For most college students, the main reason they cry during the Christmas season is because of finals. However, there's another reason for people to cry this time of year. While most of them are pretty happy and joyful, there are some Christmas movies that really know how to make people cry. While they're some of the best Christmas movies out there, they're still incredibly sad. There's nothing quite like a good Christmas cry. So buckle up and get ready for a feels trip on Santa's sleigh! It may be the season to be jolly, but these movies definitely prove it's also the season for tears.
1. The sick little girl from "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town."
GiphyThis moment is very "blink and you miss it", but when you really think about it, it's actually very sad. Kris visits a little girl who's most likely terminally ill and promises her he's going to deliver her a toy she wants even though it's against the law. It's pretty heavy for a kids' Christmas special.
2. When Cindy Lou almost ruins Christmas in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/11-christmas-movies-watch-holiday-season
Let's get one thing straight, all the Who's are horrible people, except for Cindy Lou Who. She has never done anything wrong in her life. She tries to do the right thing by inviting the Grinch to the Whobilation, but the whole party goes wrong, and all the Who's blame her! She just wanted to make the Grinch's Christmas better! Trust me, your heart will definitely break for her.
3. When Belle leaves Scrooge in "The Muppet Christmas Carol."
Belle breaks off her engagement with Scrooge in every adaptation of "A Christmas Carol", but in this version, we get a deeper insight into what Belle feels when she makes the final decision to leave Scrooge for good. The song "When Love Is Gone" is beautiful, poignant, and a heart-breaking depiction of lost love.
But if you really want the saddest version of this broken engagement, read the book. Scrooge actually goes and sees Belle happy with a new husband and family. That will definitely make you shed a tear.
4. When Kevin is reunited with his family in "Home Alone."
GiphyAfter Kevin being separated from his family for most of the movie, it's so nice for them to be reunited again on Christmas Day. Yes, they all had a huge falling out at the beginning, but to see them make up and be happy together again makes me cry tears of joy! There's nothing quite like spending time with your loving family for the holidays! And of course, "Somewhere in my Memory" makes this moment that much sweeter.
5. When Frosty melts in "Frosty the Snowman."
GiphyWhen I was a kid, this scene made me weep. Like, actual tears. Frosty and Karen were such good friends, and Professor Hinkle locked him in the greenhouse and basically killed him! Okay, maybe some of my six-year-old memories are coming back to haunt me. But thank goodness Santa was there to save the day!
6. When everyone realizes Scott Calvin is Santa in "The Santa Clause."
GiphyThis is my favorite Christmas movie of all time, and this moment is exactly why. Watching Charlie's parents remember their childhood dreams after they had forgotten them for so long and seeing Scott put others before himself for the first time in a long time always makes my heart grow three sizes. There's nothing like child-like belief in Santa Claus to make you cry tears of joy!
7. When Anna sacrifices herself for Elsa in "Frozen."
http://hafanforever.tumblr.com/post/124764925838/queen-elsas-darkest-hour
Is "Frozen" really a Christmas movie? We can discuss that in the comments. But however you feel about this movie, you can't deny that the scene when Anna sacrifices herself for her sister. Anna's act of true love is beautiful, sincere, and an incredibly sweet moment. You'll cry tears of sadness when she freezes, but then cry tears of joy when she and Elsa are reunited.
8. When Teddy receives the ornament in "The Christmas Chronicles."
GiphySince this film is brand-new, this is a spoiler!
"The Christmas Chronicles" does a fantastic job of tackling how children deal with grief. Throughout the whole movie, the older brother, Teddy, has lost his way a little bit as he tries to navigate through life without his father. He sends a letter to Santa asking to see his dad again, and he gives Teddy a magic ornament which allows him to see his dad again and tell him he's proud of him. The gift was such a surprise that I cried both tears of joy and sadness because Teddy finally got his closure and realized his dad was never too far away.
9. "When Christmas Comes To Town" from "The Polar Express."
"The Polar Express" is full of innocent and child-like moments, but this one ultimately takes the cake as the sweetest and most heart-breaking. Little Billy's dreams of a Christmas his parents could never afford and questions of why Santa always seems to pass him by is enough to make the child in us all weep.
10. All of "It's A Wonderful Life."
GiphyFor anyone who's ever felt like they've put their life on hold and missed out on so many great things, this movie will definitely hit them in the feels. The whole movie is sad in a very subtle way, but in the last forty-five minutes, the movie suddenly kicks the depression into high gear (I will not lie, it is intense.), and by the end, everyone is crying tears of sadness and joy at the same time. There's just so much thrown at the audience, so you need to experience it for yourself if you haven't already.