Sometimes you just need a good cry, and no one can pull your heart strings quite like Hollywood. So if you’re in the mood to commiserate with a character here is a list of 36 fantastic movies about grief.

Personal favorites from this list include The Decendents, Beaches, What Dreams May Come and The Big Chill. Excluded from the list is Marley and Me because, frankly, I cried so hard at that dang movie that I can no longer watch ANY movie about dogs. But John Wick IS included because, though it’s an action movie, it is about a man’s reaction to bereavement.

Grab some popcorn, and probably some tissues, and roll the film:

1. Mary Poppins Returns  2018
2. A Star is Born 2018, 1976, 1954
3. The Hollars 2016
4. John Wick 2014
5. August: Osage County 2013
6. Safe Haven 2013
7. Tiger Eyes 2012
8. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close 2011
9. We Bought a Zoo 2011
10. The Descendants 2011
11. The Other Woman 2009
12. The Lovely Bones 2009
13. My Sister’s Keeper 2009
14. Taking Chance 2009
15. Up 2009
16. Nights in Rodanthe 2008
17. The Bucket List 2007
18. Reign Over Me 2007
19. PS I love you 2007
20. Catch and Release 2006
21. The Family Stone 2005
22. The Notebook 2004
23. Mystic River 2003
24. Wit 2001
25. Message in a Bottle 1999
26. One True Thing 1998
27. What Dreams May Come 1998
28. Step Mom 1998
29. To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday 1996
30. Forrest Gump 1994
31. Ghost 1990
32. Steel Magnolias 1989
33. Beaches 1988
34. The Big Chill 1983
35. Terms of Endearment 1983
36. Ordinary People 1980

Thanks for visiting Grief Compass. We’re sorry you have to be here, but are glad we’ve found each other.

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