The Most Heartbreaking Films That Had Us Crying Through 2016

"There's something so poetic and heartbreaking about Moonlight, the story of a young boy growing up in Florida and coming to terms with his sexuality. While it's a unique story we haven't seen on screen often (if ever), it's hauntingly relatable. Whether you see yourself in the main character or those around him, you'll be sobbing by the end. (I was.)" — Maggie Pehanick, editor, Entertainment

"It's impossible to put into words how brilliant, stunning, and overwhelming La La Land is. It effortlessly crafts an incredible modern love story and sets itself apart as one of the most romantic films of the year. But, well, a sweeping story like this is not without its heartbreaks. You'll be crying all kinds of tears as these two deal with the pitfalls and struggles and triumphs of their relationship. Get ready for happy cries, sad cries, and flat-out devastated cries." — Ryan Roschke, assistant editor, Entertainment

"This movie is about a boy who's not only getting bullied at school, but he's also coping with the fact that his mother has cancer. It had a whole theater of adults bawling at TIFF, so consider yourself warned." — Becky Kirsch, senior director, Editorial

"This one actually made me cry tears of happiness. It's the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a young Ugandan chess prodigy whose unexpected talent at the game transforms her life, her family's life, and the slum she comes from, Katwe. Phiona's story is so inspiring, but what really got me is the closing credits, where the real people are revealed next to their onscreen counterparts." — Shannon Vestal Robson, director, Entertainment

"You can only assume that when Jojo Moyes finally finished writing Me Before You, she also immediately bought a sizable stock in Kleenex, because the book and its beautiful film adaptation both contain one of the world's saddest endings. The movie version stars Emilia Clarke as Lou, who becomes a caregiver for Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a wealthy young bachelor left paralyzed from a motorcycle accident. Since Will goes from living a carefree, thrill-seeking life to a solitary existence spent in a wheelchair, he decides his only option is assisted suicide, which prompts Lou to figure out new and inventive ways of proving to him that his life is still worth living. They fall in love, but because the world is a cruel and unfair place, things don't go according to plan in the end. Suffice it to say, Me Before You will gut you to your core, so prepare yourself accordingly." — Quinn Keaney, assistant editor, Celebrity

"For starters, this movie centers around a little boy who becomes separated from his family in India. He then becomes adopted by a lovely couple in Australia but as an adult becomes fixated on finding his birth mother and siblings. It's heartbreaking, hopeful, and based on a true story, so bring tissues." — BK

"I'm that person who teared up during the first scene in Finding Nemo, so it goes without saying that Finding Dory made me cry an ocean of tears (pun intended). Not only was the plot about Dory's disability incredibly moving, but the various connections to the first film certainly pulled at my heartstrings." — Kelsie Gibson, assistant editor, Entertainment

"Nadine is not your average 17-year-old. In fact, she's dealt with an overwhelming amount of grief, sadness, and loss in her life. The Edge of Seventeen really hits home in the sense that it takes us all back to those bygone awkward teenage years. It's impossible not to relate. There are so many moments in the film that draw tears. Nadine loses her father in the first five minutes, and it's a wild roller coaster and mostly downward spiral from there. We have a feeling you won't make it to the end with a dry eye." — RR

"Yes, Sing Street is a happy movie, but it also packs an emotional punch. The film follows a teenager trying to make his way as a musician in 1980s Ireland. There's a lot to laugh about, but the family dynamics may shred you apart emotionally." — MP

"From the get-go, it's clear Loving is going to be tugging at viewers' heartstrings for the duration of every single scene. The film tells the story of an interracial couple who got married in the late 1950s. Virginia, however, would not accept their marriage as legitimate and thus began a long, intense legal battle that was eventually heard by the Supreme Court. You don't even need to know the outcome to figure out how necessary tissues are." — RR

"I knew this movie would be sad, but wow. Casey Affleck is gaining Oscar buzz for his performance as a man who becomes the guardian of his nephew once his brother (Kyle Chandler) passes away. The situation is inherently upsetting, but the depths of the story go far deeper, and you'd have to be stone cold not to be moved." — MP