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.
Image credits: kaelyyna
#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.
Image credits: drowninginteger
#3 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.
Image credits: Composer_Academic
#4 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 mechanismsStill a great film, but so gut-wrenching
Image credits: JDazzleGM
#5 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.
Image credits: V02D
#6 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?"
Image credits: JesusWearsVersace
#7 Dead Poets Society (1989)
It hit me HARD mate!
Image credits: DarkSorceress_007
#8 American History X (1998)
Dude the f*****g curb stomp is still clear in my mind and it's been years
Image credits: BeanpoleAhead
#9 Requiem For A Dream (2000)
That ending montage made me physically ill.Only movie that's ever done that to me.
Image credits: Gargle_Marbles
#10 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!
Image credits: mgeezysqueezy
#11 Bridge To Terabithia (2007)
My childhood literally ended after finishing that movie.
Image credits: ElvenNeko
#12 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
Image credits: SomeGuyinaHood1e
#13 Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)
Like just knowing it happened brings me so much pain
Image credits: ok-ash
#14 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
Image credits: VibinWithDoggo
#15 Boys Don't Cry (1999)
It made me depressed for days.
Image credits: IrianJaya
#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...
Image credits: Titanomicon
#17 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.
Image credits: dumbamericanqueer
#18 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.
Image credits: Leather_Mango
#19 Brokeback Mountain (2005)
It was such a beautiful film, so very emotional and then it just broke me. Watched it once in the movie theater and never again after.
Image credits: makikoigami
#20 What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Leonardo DiCaprio is phenomenal in that. He did character studies to get his role to be believable.
Image credits: houseofprimetofu
#21 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.
Image credits: -eDgAR-
#22 We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)
That was a truly visceral experience.
Image credits: crackosaurusrex
#23 Oldboy (2003)
watched this with a girl on a netflix and chill date cus we'd both heard good things, but had no idea what it was about. There was no chill, and no second date.
Image credits: CommercializedPan
#24 Nightcrawler (2014)
Incredible movie but I'll never watch it again. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a sociopath too well; so much so that I struggle to watch him in other things now.
Image credits: lowerrr
#25 The Mist (2007)
My favourite bit of trivia about that film is when Stephen King watched the ending, he apparently said that he wished he had thought of it.
Image credits: Usedbeef
#26 Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Man, I rarely cry during movies, but I teared up with that movie. The symbolism is absolutely beautiful.
Image credits: Pyxos
#27 The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)
That scene where they're sleeping in the bathroom was hard.
Image credits: edgarpickle
#28 Once Were Warriors (1994)
soul crashing. can’t bring myself to watch it 2nd time. but must see. alcohol fueled domestic violence abusive families all over the world are the same. it was so on point.
Image credits: dudettte
#29 Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
Nicolas Cage is amazing in it (Won an Oscar for it!), but as a recovered alcoholic, that film hits WAY too close to home. Good film though.
Image credits: Kryodamus
#30 Steel Magnolias (1989)
Steel Magnolias, especially now that I have kids. I can't even think about Sally Field's breakdown without tearing up.
Image credits: evelynnross
#31 Melancholia (2011)
Really disturbing. Don't think I've ever really gotten over it.
Image credits: haliella
#32 Midsommar (2019)
I got really invested in it when I was watching it for the first time, and I've had an absolute fear of cults since I was a kid. I don't find the film scary at all, but by the end of it, I was just completely frozen.I've watched it since then cuz I love it but I have to take like months to prepare myself to watch it again lmao
#33 The Road (2009)
Watched it when it first came out. Loved it. Can’t put myself through it again though. It’s so hard going and heartbreaking.#34 Manchester By The Sea (2016)
This movie showed how a man can be fully socially functional while suffering from major depression. That aspect hit me the hardest.#35 The Hunt (2012)
That. F*****g. Movie.Things it shows:
children should not be exposed to pornography
Children who are being questioned to see if they were abused should only have that questioning done by a specially trained expert and possibly with potentially a trained advocate present because it’s too easy to lead them to a conclusion they think the questioner wants to hear, especially if they think they are in trouble
(note: I edited this due to the several very good points several people said about parents shouldn’t be present, some people are also saying best practice is one on one with that trained forensic questioner.)
basically everyone in that story ended up f****d up
Image credits: Wunderbabs
#36 Dancer In The Dark (2000)
Amazing performance by Bjork and brutally sad. I bought a copy of the DVD after seeing the movie because I loved it so much. I lent the disc to several friends and looked at it many times myself, but could just never summon the energy to watch it again.#37 Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
Saw the screener with my film class and had no idea what to expect. Needless to say I was completely blown away and have re-watched it quite a few times since.Jim Carrey’s performance is phenomenal.
Image credits: shogun101
#38 Mary And Max (2009)
It's such a beautiful movie and so damn sad. I've recommended it to lots of people but it's hard to find.
Image credits: Ghostrider_119
#39 The Game (1997)
Loved it but wanted to shoot everyone at the end.Edit: also Hostel. Walked out of the theater freaked out
#40 Wind River (2017)
I've actually put myself through watching this movie multiple times because it's so good but, wow, traumatizing. For anyone on the fence about it, it does have a satisfying conclusion.#41 Come And See (1985)
Wonderful movie, but even more devastating than Grave of the Fireflies, in my opinion.
Image credits: Mimameird
#42 Threads (1984)
Made in 1984, it's a harrowing depiction of a major nuclear exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union.It is incredibly bleak and tragic--the most effective representation of the horrors of nuclear war that I've ever seen.
Everyone should watch it once, in my opinion. But no one needs to see it twice.
#43 Promising Young Woman (2020)
Just watched "Promising Young Woman" two days ago and still can't get over it. I highly highly recommend it. But I don't think I can watch it again.#44 Moonlight (2016)
It was so realistic to my life that it made me uncomfortable.#45 Beasts Of The Southern Wild (2012)
One of the best movies I have ever seen (I am old), but leaves you with a lot of phantoms.#46 Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father (2008)
Dear Zachary, hands down. However I've seen it 4 times#47 Nocturnal Animals (2016)
Good movie. Can't watch it again because of that highway scene.
Image credits: JohnnyJayce
#48 Elephant (2003)
Extremely well-put-together film and it shook me to my core. 10/10, will never watch again#49 Wind River (2017)
The tension in the film ratchets up nicely, you get a sense of the desperation these folks on the tribe are experiencing, the hopelessness in their search for justice. I enjoyed the dynamic with Renner's character and the locals - he's from the place and still an outsider, which is something we can all identify with in some way. The big shootout at the remote camp ("why is he flanking me?!?!") was INCREDIBLE in every aspect of filmmaking. My heart was actually pounding during that scene, a response I rarely get while watching a film.#50 Sorry To Bother You (2018
There are no words to describe that movie.from Bored Panda https://bit.ly/3zHy0r4
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