23 Movies That Will Leave You Emotionally Drained

Movies can make viewers feel all kinds of emotions, and the most intense one is often heartbreak.A recent internet survey asked, “What is the most emotionally draining movie you ever watched,” and we’ve listed the top 24 answers below.

Schindler’s List

Schindler_s List Universal Studios
Photo Credit: Universal Studios.

“Saw it for the first time a couple of years ago at age 27. I had horrible nightmares; it really messed with me for days. I was expecting it to be sad, but that was rough.”

“It was the first time I ever properly considered death as being a very real thing that would happen to me and everyone I know. This then led to my first panic attack.”

Million Dollar Baby

Million Dollar Baby Warner Bros
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

“Neither of us had any idea what it was about. We had intended to go out for drinks after the movie, but neither of us really felt up to it after that!”

“My wife ugly cried for hours after this; it was literal PTSD. I cannot even mention the movie anymore; she changes the subject.”

Atonement

Atonement Universal Studios
Photo Credit: Universal Studios.

“Sat there feeling like I was in a void when it was over. Super good but very sad movie.”

“I genuinely did not know how it was going to end, so I was gut-punched pretty hard. I thought it was going to be a love story with some sort of happy ending after the initial tragedy. Made me miserable.”

The Color Purple

The Color Purple Warner Bros
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

“I watched it at the theater. The weeping when the sisters were separated and the sobbing/wailing when they’re reunited at the end! People sat in their seats crying for at least 5 minutes after the movie stopped running. Everyone was in shambles.”

The Green Mile

The Green Mile (1999) - Warner Bros
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

“I was so emotionally drained and depressed after watching it that it affected how I felt about the movie as a whole.”

“I have never cried harder at a movie than at Coffey’s “I’m tired, boss” scene. It destroyed me. I will never watch it again.”

Hotel Rwanda

Hotel Rwanda MGM Studios
Photo Credit: MGM Studios.

“Yeah, Hotel Rwanda should be in contention for the win.”

“That’s an absolutely brilliant and very relevant movie. How many times has that happened, and we just don’t know about it? Makes you think.”

The Pianist

The Pianist Focus Features
Photo Credit: Focus Features.

“The scene where the pianist tries to free those two boys in the basement (and one dies) killed me and still does to this day. It’s an emotionally draining film indeed.”

“I know many people who saw this movie before they were even 12, and, honestly, that’s a crime. I am extremely traumatized because of it, and it’s definitely not for kids.”

Mother

Mother Paramount Pictures
Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures.

“Mother was excruciating to watch, but in a good way. Worst movie of my life. Between losing my ticket money and the general visual and emotional assault that movie is, I felt like a victim of a mugging.”

“I can’t decide if I liked it or hated it, but it wasn’t advertised as the train wreck it was.”

Uncut Gems

Adam Sandler – Uncut Gems A21
Photo Credit: A24.

“The emotion is stress, and there isn’t one break throughout the entire film.”

“I walked out of that movie because I picked up on it early on.”

“At the end, I said: “That’s the best movie I’ve ever seen. Thank God it’s over.”

Requiem for a Dream

Requiem For A Dream Artisan Entertainment
Photo Credit: Artisan Entertainment.

“I genuinely got depressed after watching it. I wasn’t doing great otherwise, but that pushed me over the edge.”

“This movie reeks of hopelessness. Every time I even think about it, I feel freshly awful, and I haven’t seen it in over ten years.”

Room

Room A24
Photo Credit: A24.

“Room (2015) made me cry my eyes out. Same with the book. There are a couple of scenes that push you right to the edge; your heart pounds, and your body just breaks.”

“Every time I watch Room, I cry the whole time. One of my favorites, but it’s a really tough watch.”

Dogville

Dogville Filmek AB. Zoma Films UK
Photo Credit: Zoma Films UK.

“To hell with that movie! Too traumatic! I loved the artistic/cinematic concept, though.”

“Yeah, this is a good suggestion too. It leaves you feeling hollow, but it’s beautiful and innovative.”

The Deer Hunter

The Deer Hunter EMI
Photo Credit: EMI.

“That one scene that hits so hard, and I know you know the one I mean.”

“I assume you’re talking about the “one shot” scene from The Deer Hunter. Harrowing.”

Life Is Beautiful

Life Is Beautiful Melampo Cinematografica
Photo Credit: Melampo Cinematografica.

“One of the greatest movies I’ve ever seen and easily the most emotionally moving. The 2nd and 3rd acts are incredibly draining; you will be exhausted the rest of the night.”

“I saw that ALONE in a theater. Sobbing so hard I couldn’t breathe.”

Dancer in the Dark

Dancer in the Dark Zentropa Entertainments. Canal+. FilmFour
Photo Credit: Zentropa Entertainments.

“I wouldn’t trust someone if they didn’t get at least a little upset from Dancer in the Dark.”

“Seriously. That thing is bleak. Good call.”

Melancholia

Melancholia Zentropa Entertainments. Memfis Film
Photo Credit: Zentropa Entertainments.

“Kirsten Dunst gives an A+ portrayal of depression (at least in my experience).”

“Van Trier does not hide what is going to happen. It becomes obvious very quickly in the second act. From then on, it’s a full-on existential crisis.”

The Fountain

The Fountain Warner Bros
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

“I always find it incredibly sad when the tree dies. One of my favorites for sure, plus it looks and sounds amazing throughout.”

“I honestly found the ending weirdly redemptive. But that’s probably only because I was so destroyed by that point. I didn’t even know what I was feeling by then anyway.”

Come and See

Come and See Photo Credit_ Mosfilm
Photo Credit: Mosfilm.

“The nightmarish experience that Klimov puts his audience through to get his anti-war message across just feels like too much for me (in an emotionally dreadful way).”

“I see all these Hollywood productions, and they are Disneyland compared to this.”

Apocalypse Now

Apocalypse Now Omni Zoetrope
Photo Credit: Omni Zoetrope.

“That movie just depresses the hell out of me.”

“The night-time fight for the bridge is what I imagine hell is like. Just that, but forever and ever and ever.”

Eden Lake

Eden Lake _ Pathé. Rollercoaster Films
Photo Credit: Pathé.

“After watching Yellowstone and really liking Beth Dutton, I looked up what else she was in. Found Eden Lake, and that movie really messed me up.”

“I feel this film would be higher if more people had seen it. It’s disturbing, dark, and harrowing.”

Blue Valentine  

Blue Valentine _ Hunting Lane Films. Silverwood Films
Photo Credit: Silverwood Films.

“Absolutely agree, and I’ve seen most of the films listed here. Nothing like Blue Valentine; I never want to watch it again.”

“When I need to have an emotional breakdown and just let out all the tears, I watch Blue Valentine. Never fails.”

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

What_s Eating Gilbert Grape Paramount Pictures
Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures.

“Just thinking about that movie for more than a few seconds drains me; so good, though.”

“It is really good but extremely hard to watch.”

“Came here to say this. It’s a very good film, though.”

Once We’re Warriors

Photo Credit: Film Movement Classics.

“The actors in this movie were outstanding…. the movie tore me up.”

“I love that movie so much, but I either have to walk out or fast forward during a certain scene. I’ve never seen it in its entirety.”

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Avengers_ Endgame
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios.

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Transformers – Mikaela Banes Paramount Pictures. DreamWorks Pictures
Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures.

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Highlander Anchor Bay Entertainment
Photo Credit: Anchor Bay Entertainment.

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Robin Williams - Good Will Hunting Miramax
Photo Credit: Miramax.

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Hook (1991) - Tri Star Pictures
Photo Credit: Tri Star Pictures.

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Source: Reddit