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21 Sad Anime Movies to Cry Out Your Pains


Have you ever felt that heaviness around your chest, pinching pain in the throat, or vent-up ducts around your eyes? I truly understand that it is not a pretty state to be in!

But, to get out of this state, you first need to get deeply into it. Instead of suppressing your sadness, you need to feel it fully. Only then you will be able to find and eliminate your causes of feeling sad for no reason at all.

To truly feel and vent out your sadness, there is nothing better than watching a few anime sad movies. 

Let’s quickly find out the top anime movies that can help you cry. 

1. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

MyAnimeList: 8.5/10 │ AniList: 94% │ IMDb: 8.5/10

Runtime: 1 hour 29 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, War, Historical, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 100%


Seita and his younger sister Setsuko lost their parents during World War II. Now they must fight their circumstances to find food and survive in a city full of burnt houses and unsympathetic inhabitants. In this sad anime movie, fireflies are shown as a symbol of dwindling hope for children in warring Japan. 

Why it is so Sad:
Grave of Fireflies is filled with moments of hope and extreme despair. It will make you feel sad because of the struggle of Seita to shield his sister from the harsher realities, and yet be impotent in his efforts. If you’re wondering how to feel your feelings easily, then this anime with sad endings is meant for you!

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Amazon, Apple TV

2. A Silent Voice (2016)

MyAnimeList: 8.9/10 │ AniList: 92% │ IMDb: 8.2/10

Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Romance, School, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 85%


Shoya Ishida is burdened by his guilt – as he used to bully Shoko Nishimiya. Shoko is a deaf girl who has suffered due to the acts of Shoya. Now, Shoya seeks redemption as he tries to befriend Shoko and help her with sensitivity and care. But, something more is waiting around the corner. Are they both falling in love? 

Why it is so Sad:
As one of the best sad anime films, “A Silent Voice” deals with heavy themes like bullying, disability, and the struggle for acceptance. It’s a touching story about the impact of our actions on others and yet the power of forgiveness, care, and love. 

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Google Play, Fandango at Home, YouTube

3. Centimeters per Second (2007)

MyAnimeList: 7.6/10 │ AniList: 81% │ IMDb: 7.6/10

Runtime: 1 hour 3 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 80%


Takaki and Akari are two lovers who have just one dream – to see each other again. This story is told in three interconnected segments, revolving around the theme of memories and heartache in romance. Being one of the best anime sad movies, Centimeters per Second deserves a shot from you!

Why it is so Sad:
The film captures the melancholy of two lovers growing up and then growing apart. The love, longing, heartache, and depth of thought in this movie will definitely make you shed your rivers. It is one of the best movies on loneliness that will move your heart.

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home

4. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (2018)

MyAnimeList: 8.5/10 │ AniList: 88% │ IMDb: 8.0/10

Runtime: 1 hour 48 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 90%


Haruki Shiga is an aloof boy who one day discovers a diary in a hospital wing. Through this diary, he came across Sakura Yamauchi, who is the most popular girl in their high school. However, when they befriended, she told him that she was suffering from a terminal illness and would die in some time. Together they start adventures that help them to understand new meanings of life and human connections. 

Why it is so Sad:
The anime sad love movie is a heart-wrenching story of life, death, and the impact one person can have on another. It will definitely make you cry through its depth of human emotions and a feeling that soon everything will end in some nothingness. 

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Apple TV, Google Play

5. Hotarubi no Mori e (2011)

MyAnimeList: 8.3/10 │ AniList: 84% │ IMDb: 7.9/10

Runtime: 45 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Romance, Supernatural, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 75%


Gin is a spirit trapped by a peculiar curse — he will vanish if he’s ever touched by a human. One day he comes across Hotaru, a curious young girl, who is lost in this forest. Soon they became friends and started to share their stories, feelings, and quiet moments. However, even in their deepest joy, the inevitable farewell looms ahead. Will they ever be able to touch each other, or not part away with this bond? Also known by the name, “To the Forest of Firefly Lights” this movie is a must-watch experience for you.

Why it is so Sad:
This short sad anime film beautifully captures the bittersweet nature of fleeting encounters and the pain of impossible love. It will help you understand exactly what does feelings mean within you.

