20 Sad Romantic Movies To Hit You In The Feels

Obviously, we all love a good romantic movie, but aren’t sad romantic movies just as engrossing? To become so attached to the characters and couples that you can’t help but wish things work out well for them. To fall in love with the couple so much that you just want to get up and fight all the bad stuff that might happen to them. But well, you can’t. So instead you just cry for them. Because it’s so sad when they don’t always get their happily ever after. But if you love films that leave you in your feels, then these sad romance movies are perfect for you! Check them out now.

WARNING: You are going to need a lot of tissues to make it through these sad romance movies.

Table of Contents [CLICK HERE TO OPEN]

Sad Romantic Movies List
Frequently Asked Questions

Sad Romantic Movies List

Atonement (2007)

Starring: James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai, and Benedict Cumberbatch

“Come back. Come back to me.”

Based on the book by Ian McEwan, Cecilia Tallis and Robbie Turner are young lovers torn apart by a lie constructed by Cecilia’s jealous younger sister, Briony. All three of them need to deal with the consequences. Robbie is the hardest hit, since her deception leads to his imprisonment. But hope is not all lost. Cecilia and Robbie cross paths during World War II. This tragic romance is one of the saddest movies of all time. We definitely cried over it way too much.

Where to watch: Amazon

The Notebook (2004)

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, Gena Rowlands

“I think our love can do anything we want it to.“

Based on the book of the same name by Nicholas Sparks the film tells the story of Noah and Allie, a couple who meet and fall in love in the 1940s. It is told from the perspective of an elderly man who is reading the story from a notebook to another resident in another nursing home resident who is suffering from dementia. Just be warned: keep the tissues handy for the ending of this one! And whilst it was reported that Gosling and McAdams didn’t get along whilst filming, you would never guess from their amazing on-screen chemistry.

Where to watch: Amazon

Titanic (1997)

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates

“It Was The Ship Of Dreams.”

The epic disaster movie based on a true story which also heavily features the romance between Rose and Jack, two young lovers on the ill-fated maiden journey of the Titanic. Despite being from different social classes the two leads fall in love and fight to survive on the disaster ship. Who can forget the iconic My Heart Will Go On moment and the stunning performances from Lenardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslett! As almost everyone knows what happened to the Titanic, you can probably guess that there won’t be a happily ever after.

Where to watch: Amazon

If I Stay (2014)

Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Mireille Enos, Joshua Leonard, and Stacy Keach

“I realize now that dying is easy, living is hard.“

Mia Hall is a talented young cellist and her boyfriend Adam is a rock singer/guitarist. She always thought that the most difficult decision in her life would be whether she should pursue her musical dreams at Juilliard or follow her heart to be with the love of her life. However, a car wreck changes everything in an instant and now Mia’s life hangs in the balance, suspended between life and death. Based on the book by Gayle Forman, If I Stay is a heartbreaking story that is sure to bring on the tears.

Where to watch: Amazon

P. S. I Love You (2007)

Starring: Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow, Gina Gershon, and James Marsters

“Thank you for the honour of being my wife. I’m a man with no regrets. How lucky am I. You made my life, Holly.“

When Holly Kennedy’s husband, Gerry, dies from an illness, she loses the love of her life. But Gerry knew that she would take his death hard, so he plans ahead. Beginning on her 30th birthday, she receives the first in a series of letters written by him to help ease her grief and encourage her to move forward. It’s obvious from the description that this movie will be a tearjerker, so be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions.

Where to watch: Amazon

Me Before You (2016)

Starring: Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Janet McTeer, Charles Dance, and Brendan Coyle

“You are pretty much the only thing that makes me want to get up in the morning.”

Young and quirky Louisa moves from one job to the next in order to help her family make ends meet. Her cheerful attitude is put to the test when she becomes the caregiver for Will Traynor, a wealthy young banker left paralyzed from an accident two years earlier. Louisa tries to show him that life is worth living and his cynical outlook begins to fade. Their lives changes in ways they could never have imagined as they grow closer. And with the ending of this one, it’s impossible to not bawl.

Where to watch: Amazon

Remember Me (2010)

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Chris Cooper, Lena Olin, and Pierce Brosnan

“Like when someone comes into your life and half of you says you’re nowhere near ready, but the other half says: make her yours forever.”

