“The best movies transport us beyond time. We hitch a ride on the emotional roller coaster of the main character’s quest.”
- Cathie Glenn Sturdevant

The Thai movie ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ took the world by storm when it was released in cinemas in April 2024. It highlighted the complex dynamic of the intergenerational relationships in a family in Asian culture that tugged at the heartstrings (and tear ducts!) of everyone who watched the movie.

With that, I clearly remember the GSC promotional video, showing many cinema-goers being emotional to the point of crying, and that intrigued me to watch it in the cinemas.

Can you remember the last time you allowed yourself to be emotional / to cry?

There are actually emotional benefits of allowing yourself to be emotional / to cry while watching emotional / sad movies:

1. Movies help us release our emotions

At times, stress chemicals have been created in our bodies through the challenges that we have gone through in our lives, building up tension. Watching movies offers a safe space for us to feel and express emotions through experiencing the lives of the different characters.

Because films transmit ideas through emotion rather than intellect, they can also neutralize the instinct to suppress feelings and help to trigger emotional release. Therefore, the release of buried and built-up feelings through expressing our emotions (i.e. by crying) triggered by watching movies could be cathartic. Nature has provided us with such processes like laughing, crying or even laughing while crying to assist us to process as well as to move past our pain.

Watching and empathizing with a movie character who experiences tragedy or success after overcoming certain challenges can also stimulate the desired emotional release. This release usually lifts our spirits, diminishes the overwhelming emotion, as well as helps to inspire and motivate us to continue to pursue our goals.

2. Movies offers us a chance to connect with and explore our emotions in a safe way

Movies afford us a unique opportunity to retain perspective outside the experience (i.e. the observer's view) to take ourselves out of the situation yet still be able to connect with the event. They allow us to confront real-life issues by experiencing “reality” at a safe distance on the screen through our emotional responses. We are given the time and space to confront our own real, yet potentially intense feelings in a safe and protected environment.

Talking about movie characters and the events that took place in the movie can also allow us to be more comfortable venturing into difficult topics as a matter of relating to the characters rather than discussing those issues directly, giving us some emotional distance from whatever we’re going through. Through this, we are able to open doors to discussions about issues that otherwise might stay closed.

5 Steps to Engage With Movies Mindfully via the “Movie Method”

Yet there is a way to mindfully engage with the movies that you’re watching - in order to obtain the most from this experience, you can try using the “Movie Method”.

Step 1

Firstly, check how you're feeling—and whether this is a good day for you to engage with the chosen movie. Consider the effect of watching or reflecting on the movie.

Step 2

Thereafter, mindfully observe and notice your thoughts, feelings and physical responses as you watch the movie.

Step 3

After, name any emotions you're currently feeling. Notice how your body reacted or is reacting —such as tension or relaxation. Writing these down can be useful.

Step 4

Next, identify what the movie means to you. Notice which characters you identified with and how the character's journey might remind you of your own challenges and achievements.

Step 5

Consider how the movie can help you to explore new possibilities and strategies for growth. Think about how the characters solved problems and anything you can learn from the events that took place in the movie, the quotes said and the plot.

Recommended Movies to Cry to

That said, here are some recommended movies - if you are in the mood or are looking to cry to (Spoiler-free!):

1. Inside Out 2 (2024)

Do check this out if you are looking for a relatable cartoon that breaks down emotions to bite-sizes, suitable for all ages! Experience teenage-hood (for the first time, or once again) through the eyes of Riley and her core emotions: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust and the latest additions of Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui.

The sheer simplicity of how Riley goes through the range of her emotions and how they relate emotions, life experiences and the formation of self-worth makes it a very relatable moment for everyone to experience and to have a moment of self-reflection. I believe the hype around the movie has been enough to say all there is to say about it.

You can also check out our blog article on emotions & Inside Out 2 here.

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2. Yolo (Chinese: 热辣滚烫) (2024)

The premise of the movie seems simple enough: a young, unemployed, overweight Chinese woman, Le Ying moves out on her own after having a disagreement with her family. She meets a boxing trainer and starts boxing. We are also taken on a journey from her perspective even as she explores the world; seeing her go through the challenges in her life, her response and her growth from it.

The movie highlights how sheer determination and willpower, as well as having a goal in mind can be just what we need to propel us to move forward with life, despite the odds being stacked against us. You can’t help but end up rooting for Le Ying, and being emotionally invested in wanting to see her reach her goals.

The realization that we are the most important character in our lives, and most importantly, all we need is us rooting for ourselves; is a heart-warming one that will be remembered for many upcoming days.

3. 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days (2024)

The movie tells of a workaholic Taiwanese man who makes a trip to Japan to fulfill his promise to his first love, whom he met 18 years ago serendipitously. He travels towards her snow-capped hometown, carrying with him the memories of his first love, peppered with many once-in-a-lifetime encounters in Japan along the way.

The storytelling of the current timeline as well as the flashbacks to a young version of the man brings to the foreground the sweetness of experiencing our first loves, the promise of the future and of chasing one’s dreams. The movie, serving as a poignant reminder of the passing of time and the theme of living with no regrets is sure to bring up emotions in everyone as they reflect on their own lives.

4. Lost in the Stars (Chinese: 消失的她) (2022)

A step away from the slice of life theme of the other recommendations on this list is this highly acclaimed mystery crime film. The brief summary is this: He Fei's wife mysteriously disappears during their anniversary trip. When she reappears, it seems that he is the only one that insists that she isn't his wife. He gets a top lawyer involved to help him prove his belief, and more mysteries start to emerge.

You are in for an emotional ride; as you follow He Fei, drawn in by his point of view, following the twists and turns of the trip as it seems like everyone is out to prevent him from finding out the truth. Be sure to get your seatbelt on, as nothing is really as it seems to be with this family. If you are keen on plot twists, this one definitely takes the crown for recent movies that have left a mark in the cinema scene: Do you really know the people that you’re close to?

#5 A Man Called Otto (2022)

Tom Hanks does an absolutely amazing job at portraying the devastated and lonely widower, Otto, who seems to have nothing to live for, after experiencing the loss of his wife. However, his plans are disrupted by a loud and rambunctious family that moves in next door.

Touching on grief and its challenges in an obvious but unsuspecting manner, this movie is sure to tug at your heartstrings as you ponder about the lives of people that you might see often but not engage with - your neighbors. It also shows the power of showing up and being there for someone else, in your own unique way.

This movie serves as a reminder that there is a place for the loud and overwhelming type of love that is in-your-face. Don’t forget that everyone wants to feel like they belong and that they matter - even that grumpy neighbor across the yard.

Happy watching!

Resources

5 more movies to cry to after watching ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’