17 Movies that Make Men Cry

Let’s face it. The days when it was taboo for men to cry at movies are gone. It’s practically a sign of true manliness when a guy is moved to tears by a touching, epic story. Theaters are filled with sad action movies, intentionally made to be good crying movies. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

There are several reasons a guy might be up for a good cry. He and his girlfriend got into a fight and she stormed out. He’s away on business and misses his mom. He’s out on a Match.com or a Tinder date and the girl said she liked sensitive guys in her profile. All very valid reasons to turn to movies that will make you cry. Here, we’ve gone to great lengths to assemble a list of 17 movies that make men cry, and are suitable for a variety of tastes and occasions.

Jerry Maguire

Jerry Mcguire Movie Poster

“You complete me” remembering that part of the movie gets us tearing up right now! A fun story about a sports agent who experiences a morel epiphany and gets fired for expressing it. The story is of his struggle and triumphs once he starts own agency. Starting it with only one player and his assistant Dorothy (Renee Zellweger) who quits her job to follow him and his dream. Its a heartwarming story of bro-love between Jerry and his #1 player Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.) that any guy can appreciate and a budding love interest in Dorothy that is sure to induce tears in even the manliest guy.

Brian’s Song

Brian's Song

An old one that you may have not seen, based on the real-life friendship between Chicago Bears running backs Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo, Brian’s Song got guys watching because it was about “Daaaa Bears” and football, but it was much more than that. Starring Billy Dee Williams as Sayers and James Caan as Piccolo, this movie explores a friendship that overcame competition, prejudice, and disease. Sayers, after learning that Piccolo has developed terminal cancer, gives a speech at an awards banquet and says, “I love Brian Piccolo. And I’d like all of you to love him too. And so tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him.” That line induced tears within even men with the toughest facade.

Saving Private Ryan

Saving Private Ryan

The first of several movies on this list that involve super-masculine softy Tom Hanks, Saving Private Ryan follows a squad of U.S. soldiers as they go behind enemy lines to save a paratrooper whose brothers were killed in battle. Winner of 5 Academy Awards, stories involving troops at war are notorious tear-jerkers. Combined with a tragic loss of family, this movie is incredibly moving as well.

The Green Mile

The Green Mile

Focused on a giant man with supernatural powers, this sad film focus on the lives of guards on death row in the 1930. The story revolves around Paul Edgecomb, the head guard, who discovers that one of their prisoners, John Coffey, possesses a miraculous healing ability. Coffey, a gentle giant convicted of murdering two girls, exhibits supernatural powers that challenge the guards’ beliefs and moral judgments of having to do their duty and put to death a man that has such miraculous abilities and is wrongfully accused. A dramatic film that is sure to make any man cry.

Armageddon

The age old story of new boyfriend, dad hates new boyfriend, world is going to end. Wait what world is going to end? You heard that correctly! If you haven’t seen it before or it’s been a long time, this is your reminder you need to watch it again. An action packed movie for the guys, romance and comedy, with a star studded cast with plenty of scenes that will make him cry this is one tear jerking movie that has something for everyone.

Shawshank Redemption

Shawshank Redemption

Andy & Red, played by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, are two prison inmates who join forces to go on an incredible journey, even while incarcerated. The moment that always gets me is when Andy gives Red the harmonica. Unlikely friendship and folk music are a beautiful duo.

Schindler’s List

Schindler's List

Sometimes knowing that a story is true makes it even more poignant on the screen. Based on a real businessman, Oskar Schindler, Liam Neeson saves over 1000 people from the gas chambers during the Holocaust. The tale of such bravery demands that the viewer be moved.

It’s a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life

Angels! Christmas! Donna Reed! Life is truly wonderful, and this movie is a great reminder to count your blessings. Oh, and little kids saying adorable things will really tug at your heartstrings.

Old Yeller

Old Yeller

You saw this one coming, right? This is one of the few multi-generational movies that make men cry. Old Yeller is a true classic, and beautifully depicts a relationship that is always hard to define: a man and his dog. I’m always on the edge of my seat when little Arliss starts feeding cornbread to that bear, but when that puppy steals that meat at the end, just like his daddy, I totally fall apart.

Big Fish

Big Fish

A cranky Dad who exaggerates everything, and his hard headed son learn about life and each other through a series of wacky characters, flashbacks, and shape-shifting. You’ll either cry because of the father/son bond, or because you’re full of frustration at the confusing plot devices. Either way.

Rocky

Rocky

Sly Stalone has given himself the character of Rocky Balboa, a bone-headed, eager to please fighter with a heart of, eh, gold I suppose. If not a heart of gold, he definitely owns some gold chains. Anyway, there’s six Rocky movies, and all of them have some eye watering moments. Your best bet, though, is the original. When Burgess Meredith as the trainer, Mickey, says “You’re gonna eat lightnin’ and you’re gonna crap thunder!” it will make you want to reassess your place in life, or at least give yourself a good talking to.

Turner and Hooch

Turner & Hooch

More Tom Hanks, this time with a dog. This movie is kind of a forgotten classic, and a great choice for the aforementioned Match.com dates. When she cuddles up to you about 45 minutes in, take the opportunity to put on you best puppy dog face. When the tears start pouring, try not to slobber. That’s only cool for dogs.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day

Terminator 2

It’s a story as old as time: boy meets killer cyborg from the future; cyborg tries to kill boy; and boy’s future self reprograms cyborg to protect his past self. Ok – so Terminator 2 isn’t your typical tear-jerker, but a father-son bond grows between John Connor and the Terminator throughout the course of T2. At the end when the Terminator lowers itself into the pool of molten steel to save John (past and present) – admit it – you choked back tears.

Spartacus

Spartacus

A lot of people haven’t seen this one, because Kubrick didn’t accept it into his official list of masterworks, but this Spartacus is epic. Starring Kirk Douglas as the rebellious slave in the title, over 10,000 people appear in the movie based on the legendary tale. Although there are many great moments, pay close attention to the final scene. I won’t ruin it for you, I mean, Spartacus dies, obviously, but I will say this: Tears. Will. Flow.



E.T.

ET

A post-modern take on the “man and his dog” tale, E.T. brings out the tears with a hyper-sympathetic, misunderstood kid, and a never-been-that-adorable-again Drew Barrymore. I still get misty eyed when I see a bicycle with a basket on the front.

Steel Magnolias

Steel Magnolias

Known primarily as a chick flick, Steel Magnolias is actually a roller coaster of emotions. Right when they’ve filled you with sorrow after the funeral, Sally Field almost hits Shirley MacLaine! Laughter mixed with tears is like eating two desserts: super satisfying. As an added bonus, Dolly Parton is in it.

Field of Dreams

Field of Dreams

Of all the movies that make men cry, this one brings out the most tears from happiness. Kevin Costner starts hearing voices, and destroys his only source of income to build a baseball field, and it doesn’t all end terribly! Some might say he even protected himself from future high fructose corn syrup boycotts. This movie is actually very cool, even if you don’t like baseball, and when ghosts start lining up at home plate, get out the tissue!