nickie and Terry don’t like one another at first, they fall deeply and hopelessly in love within days. The two decide to meet at the Empire State Building in six months, giving each of them time to break off their engagements and for Nickie to see if he is capable of making a living. Six months later, both Nickie and Terry are eager for the meeting and try to get there.

However, something goes horribly wrong. Will they have a happy ending, or are they sadly separated forever?

2. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - Official Trailer 2008 HD

Initial Release: 2008
Director: Mark Herman
IMDb: 7.8/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63%

Set in World War II, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a startlingly insightful and profound movie based on the novel by John Boyne. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is famous for the stark sadness of its story.

Bruno (played by Asa Butterfield) is an eight-year-old boy and son of a concentration camp commander. His parents have kept all the facts of the evils occurring in Germany from their son, and he is living in a happy world that does not really exist.

Soon after the family moves to the countryside, Bruno secretly discovers and becomes friends with a little Jewish boy dressed in what appear to him to be striped pajamas, who is imprisoned on the opposite side of the camp fence. The Jewish boy’s name is Shmuel (played by Jack Scanlon).

Bruno slowly comes to realize the reality of Schmuel’s situation and the sinister part his father is playing in the imprisonment and extermination of the Jews.

3. Remembrance

Remembrance trailer (2011) HD

Initial Release: 2011
Director: Anna Justice
IMDb: 7.2/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Score: No Tomatometer score yet

Set in 1944 in a German concentration camp in Poland, Remembrance is a profoundly moving love story between two prisoners.

A Jewish young woman, Hannah Silberstein, falls in love with a Polish man (Tomasz Limanowski). The two are able to courageously and against all the odds escape the concentration camp that imprisons them. It is near the end of the war, however, and Europe is in total chaos.

The couple if involuntary separated, and eventually each of them think the person they love must be dead. Thirty years pass, and the story moves to New York. Hannah is now in her 50s, and is married. She finds out not only that Tomasz is still alive, but she will see him again.

Hannah Silberstein in 1944 is played by Alice Dwyer, and in 1976 by Dagmar Manzel. Tomasz in 1944 is played by Mateusz Damiecki, and in 1976 by Lech Mackiewicz.

4. The Diary of Anne Frank

The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) Trailer

Initial Release: 1959
Director: George Stevens
IMDb: 7.4/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%

The Diary of Anne Frank is based on the true story told in the famous book of the same name, written by a young Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis during World War II. This film is a tremendously moving and thought-provoking classic, and should be seen by anyone interested in history (both real-world and film).

Set in WWII Holland, which is occupied by the Nazis, The Diary of Anne Frank centers on the story of Anne Frank and her family hiding from Nazi persecution of the Jews. Friends of the family give them a place to hide above a place of business.

Anne’s father, Otto Frank, moves his family into this place of refuge. The Franks live together with another family in the hiding place. They are called the Van Danns. Later, a single man comes to live with them as well. His name is Dussel, and he is a dentist.

The Franks and the others in hiding hope they can remain hidden for long enough to be eventually freed after the war ends. Will they succeed in their dream?

5. Blue Valentine

Blue Valentine (2010) Official Trailer - Michelle Williams, Ryan Gosling Movie HD

Initial Release: 2010
Director: Andrij Parekh
IMDb: 7.4/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%

Blue Valentine tells the moving and emotionally relatable story of a young married couple who are confused about themselves and the future. While change and ambition inspire Cindy, then frighten her husband, Dean. Blue Valentine tells its story with sensitivity and passion.

Dean Pereira (played by Ryan Gossling) and Cindy Heller Pereira (played by Michelle Williams) are a very young married couple with a small daughter. Both Dean and Cindy had very difficult, dysfunctional childhoods, and even though they are both still young, they feel quite weary of the world and its problems.

While Cindy is a nurse and has further ambitions for her life and family, her husband seems frozen in fear about the future. He says that he is happy with his precarious house painting work, and refuses to accept any sort of change. The movie tells the story of the couple’s life over many years, skipping between periods.

6. P.S., I Love You

P.S. I Love You Official Trailer #1 - (2007) HD

Initial Release: 2007
Director: Richard LaGravenese
IMDb: 7.1/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Score: 24%

P.S., I Love You is a uniquely touching and romantic movie about a woman who loses her husband but always has his love.

Holly Kennedy (played by Hilary Swank) is a young woman who has a wonderfully happy life. She is not only beautiful and intelligent, but also married to a witty, handsome, and kind Irishman, Gerry. But when Gerry becomes gravely ill and dies, Holly Kennedy is thrown into turmoil of profound grief and despair.

She has lost her best friend and the person who knows her best.

Fortunately, before he passed away Gerry wrote numerous special letters for Holly. They are meant to support and guide her. The letters arrive one by one, each of them comforting, surprising, and inspiring her. The first comes with a cake for her 30th birthday, alone with a recording of Gerry’s voice with a special, treasured message of love and belief.

7. A Little Bit of Heaven

A Little Bit of Heaven Official Trailer #1 - Kate Hudson, Gael Garcia Bernal Movie (2012) HD

Initial Release: 2012
Director: Nicole Kassell
IMDb: 6.3/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Score: 4%

A romantic comedy set in the fascinatingly vibrant city of New Orleans, A Little Bit of Heaven is a charmingly light-hearted adventure of the heart. With a unique and free-spirited storyline, A Little Bit of Heaven is sure to captivate you.

