An efficient way to feel all the feels without actually having to put yourself out there in this cold, cold world: watching a sad romance movie. The butterflies in your stomach from being around your crush, the nervous excitement around a first kiss, the stress of not knowing how to define your relationship, the heartbreak of losing your first love—you can experience all of those emotions from the safety of your couch with these must-watch movies.
The sad love stories on this list fit the definitions of “bittersweet” and tearjerker to a T. They feature all the swoon-worthy elements of a classic romance film that will sweep you off your feet and then leave you to dry your tears with emotional drama. While these movies all have some element of romance, they also range far and wide in terms of subject matter, from divorce and complicated love triangles to the coming-of-age experience of going through your first heartbreak.
So pop some popcorn, stream one of these movies, and be prepared to choke back sobs! Below, find the saddest romantic films on Netflix right now that are perfect for when you need a good cry.
'6 Years' (2015)
This indie drama follows the rapid breakdown of a young couple's six-year relationship. Melanie and Daniel are 20somethings in Texas who have been in love for years when their relationship takes a turn and devolves into violence and infidelity, forcing them to reevaluate their future together.
'All the Bright Places' (2020)
Based on the YA novel of the same name, All the Bright Places chronicles the romance between high school students Violet and Finch, who fall for each other while working on a school project. Violet's friends warn her against dating Finch, who has a reputation for being an "uncontrollable freak," but she doesn't believe the rumors until she witnesses Finch lose control herself. Although Violet attempts to continue the relationship and support Finch, the relationship ends with a tragedy.
'A Beautiful Life' (2011)
A cocktail-fueled night out leads glamorous businesswoman Li (Shu Qi) to accidentally puke on a lonely policeman named Fang (Ye Liu). After their awkward meeting, the two keep bumping into one another, and thus begins a love story (with many setbacks) for the ages.
'Blue Jay' (2016)
High school sweethearts Jim and Amanda have been out of touch for 20 years when they run into each other by chance in their hometown. The pair reconnect and reminisce and things flow so easily, it's hard to see why they ever broke up to begin with. As the day unfolds, however, the devastating reason they broke up—and will never work—is revealed.
'Call Me By Your Name' (2017)
Arguably the film that launched Timothée Chalamet into stardom, Call Me By Your Name will wreck you in the best way possible. The film follows 17-year-old Elio who gets close to his father's research assistant one summer. It's a melancholy, yet touching look at first love and how it alters our lives forever.
'Dreamy Eyes' (2019)
Country boy Ngan fell in love at first sight with Hà Lan when he was six years old, and spent his childhood pining for his eventual best friend. When Hà Lan moves to the big city for university, Ngan remains devoted, even as she falls for his playboy cousin Dung. As time goes on, this Vietnamese romance asks: Can unrequited love survive three decades? And when will Hà Lan realize what's been in front of her all along?
'Drawing Closer' (2024)
This Japanese film follows the abridged love story of two 17-year-olds facing terminal illnesses. Akito is a teen boy with just one year left to live, who is keeping his diagnosis secret from his friends to avoid being a burden. He meets and becomes fascinated by Haruna, who has calmly accepted her fate though she only has six months left. It's impossible to keep the tears back as the pair slowly fall in love.
'Good Grief' (2023)
Dan Levy directs and stars in this film about dealing with grief following an unexpected tragedy. Marc (Levy) is still reeling from the death of his husband Oliver (Luke Evans), when he takes a trip to Paris with his two best friends Sophie (Ruth Negga) and Thomas (Himesh Patel). If being recently widowed in the City of Lights isn't enough, Marc also has to grapple with some uncovered truths about his late spouse.
'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' (2018)
Lily James stars in this period piece as Juliet, a writer who starts corresponding with the residents of Guernsey Island who formed a book club during Germany's WWII occupation. She soon grows close to one of the book club's members and she starts to question what she thought she wanted for her life. While this drama is on the lighthearted side, the glimpses of the war are particularly emotional.
'Irreplaceable You' (2018)
Soulmates Abbi and Sam have been together since they were kids, and they're planning a bright future together, starting with a visit to the doctor to see if a baby is in the cards for them. But it's not a baby that shows up in Abbi's ultrasound; it's actually stomach cancer, and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere anytime soon. Obsessed with setting her husband up with a proper life after she's gone, Abbi comes up with a plan to hook Sam up with someone new, but her fixation on the future threatens to destroy her present.
'La La Land' (2016)
Sure, La La Land is billed as a dreamy original musical in the style of the Old-Hollywood classics, but the glossy surface hides a low-key heartbreaking look at the romance between Mia and Sebastian, two aspiring artists trying to balance their relationship with the pursuit of their fame and fortune in LA. Watch the final dream sequence and try to walk away without shedding some tears.
'The Last Letter From Your Lover' (2021)
If you've already binged (and sobbed over) Me Before You, may we recommend this time-jumping tearjerker from author Jojo Moyes. In 1965 London, socialite Jennifer Stirling (Shailene Woodley) has an affair with journalist Anthony O’Hare (Callum Turner), behind her controlling husband's (Joe Alwyn) back. In the present-day, journalist Ellie Haworth (Felicity Jones) discovers a long-lost love letter between Jennifer and Anthony, and sets out to learn how their romance ended. If the 1960s love triangle isn't enough, Ellie also finds love with the newspaper's archivist, played by Nabhaan Rizwan.
'Mr. Sunshine' (2018)
Okay, so this isn't technically a movie, but if you like smiling through your tears (or even just straight-up sobbing), Mr. Sunshine needs to be added to your list immediately. Starring prominent actors such as Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, and Yoo Yeon-seok, the 24-episode Korean drama follows the journey of a Joseon ex-pat who is forced to reconcile with his painful past when he returns home during the late 1870s as a captain of the U.S. Marine Corps. He falls in love with a young woman from a traditional family who represents everything he hates about Joseon, and together, they fight for the future of their homeland.
'A Walk to Remember' (2002)
Every teenager since the early aughts has been brought to tears by this tragic love story, courtesy of Nicolas Sparks. It follows bad-boy-turned-good Landon Carter (Shane West) as he falls in love with church girl Jamie (Mandy Moore), not knowing that their time together will be tragically cut short.
