17 People Share Their Thoughts On The Most Heartwarming Movie Scenes Ever
Get your handkerchiefs ready.
Movies can be such tearjerkers. But in this day and age, when superhero movies are ruling the theaters, we often forget that. An interesting aspect of memories is that we associate them with feelings.
In other words, the stronger the feeling is when we experience something (sorrow or joy), the better we will remember it. And that's true for movies as well. Those moments that provoke strong emotions will linger in our memories for much longer.
We need more emotions in our lives because our hectic lifestyles often lead us to repress them. Some historians say that Spartans, the most feared warriors in ancient Greece, were encouraged to spend one hour after every battle to cry, yell, and shout, just to release those emotions. So, if the Spartans were allowed to do that, why are you keeping your emotions all locked up?
People share their favorite emotion-packed movie moments, and we made a list of the best of them. You will notice that we have some blockbuster sci-fi movies on our list, but no one remembers the action scenes from them. It's the emotion that counts.
Take a look. Maybe it will inspire you to watch those movies again. Just get your handkerchiefs ready.
1. Coco
"When Miguel sings to Coco, and she remembers and starts telling stories about her father. I sob every time because it's just so gosh darn precious," shares Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist known for her research on love and relationships. She emphasizes, "The emotional connections we have with our family members can evoke profound feelings, especially when memories are shared."
2. E.T
"This is an obvious one, but I just love the flying scene. The score by John Williams is a huge contributing factor. As Dr. Steven Pinker, a cognitive scientist, notes, 'Music has a profound effect on our emotions and can elevate the experience of film in remarkable ways.'"
3. "You're still you"
"When Simon's mom gives the 'You can breathe now' speech to Simon. It feels like she’s talking directly to me, and it makes me cry every single time. So many queer teens (including myself) don’t have parents as accepting as that, and that speech just warms my heart so much." According to Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, "Acceptance from parents can significantly impact a child's emotional well-being, especially for LGBTQ+ youth." Her insights can be found on her professional website dralexandrasolomon.com.
4. Edward Scissorhands
"When Edward watches Kim dance in the snow, and when they hold each other, it captures the essence of connection and vulnerability in relationships."
— Dr. Laura Berman, sex therapist
The latest statistics show that men and women enjoy comedies, with 90% of women and 91% of men loving funny movies. However, when it comes to drama, women prefer them significantly more than men—89% to 80%.
Romantic comedies, however, are the genre where men and women can't agree. 84% of women would love to see a romantic comedy in the theater, while only 67% of men feel the same way.
So, does this mean that 17% of men who watch romantic comedies with their significant others do it just because they have to? Well, we can't really verify, but the numbers speak for themselves.
5. "Shawshank Redemption"
"At the end, when Red and Andy reunite, it’s such a poignant moment. The film carries a heavy sense of injustice throughout, but that beautiful reunion somehow alleviates all the stress. It’s a reminder of the power of hope and freedom." — Dr. Daniel Goleman, emotional intelligence expert
6. "Beauty and the Beast"
"I'm 34, so it was the first film I ever saw in the cinema. I've seen it countless times since, but that dance absolutely never fails to fill my heart with joy. As Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a happiness researcher, states, 'Joy is not just a fleeting emotion; it is a state of being that can be cultivated through experiences that resonate with our inner selves.'
7. "When Harry Met Sally"
"The New Year's Eve scene when Harry finally tells her all the reasons he loves her, and that he wants 'the rest of his life to start as soon as possible.' This moment encapsulates the essence of vulnerability in relationships. As Dr. John Gray, relationship author, states, 'True intimacy is built on the foundation of open communication and expressing our deepest feelings.'"
8. "The Avengers"
"When Tony hugs Peter after he comes back, and Peter’s like, 'Oh, this is nice.' You can see how happy Tony is, and how much he loves Peter and thinks of him as his own son! This moment beautifully illustrates the deep bonds that can form in relationships, akin to what Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, notes: 'Love is a deeply ingrained biological drive that motivates us to form attachments.'"