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Apple TV

6. The Wind Rises (2013)

MyAnimeList: 8.1/10 │ AniList: 83% │ IMDb: 7.8/10

Runtime: 2 hours 6 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Historical, Romance, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 70%


Against the backdrop of pre-World War II Japan, Jiro Horikoshi is a young man with an unwavering passion for aviation. His relentless pursuit of designing beautiful airplanes is also a deeply personal quest marked by love and loss of the past. However, it is his planes that will be used for massive destruction – both of enemies and Japan itself. If you’re interested in an emotional war film around the themes of love, sacrifice, and the fragility of human aspirations, then this movie is meant for you. 

Why it is so Sad:
It is one of the sad anime movies that make you cry. This film poignantly captures the tension between personal dreams and the harsh realities of life. It’s a beautiful yet somber reflection on ambition, love, and the inevitability of change, that will definitely make you emotional for 2 straight hours. 

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Max, Amazon, YouTube

7. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)

MyAnimeList: 8.1/10 │ AniList: 85% │ IMDb: 7.7/10

Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes
Subgenres: Adventure, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 65%


Makoto Konno is a carefree high school girl who has recently discovered that she can leap through time. However, her joy turns to sorrow when she fails to help her friends and realizes that playing with time can make her lose some moments and people forever. 

Why it is so Sad:
The film explores themes of loss, regret, and the importance of making the most of the present. Its emotional depth makes it an experience that will help you in passing through the stages of emotional healing. If you’ve been searching for the top 10 sad anime movies, then this one is definitely meant for you.

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Crunchyroll, Apple TV, Amazon

8. Wolf Children (2012)

MyAnimeList: 8.6/10 │ AniList: 88% │ IMDb: 8.1/10

Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 80%


Hana, a university student, falls in love with a werewolf and has two beautiful children. But after the sudden death of her husband, she had to move to the city to raise the kids. This movie revolves around the challenges of a single parent, especially when she’s raising half-wolf siblings. 

Why it is so Sad:
Wolf Children comes among sad anime movies that are full of heartwarming and heartbreaking moments. Hana deals with dual challenges – raising her children alone and grieving the loss of her husband. This movie is infused with a melancholic tone, balanced by moments of hope, love, and personal growth.

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Crunchyroll, Apple TV, Amazon

9. Millennium Actress (2001)

MyAnimeList: 8.2/10 │ AniList: 83% │ IMDb: 7.9/10

Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Historical, Romance, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 75%


This movie is centered around the perfect mix of love, loss, nostalgia, and unfulfilled dreams. Chiyoko Fujiwara is a retired film star who recounts her life to a documentary filmmaker. Chiyoko’s career was driven by her search for a mysterious man she fell in love with. Through wars, film sets, and changing eras, she chased this elusive figure. This movie is a wonderful piece of storytelling that you wouldn’t want to miss. 

Why it is so Sad:
Millennium Actress beautifully captures the pain of unattainable love and regret. And yet still it uses comprehensive storytelling that will appeal to your feelings of sadness and nostalgia alike. 

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: TubiTV, Pluto TV, Sling TV, PeacockTV

10. The Garden of Words (2013)

MyAnimeList: 7.9/10 │ AniList: 80% │ IMDb: 7.5/10

Runtime: 46 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 70%


Takao is a 15-year-old aspiring shoemaker, who skips his school on rainy mornings so that he can sketch designs in a garden. There one day he met Yukari who is quite a mysterious woman. Despite the significant age difference between them, they form a deep bond through their common emotions of solitude and struggle. But will they form even a deeper connection, or will it just end as a fleeting relationship? It is one of the best sad anime movies on Netflix, that deserves an hour out of your busy life.

Why it is so Sad:
This film revolves around the melancholic beauty of unspoken emotions. The longing and heartache of love followed by an atmosphere of rain and isolation makes it a truly cathartic watch for your feelings. Watching this movie will have an impact very similar to reading the best self-healing books for catharsis and emotional well-being.

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Google Play

11. When Marnie Was There (2014)

MyAnimeList: 8.1/10 │ AniList: 81% │ IMDb: 7.7/10

Runtime: 1 hour 43 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Mystery, Supernatural, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 75%


Anna is a lonely and asthmatic 12-year-old girl who is sent to the countryside to improve her health. There in an old mansion, she meets Marnie who is a mysterious yet lively girl. Together they formed a secret alliance to follow their adventures and do personal confessions. However, there is much more to Marnie than meets the eye. Will Anna be able to uncover Marnie’s secret, thus knowing her own past-self and find ancestral healing

Why it is so Sad:
The film explores themes of loneliness, self-discovery, and the deep connections that transcend time. Its emotional depth and beautifully crafted narrative makes it a heart-touching experience to have.

