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Past Lives (2023)
When Nora was a child, her family emigrated from South Korea to the U.S., setting her on a different trajectory than she was raised to expect. During the move, left behind her childhood friend Hae Sung, a boy who grew into the kind of man that she could have fallen in love with. Decades later, Hae Sung finds Nora in New York City where she’s living a life with someone already, but their connection makes them both question what could have been without destiny interceding. It’s both a romance and a heartbreak, all in one movie. —Aimée Lutkin
Atonement (2007)
Based on a book of the same named by English novelist Ian McEwan, the film opens as a romance between Cecilia Tallis, played by Keira Knightley, and Robbie Turner, portrayed by James McAvoy. The young pair dance around one another, struggling to admit their feelings. The night things finally come to a head, they’re split apart by a dramatic act of violence coupled with a confused lie from Cecilia’s little sister. Soon, they’re moved even farther apart by the beginning of World War II. This gorgeously shot film is about love, class, fate, and how some mistakes can never be set right. —AL
Grave of the Fireflies (1989)
From the famed Studio Ghibli, this animated film is so beautiful, viewers might be surprised by the devastating tale it brings to life. The story follows Seita, a teenager caring for his younger sister, Setsuko, after they’re separated from their parents during a firebombing by American forces. This World War II drama becomes a story of survival as they struggle to stay alive and together against all odds. Ultimately, the pair represent the horrors of war and in particular the victimization of children caught up in circumstances beyond their control. —AL
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Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) is different from other people, but his mother (Sally Field) has never made him feel that way. He fights in the Vietnam War, captains a shrimp boat, and runs across America, but the only thing he really cares about is the affection of his childhood sweetheart, Jenny (Robin Wright). —Hilary Weaver
Blue Valentine (2010)
Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) appear to have the perfect marriage—from the outside looking in. But upon closer inspection, it seems this couple is coming up against obstacles that might end their storybook romance. —HW
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
In 1983, 17-year-old Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet) spends the summer with his family in Italy. Soon, Oliver (Armie Hammer), a doctoral student who’s interning for Elio’s father, shows up and changes Elio’s world. The two unexpectedly fall in love and leave us all in tears—and with the best existential fireplace scene ever featured on film. —HW
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The Hours (2002)
Get ready to write a queer theory paper on this one. The Hours is the story of three women searching for more meaningful lives while facing demons of their own. One of these women is Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman), whose book Mrs. Dalloway inspires the two other women, Laura Brown (Julianne Moore) and Clarissa Vaughan (Meryl Streep) as they are experience circumstances that parallel Woolf’s famous work. —HW
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
My Sister’s Keeper (2009)
Anna Fitzgerald (Abigail Breslin) is a bone marrow donor for her older sister, who is gravely ill. Anna sues her parents for emancipation, and her entire family might fall apart as a result. Cameron Diaz might not have been able to cry in The Holiday, but this film, in which she stars, gives her plenty of reason. —HW
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P.S. I Love You (2007)
As a teenager studying abroad in Europe Holly (Hilary Swank) meets charming Irishman Gerry Kennedy (Gerard Butler). They get married and have a passionate romance until Gerry dies young. Holly is devastated, but it turns out Gerry left her a few letters before he died, and their adventure together isn’t quite over. Bonus: Butler (who’s from Scotland) really pulls off the charismatic Irish type. —HW
The Spectacular Now (2013)
Sutter (Miles Teller) and Aimee (Shailene Woodley) meet after Aimee finds Sutter passed out on her front lawn after a drunken night. They come from different worlds, but they teach each other something neither of them knew about life. Yes, it’s a familiar story, but if you’re looking for a good cry, this movie will supply it. —HW
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Chris Gardner (Will Smith) and his young son (Jaden Smith) have been evicted from their apartment with nowhere to go. Chris takes on an unpaid internship and does everything he can to ensure that his little family has a better life. —HW
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Good Will Hunting (1998)
Will Hunting (Matt Damon) has an impressively high IQ but work as a janitor at MIT. After school hours, Will solves an impossible math equation and his talent is discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård). But after Will gets arrested, he promises to get help from therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). —HW
One True Thing (1998)
This movie was adapted from a novel by Anna Quindlen and tells the story of Kate, a housewife whose own family undervalues her. When she gets a cancer diagnosis, her daughter Ellen (Renée Zellweger) comes home to take care of her mother while her father (William Hurt) continues his career as a respected writer and professor. Kate protests, but Ellen stays, and the time they spend together helps Ellen see her mother in a completely new light. —HW
Inside Out (2015)
Nothing quite brings on the feelings like an animated film about them. Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) has a lot of emotions, and this movie examines all of them through cartoon cartoon personifications voiced by Amy Poehler, The Office’s Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, and more. Also: Bing Bong. (If you know, you know.) —HW
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Toy Story 3 (2010)
This movie franchise has gotten deep! Woody and Buzz’s owner Andy is all grown up in Toy Story 3, which leaves the toys trying to figure out their purpose. Kids will laugh; adults will weep. —Adam Schubak
Beaches (1988)
This story of two childhood best friends who maintain their friendship throughout adulthood is so powerful thanks to the performances by Barbara Hershey and Bette Midler. The soundtrack will make you tear up just as much as the movie does. —AS
The Notebook (2004)
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams got most of the attention in this Nicholas Sparks drama, but it was Gena Rowlands and James Garner who really brought home the emotional impact of this love story. —AS
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Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal star as cowboys who fall in love while working together as sheep herders. The fact that the world lost Ledger far too soon adds an extra layer of sadness to this Oscar winner. —AS
Mr. Holland’s Opus (1996)
Here’s one for all the teachers out there. This gem follows the career of a music teacher (Richard Dreyfuss) and the young lives he impacts along the way. It’ll make you want to go back and thank the educators who made a difference in your life. —AS
Hilary Weaver is a freelance writer based in New York who writes about politics, queer issues, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, and every woman the Queen has ever made a dame. I saw Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again three times in theaters, and that’s pretty much all you need to know.
Adam is an NYC-based writer who has covered everything from men’s fashion to video games and travel. He loves any opportunity to write about pop culture or essays inspired by his personal life.
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