Movies About Grief And Loss

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Lubna Azabal, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Maxim Gaudette, Mustafa Kamel
Rated R

Incendies is a 2010 Canadian drama film written and directed by Denis Villeneuve. The story follows twins Jeanne and Simon Marwan who, upon the death of their mother, Nawal, embark on a journey to the Middle East to fulfill her last wish. Along the way, they unravel dark secrets from their mother’s past, learning the truth about their family’s history and their connection to the turbulent Middle East. The film is a mix of drama, mystery, and suspense, taking the two siblings on an emotional journey of identity and self-discovery. Incendies is a powerful and moving film that tackles complex themes of family, identity, and the struggles of the Middle East.

From Directors: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, starring Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, John Ratzenberger, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG

Up is a 2009 American computer-animated comedy-drama adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, and co-directed by both, the film centers on an elderly widower named Carl Fredricksen and an earnest young Wilderness Explorer named Russell, who fly to South America in a floating house suspended from helium balloons. The film follows the adventure of the unlikely duo as they encounter talking dogs, a giant bird, and an evil and villainous old man known as Charles Muntz. Along the way, Carl and Russell learn to appreciate life, and explore the bonds of friendship and family. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning five Academy Award nominations and winning two of them, including Best Animated Feature.

From Martin McDonagh, starring Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Caleb Landry Jones
Rated R

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a 2017 dark comedy-drama film written, directed, and produced by Martin McDonagh. The film stars Frances McDormand as Mildred, a grieving mother who rents three billboards to call attention to the unsolved murder of her daughter. The billboards spark a public uproar that divides the small town of Ebbing, Missouri and brings to light the prejudice and corruption of the local police force. Mildred’s actions draw the attention of the town’s police chief, Bill Willoughby, and the violent, racist Officer Dixon. As the police investigate, Mildred and the two officers are forced to confront their own conscience and biases. Through this story, McDonagh examines themes of redemption, justice and morality.

From Ingmar Bergman, starring Bertil Guve, Pernilla Allwin, Kristina Adolphson, Börje Ahlstedt
Rated R

Fanny and Alexander is a classic Swedish film directed by Ingmar Bergman in 1982. It tells the story of two siblings, Fanny and Alexander, who are living a comfortable life in turn-of-the-century Sweden. When their mother remarries, they move in with their new stepfather, who has a strict and oppressive religious household which drastically changes their lives. The two children are subjected to physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their stepfather and must fight for survival. The film follows the siblings as they struggle to reclaim their childhood and freedom. It is a powerful story of resilience and the strength of family bonds, full of symbolism and dream-like sequences.

From Tim Burton, starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange
Rated PG-13

Big Fish is a 2003 American fantasy drama film directed by Tim Burton and written by John August, based on Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel of the same name. The film tells the story of Edward Bloom, a travelling salesman who lives life to its fullest and enchants everyone he meets. Bloom's estranged son, William, is drawn into his father's larger-than-life stories, only to discover the truth behind them. The film stars Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, and Helena Bonham Carter. Big Fish explores the relationship between a father and son, as the father's stories and tall tales come to life and reveal a truth about his life. It is a touching, bittersweet story of family, love and the power of stories.

From Yôjirô Takita, starring Masahiro Motoki, Ryôko Hirosue, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Kazuko Yoshiyuki
Rated PG-13

Departures is a 2008 Japanese drama film directed by Yōjirō Takita and starring Masahiro Motoki, Tsutomu Yamazaki and Kyōko Koizumi. It tells the story of Daigo Kobayashi, a cellist who is left unemployed when his orchestra is disbanded. He decides to move back to his small hometown with his wife Mika and discovers a job advertisement for a "Nokanshi", an "encoffinment" artist. Daigo reluctantly takes the job and must learn to accept his own mortality as he helps grieving families prepare their deceased loved ones for a dignified burial. Along the way, he discovers beauty and dignity in a job that society shames and stigmatizes. The film won the 2009 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

From Krzysztof Kieslowski, starring Juliette Binoche, Zbigniew Zamachowski, Julie Delpy, Benoît Régent
Rated R

