10 Movies to Cry to While Bed Rotting

As a literary lover, I appreciate and endlessly consume all forms of artistic expression – art, photography, music and movies. If you as a human do not carry a fascination for any form of art, how can you appreciate beauty or even anything at all? That’s actually shade to someone I met a while back that had no interest whatsoever for any of these things.

It was a shocker.

If that’s you, I hope you leave that cave you’re living in soon. Now, if you've read my previous article on why ‘People Should Cry More”, and still had problems tapping into it, I've got you. But if you stumbled upon this by accident, and are just a movie lover or – as the topic succinctly put it – bed rotting; and you need something to get by, I've got you as well.

Before we get into our list properly, I wish to say this with all certainty, and with no regard to anyone else’s opinion – I have taste. It’s hard to speak objectively about one’s self, but it’s true. And while I’m aware that that every mallam has his kettle, this list covers ablution for all who are open-minded.

1.     Interstellar.

This Christopher Nolan masterpiece that features Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon amongst others, is widely acclaimed as a people’s favorite, and it doesn’t matter if you’re into sci-fi or not. Like I said, ablution for all. The plot covers a group of scientists on a mission to save Earth (read America and all its states), with Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) as the main character who promises his youngest daughter, of two kids, Murphy (Jessica Chastain and Timothee Chalamet) that he would return in a matter of weeks. What was supposed to be a simple space task becomes an almost impossible mission, and sacrifices are made for Cooper to keep his promise while still being true to his duty to the mission.

The intensity of the plot increases to an almost feverish crescendo and emotions are wound up tight as we follow the characters and hope they succeed above all else. Sure to draw a tear or two from you, it’s a movie you’ll definitely enjoy. Brother Chris and his stellar cast made sure of that.

2.     The Great Gatsby.

If you’ve read the book (F. Scott Fitzgerald), can you please hit up my twitter or email so we can dissect “the colossal significance of the green light”??? I just can’t shut up about this story whenever it comes up, and the 2013 movie by Baz Lurhmann was nothing short of a masterpiece. There was beauty everywhere you looked in that movie. I’m convinced the director just kept yelling “Cut! More glamor” in theatrical language, of course. For anyone watching this movie, you might feel the urge to party, get a makeover or just fall in love. Luhrmann did an incredible job with this movie, and picking Leonardo Di Caprio to play Gatsby was an excellent choice (as always).

The movie begins with Nick (Toby Maguire) as the narrator and neighbor-turned-close friend to an affluent businessman/socialite (Leonardo Di Caprio) who throws lavish parties everyday hoping to reunite with a long-lost love. This reunion between Gatsby and Daisy (Carey Mulligan) was only the beginning of the end, and we see how the whole of Gatsby’s existence was defined by that singular victory, as if all events that happened in his life had led him to that moment. If you’ve seen Titanic, you would know that Leonardo carried this movie, and its audience to the depth of despair where only a kind of all-consuming but impossible love takes one to.

Shivers.

As for Toby Maguire, I think man was doing more than just acting in that movie. He played the part of an observer and depressed writer way too well. But then again, he has always had that air of melancholy around him in most of his roles, hasn’t he?

Excellent casting, beautiful wardrobe and costume, brilliant cinematography. And the soundtrack? Chef’s kiss. I can write and talk about this movie all day, but go see it for yourself.

3.     The Notebook.

So… there’s two ways things can go based on experience, when you watch this movie. You either shed sad tears or you sleep off. Yet, it’s still on this list.

Here’s why:

I got past sleeping off and ended up watching it a dozen times later. I think what was different the fourth time I tried (yes, I slept off three different times) was that I was in a different head space. I was bereaved, heartbroken and fresh out of school. My world was literally collapsing, and my mind couldn’t deal with grief, the end of a long-term relationship and the anxiety of what the future held all at the same time, so it practically shut down. And while I owe it all to God for salvation, I dedicate 2% to the movies I binged during that period, this one especially.

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams carried us through a classic love story that endured time and classism. The type of love that everyone wishes they had, and haters say is unrealistic. But I think everyone who watches romance does so for the fantasy. I consider it a form of relief to get lost in a fantasy for two hours out of the soul crushing reality we live in. Why’s that silly?

This movie is a classic for a reason, but if you don’t see the hype, I did put a disclaimer at the beginning. You can also read the book if you end up loving it and feel like shedding an extra bucket of tears.

4.     White Chicks.

I’m actually laughing while typing this, because quite frankly I’m not sure this movie should be on this list, but alas, I’m still typing, and maybe that’s for a reason.

I saw this movie for the first time as a 9-year-old, and till this day, I consider it a comfort movie. Maybe that’s why it’s on this list; because it does justice to the topic of this article. It’s 2026 and everyone cannot seem to shut up about 2016. Even those born in 2005 are nostalgic! We’re collectively mourning the pre-AI period, before things got too loud and serious. Could it be just the new adults not being able to cope with the mounting pressure of responsibilities in a collapsing economy and remembering a time where things were relatively easier? Kind of how 2001 was like for the boomer generation? Something to think about there.

The Wayans Brothers gave this comedy the most of their personalities. Notice I said personalities instead of performance, because when it comes to comedy, no other race does it better. It’s not acting, we just happen to be in front of a camera.

