Have you ever sat down to watch a horror movie and surprisingly ended up crying? I’m not ashamed to admit I have. I love horror. Scary, gory, messed up, give it to me. Sometimes, a different kind of feeling washes over me while I watch a scary film.
Now, I’m not just talking about the depressing tales in horror. There’s plenty of those movies around to just suck the life out of you. I’m talking about movies that make your eyes leak that salty liquid called tears. I can be pretty unfazed when it comes to the horror genre. However, every now and then, a movie gets me emotionally. Put on one of these movies, and you’ll see me bawl like a little girl whose candy was snatched from her hands. It might go without saying, but just in case – incoming spoilers, my friends. And in no particular order, 6 horror movies to cry to and where to watch them.
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
Where You Can Watch: Tubi, Pluto TV, MGM+, YouTube Movies
I know. Hear me out, though. The Return of the Living Dead is a cult classic and has a reputation for being quite campy. It is one of my earliest horror memories, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. In contrast, watching it as an adult, though, it’s an existential crisis. First, we have one of the undead tell us that death is such a painful existence that is only relieved by eating the living. In addition, we have a soon-to-be undead person take his own life because he’d rather die than turn into a zombie. I’m telling you, this is a cry fest for me.
Train to Busan (2016)
Where You Can Watch: Pluto TV, Prime Video, YouTube Movies
Train to Busan is on everyone’s list for a reason. Dad is taking his daughter to be with her mom, and they get stuck on a train with flesh-eating zombies. Every time I watch this movie, I cry. Every…single…time. You’d think I would have stopped after the first time.
Furthermore, this movie is so beautiful. Plus, we have two dads who will do anything to protect their kids, the unbreakable bond of sisterhood to bring on the tears, and the unfairness of a zombie virus passed along indiscriminately. Bring me the Kleenex, please!
Frankenstein (1931)
Where You Can Watch: Prime Video, YouTube Movies, Classix
I know I can’t be the only one who finds themselves tearing up while watching Frankenstein. This classic, based on Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” is probably the OG when it comes to making me cry at horror. Even now, as an adult, I find myself feeling deep sadness for the monster. In particular, he didn’t ask to be created and thrust into this world of confusion and distrustful humans.
Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981)
Where You Can Watch: Tubi, Pluto TV, Shudder
When I first watched this as a little girl, it wrecked me. A man is wrongly accused of mauling a little girl and is killed by vigilantes. Thankfully, his spirit comes back to seek justice. The deaths are great, and revenge is beautiful. However, it doesn’t change the fact that an innocent man was killed, and I just can’t stop myself from crying like a baby.
These Final Hours (2013)
Where You Can Watch: Tubi, Pluto TV, Apple TV, Prime Video
Who loves a good apocalyptic movie? Me, that’s me raising my hand. This Australian horror flick has it all. Mankind is behaving like complete and total assholes on their last day on Earth, bloody death scenes, and impending doom. This entire movie was 87 minutes of a panic attack for me. There’s something about the end-of-the-world flicks that freaks me the fuck out. Along with that, throw in the story of a man searching for his love, and I’m a blubbering mess.
El Orfanato/The Orphanage (2007)
Where You Can Watch: Apple TV, YouTube Movies, Prime Video
Last and certainly not least, this has to be the most resounding, most gut-wrenching, primal cry I have had outside of losing a loved one. El Orfanato is a Spanish film about a woman who was orphaned as a child and returns to her childhood orphanage. She plans to reopen it after moving in, but discovers that it is haunted. Of course it is. And her son is just chatting it up and playing with the little ghost kids. Importantly, I’m a mom, and I’m just going to say it right now. Dead kids…hand me the tissues.
Dalia De Leon
I love horror because it's a comfort genre for me. I have many labels in life which means I'm busy but never too busy to pop a scary or genre flick on the tube to enjoy. In addition to life and writing for Horror Movie Blog, I am the former co-host to the late Nightmare on 5th Street: A horror movie podcast. May she rest in peace. You can find my reviews here on HMB and TheCherryPicks.com.
