Elvis fans highly anticipated a biographical movie about the king of rock himself, which is exactly what Baz Luhrmann delivered. This musical movie encouraged fans to sing along to those iconic rock songs that have dominated the music world for decades, but the fun flick showed Elvis‘s lows and highs, which proved to be quite the tearjerker.
Whilst many viewers left the movie theater in tears, Elvis was still an enjoyable watch that celebrated the good and the bad of the king of rock, prompting the question: can sad films still be enjoyable? Lucky for viewers, Redditors believe they can and created a comprehensive list of entertaining but sad flicks.
Don’t Look Up (2021)
Stream On Netflix
Don’t Look Up was the talking point of many conversations when released in 2021 due to its star-studded cast and an obscure plot that made viewers think about the fragility of life on earth. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence play two small-time astronomers who discover a comet heading to earth and seek to warn civilians by going on a media tour.
The movie employs satire to highlight how society has its priorities wrong when it comes to protecting its citizens and even cleverly showcases the role of greed over human life. Cherryredheadache explained how its disheartening storyline is the main reason they rewatched it, with the user claiming to have “watched it three times within 48 hours.”
Taxi Driver (1976)
Stream On Netflix
Taxi Driver is one of Martin Scorsese’s most rewatchable movies, and due to its large following of loyal fans, it’s considered a cult classic. Travis is a veteran turned NYC taxi driver who seeks to save a young woman from her attachment to crime but, in doing so, sparks his own introduction into a life of crime.
The movie’s overall storyline is traumatic, including its exploration into PTSD and loneliness, which sees Travis take the job as a Taxi Driver to heal his mind, showcasing the flick’s darker themes openly. However, the cult classic continues to be an enjoyable watch for many due to it achieving all the conventions of a great film, as recognized by BoSocks91, who stated, “God that movie is so amazing” before explaining how “the setting/music set the tone.”
The Father (2020)
Stream On Netflix
Starring Olivia Coleman and Anthony Hopkins as a father-daughter duo, The Father is a drama surrounding Anthony, who refuses help from his daughter Anne and begins to lose himself as he struggles with the symptoms of Dementia.
The Father‘s overall premise is heartbreaking and abandons the common desire to show how Dementia affects the family by instead showcasing it from the point of view of the person going through it. Redditor terdferguson9 suggested that “the style of the film is amazing with lots of confusion for the viewer,” which saw fans heartbroken as they recommended the flick to others due to its informative representation of Dementia.
Joker (2019)
Stream On Netflix
Joker is one of the most recent movies to reach $1 billion at the box office, with many comic book fans expecting the movie to achieve the success it did. This psychological thriller provides an insight into the infamous Joker and his backstory into becoming the terrifying criminal clown viewers know from various Batman movies and media.
Joaquin Phoenix humanized the villain viewers have read and watched for decades by portraying his infectious but childlike personality perfectly, encouraging viewers to see the Joker as a person of society. However, the film’s heartbreaking storyline regarding the bullying the Joker endured left fans empathizing with his character even though so many like DLTmisfit “absolutely love[d] that movie” for Joaquin Phoenix’s incredible performance and its unique film style.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Stream On Disney+
Dead Poets Society is easily one of the best roles of the late Robin Williams, as he embodies all the charm and passion usually associated with English teachers. This inspiring classic contains many vital lessons about seizing the day and living life outside of the constraints placed upon those in society, resulting in it being a motivational flick that provides comfort for those lost in life.
The movie may be empowering, but it also has many heartwrenching moments, including the death of Neil, which is why one Redditor suggested that “the movie is the perfect combination of empowering and heartbreaking” as it accurately shows the highs and lows of life.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Rent On Prime Video
The Shawshank Redemption is one of the best movies of all time and continues to be at the center of many film conversations even today. Andy Dufresne enters the Shawkshank prison, and as the film progresses, he strikes up many friendships until he pulls off the greatest jailbreak in cinematic history.
Expensive_Plane_367 listed The Shawshank Redemption as one of the best “dark […] movies they enjoy re-watching” due to the wholesome friendships built between each of the characters that see them share stories, contraband, and even jokes. However, this iconic flick is famously known for its social commentary on the justice system that showcases how prisoners are treated in and out of prison, with fans continuing to share their love for the movie’s socially aware tone and the friendship between Andy and the gang.
Titanic (1997)
Stream On Disney+
Based on the true but tragic fate of the Titanic, the 1997 flick details the love story that occurred between Jack and Rose, who fell in love aboard the famous ship named. Titanic encourages its viewers to become invested as they watch Jack and Rose progress as people whilst also following their love story from the beginning until the end.
The film is considered a classic that is guaranteed to make viewers cry, as seen by one Redditor who shared that they “never realized until [they] got older how devastating the ending actually is”. Whilst the movie’s final scene may still leave viewers confused and heartbroken, fans continue to return to watch the ever-growing romance between Jack and Rose that led to many of them believing in true love.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Stream On Netflix
Brokeback Mountain was subject to some controversy when it was first released but since then has been labeled a classic that everyone must see at least once in their lives. Despite both shepherds having girlfriends they plan to marry, Jack and Ennis slowly fall in love so deeply that fans feel their chemistry through the screen.
Redditor homeMalone89 explained how “Heath Ledger’s performance is one of the greatest a camera has ever captured,” which is one of the main reasons fans loved the movie so much, alongside its breathtaking scenery. However, the pair were robbed of a happy ending due to the movie’s exploration into masculinity and society that left fans devastated, but many still love the flick for its sweet onscreen romance between Jack and Ennis.
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
Stream On Paramount+
The Virgin Suicides is a hidden gem that’s available on Paramount+ for fans of Sophia Coppola to enjoy. This 90s flick tells the story of the Lisbon sisters, who one by one end their lives, leaving the boys next door grieving and obsessing over the time they spent with each of them.
Adapted from Jeffrey Eugenides’s famous novel, the movie offers a raw insight into mental health as well as the repression of young women. Despite its darker storyline, fans enjoyed watching the movie due to Sophia Coppola’s film style, which was recognized by Forgotten_Aeon, who explained that her “dream-like, ephemeral quality can work really well with some subjects,” resulting in the “Virgin Suicides [being] a great film”.
Marriage Story (2019)
Stream On Netflix
Marriage Story exploded onto viewers’ screens and garnered a lot of attention for its intense performances by Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver. Ultimately Marriage Story isn’t a happy movie with its theme of divorce dominating its plot, but viewers like nellabella27 loved the movie regardless and stated that “Driver’s performance was so spectacular.”
Whether it’s a marriage or a relationship, the main characters accurately represent a moment many viewers have gone through or are going through, making it a poetic but representative depiction of marriage.