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Max, YouTube, Fandango

12. In This Corner of the World (2016)

MyAnimeList: 8.2/10 │ AniList: 84% │ IMDb: 7.8/10

Runtime: 2 hours 9 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Historical, Slice of Life, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 80%


Suzu Urano is a young woman who could find beauty even in the simplest views and paint it on a canvas. As she marries Shusaku Hojo, she tries to adjust to her new family and life. But there is much more around the corner. With the onset of World War II, she now has to endure air raids, food shortages, injuries, and loss. What more tragedies are written in her destiny? Will she ever be able to paint again? 

Why it is so Sad:
“In This Corner of the World” portrays the harrowing experiences of wartime Hiroshima through Suzu’s eyes. Her constant struggle to maintain hope amidst overwhelming despair will evoke your deepest emotional responses.

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: The CW, PeacockTV, Sling TV, Amazon

13. Colorful (2010)

MyAnimeList: 7.8/10 │ AniList: 78% │ IMDb: 7.5/10

Runtime: 2 hours 7 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Supernatural, Slice of Life, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 85%


A soul has been given a second chance at life by inhabiting the body of a 14-year-old boy, Makoto Kobayashi. Makoto recently died by suicide. Now, the soul must uncover the reasons behind Makoto’s death and through it understand its own deepest self. 

Why it is so Sad:
Colorful is an emotionally moving film centered around the themes of family dysfunction, bullying, loneliness, and an adolescent’s search for identity. Its melancholy combined with hope will definitely make you cry and want to look deeper into yourself. 

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Fandango, Plex

14. Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms (2018)

MyAnimeList: 8.4/10 │ AniList: 83% │ IMDb: 7.4/10

Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Fantasy, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 85%


Maquia is an immortal girl from the Iorph clan. After her homeland is attacked, Maquia is separated from her people and discovers an orphaned baby boy, Ariel. She raises him as her own. As she goes through motherhood she realizes the ultimate pain – watching her son age while she remains unchanged. If you’ve not been feeling good lately, then this is one of those anime with sad endings that will help you in venting out your pent-up feelings.

Why it is so Sad:
This film beautifully portrays the heartache of losing those we cherish. Its theme centers around the sacrifices of motherhood and the overall transient nature of life that will definitely move you to your deepest core. 

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Xumo Play, Sling TV, Tubi TV, Amazon

15. Weathering with You (2019)

MyAnimeList: 8.0/10 │ AniList: 80% │ IMDb: 7.5/10

Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 70%


Hodaka Morishima is a high school boy who runs away to Tokyo. One day he meets Hina Amano, who is an attractive yet mysterious woman. Soon he learns about her ability to manipulate the weather. Together they try to use her powers to bring sunshine to a rain-soaked Tokyo. But with every boon, there is a curse that is followed. 

Why it is so Sad:
It’s one of the anime sad movies that centers around the theme of – sacrificing love for one’s societal duty. You will be moved by the feelings of heartache combined with the excellent graphics of this movie. 

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Max, Amazon, YouTube

16. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)

MyAnimeList: 8.2/10 │ AniList: 81% │ IMDb: 8.0/10

Runtime: 2 hours 17 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Fantasy, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 80%


One fine day a bamboo cutter discovers a radiant girl inside a bamboo shoot. He raises her as a princess, naming her Kaguya. As she grows, Kaguya struggles with her life and longs for freedom. Her extraordinary beauty attracts noble suitors, but she yearns for the simple joys of life. If you want to see an anime movie with simple graphics, then this one is meant for you. 

Why it is so Sad:
This anime sad love film portrays Kaguya’s internal conflict between duty and personal desire. Her longing for freedom and connection to her true self leads to profound heartbreak, especially as she faces the inevitability of separation from her loved ones. 

