Heartfelt Drama Movies That Will Make You Cry

Looking for drama movies that will tug at your heartstrings? Here are some beautiful, masterpiece drama movies that are sure to make you cry:

Simply having fun or experiencing action-packed scenes are not always enough to satisfy one’s emotional needs. Many people seek a deeper narrative and a richer emotional experience from cinema. The drama genre fulfills this need. In this context, we have compiled lists of both domestic and foreign drama movies to offer you the best drama movie recommendations.

Our list of the best drama movies includes the most-watched drama movies. As a result, the movies featured here are at the top of the award-winning drama movies praised by both viewers and critics. While many movies deserve a spot on this list, we have selected the top drama movies based on their IMDb score 🔽.

Movie List Index

1.The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption is widely regarded as the best drama movie, directed and written by Frank Darabont, and starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman.

Adapted from Stephen King’s novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, the movie follows Andy Dufresne, a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank prison after being wrongly accused of murdering his wife. The story centers on Andy’s friendship with fellow inmate Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding and his positive actions within the prison. The central theme of the movie is hope, focusing on Andy’s determination to escape from his confinement.

Information about The Shawshank Redemption

Title: The Shawshank Redemption
Director: Frank Darabont
Cast: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton
Release Year: 1994
Duration: 142 minutes
Country: USA
Genre: Drama
Available Platforms: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV
IMDB Rating: 9.3/10
Language: English
Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
IMDb Link: The Shawshank Redemption on IMDb

2.The Godfather

The Godfather, adapted from Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name, is considered one of the greatest drama movies ever made. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino star in the lead roles, delivering unforgettable performances.

Set in 1945, at the end of World War II, the movie spans a period of ten years. It chronicles the life of the Corleone family, a powerful Italian mafia clan based in New York. The story explores both their family dynamics and the darker aspects of the criminal underworld. The Corleones, alongside four other families in New York, dominate the city’s criminal activities, with local politicians becoming mere puppets of the mafia. The movie’s central focus is on the assassination of Vito Corleone, the family’s patriarch, and the subsequent rise of his reluctant son, Michael Corleone, who must step into the role of the new family leader.

Information about The Godfather

Title: The Godfather
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan
Release Year: 1972
Duration: 175 minutes
Country: USA
Genre: Crime, Drama
Available Platforms: Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV
IMDB Rating: 9.2/10
Language: English
Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
IMDb Link: The Godfather on IMDb

3.Schindler’s List

Directed by the renowned Steven Spielberg, Schindler’s List (1993) is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler. Schindler, a real historical figure, saved over a thousand Polish Jews from the Nazi genocide during World War II. This powerful movie, adapted from this remarkable story, is widely regarded as one of Spielberg’s most significant works. It has garnered critical acclaim and won seven Oscars, solidifying its place as one of the best drama movies ever made.

Information about Schindler’s List

Title: Schindler’s List
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall
Release Year: 1993
Duration: 195 minutes
Country: USA
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Available Platforms: Check local listings for streaming availability (may vary by region).
IMDB Rating: 8.9/10
Language: English, Polish, German, Hebrew
Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
IMDb Link: Schindler’s List on IMDb

4.12 Angry Men

Directed by Sidney Lumet in 1957, 12 Angry Men is a classic drama movie adapted from Reginald Rose’s play of the same name. The movie begins after the closing arguments of a murder trial. According to U.S. law, the jury must reach a unanimous verdict. In this gripping narrative, only one of the twelve jurors believes that a young man from a poor neighborhood is not guilty of murdering his father. This lone juror strives to convince the others, challenging their prejudices and preconceived notions. 12 Angry Men is Sidney Lumet’s directorial debut and is notable for its setting; almost all scenes take place in the jury room, creating a claustrophobic and intense atmosphere that immerses the audience in the deliberations.

Information about 12 Angry Men

Title: 12 Angry Men
Director: Sidney Lumet
Cast: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E.G. Marshall
Release Year: 1957
Duration: 96 minutes
Country: USA
Genre: Drama, Courtroom
Available Platforms: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV
IMDB Rating: 8.9/10
Language: English
Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
IMDb Link: 12 Angry Men on IMDb

5.Inception

Inception, written and directed by Christopher Nolan, is a science fiction drama that explores the story of Dom Cobb (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), a highly skilled thief. Unlike ordinary criminals, Cobb’s expertise lies in stealing ideas. He accomplishes this by infiltrating people’s dreams, where the mind is most vulnerable. However, Cobb’s exceptional skills have led to his being exiled from his home country.

He is given one final chance to return if he completes a seemingly impossible task: instead of stealing an idea, he must implant one in the deepest part of a person’s subconscious. This complex mission is further complicated by Cobb’s dramatic past, which continuously haunts him throughout the movie.

Information about Inception

Title: Inception
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy
Release Year: 2010
Duration: 148 minutes
Country: USA, UK
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Available Platforms: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
Language: English
Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
IMDb Link: Inception on IMDb

6.Fight Club

Fight Club, adapted from Chuck Palahniuk’s novel of the same name, is not only one of the best drama movies but also a landmark in cinema. The movie follows Jack, a man struggling with insomnia, who meets Tyler Durden. Their evolving relationship serves as a sharp critique of modern society.

