18 Saddest Movies on Prime Video To Watch Right Now

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We all need a good cry sometimes, and a truly great movie often delivers that emotional release. Prime Video has plenty of films that will make you cry – but usually in a way that feels satisfying and uplifting. With so many options available, you’re sure to find something to tug at your heartstrings.

Prime Video’s collection of sad movies explores themes of hardship, resilience, and simply coping with difficult times. If you’re in the mood for a deeply moving story – and maybe a good cry – here are some of the most heartbreaking films currently available to stream.

‘You Were Never Really Here’ (2018)

The film You Were Never Really Here centers on Joe, a deeply troubled war veteran played by Joaquin Phoenix in a standout performance. He has a violent side, but channels it into a specific purpose: rescuing kidnapped young women and reuniting them with their families. When a new case proves more dangerous and complex than usual, Joe’s skills and brutal instincts are truly put to the test.

Joaquin Phoenix’s character immediately draws you in and makes you feel for him. He’s a selfless person, but deeply flawed and haunted by his past. He seems to be searching for a way to make amends, and it’s clear his journey will be difficult, likely involving more conflict – something he both understands and dislikes. The film’s focus on human trafficking adds to its emotional weight, making it a truly heartbreaking story.

‘Women Talking’ (2022)


United Artists Releasing

Directed with a thoughtful and insightful approach by Sarah Polley, Women Talking is a powerfully moving and important film with a strong feminist perspective. It focuses on a group of women in an American Mennonite community as they grapple with the aftermath of terrible crimes. The film is driven by conversations, and these women prioritize healing and support for each other and their children over seeking revenge. They are mothers, sisters, and daughters striving for the best possible future.

This film, adapted from a novel by Mennonite author Miriam Toews, portrays a group of women discovering strength and solidarity even within the complexities of their faith. It’s a thoughtful and perceptive movie that offers a rare glimpse into a community often overlooked by Hollywood.

‘The Big Sick’ (2017)


Amazon Studios

Sad films aren’t always about huge losses or terrible events. They can also be touching stories about family and holding onto important traditions. The Big Sick, which was nominated for an Oscar in 2018, tells the story of Kumail Nanjiani, a Pakistani-born comedian, and his relationship with Emily (played by Zoe Kazan). Despite coming from different backgrounds, they fall in love, and the film explores the challenges and joys that come with that.

When Emily unexpectedly falls into a coma, Kumail’s world is turned upside down. He struggles to balance his career as a comedian with his family’s constant attempts to find him a wife. This deeply moving film is based on Kumail’s own true love story, beautifully told, and offers a perfect mix of laughter and tears – it’s a film you won’t want to miss.

‘Beautiful Boy’ (2018)


Amazon Studios

Beautiful Boy is a moving drama based on the true story of David and Nic Sheff and their battle with addiction, as told in their memoirs. The film powerfully depicts the devastating effects of drug use on a teenager and the immense struggle it causes for a father. It follows David Sheff, played by Steve Carell, as he navigates his son’s descent into addiction following a divorce, and the son’s attempts to cope with feelings of loneliness through drug use.

I was completely captivated by this film! What really struck me was how truthfully it told its story, and the incredibly moving relationship between the father and son. Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet delivered such powerful performances, drawing me into a journey that was both heartbreaking and ultimately inspiring, as you witness a father’s desperate fight to help his son overcome a relapse. It really resonated with me.

‘Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father’ (2008)


Oscilloscope Laboratories

Dear Zachary is a deeply moving documentary that uniquely unfolds as it was filmed, almost in real-time. It’s not a traditional historical documentary, but the story is incredibly captivating. Be warned, though – the details are tough and emotionally challenging.

This documentary, made in 2011, recounts the heartbreaking story of Andrew Bagby, who was killed shortly after ending a relationship. His ex-girlfriend was soon revealed to be pregnant. A close friend, Kurt Kuenne, made a film to honor Andrew and as a gift for the child. Still grieving, Andrew’s parents visited his ex-girlfriend, hoping to gain custody of the baby and perhaps find some comfort after their loss.

‘Life Itself’ (2018)


Amazon Studios

The film ‘Life Itself’ follows Abby and Will, who meet in college and fall in love, eventually getting married. Their relationship starts out normally, but takes a heartbreaking turn when they try to start a family. To avoid spoiling the story, we won’t reveal any more details about what happens next.

Life inevitably brings hardships, and what truly defines us is our ability to persevere. While this rings true for many, the film Life Itself offers a poignant and realistic look at what it means to genuinely live a fulfilling life. Even if the story doesn’t immediately grab you, it’s worth seeing because it beautifully illustrates how even tragedy can lead to something positive.

‘Apocalypto’ (2006)


Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Mel Gibson’s film, Apocalypto, continues his trend of intense violence, but it’s presented with a clear and powerful narrative. The film taps into our basic instincts, creating a gripping story set in the Mesoamerican rainforest of 1502. It follows a man who must fight for survival after being captured, hoping to rescue his family.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Gibson’s film, and it really struck me as a raw look at what happens when people are pushed to their limits – a brutal exploration of violence and how deeply it’s ingrained in us. It’s definitely not a comfortable film to watch, but it forces you to confront our past, to remember where we came from. What’s truly heartbreaking, though, isn’t just the action, but the story of one man’s desperate journey home to his family, a journey that ultimately feels so… bittersweet because of how the film ends. It’s a powerful, unsettling film that has stayed with me.

‘Manchester by the Sea’ (2016)


Amazon Studios

In Manchester by the Sea, Casey Affleck (known from Interstellar and Good Will Hunting) returns to his hometown after his brother’s unexpected death. While trying to raise his teenage nephew, he’s forced to confront a painful past. As he builds new relationships and old ones change, long-suppressed grief resurfaces.

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Watching Manchester by the Sea will likely leave you feeling both moved and sad. The film offers a deeply personal look at depression, showing how it’s a complex issue that doesn’t always have a neat resolution. While the main character struggles, you’ll find yourself hoping for the best for him, even as the ending is thoughtful and poignant. Widely praised as one of the best films of 2016 and the entire decade, Manchester by the Sea is a powerful and worthwhile drama.

‘Honey Boy’ (2019)


Amazon Studios

Shia LaBeouf wrote and stars in Honey Boy, a moving film reportedly based on his own life, though its accuracy has been questioned. The movie centers on Otis Lort, played by Lucas Hedges, a young actor in rehab after a car accident. Through therapy, Otis confronts a difficult childhood marked by his alcoholic father, the stresses of being a child star, and his reliance on drugs and alcohol as a way to cope.

Honey Boy explores the lasting impact of trauma. The film powerfully illustrates how trauma can be passed down through families, often unintentionally, and how difficult it is to avoid during childhood. Interestingly, Shia LaBeouf chose to portray his own father in the movie, though he did take some artistic license with the character.

‘Where the Red Fern Grows’ (1974)


Crown International Pictures

Along with books like Hatchet, Where the Red Fern Grows is a classic story about growing up, filled with adventure, friendship, and heartbreak. Set in the Ozark Mountains, it follows young Billy Coleman (played by Stewart Petersen) and his two loyal hunting dogs, Old Dan and Little Ann. What begins as a determined effort soon becomes a successful venture, benefiting Billy and his family.

You might remember reading Where the Red Fern Grows in school, and it’s a story that stays with you. This film version, while sad at times, is ultimately heartwarming and explores the bittersweet realities of life, loss, and growing up. It teaches us that good times don’t last forever, and Coleman must learn to accept the natural cycle of life and death.

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2026-02-11 23:05