Stock up on tissues: Five tear-jerking romance movies for an 'ugly cry' on Valentine's Day
Grab a box of tissues before watching these romantic movies.
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Finding the perfect romance movies for your Valentine’s Day marathon often means signing up for a deep sentimental journey, and these five films are guaranteed to leave you reaching for a box of tissues.
While February is the designated month of love, it is also the perfect time to watch those movies that will leave you "ugly crying".
Before you dim the lights and settle in, prepare yourself for a journey through the most beautiful, soul-crushing stories the genre has to offer.
The Notebook
No list of romantic tear-jerkers would be complete without this Nicholas Sparks staple starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.
The story follows Allie and Noah, two star-crossed lovers from different social classes whose summer fling evolves into a lifelong obsession.
While their younger selves provide plenty of passion, it is the modern-day framing of the story that truly delivers the emotional knockout.
It is a powerful exploration of how love persists even when memory begins to fade.
Me Before You
This modern classic focuses on the unlikely bond between Louisa Clark (Emilia Clarke), a quirky and cheerful young woman, and Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a wealthy man who became paralysed in an accident.
As Lou tries to show Will that life is still worth living, they fall deeply in love, but the film doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of Will's situation.
With performances by Janet McTeer and Charles Dance, the ending is notoriously polarising and deeply emotional, forcing viewers to grapple with the complexities of sacrifice in the name of love.
A Star Is Born
In this powerhouse, Lady Gaga delivers a career-defining performance alongside Bradley Cooper, who also directed the film.
The story centres on Jackson Maine, a seasoned musician battling addiction who discovers and falls in love with Ally, a struggling artist.
As Jackson coaxes Ally into the spotlight, her career skyrockets while his own spirals downward.
Supported by a touching performance from Sam Elliott, the film's climax and its final song are an absolute gut punch that explores the devastating intersection of fame and personal tragedy.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
A visually stunning and emotionally devastating film, this story stars Jim Carrey as Joel and Kate Winslet as Clementine.
After a painful breakup, Clementine undergoes a high-tech medical procedure to have all memories of Joel erased from her brain.
Devastated, Joel decides to do the same, but as he watches his memories of their love vanish, he realises he doesn't want to let her go.
Featuring a stellar supporting cast including Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, and Elijah Wood, it is a profound look at the necessity of heartbreak and the memories we wish we could keep.
The Time Traveler’s Wife
This adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger’s novel stars Eric Bana as Henry, a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to involuntarily travel through time, and Rachel McAdams as Clare, the woman who loves him.
Because Henry cannot control when or where he goes, their relationship is a series of fragmented moments and long, painful absences. It is a haunting exploration of a love that is constantly "out of sync" and the toll that waiting takes on a person.
Supported by Ron Livingston, the film’s conclusion is a guaranteed heartbreaker that questions if love can truly conquer time.