No matter how old "The Notebook" gets, or how many times it's seen, this story of a challenged, but fated love always brings out the tears. The 2004 adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' novel had its 10th anniversary on June 25, and fans celebrated by cuing up the classic and swooning over the perfectly matched pairing of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. But if you're somehow not a fan of "The Notebook," here are 25 other movies that'll make you cry just as hard.
26 movies to make you cry —
No matter how old "The Notebook" gets, or how many times it's seen, this story of a challenged, but fated love always brings out the tears. The 2004 adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' novel had its 10th anniversary on June 25, and fans celebrated by cuing up the classic and swooning over the perfectly matched pairing of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. But if you're somehow not a fan of "The Notebook," here are 25 other movies that'll make you cry just as hard.
New Line Cinema/IMDB
"The Fault in Our Stars" with Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley is supposed to have the power <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2014%2F06%2F06%2Fmovies%2Fthe-fault-in-our-stars-sets-out-to-make-you-cry.html%3Fpartner%3Drss%26emc%3Drss%26_r%3D0" target="_blank" target="_blank">to make adults weep in public</a> like children who've just lost their favorite pet. Adapted from John Green's emotional roller coaster of a novel, the expectation for tears is so great that those who <em>don't </em>cry have questioned whether they've misplaced their soul, or are possibly androids. If you want to double-check that you do have emotions -- or are just in need of a good cry -- we dare you to remain stoic during the following 25 movies:
26 movies to make you cry —
"The Fault in Our Stars" with Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley is supposed to have the power to make adults weep in public like children who've just lost their favorite pet. Adapted from John Green's emotional roller coaster of a novel, the expectation for tears is so great that those who don't cry have questioned whether they've misplaced their soul, or are possibly androids. If you want to double-check that you do have emotions -- or are just in need of a good cry -- we dare you to remain stoic during the following 25 movies:
Temple Hill Entertainment
<strong>"Longtime Companion" (1990): </strong>Even the title of this movie sounds sad. Part of what makes it so affecting is its time period: the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis. The epidemic is brought to light with courage and heart through the stories of seven gay men in the '80s. Bruce Davison, left, was among the players.
26 movies to make you cry —
"Longtime Companion" (1990): Even the title of this movie sounds sad. Part of what makes it so affecting is its time period: the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis. The epidemic is brought to light with courage and heart through the stories of seven gay men in the '80s. Bruce Davison, left, was among the players.
Everett Collection
<strong>"Ghost" (1990)</strong>: Loving someone so much that you stick around even after you're killed and become a ghost? C'mon. Kleenex probably should've sponsored the movie. It was cheesy, but Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze sold it.
26 movies to make you cry —
"Ghost" (1990): Loving someone so much that you stick around even after you're killed and become a ghost? C'mon. Kleenex probably should've sponsored the movie. It was cheesy, but Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze sold it.
Paramount Pictures/IMDB
<strong>"It's a Wonderful Life" (1946): </strong>There are at least two reasons why this Frank Capra classic with James Stewart and Donna Reed always pulls at the heartstrings: 1) It's centered around the holidays, a season known to bring on the tears; and 2) It answers that existential question, "What would life be like if I weren't here?" with a joy-filled family reunion. Hugs never looked so good.
26 movies to make you cry —
"It's a Wonderful Life" (1946): There are at least two reasons why this Frank Capra classic with James Stewart and Donna Reed always pulls at the heartstrings: 1) It's centered around the holidays, a season known to bring on the tears; and 2) It answers that existential question, "What would life be like if I weren't here?" with a joy-filled family reunion. Hugs never looked so good.
Liberty Films (II)/IMDB
<strong>"Steel Magnolias" (1989)</strong><strong>: </strong>Based on a play, "Steel Magnolias" is famous for its ability to turn on the waterworks. It's a story about sisterhood in a Louisiana beauty parlor and the will of these Southern women to survive, especially amid illness and the eventual death of one of their own (Julia Roberts, in one of her first big roles.)
26 movies to make you cry —
"Steel Magnolias" (1989): Based on a play, "Steel Magnolias" is famous for its ability to turn on the waterworks. It's a story about sisterhood in a Louisiana beauty parlor and the will of these Southern women to survive, especially amid illness and the eventual death of one of their own (Julia Roberts, in one of her first big roles.)
