Saddest Movies on Tubi to Watch Right Now

It’s perfectly normal to cry during a movie! It usually means the film is really moving and you’ve connected with the characters and their struggles. When a story truly grabs you, it feels like you’re experiencing it yourself. But if you’ve already watched all the tearjerkers, where can you find more emotionally powerful films?

‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ (2011)

I recently watched We Need to Talk About Kevin, and wow, it really stuck with me. It’s about a couple, played brilliantly by Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly, and their son, Kevin – played by Ezra Miller. The movie starts with what seems like a perfect family, but things quickly unravel as Kevin starts acting out, and his behavior gets increasingly disturbing. It all builds to this shocking event, and honestly, it’s a tough film to get through. Lynne Ramsay’s direction is amazing, though. It’s hard to watch, but you absolutely can’t look away.

The movie We Need to Talk About Kevin, based on Lionel Shriver’s 2003 novel, tackles the difficult subject of children with violent behavior. While the film isn’t as open to interpretation as the book, it’s still powerfully moving, thanks to unsettling scenes and strong performances from Tilda Swinton and John C. Miller. Be warned, though – it’s a very disturbing story about a mother dealing with the unimaginable: her son committing a terrible act.

‘Christine’ (2016)

The 2016 film Christine is a deeply disturbing biographical drama. Rebecca Hall stars as Christine Chubbuck, a Florida-based television reporter in the 1970s. While she finds satisfaction in her work covering human-interest stories, a growing depression, along with struggles in her personal and professional life, begins to take a toll. No one could have predicted the tragic event she would ultimately commit after delivering one final, disheartening report.

The filmmakers could have easily turned Chubbuck’s story into a sensationalized tragedy, but instead, they focused on portraying her as a deeply human and relatable person. The film explores both her work life and personal struggles with remarkable authenticity, considering how little information was available about her. Adding to this, Rebecca Hall delivers a mesmerizing performance, conveying a growing sense of sadness and despair throughout the movie.

‘I Am Still Here’ (2017)

Inspired by true events, the movie I Am Still Here tells the story of Layla, a 10-year-old African-American girl who is tragically forced into prostitution in a typical American neighborhood. Years later, at age 17, she’s found severely injured and unable to speak. Detective Amy Walker works with Layla to uncover the painful memories of her past, hoping to bring her abusers to justice and help her rebuild her life.

“I Am Still Here” sheds light on the serious problem of human trafficking, focusing particularly on the exploitation of children. The film offers a stark and honest portrayal of the terrible experiences faced by trafficked children, with many deeply moving and upsetting scenes depicting the hardships a child victim endures.

‘Sharing the Secret’ (2000)

The TV movie, Sharing the Secret, tells the story of a mother who discovers her daughter is battling bulimia. Dr. Nina Moses is proud of her daughter, Beth, who seems like a perfect and happy high-achiever. But Nina senses something is wrong, and her intuition proves correct. Beth secretly overeats and then forces herself to vomit whenever she feels she’s gained weight or when life doesn’t go as planned.

This powerful drama tackles the often-ignored problem of eating disorders, offering a realistic and unflinching look at the pressures teens feel to fit a certain image. The film centers on Beth, whose mental health is fragile, and whose family doesn’t offer much support. However, Alison Lohman delivers a believable performance, making Beth feel like a real person. It’s a tough watch, and will likely resonate deeply with anyone who has dealt with an eating disorder themselves or watched someone they care about struggle with one.

‘Kumiko The Treasure Hunter’ (2014)

As a real film buff, I was completely captivated by Kumiko the Treasure Hunter. It’s a really unique movie because it mixes what’s real and what’s imagined. It’s inspired by the tragic story of Takako Konishi, a Japanese woman who died in the snow, and how the media initially reported she was searching for the money buried in the Coen Brothers’ Fargo. The film follows Kumiko, brilliantly played by Rinko Kikuchi, as she essentially retraces Takako’s steps, coming to America and ultimately meeting a similar, heartbreaking fate. The filmmakers even incorporated accounts from people who actually knew Takako, which makes the whole thing even more poignant and unsettling.