9. "Homeward Bound"
"When Sassy, Chance, and Shadow all return at the end. Everyone's hugging, and they're all so happy, and Chance realizes he has people he can trust and a home for life," says Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert. "This moment encapsulates the profound sense of belonging that is essential for our emotional well-being." You can explore more about her insights on emotional health at Susan David's website.
10. "Boys on the Side"
"When Whoopi sings 'You Got It' at the end. It rips me up every single time!" This sentiment resonates with many, as emotional connections in film can deeply impact our well-being. Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a happiness researcher, states, "Movies can evoke powerful emotions that help us process our own feelings." You can explore more about his insights on happiness at talbenshahar.com.
11. "Cinema Paradiso"
"When grown-up Salvatore watches the special reel his mentor, Alfredo, left for him upon Alfredo’s death, it evokes a profound sense of nostalgia and emotional depth. As Salvatore reflects on his journey as a director, the reel showcases all the kisses the town priest cut from various films over the years. The exquisite music of Ennio Morricone swells as Salvatore recalls Alfredo, his lost love Elena, and other cherished memories. According to Dr. Susan David, an expert in emotional agility, 'Emotions are not just feelings; they are a compass that guides us through our memories and experiences.' This beautifully touching scene encapsulates the essence of love and loss, making it a moment that resonates deeply with audiences."
—Dr. Susan David, emotional agility expert
12. "Little Miss Sunshine"
"When Olive’s whole family joins her on stage. Even though they’re all still going to have the same problems when it’s over, for just a few minutes, they all show their total support for Olive and prove they are a family and do love each other. They just let go and have fun; everyone else be damned. As Dr. John Gray, relationship author, states, 'The essence of love is to support each other, especially in moments of joy.' This scene beautifully encapsulates that sentiment."
13. "Up!"
"When Carl looks through the scrapbook that Ellie made, and she told him to go have a new adventure." This scene beautifully illustrates the importance of cherishing memories while also embracing new experiences. As Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, states, "The best relationships encourage us to grow and explore, even when it means stepping into the unknown." You can learn more about her insights at dralexandrasolomon.com.
14. "The Lord of the Rings"
"One single sentence: 'My friends...you bow to no one.'" This sentiment resonates deeply with the idea of self-empowerment and resilience. As Dr. Shawn Achor, a positive psychology researcher, states, "Happiness is not just a mood; it’s a mindset that can be cultivated." —Dr. Shawn Achor
15. "Crazy Rich Asians"
"One movie moment that always makes me feel SO full is when they're on the plane and Rachel accepts Nick's proposal. It's Rachel's mom in the background — she can't stop smiling and sobbing with that random woman on the plane, and the look she gives Rachel is just pure excitement and love. As Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis, a renowned marriage therapist, states, 'Moments of genuine joy and connection in relationships can be incredibly uplifting and affirming.' This scene encapsulates that feeling perfectly, leaving me with the BIGGEST smile!"
16. "Love Actually"
"When Sam says goodbye to Joanna at the airport and she gives him a quick kiss on the cheek before she leaves, and Sam turns back to his stepdad with the most triumphant little grin on his face and walks back toward him as the music swells, and then he leaps into his arms. According to Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, 'Moments of joy and connection in film can evoke strong emotional responses, reminding us of our own relationships.' Some of that movie is trash, but I rewatch it every Christmas just to get to that scene."
17. "Dead Poets Society"
"I absolutely love the final scene. I watched it again soon after Robin Williams passed, and that was in my mind the whole time — never have I so strongly felt the urge to smile, cry, and stand proud and defiant on a desk to let someone know how much they were loved," says Dr. Laura Berman, sex therapist. "Moments like these remind us of the profound impact love and connection have on our lives."
Movies that we see on this list are timeless, and they have truly stood the test of time. If you haven’t watched them yet, you should. Thrillers, horrors, and action movies are great for fun, but when you need soul food, you need that special something that only emotional movies can provide.
