Emotional Dramas

These movies tend to be a little darker in nature and have heavy subject matters. This list has a variety of well known and not so well known emotional dramas.

Image of movie poster for White Oleander

White Oleander (2002)

Categories: Emotional drama

PG-13

Hulu, Prime (free), HBO Max

Why I love this movie

This movie is the story of a teenage girl moving from foster home to foster home after her mother ends up in jail. I love the focus on her relationship with every mother figure in each home, and the incredible acting by the ensemble cast of female leads.

Image of movie poster for Florida Project

The Florida Project (2017)

Categories: Emotional drama

R

Netflix

Why I love this movie

The Florida Project has a unique point of view and will make you feel like a child again. A six year old girl, Moonee (played by Brooklyn Prince), is living in a motel just a few miles down the road from Disney World. She makes the most of her surroundings and sets out on adventure. Its both sweet and heartbreaking, you’ll want to adopt little Moonee by the end.

Image of movie poster for Pieces of April

Pieces of April (2003)

Categories: Emotional drama

PG-13

Hulu, Prime (free)

Why I love this movie

Whenever I think of watching a movie on Thanksgiving, I think of this one. It’s the story of a dysfunctional family’s thanksgiving taking place in their oldest daughter April’s (played by Katie Holmes) low rent New York city apartment. It could equally be considered a dark comedy as much emotional drama, but there’s something about the darkness of a broken family during the holidays that lands this closer to sad than funny for me.

Image of movie poster for Love and Mercy

Love and Mercy (2014)

Categories: Emotional drama

PG-13

Hulu, Prime (free)

Why I love this movie

This is the true and astonishing story of Brian Wilson, of The Beach Boys. It documents the band’s rise to fame and Brian’s struggle with addiction and his volatile relationship with his controlling therapist. I love the combination of music and true events, if nothing else you'll leave with a whole new appreciation for The Beach Boys.

Image of movie poster for The Namesake

The Namesake (2006)

Categories: Emotional drama

PG-13

Rent Prime

Why I love this movie

This is the beautiful story of Gogol (played by Kal Penn), a young American Indian man struggling with identity, culture, and family’s expectations. I love the shaping of the story through the events of how Gogol got his name. Your admiration for him will grow alongside his character's appreciation for his family history.

Image of movie poster for Foxcatcher

Foxcatcher (2014)

Categories: Emotional drama

R

Prime (free)

Why I love this movie

This movie is based on the true events of a millionaire, Jon du Pont (played by Steve Carell), that becomes obsessed with two Olympic wrestling brothers Mark and Dave Schultz (Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo). Though the story is dark in nature it doesn’t weigh down the rhythm, you will remain glued to the screen till the very end.

Image of movie poster for Mystic River

Mystic River (2003)

Categories: Emotional drama

R

Cinemax Go

Why I love this movie

I waited too long to watch this one because I was afraid of how sad it would be. The great acting combined with the mystery and backstory that unfolds makes the devastating story of a young teenage girl’s disappearance worth watching.

Image of movie poster for Winter's Bone

Winter’s Bone (2010)

Categories: Emotional drama

R

Hulu, Prime (free), HBO Max

Why I love this movie

Another film I passed over several times before finally watching because it seemed too sad, but Winter’s Bone has an interesting mystery to it that overshadows the darkness. A young Jennifer Lawrence seeks her missing father while struggling to support her siblings and mother in a poor Ozark town.