Movies That Make Me Cry

• A Dog's Purpose / A Dog's Journey Based on the best-selling book by W. Bruce Cameron, this story follows a lovable dog named Bailey, who is reincarnated multiple times throughout the years, always finding his way back to his human (Ethan). Bailey discovers the meaning of his own existence and comes back to Ethan's life in order to remind Ethan to remain true to himself. Content Warning: Animal death, emotional themes, family breakdown/domestic violence.
• A Dog's Way Home A dog named Bella emBARKS (haha)on a long journey across the country to find her owner, Lucas. Bella runs into many, many dangers along her journey and nearly dies a handful of times. but the bond between her and Lucas keeps her going. Content Warning: Peril to animals, separation, mild violence.
• Hachi: A Dog's Tale Based on the true story of Hachiko, a loyal Akita dog who waited for his owner every day at a train station, even after his owner passed away. It’s a heartwarming, yet utterly heartbreaking tale of devotion. It’s based on a real-life story and will leave you questioning your own loyalty and love Content Warning: Animal death, death emotional themes, loneliness.
• The Art of Racing in the Rain Based off the best selling book by Garth Stein, this movie is told from the perspective of a dog named Enzo, who believes he was a human reincarnated as a dog. Enzo’s owner, Denny Swift, is a race car driver. We get to see the highs and lows of his racing careers, as well as the highs and lows of his personal life. The film explores loss, love, and the bond between a person and their pet. Content Warning: Sad moments, illness, family struggles.
• The Call of the Wild Adapted from the classic novel by Jack London, this movie tells the story of Buck, a dog who’s taken from his happy home and thrown into the brutal wilderness during the Klondike Gold Rush. Buck’s journey is one of survival, and he grows into his natural instincts as he learns what it means to be free. Though it can be thrilling at times, it's a stark reminder of the cruelty that animals had to face, and still have to face when they are discarded. Content Warning: Animal cruelty, mild violence, survival themes.
• Togo This one is inspired by the true story of the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska, where a sled dog named Togo led a team through harsh weather to deliver medicine to save children from a deadly outbreak. He is forgotten in comparison to Balto. There were many times where Togo was just straight up hated on. Really sad. Content Warning: Intense survival scenes, animal hardship, peril.
• Grave of the Fireflies Set in World War II Japan, this story follows two siblings trying to survive after losing their home and family. It's stunning animated, but the story is devasting. The movie paints a vivd picture of the harsh realities of war through the eyes of innocent children and certainly doesn't have a happy ending. Content Warning: War, starvation, child death, emotional devastation.
• The House of Sand and Fog This one is a slow-burn drama about a woman named Kathy who is forced to leave her home after losing a legal battle. The house ends up being sold to a man named Massoud, an Iranian immigrant who has worked hard for years to achieve a better life. What follows is a tragic cycle of misunderstandings, desperation, and broken lives. Content Warning: Mental illness, violence, murder, suicide.
• Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father Literally one of the most depressing, saddest and frustrating documentaries you will ever watch. It's based off the real life story of a man named Andrew Bagby, who is murdered by his ex-girlfriend. d. The film was originally made by Andrew's friend, Kurt Kuenne, as a way of telling Andrew’s son about his father, but it becomes a tragic tale of justice, revenge, and the unimaginable pain of losing someone in such a senseless way. It’s based on real-life events, and the way the film unfolds will leave you in complete shock and despair. Content Warning: Child death, murder, grief, family trauma.