Tearjerkers

No need for a huge long list. We only want to list the cinematic best, the tops. What are the Best, Greatest, absolutely Top Tearjerker Films of All Time?

Top Three Tearjerkers of Cinema

All of these are absolute classics! No spoilers.

(And all movies in this list have a culminating effect, the real sadness and heartbreak coming out in the final moments of the film)

  1. Love Affair (1939)

    Stars Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer. Written by Mildred Cram and Leo McCarey, who was also the director. “The magic of a shipboard romance charms a Frenchman and American woman.” And another great reason to love the Empire State Building.

    (You can get it super-cheap now as a dual-feature DVD paired up with A Star Is Born)

  2. The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter (1968)

    Stars Alan Arkin and Sondra Locke.

    Based on the classic novel by Carson McCullers, which she wrote at the age of twenty-three. It was reprinted a few years ago in Oprah’s book club.

  3. An Affair to Remember (1957)

    A remake of Love Affair starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, and the Empire State Building 18 years later.

Tearjerker Shopping List

Want the ultimate Sad Movie Night? All are on DVD (and printed books).


First published on February 18th, 2009 at 3:20 pm (EST) and last modified on February 18th, 2009 at 3:33 pm (EST).