Loss, grief, and heartbreak are cold, hard facts of life that virtually no one can avoid. With all the happiness that life has to offer, there are vast moments of sadness that come with it. Although it is not anything that one wants to experience, these themes do make for great cinema. Some of our favorite stories are filled with dramatic themes where loved ones pass on, and their friends and family are there to pick up the pieces. In many cases, loss and grief can push characters to go on deep journeys of self discovery. Along the way, they overcome their grief while hopefully learning a lot about themselves. In films like Manchester by the Sea, we saw how even the smallest of steps, like a basic human connection, can put a character on the right path towards redemption.

In some cases, loss and grief can push characters to chase their dreams and take risks. The Pixar hit movie Up followed an elderly man who finally took the trip of a lifetime after the death of his beloved wife. All the while, he had her inside his heart, thus bringing her along for the ride. These films are filled with heartbreak and sadness, and they certainly may not be for everyone. With that said, films such as these definitely resonate with most people, bringing out deep emotions from within. Cinema can bring you into worlds with fictional characters, and if they are carried out right, you can feel the pain and sorrow that the characters feel from beginning to end. Grab a box of tissues, and let's dive into the best films about loss and grief, ranked.

9 P.S. I Love You

hilary-swank-p-s-i-love-you
Warner Bros.

P.S. I Love You follows Holly (Hilary Swank) who tragically loses the love of her life, Gerry (Gerard Butler), to a brain tumor. Soon after, Holly is given a quest by Gerry which brings her on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, she learns about friendship, family, and moving on after tragedy. It is an endearing, yet heartbreaking, film led by fantastic performances.

Related: Best Hilary Swank Movies, Ranked

8 The Descendants

the-descendants
Ad Hominem Enterprises

With The Descendants, Alexander Payne, once again, proved his filmmaking capabilities as well as his talents of getting the most out of his actors. The story follows Matt King (George Clooney) who is trying to connect with his two daughters while his wife is in a terminal coma. Along the way, he learns of his wife's infidelity, making the situation much more complicated. The story shows you the complex truths of love and relationships as well as the power of family, and being there for your children. Clooney gives one of the best performances of his career.

7 Mass

isaacs-plimpton-mass-2021-bleecker-street
Bleecker Street

In Fran Kanz's directorial debut, he proved his talents as an excellent filmmaker. The heartbreaking story of Mass follows a couple (Jason Issacs & Martha Plimpton) who have a sit-down with the parents (Ann Dowd & Reed Birney) of a mass shooter who killed their son. The story is intense from start to finish, and it shows you the power of confronting pain to overcome it. Each actor brings something to the table, and the film was an amazing achievement for Kranz, as well as the cast. Indeed, Vanity Fair's review of the film called it "brilliantly acted."

6 Up

Up movie from Pixar about a widower
Walt Disney Studios

Pixar's Up tells the story of an elderly man who goes on an epic adventure across the sky to South America as a tribute to his deceased wife. The film is endearing from start to finish, and certainly one of the best films from Pixar. It shows you the power of chasing your dreams no matter what age. At the same time, it shows you how your loved ones stay with you even after they are gone.

5 Pieces of A Woman

pieces-of-a-woman
Netflix

Pieces of a Woman is a heartbreaking film following Martha (Vanessa Kirby) and Sean (Shia Labeouf) who try to move on after their daughter tragically dies at childbirth. It shows the strain that tragedy has on relationships as well how connecting with your own family is vital to the healing process. Kirby gives a tour de force performance as well as the rest of the cast, including Ellen Burstyn and Sarah Snook.

Related: Best Movies About Parenthood, Ranked

4 Hereditary

Toni Collette screams by the fire in Hereditary
A24

Ari Aster's Hereditary is a very interesting take on the story of grief. It follows Annie (played by Toni Collette) and the rest of their family as they grieve both the death of her mother and her daughter (Milly Shapiro). During this process, horrific, supernatural events begin to take place including the communication with those who have passed on. It is a truly frightening tale that solidified Aster's career.

3 Manchester by the Sea

Manchester By The Sea
Roadside Attractions

Casey Affleck gives the finest performance of his career as Lee Chandler, a man who is unable to cope after he made a mistake that killed his children in a fire. Throughout Manchester by the Sea, he slowly makes steps towards recovery thanks to his relationship with his nephew (Lucas Hedges). Although he never fully recovers, he was at least able to move on in some way thanks to the connection with his nephew.

2 Ordinary People

Ordinary-People-Review-1024x557 (1)
Paramount Pictures

In Robert Redford's directorial debut, he adapted the acclaimed novel Ordinary People by Judith Guest. The film tells the story of a family trying to overcome the death of their beloved son. It focuses mostly on Conrad Jarret (Timothy Hutton) and his inability to connect with his mother, played by Mary Tyler Moore. It is a complicated story about family attempting to overcome tragedy and guilt.

1 Steel Magnolias

steel-magnolias
Rastar

Steel Magnolias truly shows how the power of friendship can help you overcome grief and tragedy. The story follows a group of female friends in Louisiana who are there for each other through the best times and the worst. After M'Lynn's (Sally Field) daughter (Julia Roberts) dies, she is filled with anger. She quickly realizes that things will be alright thanks to her strong and loving friends who are there for her no matter what.