Disclaimer: A few, very offensive things were said during the course of this movie, including white people saying the n-word, but it’s a 2004 movie. Definitely not an excuse or pass, but please, do not watch with delicate sensitivities. Have a good laugh, mourn the good times and keep it pushing.

5.     Wuthering Heights.

This movie is on this list as an act of defiance. Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi were acting their faces off and the rest of the internet just did not care. Most of the outrage from the public came from the fact that the 2026 adaptation was a far cry from what the book was about, mais mon Dieu, DIDN'T ANYONE FOLLOW THE PRESS TOUR?

Members of the cast and crew actually address this “flaw”. The writer wanted the adaptation to be her own interpretation of how the story should be. More of an inspiration, actually. It was a romantic tragedy that deserved a better reception than it got, in my opinion.

Now, my objective opinion: the plot was vapid, and what it lacked in plot, they filled with sex scenes and gave us a toxic love story that ended as a tragedy. But the goal of this list is to make you cry abi? Watch it.

Beautiful gowns on Robbie, by the way, they had my girl dressed UP!

6.     50 First Dates.

Everyone loves Adam Sandler. And just in case I haven’t been up to speed on recent events and he might have been cancelled, or you think he’s …corny? Fine. Everyone loves Drew Barrymore. If you don’t, respectfully, jump off a cliff. Maybe you were born in an era that doesn’t know her, so get an education; I don’t know what to tell you. Anyways…

This movie will have you shedding bitter-sweet tears one minute, then laughing the next. It’s a romantic comedy set in Hawaii and released in 2004, and we get to see Adam Sandler do what Adam Sandler knows how to do best – bring you wholesome family-friendly entertainment. Just in case I didn’t state this very clearly earlier, please leave your logic while digesting the plot of the movie, or at least try. I tried and wasn’t so successful, but it still didn’t take away from the overall experience.

7.     A Jazzman’s Blues.

Written, produced and directed by Tyler Perry, you already know it’s something you’ll fall in love with because it’ll evoke emotions deep within you. Positive or negative ones. Childhood love, slavery, and music all set in 1940s Georgia.

The movie begins with showing us a story that connects the present which we see in the first few scenes, and the events of the past that consequentially bring us to the present day.

We see the dynamics of a black family with nothing but dreams, each chasing after their own, as we see how they are separated by the pursuit of these dreams. Bayou (Joshua Boone) and Leanne’s (Solea Pfeiffer) love story is cut short because of a false accusation, and we see the two separated, only to reunite later in the future, where a once forbidden love, is now impossible. This movie, amongst others is proof that Tyler Perry has hacked this movie making thing. If there’s one thing a Tyler movie will give, it’s a compelling story, and characters you bond with or strongly despise at the end of the movie, which is why the whole discussion of his movies glorifying black struggle doesn’t hold water. It’s the experience of many black people, of course some people would feel uncomfortable watching their realities on screen. It’s not glorification if we’re giving space for these stories to be told. I understand the sentiment behind these views though, I just don’t agree, and yes, I've seen Straw. In fact, let’s add it to the list.

8.     Straw.

What I love about this movie is how real it is. I will forever be a fan of a good crash out, and our lead character reached the core of the earth to pull out the frustrations this character acted out on screen.  This 2025 Tyler Perry movie showed everything about struggle and added jara. And who better to play the dejected black woman going through the valley of the shadow of death than the exceptional Taraji P. Henson? This woman took all of us to the trenches and back, enduring trials and tribulations, ultimately crying and suffering with her. And why not, if not of course? I mean, her character’s name was Janiyah, please be serious.

I just couldn’t.

This was the movie that got most of the black community talking about how Tyler Perry loves to glorify black struggle. I mean, it’s the reality of most people, even here in Nigeria where I’m writing from. I think most people are just tired of seeing these types of portrayals in movies because … (passes the mic to someone who can express this better).

Anyways, this movie might be just what you need to get in your feels, especially if you’re broke. Did I forget to mention we have Teyana Taylor in this movie strutting in boots all day?

9.     Black Panther.

Chances are, you’ve seen this one. It’s on this list purely out of sentiment (not that it's not a great movie, it's one of Marvel's finest). What happened to Chadwick Boseman and the events that happened before his death were tragic. He faced public scrutiny and media backlash when he was just trying to live through his last days. Everyone suddenly remembered to be kinder after his death, but quickly forgot as time went on. Oddly, the tweet announcing his death on August 28th, 2020 is the most liked tweet of all time with over 7 million likes.

You can rewatch just for the sake of it and remind yourself how fickle life is. Wakanda forever, sha.

If you’ve gotten to the end of this list, and probably wondering where the tenth one is; its viewer’s choice. Yours. There’s probably that one movie you’ve seen that fits somewhere here, and you were maybe looking out for it, and you think everyone should go see - by all means, let us know.

You’ll also notice that I didn't add any of those movies where a character has some kind of terminal disease you have to google and has only a few weeks to live, because – let's keep it a buck – that trope is tireddd. Writing this paragraph has also reminded me of other worthy mentions, including the featured image which contains a shot of Will Smith in the movie: Pursuit of Happyness and I’m debating the idea of making a standalone list of them. Maybe, maybe not.