The Best Emotional Movies Ever Made Ranked

Not many genres have earned the recognition of emotion. Since the 1980’s, stories of emotional people have often made for engaging movies. Whether it’s shipwreck disasters, L.A. lovers or teenagers, the genre has created several compelling characters. Given the massive number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about breakups that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Schindler’s List

The Holocaust is an emotional subject matter that always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about Holocaust by a professor that possessed immense history knowledge. Several years ago, I was taught about genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in ghettos. He took pride educating students about frightening mass genocide in which people died. My teacher believed that movies were art that could never capture a dark genocide that tore lives apart. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured a genocide that can’t be dismissed as powerfully as “Schindler’s List”. Ever since its release in 1993, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest emotional film ever made. With the greatest film of his career, Spielberg did an extraordinary job of capturing a gruesome mass genocide that caused Jewish citizens to experience despair. Spielberg has an aptitude for using symbolism in his movies to convey emotions, and “Schindler’s List” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Oskar Schindler witnesses reacts with horror seeing the girl in the red coat face warfare causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the historical genre. At the centre of it all is a extraordinary perfromance by Ralph Fiennes, who embodied a commemorated Nazi commander evoking terror. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” my favourite emotional film of all-time is its universal appeal.  The film achieves exactly what a historical movie is supposed to do which is educate audiences about a dark time in history. It delivers a commemorated message about the genocide which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a frightening mass genocide in which civilians died, it’s a riveting reminder of a larger-than-life genre that has manufactured commemorated movies which have always left audiences teary-eyed.

2. Titanic

The Titanic is a tragic event in history that shaped my brother’s identity. At an early age, I bonded with a brother that had knowledge about a shipwreck causing damage. In 1997, James Cameron honoured the tragic shipwreck in his iconic film “Titanic”. With the greatest film of his career, Cameron used innovative cinematic techniques to recreate a historical disaster causing despair. Cameron has always had an aptitude for staging spectacle in his movies, and “Titanic” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Cameron used stunning production-design to recreate the tragic shipwreck. For instance, the scene in which Jack and Rose face tension being torn apart from each other as the ship begins sinking is one of the greatest moments of the historical genre. The film is anchored by a pair of amazing performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, capturing doomed lovers facing despair. Ultimately, what makes “Titanic” a historical masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a universal message about disasters which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years following the tragic sinking of the Titanic, its a fantastic reminder of a genre manufacturing great movies that have created a long-lasting legacy that’s undeniably iconic.

3. The Pianist

Individuals with a strong drive to survive disaster have inspired me. At an early age, my family faced bombings in Saudi Arabia causing damage. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a bombing causing trauma in Saudi Arabia. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured individuals with drive to survive disasters that are missed as powerfully as “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s movie captured hardships that a Jewish pianist in WWII went through. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Pianist” shine is its humanity. Polanski has always excelled at using point-of-view shots in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “The Pianist”. For instance, the scene in which Szpilman breaks down in tears after he is separated from his parents is one of the the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all Adrien Brody, who embodies a pianist facing catastrophe. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a message about survival which resonates with everyone. 90 years after Szpilman survived ghettos in WWII, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre making films which audiences commonly value.

4. Ordinary People

Family tragedy can often cause people to face depression. Several years ago, my family faced grief when my uncle passed away causing sorrow. His devastating death left my grandfather emotionally affected. Adopting a pessimistic attitude, my grandfather lost interest in activities that he had once valued. As someone that has seen families facing emotions that are painful, I adored “Ordinary People”. Released in 1980, Robert Redford’s movie captured impact of depression on ordinary families. Redford effectively used flashbacks to capture a family haunted by the loss of a loved one causing depression. For instance, the final scene in which Calvin has a moment of silence with his son Conrad grieving loss of a loved one causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Donald Sutherland, who embodied a father unable to overcome painful loss. Ultimately, what makes “Ordinary People” an extraordinary film is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies made in the 1980’s which are outdated today, it has aged beautifully. The film delivers a meaningful message about loss which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of painful grief faced by ordinary people, it’s a remarkable reminder of a genre that has made commemorated films audiences consider extremely undeniably special.