Kumiko is a deeply lonely character, and this loneliness gives her story a tragic quality. Though not overwhelmingly tearful, the narrative of her mental health challenges, her isolation in an unfamiliar town, and her eventual solitary death creates a bleak and disheartening portrayal of someone searching for purpose in life.

‘Animals’ (2014)

Jude and Bobbie are deeply in love, but their heroin addiction is destroying their relationship. As they struggle with desperation and life on the streets, their connection weakens, even as they desperately hope for a better future and try to hold onto memories of happier times.

Animals portrays the painful realities of addiction with raw honesty. The film draws you into the lives of Jude and Bobbie, making you root for them to find a way through their challenges. Even if their battle with addiction doesn’t deeply affect you, the film’s conclusion undoubtedly will.

‘Mother’ (2009)

Kim Hye-ja plays a mother fiercely devoted to her son, Do-joon, who struggles with social anxiety and a learning disability, making him an easy target for bullies. When a murder occurs and Do-joon is wrongly accused, his mother embarks on a quest for revenge against those who have harmed him.

Though Parasite brought director Bong Joon-ho international recognition, many Korean cinema fans first recognized his talent with earlier films, especially the overlooked Mother. The film powerfully depicts a mother’s fierce dedication and love for her child. It’s a deeply moving story, even as the mother seeks justice, and culminates in a remarkably emotional and well-crafted finale.

‘You’re Not You’ (2014)

I recently watched “You’re Not You,” and it’s a really moving film. It centers around Kate, played by Hilary Swank, a talented pianist who receives a devastating ALS diagnosis. Emmy Rossum plays Bec, a spirited college student who comes in to help care for her. As Kate’s marriage to her husband, Evan, starts to fall apart, she and Bec develop a surprisingly intense and often challenging connection. It’s a story about both of them confronting their past mistakes and figuring out what they truly want from life, and how they redefine themselves in the process.

Despite dealing with common themes, ‘You’re Not You’ is a surprisingly moving film. It’s heartbreaking to watch Kate and the people around her struggle with her illness and its effects. The movie realistically depicts the challenges of limited physical ability, like difficulty breathing and speaking, and thoughtfully explores the difficult questions surrounding life support and who should make those crucial decisions. This combination makes for a film that’s both emotionally powerful and intellectually stimulating.

‘Gimme Shelter’ (2013)

Inspired by real events, Gimme Shelter tells the story of Kathy DiFiore and her work running shelters for pregnant teenagers. The film centers on Apple, a sixteen-year-old who is expecting a baby and worried about living with her troubled mother, who struggles with drug addiction. Apple tries to connect with her father, but he’s unable to provide support. She ultimately finds help and a fresh start at a shelter for homeless teens, allowing her to overcome her difficult past and look forward to a brighter future.

Gimme Shelter deals with difficult and mature topics that could be very emotionally upsetting. The film portrays intense conflicts, like the strained relationship between Apple and her mother, her experience with teenage pregnancy, and the absence of her father. Watching Apple navigate her successes, struggles, and imperfections is likely to be a deeply moving—and potentially heartbreaking—experience for viewers.

‘Motherly’ (2022)

Motherly is a thrilling horror film directed by Craig David Wallace that centers around a murder mystery. The story follows Kate, a single mother, and her daughter Beth, who are hiding out in witness protection. Their peaceful life is shattered when a couple, Mary and Lewis, arrive convinced that Kate is responsible for their daughter’s death and that she framed her husband to hide the truth.

Motherly is a deeply moving and mysterious film with surprising turns and a truly shocking conclusion. Based on real events, it portrays the lengths a parent will go to for their children, and the pain of being betrayed by them. At 100 minutes long, be prepared to feel a little down after watching.

2026-04-08 20:05