TriStar Pictures/IMDB
<strong>"Field of Dreams" (1989)</strong><strong>: </strong>Some can't even talk about this movie without choking up. The premise may seem hokey -- an Iowa farmer creates a baseball diamond in the middle of his cornfield and discovers it has a magical, comforting power for the suffering -- but the execution, led by Kevin Costner, right, will get you every time.
26 movies to make you cry —
"Field of Dreams" (1989): Some can't even talk about this movie without choking up. The premise may seem hokey -- an Iowa farmer creates a baseball diamond in the middle of his cornfield and discovers it has a magical, comforting power for the suffering -- but the execution, led by Kevin Costner, right, will get you every time.
Gordon Company/IMDB
<strong>"Beaches" (1988): </strong>This is another tearjerker with roots in a novel. Garry Marshall's "Beaches" is <em>the</em> movie to watch when you want a story about an enduring friendship (between Barbara Hershey, right, and Bette Midler) that leaves you sobbing on the couch.
26 movies to make you cry —
"Beaches" (1988): This is another tearjerker with roots in a novel. Garry Marshall's "Beaches" is the movie to watch when you want a story about an enduring friendship (between Barbara Hershey, right, and Bette Midler) that leaves you sobbing on the couch.
Walt Disney Productions/IMDB
<strong>"My Girl" (1991</strong><strong>)</strong><strong>:</strong> A mix of humor and heart, "My Girl" is also an absolute heartbreak. Anna Chlumsky's Vada is a preteen who is familiar with death, but what happens to her beloved friend Thomas J. (Macaulay Culkin) can get you with every viewing.
26 movies to make you cry —
"My Girl" (1991): A mix of humor and heart, "My Girl" is also an absolute heartbreak. Anna Chlumsky's Vada is a preteen who is familiar with death, but what happens to her beloved friend Thomas J. (Macaulay Culkin) can get you with every viewing.
Columbia Pictures Corporation/IMDB
<strong>"Brian's Song" (1971): </strong>This timeless football TV movie is also known as the easiest way to make your dad/brother/boyfriend cry. Based on the true story of Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo, played by Billy Dee Williams and James Caan, respectively, "Brian's Song" deftly tells about an interracial friendship that highlighted a changing NFL.
26 movies to make you cry —
"Brian's Song" (1971): This timeless football TV movie is also known as the easiest way to make your dad/brother/boyfriend cry. Based on the true story of Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo, played by Billy Dee Williams and James Caan, respectively, "Brian's Song" deftly tells about an interracial friendship that highlighted a changing NFL.
Everett Collection
<strong>"Up" (2009)</strong>: Disney/Pixar should probably win an award for being able to make so many moviegoers <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdeadspin.com%2F5313572%2Fdear-pixar-stop-making-me-cry-like-a-bitch" target="_blank" target="_blank">bawl in their seats within the first 10 minutes</a> of a movie, like they did with the adventurous animated story "Up."
26 movies to make you cry —
"Up" (2009): Disney/Pixar should probably win an award for being able to make so many moviegoers bawl in their seats within the first 10 minutes of a movie, like they did with the adventurous animated story "Up."
Pixar/IMDB
<strong>"Love Story" (1970):</strong> If you were around when Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw starred in "Love Story," then you have an idea of what's going on in theater showings of "The Fault in Our Stars." The stories aren't too dissimilar: Young love blossoms against all odds and then -- boom! -- tragedy hits. Why this basic story makes us cry every time, we have no idea.
26 movies to make you cry —
"Love Story" (1970): If you were around when Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw starred in "Love Story," then you have an idea of what's going on in theater showings of "The Fault in Our Stars." The stories aren't too dissimilar: Young love blossoms against all odds and then -- boom! -- tragedy hits. Why this basic story makes us cry every time, we have no idea.
Paramount Pictures/IMDB
<strong>"E.T." (1982)</strong>: Before all these apocalyptic movies about aliens, most of us thought extraterrestrials were exactly like Steven Spielberg's "cute and cuddly" "E.T." When it comes to heartbreaking scenes, you can pick your poison with this movie, whether it's E.T. being near death or his finally making it home.
