The Most Emotional Movie, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the movie you think is the most emotional!

Updated on Apr 24, 2024 06:44

Movies have a profound ability to stir our emotions, leaving an imprint on our hearts long after the credits roll. By voting for the film that evoked the strongest emotions in you, you help others anticipate which movies can tug at their heartstrings or bring them to tears. Rank your top picks to guide others in their cinematic journey. Each vote contributes to a broader understanding of how a movie resonates with diverse audiences. This real-time ranking helps capture the pulse of movie watchers worldwide, providing insights into the emotional landscape of cinema. Your participation fuels a dynamic and interactive list that continuously reflects current public sentiment.

What Is the Most Emotional Movie?

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44
votes
christopherharte · CC BY-SA 2.0

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Frank Darabont

This movie is a classic that tells the story of a man who is wrongly convicted of murder and sent to prison. It's a story about hope, friendship, and redemption. The emotional impact of this movie is undeniable, and it's a must-watch for any movie lover.
The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film based on the 1982 Stephen King novella 'Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption'. It tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. The film explores themes of hope, friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit as Andy forms a unique bond with fellow inmate, Red, while fighting to maintain his dignity in prison.

Release Date: September 23, 1994

Genre: Drama

Running Time: 142 minutes

Main Actors: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman

Budget: $25 million
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most beloved movie of all time
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular Warner Bros. movie
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29
votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

The Green Mile (1999)

Directed by Frank Darabont

This movie is a powerful story about a death row inmate who has supernatural powers. It's a story about life, death, and the human condition. The performances in this movie are outstanding, and it's a movie that will leave you in tears.
The Green Mile (1999) is a dramatic movie based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. The story is set in 1935 and revolves around Paul Edgecomb, a prison officer working in the Cold Mountain Penitentiary's death row. His life takes a dramatic turn when he meets John Coffey, a gentle giant with supernatural healing powers who is on death row for the murder of two young girls. As Paul gets to know John and witnesses his miraculous abilities, he questions his own beliefs and the nature of justice.

Release Year: 1999

Duration: 189 minutes

Genre: Drama, Crime, Fantasy

Based On: Novel by Stephen King

Main Cast: Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse
The Green Mile (1999) in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular Tom Hanks movie
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20
votes
The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

This movie is a heartbreaking love story about two teenagers who are battling cancer. It's a story about the fragility of life and the importance of living in the moment. The performances in this movie are outstanding, and it's a movie that will leave you feeling emotionally drained.
The Fault in Our Stars is a romantic drama film based on the novel of the same name by John Green. It tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster, a teenage girl with terminal cancer, who falls in love with Augustus Waters, a fellow cancer patient she meets at a support group.

Release Date: June 6, 2014

Running Time: 125 minutes

Genre: Romantic Drama

Main Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, and Nat Wolff

Based On: The Fault in Our Stars novel by John Green
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9
votes
A Walk to Remember (2002)

Adam Shankman

This movie is a romantic drama about a high school student who falls in love with a girl who has leukemia. It's a story about love, loss, and the power of forgiveness. The performances in this movie are outstanding, and it's a movie that will leave you in tears.
A Walk to Remember is a heart-wrenching romantic drama film released in 2002. It tells the story of Landon Carter, a popular high school student, who falls in love with Jamie Sullivan, a quiet and kind-hearted girl. As their relationship develops, Landon learns about Jamie's terminal illness, which deeply affects both their lives. With themes of love, faith, and the power of forgiveness, the movie explores the emotional journey of two young individuals facing the realities of life and the transformative power of love.

Release Year: 2002

Genre: Romantic drama

Runtime: 101 minutes

Director: Adam Shankman

Writer: Karen Janszen
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18
votes
The Notebook (2004)

Directed by Nick Cassavetes

This movie is a romantic drama about a couple who fall in love in the 1940s. It's a story about love, loss, and the power of memory. The performances in this movie are outstanding, and it's a movie that will leave you in tears.
The Notebook (2004) is a romantic comedy-drama film based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks. It tells the story of a young couple, Noah and Allie, who fall deeply in love in the 1940s. Their love is tested when they are separated by war and social differences. The film alternates between two time periods, showcasing their passionate young romance and their reunion decades later.

Genre: Romantic comedy-drama

Release year: 2004

Based on: The novel 'The Notebook' by Nicholas Sparks

Main cast: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams

Setting: North Carolina, United States
The Notebook (2004) in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular rom-coms
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12
votes
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Gabriele Muccino

This movie is a biographical drama about a man who is struggling to provide for his family. It's a story about perseverance, hope, and the American dream. The performances in this movie are outstanding, and it's a movie that will leave you feeling inspired.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) is a biographical drama film that follows the inspirational true story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman, and his determined pursuit of a better life for himself and his young son. The movie showcases the challenges Gardner faces while homeless and trying to secure a better future for his family.