Under Tyler’s leadership, a secret club is established where young men engage in underground fighting, eventually evolving into a broader rebellion against societal norms. Over time, both Jack and Tyler become symbols of the “dead generation” they represent, challenging and questioning the system they are a part of.

Information about Inception Fight Club

Director: David Fincher
Cast: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter
Release Year: 1999
Duration: 139 minutes
Country: USA
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, Netflix
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
Language: English
Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
IMDb Link: Fight Club on IMDb

7.Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump, inspired by Winston Groom’s novel of the same name and directed by Robert Zemeckis, stars Tom Hanks in a memorable role. The movie follows the life of Forrest Gump, a man with an intellectual disability who faces numerous challenges throughout his life.

The story begins with Forrest’s childhood, highlighting significant events that lead to his success despite his cognitive limitations. Key moments include Forrest’s service in the Vietnam War and his honorable discharge, setting a world record in a running competition, and founding an investment fund.

A central theme of the movie is Forrest’s romantic relationship with his childhood friend Jenny, who holds a special place in his life. Additionally, the movie explores various historical and social issues, such as the Vietnam War, the Ku Klux Klan, and U.S. Presidential elections.

Information about Forrest Gump

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise
Release Year: 1994
Duration: 142 minutes
Country: USA
Genre: Drama, Romance
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, Netflix
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
Language: English
Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
IMDb Link: Forrest Gump on IMDb

8.Goodfellas

Goodfellas, directed by Martin Scorsese and adapted from Nicholas Pileggi’s book Wiseguy, is a cinematic masterpiece that explores the life of Henry Hill, a gangster. The movie chronicles Hill’s rise within the mafia, his leadership, and significant moments of his life. Goodfellas provides a compelling narrative of a life immersed in the mafia world, while also exposing its dark side.

Information about Goodfellas

Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Release Year: 1990
Duration: 146 minutes
Country: USA
Genre: Crime, Drama, Biography
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, Netflix
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
Language: English
Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
IMDb Link: Goodfellas on IMDb

9.One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, adapted from Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel of the same name, is set in a psychiatric hospital and portrays the lives of patients living under the oppressive rules of the hospital administration. The central character, Randle Patrick McMurphy (played by Jack Nicholson), arrives at the hospital having chosen it over serving time in prison.

McMurphy, a strong advocate for personal freedom, refuses to adhere to the hospital’s stringent regulations and encourages his fellow patients to seek their own liberty. His defiance brings him into conflict with the hospital’s director (portrayed by Louise Fletcher), who wields significant power over the institution. McMurphy’s resistance leads to severe punishment by the administration.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest explores themes of freedom and the struggle to maintain it, while also highlighting the profound impact of society on the individual.

Information about One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Director: Miloš Forman
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, William Redfield, Will Sampson
Release Year: 1975
Duration: 133 minutes
Country: USA
Genre: Drama
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, Netflix
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
Language: English
Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
IMDb Link: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on IMDb

10.The Green Mile

The Green Mile, though positioned lower on the list, is considered by me to be the best drama. Adapted from Stephen King’s novel of the same name, the movie is set in the execution section of a prison during the late 1930s. The title refers to the green corridor that prisoners walk down on their way to death row.

The story revolves around Paul Edgecomb (played by Tom Hanks), a prison officer in this section, and John Coffey (portrayed by Michael Clarke Duncan), a large and intimidating man accused of murdering two young girls. Despite his fearsome appearance, Coffey is later revealed to be innocent. As the officers uncover the truth, they face a series of extraordinary events in their effort to save him.

The Green Mile explores themes of misjudgment and the profound consequences of mistaken beliefs, demonstrating how deeply people’s assumptions can impact their lives.

Information about The Green Mile

Director: Frank Darabont
Cast: Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt
Release Year: 1999
Duration: 189 minutes
Country: USA
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Crime
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, Netflix
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
Language: English
Summary: In 1935, at a Louisiana prison’s death row, a gentle giant named John Coffey is sentenced to execution. Despite his imposing size, Coffey exhibits a mysterious, miraculous ability to heal others, leading prison guard Paul Edgecomb to question the man’s guilt and the nature of justice.
Trailer: Watch the Trailer on YouTube
IMDb Link: The Green Mile on IMDb

Best romantic drama movies 🎞️

Romantic drama movies hold a significant place within the drama genre. We’ve compiled a list of notable romantic drama movies that are highly regarded by both audiences and critics. This selection includes drama movies centered around love. Here are some of the best romantic drama movies:

Before Sunrise (1995)
Before Sunset (2004)
Titanic (1997)
The Notebook (2004)
Breaking the Waves (1996)
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
The Reader (2008)
The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
Jane Eyre (2006)

The best Netflix drama movies 🎥

Drama movies are readily available on the Netflix platform. The popular streaming service not only hosts a wide range of the best drama movies but also features its own original productions. Netflix offers many options within the drama category, including content that blends genres such as romantic drama movies, action, and thriller. Additionally, the platform includes new drama movies released in 2022. Here are some Netflix drama movie recommendations: