Heart-Wrenching Films to Stream on Amazon and Netflix
Looking for a movie that will tug at your heartstrings? We’ve compiled a list of emotionally powerful films available on Amazon and Netflix that promise to stir up a range of deep feelings. Whether you’re in the mood for a tear-jerker or an inspirational tale, these movies are sure to leave a lasting impression. Let’s dive into the genres and find the perfect film for your next emotional journey.
Drama
1. My Life Without Me (2003)
- Synopsis: A young woman with terminal cancer hides her illness to embrace life more fully.
- What’s Good: Sarah Polley delivers a touching performance in this poignant story about living life to the fullest.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 7.4
2. Still Alice (2014)
- Synopsis: A linguistics professor faces the challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease and its impact on her family.
- What’s Good: Julianne Moore’s Oscar-winning role makes this film a heartfelt exploration of memory and love.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
3. Christine (2016)
- Synopsis: The struggles of Christine Chubbuck, a 1970s TV reporter battling depression and career frustration.
- What’s Good: Rebecca Hall’s performance offers a deep dive into the emotional struggles of a complex character.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 6.9
4. The Green Mile (1999)
- Synopsis: A death row guard discovers that an inmate has miraculous healing powers.
- What’s Good: This film combines supernatural elements with deep human drama, featuring a memorable performance by Michael Clarke Duncan.
- Age Rating: 18
- IMDb Rating: 8.6
5. The Ice Storm (1997)
- Synopsis: A look at suburban families in 1973 experimenting with casual sex and substance abuse.
- What’s Good: Ang Lee’s direction and the strong ensemble cast create a powerful portrait of family disintegration.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 7.3
6. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
- Synopsis: A struggling salesman finds himself and his son on the path to success despite numerous obstacles.
- What’s Good: Will Smith’s heartfelt performance in this inspiring true story makes it a must-watch.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 8.0
7. A Monster Calls (2016)
- Synopsis: A young boy finds solace in a monster’s stories while dealing with his mother’s terminal illness.
- What’s Good: The film combines fantasy and reality, offering a visually stunning and emotionally powerful narrative.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 7.4
8. The Book Thief (2013)
- Synopsis: A young girl finds escape from WWII Germany by stealing books and sharing them with others.
- What’s Good: An evocative tale set during a tragic period, enhanced by a strong performance from Geoffrey Rush.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
9. Moonlight (2016)
- Synopsis: The story of an African-American man’s struggle with his identity and sexuality through different life stages.
- What’s Good: Moonlight’s powerful storytelling and evocative performances make it a modern classic.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 7.4
10. Philadelphia (1993)
- Synopsis: A man with HIV sues his former employer for discrimination with the help of an unlikely lawyer.
- What’s Good: This groundbreaking film tackles AIDS and discrimination with an unforgettable performance by Tom Hanks.
- Age Rating: 12
- IMDb Rating: 7.7
Family
1. Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
- Synopsis: Two friends create a magical kingdom to escape their real-world struggles.
- What’s Good: A heartfelt story of friendship and imagination with strong performances by its young leads.
- Age Rating: PG
- IMDb Rating: 7.2
2. My Girl (1991)
- Synopsis: A young girl deals with the challenges of growing up while coping with the death of a close friend.
- What’s Good: Macaulay Culkin and Anna Chlumsky’s performances add emotional depth to this coming-of-age tale.
- Age Rating: PG
- IMDb Rating: 6.9
3. Paperhouse (1988)
- Synopsis: A young girl creates a surreal dream world to cope with her loneliness.
- What’s Good: This film blends fantasy and reality to explore a child’s emotional world.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 6.6
4. Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007)
- Synopsis: An eccentric toy store owner’s apprentice learns to believe in herself after receiving some troubling news.
- What’s Good: The whimsical story and charming performances make this a delightful family film.
- Age Rating: U
- IMDb Rating: 6.2
Thriller
1. 1408 (2007)
- Synopsis: A skeptic author faces real terror when he stays in a notorious haunted hotel room.
- What’s Good: The film offers a chilling experience with a gripping performance by John Cusack.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 6.8
2. One Hour Photo (2002)
- Synopsis: A photo developer’s obsession with a family leads to disturbing consequences.
- What’s Good: Robin Williams delivers a chilling performance in this psychological thriller.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 6.8
3. The Invisible (2007)
- Synopsis: A teenager in limbo seeks help from his attacker to resolve his own murder.
- What’s Good: The film combines supernatural elements with a compelling mystery.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 6.1
Historical and War
1. Schindler’s List (1993)
- Synopsis: A German businessman saves over a thousand Jewish lives during the Holocaust.
- What’s Good: Steven Spielberg’s powerful direction and Liam Neeson’s portrayal make this a must-watch historical drama.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 9.0
2. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008)
- Synopsis: An innocent friendship between a German commandant’s son and a Jewish boy in a concentration camp.
- What’s Good: This film’s unique perspective and emotional depth offer a poignant view of WWII.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 7.7
3. The Towering Inferno (1974)
- Synopsis: A massive fire threatens the lives of guests at a high-rise building’s grand opening.
- What’s Good: An iconic disaster film with an ensemble cast and thrilling sequences.
- Age Rating: A
- IMDb Rating: 7.0
Inspirational
1. Pay It Forward (2000)
- Synopsis: A young boy’s plan to make the world a better place by performing acts of kindness.
- What’s Good: An uplifting story that encourages generosity and has a heartfelt performance by Haley Joel Osment.
- Age Rating: 12
- IMDb Rating: 7.2
2. Seven Pounds (2008)
- Synopsis: A man seeks redemption by changing the lives of seven strangers.