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Max, YouTube, Apple TV

17. The Anthem of the Heart (2015)

MyAnimeList: 7.8/10 │ AniList: 76% │ IMDb: 7.3/10

Runtime: 1 hour 59 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Romance, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 75%


A magical egg sealed away Jun Naruse’s words to prevent her from hurting others with her speech. One day Mr. Sakagami invites her to join a musical group in her school. Through the power of music and the support of her new friends, Jun learns to express herself and confronts the hidden pains of her past. 

Why it is so Sad:
This anime sad movie explores the feelings of isolation, burden, guilt, and trauma. Naruse’s journey to reclaim her voice and confront the trauma caused by her words is heart-wrenching. Seeing her struggles will definitely evoke deep empathy and sorrow within you. 

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Apple TV, Roku, Amazon

18. From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

MyAnimeList: 7.8/10 │ AniList: 75% │ IMDb: 7.4/10

Runtime: 1 hour 31 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 65%


If you want to see a movie on the post-war atmosphere and feelings in Japan, then this one is for you. Umi Matsuzaki is a high school girl who raises signal flags daily in memory of her lost father. One time she meets Shun Kazama who is a member of the school’s newspaper club. In the background of their budding feelings, they work together to save their school’s clubhouse from demolition. However, it is their shared past that is around the corner to complicate everything. 

Why it is so Sad:
The film is sad because it delves into themes of loss, memory, and the complexities of love. Umi and Shun’s discovery of their intertwined past creates emotional turmoil, adding layers of melancholy to their relationship. The backdrop of post-war recovery and the struggle to preserve history also adds to the sense of both melancholy and nostalgia. 

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Max, Google Play, Fandango

19. The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004)

MyAnimeList: 7.6/10 │ AniList: 74% │ IMDb: 7.0/10

Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 70%


“The Place Promised in Our Early Days” is set in an alternate post-World War II Japan. The country is divided into the Union-controlled north and the US-controlled south. The story follows three friends: Hiroki Fujisawa, Takuya Shirakawa, and Sayuri Sawatari. They share a common dream of building a plane to reach a mysterious tower that is visible from their hometown. But, as they grow older, their paths diverge, with Sayuri mysteriously disappearing. Years later, Hiroki and Takuya set out to find and save their friend.

Why it is so Sad:
The separation of the three friends and the emotional weight of Sayuri’s condition create a poignant atmosphere in this movie. Emotional struggles and sacrifices of characters also trigger strong feelings of pain, making it a profoundly moving experience to have.

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Apple TV, Amazon, Fandango

20. Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011)

MyAnimeList: 7.7/10 │ AniList: 75% │ IMDb: 7.2/10

Runtime: 1 hour 56 minutes
Subgenres: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 75%


Asuna is a young girl who discovers a gateway to a mysterious underworld filled with mythical beings and spirits. There she meets a boy named Shun who agrees to help her in bringing back loved ones lost to death. It is an emotional tale of adventure and discovery where Asuna grapples with feelings of loss and confronts the complexities of life and death.

Why It Is So Sad:
The film is emotionally impactful due to its exploration of themes of loss, grief, and the struggle to accept mortality. The beautiful animation and storytelling will definitely open your heart and accept emotions with mindful awareness.

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: YouTube, Fandango, Amazon

21. The Red Turtle (2016)

MyAnimeList: 8.0/10 │ AniList: 78% │ IMDb: 7.5/10

Runtime: 1 hour 20 minutes
Subgenres: Drama, Fantasy, Animation
Percentage of Sadness: 70%


If you want to watch a simple movie with a perfect mix of sadness, hope, and joy, then this one is definitely being made for you. “The Red Turtle” tells the story of a man who is stranded on a deserted island. His attempts to build a raft and sail away are constantly being thwarted by a red turtle who keeps on breaking his raft. But, one day, the turtle transforms into a woman, so as to provide man companionship and develop a deeper bond with him. Together, they create a life on the island, experiencing the cycles of nature and the passage of time. 

Why It Is So Sad:
This anime sad love is deeply moving as it portrays the profound isolation and longing for companionship experienced by a man. The film’s silence and minimalist approach amplify its emotional weight and deeper insights into the nature of life. 

Watch Trailer: YouTube
Watch Movie: Google Play, Amazon, Fandango

All in All

To get out of feelings of sadness, you need to truly feel this emotion within yourself. 

The above-listed best anime sad movies will help you get your ducts cleaned and the heaviness dissolved.