Since the death of his brother, Tyler has had a strained relationship with his father. Rebellious and trouble, he doesn’t think that anyone can understand his pain. And then he meets Ally. Her warmth heals him and they soon fall in love. But as he discovers happiness, emerging secrets threaten their romance. With the ending that shocked us (and made us cry a lot), we think that this film is a great watch. Particularly because Pattinson and de Ravin give excellent performances throughout.

Where to watch: Amazon

sad romantic movies: the fault in our stars

Fault in Our Stars (2014)

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Laura Dern, and Sam Trammell

“We are a hot mess!”

Get your tissues ready! This movie explores the funny, tragic and thrilling sides of being alive and in love. Hazel has terminal cancer, with not long left to live, but she meets Augustus Walters and her story is about to be rewritten. Based on the novel of the same name by John Green, this sad romantic movie about the high school sweethearts is an obvious choice for this list. Woodley and Elgort give memorable performances that truly make this film a tragic masterpiece.

Where to watch: Amazon

One Day (2011)

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Patricia Clarkson, Ken Stott, and Romola Gara

“Whatever happens tomorrow, we’ve had today. And if we should bump into each other sometime in the future, well that’s fine too, we’ll be friends.“

July 15, 1988. On the day of their college graduation, two people from opposite sides of the tracks begin a friendship that will last a lifetime. Emma wants to make the world a better place and Dexter is a playboy who thinks the world is his oyster. For the next 20 years, they reunite on the 15th of July, sharing what happened in their lives since they last met. Until they realize that what they’ve been searching for was each other. And the tragic ending of this sad romantic movie can bring tears to the eyes of even the most stoic people.

Where to watch: Amazon

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Starring: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, and Michelle Williams

“I don’t care if you’re movin’ slow or fast, as long as it’s my direction.“

The rodeo cowboy Jack Twist and ranch hand Ennis Del Mar are hired by rancher Joe Aguirre as sheep herders in Wyoming. Whilst they are drinking one night on Brokeback Mountain, Jack makes a drunken pass at Ennis. Eventually Ennis reciprocates. In an attempt to try to deny his true feelings Ennis goes on to marry his longtime sweetheart, Alma, whilst Jack marries a fellow rodeo rider. Despite both now being married the two men keep up their tortured and sporadic affair over the course of 20 years. One of the most heart wrenchingly sad movies that you absolutely must watch.

Where to watch: Amazon

Blue Valentine (2010)

Starring: Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling

“How do you trust your feelings when they can just disappear like that?“

There was a time when Dean and Cindy were in love. And to the casual observer, their married life appears normal. But they are caught in a downward spiral. His lack of ambition and her retreat into self-absorption are causing cracks in their relationship. Yet they still try to raise their daughter and rekindle their love. Throughout this movie you can’t help but wish the best for this couple, you find yourself begging for them to repair their relationship. So tears are ensured.

Where to watch: Amazon

A Star Is Born (2018)

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Dave Chappelle, Andrew Dice Clay, and Sam Elliott

“I hope it’s okay if I love you forever, Jack.“

Jackson ‘Jack’ Maine is struggling with addiction issues. In a drag bar in Jack discovers — and falls in love with — struggling artist Ally. She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer until Jackson coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jackson fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons. With the movie being praised for many aspects but especially for the chemistry between the two stars and with the shocking ending (which definitely made us ugly cry) this is a must watch movie!

Where to watch: Amazon

6 Years (2015)

Starring: Taissa Farmiga, Ben Rosenfield, Lindsay Burdge, and Joshua Leonard

“Tell me you love me, and tell me you want to spend the rest of your life with me. Look me in the eye, and tell me.“

A young couple, Melanie ‘Mel’ Clark and Daniel Mercer, have had a joyous six years together. But their love is waning and things are beginning to turn violent. From Mel shoving Dan into a dresser to Dan kissing his co-worker, their relationship is spiralling downwards. And then Dan gets a job offer in New York. Is there any way their relationship can work out? We were really hoping throughout that they could overcome everything with love and have a happily ever after together.