5. Manchester by the Sea

Grief is an emotion that has impacted my friend deeply. Several years ago, my friend’s mother passed away from Cancer causing sorrow. Left devastated, my friend couldn’t cope with a terrifying tragedy that left him affected. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t move on from the death of his mother that left him terrified. As someone that witnessed a friend face grief following family tragedy, I adored “Manchester by the Sea”. Released in 2016, Kenneth Lonergan’s movie captured a grieving janitor affected by a family tragedy. Lonergan has always had an aptitude for making compelling family dramas, and “Manchester by the Sea” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Lonergan uses captivating flashbacks to capture a grieving janitor. For instance, the scene in which Lee Chandler reunites with his wife several years after a tragic accident causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Casey Affleck, who embodies a grieving man impacted by family tragedy. Ultimately, what makes “Manchester by the Sea” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about depression which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of grief that causes fragile families to fall apart, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has commonly produced meaningful art.

6. Silver Linings Playbook

Bipolar is a disease that impacted by aunt’s identity. Years ago, my aunt was diagnosed with bipolar causing sorrow. Afflicted with illness, she found it hard to find silver linings in a disease affecting her happiness. Few films I’ve seen have captured how Bipolar changes people’s life outlook as powerfully as “Silver Linings Playbook”. Released in 2012, David O. Russell’s movie offered a powerful portrait of Bipolar disorder. O. Russell effectively used captivating montages capturing the life of a depressed man with severe Bipolar disorder. Assisted by Bradley Cooper who is amazing in the lead role, O. Russell created a portrait of depression that’s compelling. A phenomenal portrait of mental illness, it’s a poignant reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced memorable movies contributing towards audiences’ emotional awareness.

7. Requiem for a Dream

Drug addicts often lead lives that are lonely. During my childhood, I formed a friendship with a kid addicted to drugs. A lonely kid, his addiction to drugs affected his ability to make friendships. The lonely lives of drug addicts struggling to achieve a dream are depicted in the movie “Requiem for a Dream”. Released in 2000, Darren Aronofsky’s movie captured loneliness faced by drug users. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Requiem for a Dream” stand out is its depiction of drug use. Aronofsky uses captivating montages capturing drug addicts. Assisted by Jared Leto who is amazing in the lead role, Aronofsky created a portrait of drug users facing sorrow. A devastating depiction of lonely people facing drug abuse, it’s a dazzling reminder of a genre that has produced memorable movies making headline worldwide news.

8. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Memory loss is a condition that causes depression. Several years ago, my grandmother suffered memory loss causing sorrow. She got into the habit of forgetting things, places and events in her life which were important. As someone witnessing a grandmother losing memory in her spotless mind, I adored “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”. Released in 2004, Spike Jonze’s movie depicted depressed lovers with memory loss. Jonze uses captivating montages capturing a pair of depressed lovers with severe memory loss. Assisted by Kate Winslet who is amazing in the lead role, Jonze created a portrait of depression that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of memory loss in the mind causing romance to be declined, it’s a strong reminder about a commemorated genre that has manufactured movies which have left a lasting legacy commonly behind.

9. Brokeback Mountain

Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Hollywood has often shied away from telling stories of queer lovers that are misunderstood. In an industry ignoring stories of queer lovers without compassion, it’s worth praising “Brokeback Mountain”. Released in 2005, Ang Lee’s movie captured breakups between queer lovers facing adversity. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Brokeback Mountain” stand out is its depiction of queer love. Lee uses captivating montages capturing the frightening breakups between a pair of queer lovers that are fighting. Assisted by Heath Ledger who is extraordinary in the lead role, Lee created a captivating LGBTQ drama. A powerful portrait of the heavy burden that queer lovers bear, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making great movies about which audiences care.

10. American Beauty

Few movies ever made about depressed American families are as beloved as “American Beauty”. Since its release in 1999, Sam Mendes’ movie has become a celebrated classic. Mendes used captivating voice-over narration to capture the mind of a father with depression. Assisted by Kevin Spacey who is amazing in the lead role, Mendes created a beautiful portrait of depression. Although I’ve always been a huge fan of the movie, it has aged poorly. Sexual assault allegations against Kevin Spacey have forever tarnished the film’s legacy. Nevertheless, it remains a beautiful addition to the genre. As strong as Lester Burnham’s desire to find beauty, it’s a beautiful reminder of a genre that has made great movies about emotional people facing adversity which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking I value highly.