Marley Corbett (played by Kate Hudson) has a great sense of humor, but often uses that quality to shield herself against having to take anything too seriously. Soon, however, Marley is surprised to find herself falling very much in love with her doctor, Julian Goldstein (played by Gael Garcia Bernal).

Marley is very beautiful and witty, but the idea of love and commitment frighten her. Soon, however, a visit that Marley makes to her secretly beloved doctor ends up being life-changing, leading to discovery of themselves and each other.

The character of Beverly Corbett is aptly played by Kathy Bates, while that of Jack Corbett is played by Treat Williams.

8. Short Term 12

Short Term 12 Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Brie Larson Movie HD

Initial Release: 2013
Director: Daniel Cretton
IMDb: 8/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%

Short Term 12 is a critically acclaimed film of inspired storytelling and human insight.

Grace (played by Brie Larson) and her boyfriend Mason (played by John Gallagher) work together in a foster-care facility for at-risk teenagers. She and Mason both devoted to their careers at the facility, and they plan to marry soon. Grace is a counselor, and finds her job both rewarding and extremely demanding emotionally.

She is gifted at her work, and brings a great deal to the table as a person who went through a difficult adolescence herself. As the story progresses, Grace and Mason’s private and professional lives become more and more intertwined.

After a period of intense turmoil, will Grace, Mason, and the teenagers at the facility have happy endings?

Short Term 12 received numerous accolades, including the award for a Narrative Feature from South by Southwest’s Grand Jury and Audience Awards, as well as the Los Angeles Film Festival’s Audience Award for Beset Narrative Feature. Brie Larson’s performance as Grace won the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuoso Award.

9. Iris

Iris (2001).- Official Trailer

Initial Release: 2001
Director: Richard Eyre
IMDb: 7.1/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%

Iris is a deeply engaging and moving film based on the life story of Iris Murdoch, a famous British writer and philosopher.

The story begins with Iris working as a philosophy professor at Oxford University. She soon falls in love with John Bayley, a shy and awkward fellow professor whose personality is in many ways the polar opposite of hers. The story is presented from John Bayley’s perspective.

It depicts John’s treasured memories of his wife of 40 years, widely spanning their time together. As an older woman, Iris develops Alzheimer’s and loses most of the intellectual ability that once made her so distinctive. John relies on his memories to bring him through the inevitably sad and difficult time he must face.

The young Iris is played by Kate Winslet, while Judi Dench plays the older version of the character. Hugh Bonneville plays the young John, and Jim Broadbent portrays the older John.

10. Lifted

Lifted (Free Full Movie) Family Drama | Boy's dad deployed Afghanistan

Initial Release: 2010
Director: Lexi Alexander
IMDb: 6.8/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Score: “No critic reviews yet”

Henry Matthews is a 13-year-old boy living in a small town in Alabama. His mother (Lisa Matthews, played by Nicki Aycox) is a recovering drug addict, still in counseling, while his father (William Matthews, played by Dash Mihok) is a mechanic and Marine reservist.

Early in the story, Henry’s father is sent to Afghanistan, making things more difficult for the family and eventually leading to Lisa relapsing in her addiction.

Henry and his mother and siblings move in with his grandfather (Lisa’s father), which is difficult as the man detests Henry’s beloved music. Making things worse, Henry is bullied at school, leading to him looking for safety in a nearby Baptist church.

It is there that he meets Pastor Johnson (played by Ruben Studdard), the person who discovers Henry’s extraordinary singing talent. Pastor Johnson suggests that Henry  to develop his talent, and participate in a teen singing contest.

Henry hopes that taking part in the singing contest will open up a whole new, much brighter world of opportunity and hope.

11. Fruitvale Station

Fruitvale Station Official Trailer #1 (2013) Michael B. Jordan Movie HD

Emotional and gritty this story is inspired by the true life account of Oscar Grant’s final hours.  Oscar Grant was shot by public transit police on New Years Day in 2009

12. A Girl Like Her

A Girl Like Her | Full Drama Movie | Lexi Ainsworth, Hunter King | Free Movies By Cineverse

Bullying is a tragedy and this story is no different.  Tormented by classmates and left with no choice but to try to commit suicide.  But there may be a way to fight back.

13. Hope

GET THE TISSUE BOX!  A stranger beats and rapes their little girl,  now this family has a long road to recovery the only way to get there is hope.

14. Romeo and Juliet

Romeo And Juliet TRAILER 1 (2013) - Hailee Steinfeld, Paul Giamatti Movie HD

An adaptation of the Shakespearean play updated with today’s actors (Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth) playing the leading roles.

15. Big Eyes

Big Eyes Official Trailer #1 (2014) - Tim Burton, Amy Adams Movie HD

After her money and name are stolen by a man she loves this artist will get it all back.

16. On Golden Pond

On Golden Pond (1981) Trailer

This classic is a must see!  Another person’s child teaches a retired couple the joys of growing old.

Stephen R.

Hi my name is Stephen and I am the founder of NetflixUpdate.com. I created this site to help give some information about what is happening in the streaming world.

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