Where to watch: Netflix

sad romantic movies: the light between oceans

The Light Between Oceans (2016)

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz, Bryan Brown, and Jack Thompson

“She’s a lovely baby, but she doesn’t belong to us. We can’t keep her.“

Tom, a World War I veteran, maintains a lighthouse off the shore of Australia with his wife Isabel, who desperately wants a baby. Then, after Isabel’s second miscarriage, an infant washes up on shore in a rowboat with a dead man. Although Tom thinks that they should turn the child into the authorities, he gives in to Isabel’s wish to keep the girl. And then they meet the child’s biological mother on the mainland. A truly heart-breaking movie that is certain to make you cry so hard.

Where to watch: Amazon

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, Brian Dennehy, and John Leguizamo

“Did my heart love ’til now? Forswear its sight. For I never saw true beauty ’til this night.“

A more modern take on the classic Shakespeare tale starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Claire Danes as Juliet and her Romeo. The Capulets and The Montagues are fierce rival families in Verona and their children Romeo and Juliet fall deeply in love. The film keeps the original Shakespearean dialogue but the film is given a more modern vibe with a hip soundtrack and guns are used instead of swords. We’re sure everyone knows how this story goes after all, as William Shakespeare said himself: “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”

Where to watch: Amazon

A Walk To Remember (2002)

Starring: Shane West, Mandy Moore, Peter Coyote and Daryl Hannah

“But our love… It’s like the wind. I can’t see it, but I can feel it.“

After a ‘prank’ on a student goes wrong, Landon is faced with a choice: expelled from the school or completing several service projects which include weekend tutoring, janitorial duties, and participation in the school play. He chooses the latter, but struggles with the play and turns to Jamie Sullivan, the local Baptist minister’s daughter, for help. She will only help him as long as he promises not to fall in love with her. This may not sound like a sad romantic movie, but trust us, it most definitely is – it’s based on the book written by Nikolas Sparks, like The Notebook. So if you thought The Notebook was sad, get ready for this one.

Where to watch: Amazon

About Time (2013)

Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, and Bill Nighy

“She was then, and she still is to me, the most beautiful thing in the world.”

When Tim Lake turns 21, his father tells him a secret: The men in their family can travel through time. Although he can’t change history, Tim resolves to improve his life by getting a girlfriend. He meets Mary, falls in love and finally wins her heart via time-travel and a little cunning. However, as his unusual life progresses, Tim finds that his special ability can’t shield him and those he loves from the problems of ordinary life. Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams chemistry is regarded as a highlight in this sentimental journey through time. This movie is essentially a rom-com on the outside, but sad on the inside. It may not be devastatingly sad, but if you want some feels, this is a perfect choice.

Where to watch: Amazon

Irreplaceable You (2018)

Starring: Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Michiel Huisman

“I know we don’t have forever, but the truth is, nobody does.”

Abbie and Sam have been best friends since childhood and are engaged. However, everything changes when Abbie is given a terminal cancer diagnosis. Abbie begins to search for a new love for Sam, so that there will be someone to care for him when she’s gone. You can tell by the premise of this one that it will break your heart. So be prepared with a box of tissues, because you’ll need it.

Where to watch: Netflix

The Vow (2012)

Starring: Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, Sam Neill, Scott Speedman, and Jessica Lange

“I will always love but the fact is you don’t know me and I’m just a stranger.“

Paige and Leo are happily married newlyweds, but their idyllic life is shattered when a car accident leaves Paige in a coma. And when she awakes, she has severe memory loss and doesn’t know who Leo is. On top of this, she has a confusing relationship with her parents and still harbors feelings for a former lover. Despite all of this, Leo is determined to renew their bond and rebuild their marriage. This movie is based on the real-life relationship of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter, who wrote a book with the same title.

Where to watch: Amazon

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, and Mark Ruffalo

“Constantly talking isn’t necessarily communicating.“

This film has gained something of a cult following since it’s release. The title is based on the poem from 1717 Eloisa to Abelard by Alexander Pope. Joel and Clementine begin a relationship after a train journey together. The couple are unaware that they were already a couple once but have had the memories of each other clinically erased after a painful breakup. As without any knowledge of each other they begin to bond again, could this mean that they were truly meant to be? We sure hope so!

Where to watch: Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

What romance movies will make you cry?

There are plenty of sad romance movies out there that are guaranteed to have you reaching for the tissues. So grab a box and snuggle up with these romantic tear-jerkers!