26 movies to make you cry —
"E.T." (1982): Before all these apocalyptic movies about aliens, most of us thought extraterrestrials were exactly like Steven Spielberg's "cute and cuddly" "E.T." When it comes to heartbreaking scenes, you can pick your poison with this movie, whether it's E.T. being near death or his finally making it home.
Universal Pictures/IMDB
<strong>"Old Yeller" (1957)</strong>: In the era of "Lassie," Old Yeller was America's <em>other </em>favorite dog, and was the epitome of the tough decisions we have to face as we move out of childhood. We understand that Old Yeller had to be put down, but no, we're still not over it. (Yeller's best friend was played by Kevin Corcoran.)
26 movies to make you cry —
"Old Yeller" (1957): In the era of "Lassie," Old Yeller was America's other favorite dog, and was the epitome of the tough decisions we have to face as we move out of childhood. We understand that Old Yeller had to be put down, but no, we're still not over it. (Yeller's best friend was played by Kevin Corcoran.)
Walt Disney Productions/IMDB
<strong>"Imitation of Life" (1959)</strong>: This movie, starring Susan Kohner, left and Juanita Moore, is like one long, vicious gut punch. Throughout the movie, we watch as a black housemaid, Annie, is continuously rejected by her fair-skinned daughter, Sarah Jane, who passes for white. We wont' spoil it for you, but when Annie takes ill near the end, that's when the tears really start to flow.
26 movies to make you cry —
"Imitation of Life" (1959): This movie, starring Susan Kohner, left and Juanita Moore, is like one long, vicious gut punch. Throughout the movie, we watch as a black housemaid, Annie, is continuously rejected by her fair-skinned daughter, Sarah Jane, who passes for white. We wont' spoil it for you, but when Annie takes ill near the end, that's when the tears really start to flow.
Universal International Pictures/IMDB
<strong>"Terms of Endearment" (1983)</strong>: This best picture Oscar winner, starring Debra Winger, left, and Shirley MacLaine, is packed with drama. There's a mother and daughter butting heads, and more than one unhappy marriage, but when a terminal cancer diagnosis is made, any chance of holding back the tears is off.
26 movies to make you cry —
"Terms of Endearment" (1983): This best picture Oscar winner, starring Debra Winger, left, and Shirley MacLaine, is packed with drama. There's a mother and daughter butting heads, and more than one unhappy marriage, but when a terminal cancer diagnosis is made, any chance of holding back the tears is off.
Paramount Pictures/IMDB
<strong>"Philadelphia" (1993)</strong>: Tom Hanks won an Oscar for his emotionally powerful portrayal of a lawyer who's unfairly dismissed from his firm once it's discovered he has HIV/AIDS. The eventual camaraderie between Hanks and Denzel Washington as his skeptical attorney brings on the happy tears.
26 movies to make you cry —
"Philadelphia" (1993): Tom Hanks won an Oscar for his emotionally powerful portrayal of a lawyer who's unfairly dismissed from his firm once it's discovered he has HIV/AIDS. The eventual camaraderie between Hanks and Denzel Washington as his skeptical attorney brings on the happy tears.
TriStar Picture
<strong>"Bambi" (1942)</strong>: In general, Disney's "Bambi" is a pretty heartwarming tale. But there's one scene -- <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-eHr-9_6hCg" target="_blank" target="_blank">and you know the one we're talking about</a> -- that's painful no matter how many times you watch it.
26 movies to make you cry —
"Bambi" (1942): In general, Disney's "Bambi" is a pretty heartwarming tale. But there's one scene -- and you know the one we're talking about -- that's painful no matter how many times you watch it.
Disney/IMDB
<strong>"Armageddon" (1998)</strong>: Maybe it's Steven Tyler wailing about not wanting to miss a thing, the bond between a group of guys daring to do something crazy, or the love story subplot, but we admit that "Armageddon" makes us misty.
26 movies to make you cry —
"Armageddon" (1998): Maybe it's Steven Tyler wailing about not wanting to miss a thing, the bond between a group of guys daring to do something crazy, or the love story subplot, but we admit that "Armageddon" makes us misty.
Touchstone Pictures/IMDB
<strong>"Remember the Titans" (2000)</strong>: To be clear, Denzel Washington has a track record of making us cry with his movies, but "Remember the Titans" is one of the standouts. Like "Brian's Song," it has an emotionally powerful plot: the drama of sport, the angst of high school, and the triumph of overpowering insidious racism.
