The Best Movies For Empaths To Watch

Ranker Film
Updated August 15, 2023 1.0K votes 156 voters
Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies For Empaths To Watch
Voting Rules
Vote up the films empaths will find comforting and inspirational.

On occasion, you just need to watch a movie that hits you right in the feels. That is why we put together the best movies on empathy. For sensitive people, there are plenty of great movies to watch. When you frequently experience empathy, stories often induce tears and sometimes you need a good cry. If you're trying to get in touch with your emotional side, these empathetic movies can help! 

These are films that bring our emotions to the surface. An empathic person needs to respond strongly to a film in order to get invested. The best movies for empaths are incredibly poignant and focus on a character's inner emotional journey. Whether it's the coming-of-age story of a character growing up and learning harsh life lessons or the saga of someone coping with a trying experience, these are good films to get the tears rolling. Just make sure to have a box of tissues ready if you select any of the flicks below for your next movie night. 

Most divisive: War Horse
Ranked by
  • Amélie
    1

    Amélie

    Audrey Tautou, Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett
    9 votes
    • Released: 2001
    • Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
    In the captivating French film Amélie, we follow the life of Amélie Poulain (Audrey Tautou), a shy waitress in Paris. With her unique perspective on life, she decides to help those around her while struggling with her own isolation. The film brilliantly intertwines romance and comedy under director Jean-Pierre Jeunet's guidance. It garnered critical acclaim, winning Best Film at the European Film Awards and receiving five Academy Award nominations. The plot is a charming labyrinth of human connection, set against the enchanting backdrop of Montmartre.

    Available On:

  • Stand by Me
    2

    Stand by Me

    Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman
    26 votes
    • Released: 1986
    • Directed by: Rob Reiner
    In the engaging film Stand by Me, four young boys - Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix), Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman), and Vern Tessio (Jerry O'Connell) - embark on an unforgettable quest. Their aim? To locate a missing teenager's body somewhere in the woods of Oregon. Directed by Rob Reiner, this coming-of-age drama is based on Stephen King's novella The Body. It's a gripping tale about friendship, adventure, and the harsh realities of growing up. The film, ripe with poignant performances and a captivating storyline, won critical acclaim upon its release in 1986.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • The Pursuit of Happyness
    3

    The Pursuit of Happyness

    Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton
    16 votes
    • Released: 2006
    • Directed by: Gabriele Muccino
    In The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a struggling salesman in San Francisco. With his son Christopher (Jaden Smith), he faces the harsh reality of homelessness after an unfortunate series of events. Amidst this, Gardner lands an unpaid internship at a prestigious brokerage firm. The film, based on a true story, follows their journey as Gardner, with unwavering determination and resilience, fights against all odds for a better future. The movie earned Will Smith an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • Life Is Beautiful
    4

    Life Is Beautiful

    Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini
    24 votes
    • Released: 1997
    • Directed by: Roberto Benigni
    In the heart-warming yet poignant film Life is Beautiful, Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni) is an Italian Jewish bookshop owner. He employs his fertile imagination to shield his son, Giosué (Giorgio Cantarini), from the horrors of internment in a Nazi concentration camp. The movie, a unique blend of comedy and drama, bagged three Academy Awards. It weaves a tale of resilience and love against the grim backdrop of World War II. Its endearing characters and compelling narrative make it an unforgettable cinematic experience.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
    5

    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

    Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote
    27 votes
    • Released: 1982
    • Directed by: Steven Spielberg
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a mesmerizing blend of science fiction and family drama directed by Steven Spielberg. The story revolves around Elliott (Henry Thomas), a lonely boy who befriends an extraterrestrial, dubbed 'E.T.', stranded on Earth. E.T.'s health declines while government agents close in on his location. With help from his older brother Michael (Robert MacNaughton) and younger sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore), Elliott must help E.T. escape Earth and return to his home planet. This film won four Academy Awards, including Best Original Score, and remains a beloved classic in the realm of cinema.

    Available On:

    subscription

    free

  • My Girl
    6

    My Girl

    Anna Chlumsky, Macaulay Culkin, Dan Aykroyd
    30 votes
    • Released: 1991
    • Directed by: Howard Zieff
    In the heartwarming drama My Girl, precocious 11-year-old Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky) navigates the trials of adolescence in 1972 Pennsylvania. Living with her widowed mortician father, Harry (Dan Aykroyd), Vada's world is colored by death and grief. Her best friend, the sweetly allergic Thomas J. Sennett (Macaulay Culkin), offers a ray of joy in her life. As Vada grapples with first love, loss, and growing up, she learns valuable lessons about life. The film beautifully captures the innocence and confusion of childhood amidst profound themes of mortality and transformation.

    Available On:

    subscription