Watching movies is one of the great ways to spend our free time. The variety of genres allows us to “move” to certain places, feel different emotions and simply escape our reality. Some movies are great for being a “noise” in the background, while others really get us involved. If you are the type of person that doesn’t find it easy to pick a movie worth watching because you simply feel lost in all the variety, the good people of the internet can really save you by sharing their own suggestions on the topic.
Having this in mind, Reddit user u/akambe asked people to share “what movie is so good you'd recommend it to all your friends, but so emotionally traumatic that you'll never watch it again?” The post with 391k views soon became a never-ending list of movies that left people in shock and surprise, from old movies that depict historic events, such as the Holocaust, to dramas that remind us of how short life is and what’s truly important. This question led to a discussion of why people find certain things in these movies touching or even traumatizing: a strong character portrayal, emotionally hard movie scenes, unexpected plot twists, or the mix of it all.
Do you see your choice on the list? If not, what movie did you watch that left you speechless and that you probably won’t watch again? Feel free to leave your recommendations in the comments down below!
More Info: Reddit
#1 The Boy In The Striped Pajamas (2008)
Came here to say this.
This movie... no words. Still haunts me. Still f***s me up, takes me back there, breaks my heart.
They hired the lead actor, Asa Butterfield, for his innocence. He knew nothing about the holocaust. They didn't tell him anything about the holocaust or the gist of the story, he was just playing a little boy who played with another little boy through a fence. They maintained that brilliant innocence of his throughout the movie. THAT'S what makes the ending of this movie just so very soul wrenching. I'm still so very moved by this film.
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293points
#2 Schindler's List (1993)
I just watched this for the first time about a month ago. I held it together fine until Oskar broke down crying because he couldn't save more people. Then came the waterworks.
263points
#3 Stand By Me (1986)
The last line gets me thinking everytime; "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12. Jesus, does anyone?"
248points
#4 The Green Mile (1999)
I love Stephen King and tried to read this book...big nope. Then watched the movie and I'm forever traumatized by John saying he's afraid of the dark...among other sad scenes in this movie. Dropping tears just typing this comment. F**k.
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244points
#5 Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
I thought I was going in to see a cool fantasy flick... And it turned out to be a movie dealing with trauma, abuse, and coping mechanisms
Still a great film, but so gut-wrenching
230points
#6 The Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)
I'm never, EVER, gonna watch that s**t again. It's from Studio Ghibli, the same from Spirited Away (Sen to Chihiro). An absolute masterpiece for sure, but don't expect to find happy little creatures in it.
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211points
#7 American History X (1998)
Dude the f*****g curb stomp is still clear in my mind and it's been years
198points
#8 Dead Poets Society (1989)
It hit me HARD mate!
198points
#9 Life Is Beautiful (1997)
This movie is unspeakably tragic. But its also profoundly beautiful. The love that the family had for each other gets me every time. Roberto Benigni was perfection in this role!
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191points
#10 A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Very well made; almost everything about that movie is incredible but it’s so emotionally intense and has such graphic subject matter that I’ll never watch it again. It’s one of those movies you see because it’s great but once you’ve seen it you’re like “Ok, cool. Mark that one off the list” and never touch it again
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188points
#11 Requiem For A Dream (2000)
That ending montage made me physically ill.
Only movie that's ever done that to me.
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182points
#12 Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)
Like just knowing it happened brings me so much pain
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182points
#13 Bridge To Terabithia (2007)
My childhood literally ended after finishing that movie.
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180points
#14 What Dreams May Come (1998)
Its the most beautiful movie and I think everyone should watch it at least once, but I haven't been able to bring myself to watch it since Robin Williams died. I actually haven't watched anything he's in since he died.
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175points
#15 The Pianist (2002)
I can't bring myself to watch it again. The anger and hopelessness I felt for that man and those people is beyond compare
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166points
#16 Full Metal Jacket (1987)
I watched the very first bit of it when I was in officer training and thought it was a comedy. A few months later I sat down and watched the whole thing. It's not a comedy...
160points
#17 Boys Don't Cry (1999)
It made me depressed for days.
160points
#18 The Land Before Time (1988)
For a kid's movie it's so emotionally crushing right from the get go and then you have the tragic murder of the 10-year-old voice actress for Ducky that just adds more sadness to that film.
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160points
#19 Hotel Rwanda (2004)
I was 18 when I first saw it for the last time. Joaquin Pheonix's line about people seeing a story about genocide on the news and not caring was a crushing "weight of the world" moment for me.
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153points
#20 What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Leonardo DiCaprio is phenomenal in that. He did character studies to get his role to be believable.
153points