26 movies to make you cry —
"Remember the Titans" (2000): To be clear, Denzel Washington has a track record of making us cry with his movies, but "Remember the Titans" is one of the standouts. Like "Brian's Song," it has an emotionally powerful plot: the drama of sport, the angst of high school, and the triumph of overpowering insidious racism.
Jerry Bruckheimer Films/IMDB
<strong>"Dead Man Walking" (1995)</strong>: This drama based on a true story manages to get at the heart of what's typically treated as an intellectual discussion: capital punishment. Susan Sarandon's Oscar-winning turn as a nun who never stops believing in the potential redemption of a man on death row (played by Sean Penn) will make you weep.
25 movies that'll make you cry like 'TFIOS' —
"Dead Man Walking" (1995): This drama based on a true story manages to get at the heart of what's typically treated as an intellectual discussion: capital punishment. Susan Sarandon's Oscar-winning turn as a nun who never stops believing in the potential redemption of a man on death row (played by Sean Penn) will make you weep.
Havoc/IMDB
<strong>"The Green Mile" (1999)</strong>: This movie has its critics, but what isn't debatable is how affecting Michael Clarke Duncan's performance is as a man with unique gifts on death row. Like 1994's "The Shawshank Redemption," this is a prison-set movie that reaches far beyond.
25 movies that'll make you cry like 'TFIOS' —
"The Green Mile" (1999): This movie has its critics, but what isn't debatable is how affecting Michael Clarke Duncan's performance is as a man with unique gifts on death row. Like 1994's "The Shawshank Redemption," this is a prison-set movie that reaches far beyond.
Castle Rock Entertainment/IMDB
<strong>"Marley & Me" (2008)</strong>: This comedy starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston hits home for all the people who've raised, loved and lost a furry, four-legged member of the family.
25 movies that'll make you cry like 'TFIOS' —
"Marley & Me" (2008): This comedy starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston hits home for all the people who've raised, loved and lost a furry, four-legged member of the family.
Fox 2000 Pictures/IMDB
<strong>"A Walk to Remember" (2002)</strong>: Some moviegoers are comparing "The Fault In Our Stars" to this 2002 movie starring Mandy Moore and Shane West, based on Nicholas Sparks' novel of the same name. Moore and West play a pair of mismatched teen lovebirds whose romance gets interrupted by a devastating secret.
25 movies that'll make you cry like 'TFIOS' —
"A Walk to Remember" (2002): Some moviegoers are comparing "The Fault In Our Stars" to this 2002 movie starring Mandy Moore and Shane West, based on Nicholas Sparks' novel of the same name. Moore and West play a pair of mismatched teen lovebirds whose romance gets interrupted by a devastating secret.
Warner Bros./IMDB
<strong>"Fruitvale Station" (2013)</strong>: There were a raft of acclaimed movies in 2013 that demanded viewing with tissues, and "Fruitvale Station" is one of them. The hardest part is that most viewers go into the movie knowing exactly how it's going to end, making Michael B. Jordan's winning portrayal of a young man trying to get his life back on track all the more heartbreaking to watch.
25 movies that'll make you cry like 'TFIOS' —
"Fruitvale Station" (2013): There were a raft of acclaimed movies in 2013 that demanded viewing with tissues, and "Fruitvale Station" is one of them. The hardest part is that most viewers go into the movie knowing exactly how it's going to end, making Michael B. Jordan's winning portrayal of a young man trying to get his life back on track all the more heartbreaking to watch.
Forest Whitaker's Significant Productions/IMDB
<strong>"Rudy" (1993)</strong>: Sometimes, you need a movie that will make you shed tears of joy. The true story of Daniel E. "Rudy" Ruettiger (played by Sean Astin) and his unfailing persistence to reach dreams against all odds is one of them.
25 movies that'll make you cry like 'TFIOS' —
"Rudy" (1993): Sometimes, you need a movie that will make you shed tears of joy. The true story of Daniel E. "Rudy" Ruettiger (played by Sean Astin) and his unfailing persistence to reach dreams against all odds is one of them.
TriStar Pictures/IMDB