Genre: Biographical drama

Release Date: December 15, 2006

Running Time: 117 minutes

Director: Gabriele Muccino

Writer: Steve Conrad
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10
votes
Schindler's List (1993)

Steven Spielberg

This movie is a historical drama about a man who saves Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. It's a story about courage, compassion, and the power of humanity. The performances in this movie are outstanding, and it's a movie that will leave you feeling emotionally drained.
Schindler's List is a powerful and critically acclaimed movie released in 1993. It is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. The film takes place in Nazi-occupied Poland and follows Schindler's transformation from a profit-driven opportunist to a compassionate savior. It beautifully depicts the horrors of the Holocaust and the bravery of those who resisted it.

Release Year: 1993

Director: Steven Spielberg

Genre: Drama, History, Biography

Runtime: 195 minutes

Main Cast: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes
Schindler's List (1993) in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular war movie
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4
votes
Life is Beautiful (1997)

Roberto Benigni

This movie is a comedic drama about a man who tries to protect his son from the horrors of a concentration camp. It's a story about love, hope, and the power of imagination. The performances in this movie are outstanding, and it's a movie that will leave you feeling inspired.
Life is Beautiful (1997) is a heartfelt Italian film set during World War II, written and directed by Roberto Benigni. The story revolves around a Jewish Italian man named Guido, played by Benigni himself, who uses his humor and imagination to protect his son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. Despite the dark backdrop, the film weaves a touching and tender narrative that celebrates the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit.

Release Date: 20 December 1997

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Running Time: 116 minutes

Language: Italian, German

Country: Italy
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11
votes
The Elephant Man (1980)

David Lynch

This movie is a biographical drama about a man who is born with severe physical deformities. It's a story about acceptance, empathy, and the power of the human spirit. The performances in this movie are outstanding, and it's a movie that will leave you feeling emotionally drained.
The Elephant Man (1980) is a British-American biographical drama film directed by David Lynch. The movie tells the true story of Joseph Merrick, a severely disfigured man who becomes a celebrity in London during the late 19th century. It explores his journey from being a side-show freak to finding acceptance and friendship.

Release Date: October 3, 1980

Genre: Biography, Drama

Runtime: 124 minutes

Language: English

Country: United States, United Kingdom
10

1
votes
The Lion King (1994)

This movie is an animated musical drama about a young lion who becomes king. It's a story about family, loyalty, and the circle of life. The performances in this movie are outstanding, and it's a movie that will leave you feeling emotionally invested in the characters.
The Lion King (1994) is a beautiful animated film that tells the story of Simba, a young lion prince who must navigate the challenges of becoming king and reclaiming his rightful place in the Pride Lands. With a captivating storyline and stunning animation, this film has become a classic in the world of animation.

Release Date: June 15, 1994

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family

Runtime: 88 minutes

Animation Style: Hand-drawn animation with computer-generated imagery (CGI) elements

Music: Composed by Hans Zimmer, with songs by Elton John and Tim Rice
The Lion King (1994) in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most emotional Disney movie
- Position 2 of 10 in Most successful animated movie of all time
- Position 2 of 10 in Most beautiful animated film
- Position 5 of 10 in Most successful piece of entertainment

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Discussion

Ranking factors for emotional movie

Storyline and plot

A strong and touching storyline is crucial for invoking deep emotions in the audience. The plot should be well-structured, engaging, and have emotional depth for the movie to be considered highly emotional.
Character development and relationships

The characters should be well-developed, and the audience should care about their well-being. Strong, believable, and relatable relationships between the characters can play a huge part in evoking emotions and making the movie more impactful.
Acting performances

The actors should be able to deliver their roles convincingly, accurately expressing the feelings and emotions of the characters. Strong acting performances can draw the audience into the film and make it more emotional.
Cinematography and direction

Good cinematography can enhance the emotional impact of scenes by creating visually compelling images and evoking certain feelings. The director's vision and ability to effectively communicate the intended emotions through various cinematic techniques also play a critical role in ranking emotional movies.
Music and sound design

Music and sound can significantly enhance the emotional experience in movies. A strong, emotive score or soundtrack can set the mood for emotional scenes, while well-placed sound design can evoke feelings and manipulate how an audience perceives a scene.
Themes and messages

The movie should have clear and powerful themes and messages that resonate with the audience. Emotionally charged movies usually tackle issues related to love, family, sacrifice, or personal struggles, which audiences can connect with on an emotional level.
Emotional impact and audience reaction

Ultimately, the movie should have a lasting emotional effect on the audience, staying with them long after the film has ended. Audience reactions, such as tears, laughter, or feeling moved by a particular scene, contribute to the film's emotional ranking.
Critical reception and awards

Often, the opinions of film critics and awards received by the movie contribute to its standing as an emotionally charged film. Movies that are highly praised for their emotional depth and impact are more likely to be considered highly emotional by the general public.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most emotional movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Film is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1742 views
158 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Film once every 24 hours. The rank of each Film is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most emotional movie

Movies have the power to transport us to different worlds and evoke a wide range of emotions within us. From laughter to tears, there are certain films that leave a lasting impact on our hearts and minds. In this article, we explore the question of what is the most emotional movie of all time. Whether it's a heart-wrenching drama or a tear-jerking romance, we delve into the films that have moved us the most and examine why they have become such powerful emotional touchstones for viewers around the world. Join us as we explore the world of emotional cinema and discover the movies that have left an indelible mark on our hearts.