- What’s Good: Will Smith delivers a compelling performance in this emotional journey of atonement.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
Drama
1. My Life Without Me (2003)
- Synopsis: A young woman with terminal cancer hides her illness to embrace life more fully.
- What’s Good: Sarah Polley delivers a touching performance in this poignant story about living life to the fullest.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 7.4
2. Still Alice (2014)
- Synopsis: A linguistics professor faces the challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease and its impact on her family.
- What’s Good: Julianne Moore’s Oscar-winning role makes this film a heartfelt exploration of memory and love.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
3. Christine (2016)
- Synopsis: The struggles of Christine Chubbuck, a 1970s TV reporter battling depression and career frustration.
- What’s Good: Rebecca Hall’s performance offers a deep dive into the emotional struggles of a complex character.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 6.9
4. The Green Mile (1999)
- Synopsis: A death row guard discovers that an inmate has miraculous healing powers.
- What’s Good: This film combines supernatural elements with deep human drama, featuring a memorable performance by Michael Clarke Duncan.
- Age Rating: 18
- IMDb Rating: 8.6
5. The Ice Storm (1997)
- Synopsis: A look at suburban families in 1973 experimenting with casual sex and substance abuse.
- What’s Good: Ang Lee’s direction and the strong ensemble cast create a powerful portrait of family disintegration.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 7.3
6. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
- Synopsis: A struggling salesman finds himself and his son on the path to success despite numerous obstacles.
- What’s Good: Will Smith’s heartfelt performance in this inspiring true story makes it a must-watch.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 8.0
7. A Monster Calls (2016)
- Synopsis: A young boy finds solace in a monster’s stories while dealing with his mother’s terminal illness.
- What’s Good: The film combines fantasy and reality, offering a visually stunning and emotionally powerful narrative.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 7.4
8. The Book Thief (2013)
- Synopsis: A young girl finds escape from WWII Germany by stealing books and sharing them with others.
- What’s Good: An evocative tale set during a tragic period, enhanced by a strong performance from Geoffrey Rush.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
9. Moonlight (2016)
- Synopsis: The story of an African-American man’s struggle with his identity and sexuality through different life stages.
- What’s Good: Moonlight’s powerful storytelling and evocative performances make it a modern classic.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 7.4
10. Philadelphia (1993)
- Synopsis: A man with HIV sues his former employer for discrimination with the help of an unlikely lawyer.
- What’s Good: This groundbreaking film tackles AIDS and discrimination with an unforgettable performance by Tom Hanks.
- Age Rating: 12
- IMDb Rating: 7.7
Family
1. Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
- Synopsis: Two friends create a magical kingdom to escape their real-world struggles.
- What’s Good: A heartfelt story of friendship and imagination with strong performances by its young leads.
- Age Rating: PG
- IMDb Rating: 7.2
2. My Girl (1991)
- Synopsis: A young girl deals with the challenges of growing up while coping with the death of a close friend.
- What’s Good: Macaulay Culkin and Anna Chlumsky’s performances add emotional depth to this coming-of-age tale.
- Age Rating: PG
- IMDb Rating: 6.9
3. Paperhouse (1988)
- Synopsis: A young girl creates a surreal dream world to cope with her loneliness.
- What’s Good: This film blends fantasy and reality to explore a child’s emotional world.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 6.6
4. Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007)
- Synopsis: An eccentric toy store owner’s apprentice learns to believe in herself after receiving some troubling news.
- What’s Good: The whimsical story and charming performances make this a delightful family film.
- Age Rating: U
- IMDb Rating: 6.2
Thriller
1. 1408 (2007)
- Synopsis: A skeptic author faces real terror when he stays in a notorious haunted hotel room.
- What’s Good: The film offers a chilling experience with a gripping performance by John Cusack.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 6.8
2. One Hour Photo (2002)
- Synopsis: A photo developer’s obsession with a family leads to disturbing consequences.
- What’s Good: Robin Williams delivers a chilling performance in this psychological thriller.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 6.8
3. The Invisible (2007)
- Synopsis: A teenager in limbo seeks help from his attacker to resolve his own murder.
- What’s Good: The film combines supernatural elements with a compelling mystery.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 6.1
Historical and War
1. Schindler’s List (1993)
- Synopsis: A German businessman saves over a thousand Jewish lives during the Holocaust.
- What’s Good: Steven Spielberg’s powerful direction and Liam Neeson’s portrayal make this a must-watch historical drama.
- Age Rating: 15
- IMDb Rating: 9.0
2. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008)
- Synopsis: An innocent friendship between a German commandant’s son and a Jewish boy in a concentration camp.
- What’s Good: This film’s unique perspective and emotional depth offer a poignant view of WWII.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 7.7
3. The Towering Inferno (1974)
- Synopsis: A massive fire threatens the lives of guests at a high-rise building’s grand opening.
- What’s Good: An iconic disaster film with an ensemble cast and thrilling sequences.
- Age Rating: A
- IMDb Rating: 7.0
Inspirational
1. Pay It Forward (2000)
- Synopsis: A young boy’s plan to make the world a better place by performing acts of kindness.
- What’s Good: An uplifting story that encourages generosity and has a heartfelt performance by Haley Joel Osment.
- Age Rating: 12
- IMDb Rating: 7.2
2. Seven Pounds (2008)
- Synopsis: A man seeks redemption by changing the lives of seven strangers.
- What’s Good: Will Smith delivers a compelling performance in this emotional journey of atonement.
- Age Rating: 12A
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
Explore these heart-wrenching and inspiring films on Amazon and Netflix. Whether you’re looking to cry, be inspired, or simply enjoy an emotionally charged story, this list has something for everyone. Enjoy your movie marathon!