Three Colors: Blue is a 1993 French-Polish drama film written and directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski. The film tells the story of Julie, a young woman whose life is turned upside-down when her husband and daughter die in a car accident. In the aftermath of their deaths, Julie isolates herself from the world and attempts to break all the emotional ties that bind her. Through her journey of self-discovery, Julie eventually comes to terms with her grief and learns to move on with her life. The film is the first of Kieslowski's Three Colors trilogy, which follows the French Revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

From Kenneth Lonergan, starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges
Rated R

Manchester by the Sea is a 2016 American drama film written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan. The film follows Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck), a solitary janitor in Boston, who is suddenly appointed the sole guardian of his 16-year-old nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges) after the death of his brother. He is forced to return to his hometown of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, and confront the painful memories of his past. As he struggles to adjust to his new role, he finds himself drawn back to his old flame, Randi (Michelle Williams), and a series of events that threaten to unravel his fragile existence. Along the way, he discovers the strength of his family, his community, and ultimately, himself. Manchester by the Sea is a powerful story of love, loss, and redemption that speaks to the indomitable human spirit.

From Directors: Don Hall, Chris Williams, starring Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, T.J. Miller
Rated PG

Big Hero 6 is a 2014 animated superhero film directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams. It is based on Marvel comic book characters from the same name and set in the fictional city of San Fransokyo. The story follows brilliant robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada and his robot Baymax as they team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes to save the city from a dangerous villain. Along the way, Hiro discovers the meaning of friendship, responsibility, and heroism as he strives to protect his home and loved ones.

From Robert Redford, starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton
Rated R

Ordinary People is a 1980 American drama film directed by Robert Redford and starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, and Timothy Hutton. It follows the story of the Jarrett family, who are struggling to cope with the aftermath of the death of their eldest son in a boating accident. The surviving son, Conrad (Hutton), who was responsible for the accident, is struggling with depression and guilt, while his parents (Sutherland and Moore) are left to cope with the tragedy in different ways. The story follows their journey as they try to put their lives back together and deal with their grief in different ways. Eventually, Conrad is able to come to terms with his guilt and move on with his life.

From Lasse Hallström, starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen
Rated PG-13

What's Eating Gilbert Grape is a 1993 drama directed by Lasse Hallström. The film follows Gilbert (Johnny Depp), a young man from a small town in Iowa who's struggling to take care of his family. His father has committed suicide and his mother (Darlene Cates) has become severely depressed and overweight. Gilbert is responsible for caring for his developmentally disabled younger brother Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his four younger sisters. He also has to provide for his family by working in a local grocery store. When a free-spirited young woman named Becky (Juliette Lewis) moves to town, Gilbert begins to break free of his small-town life. He also begins to confront his feelings of resentment towards his mother and finds solace in his relationship with Becky. The film explores themes of family, responsibility, and acceptance. It won an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Darlene Cates, and earned a nomination for Best Writing for Peter Hedges.

From Hannes Holm, starring Rolf Lassgård, Bahar Pars, Filip Berg, Ida Engvoll
Rated PG-13

A Man Called Ove is a Swedish film directed by Hannes Holm about a cantankerous, stubborn old man named Ove (Rolf Lassgård) who finds his solitary world turned upside down when a young family moves in next door. After a series of events, Ove comes to form an unexpected bond with his new neighbors. Although Ove is set in his ways and has a low opinion of the world around him, he slowly begins to rebuild his relationships and find meaning in his life. The film is a heartwarming and humorous exploration of the human capacity for kindness, connection, and growth.

From Taylor Sheridan, starring Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner, Graham Greene, Kelsey Asbille
Rated R

Wind River is a 2017 neo-Western murder mystery film written and directed by Taylor Sheridan. It follows U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) as he investigates the murder of an 18-year-old Native American woman on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. When U.S. Deputy Ben (Graham Greene) is unable to solve the case, Cory teams up with rookie FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) to help solve the crime and bring justice to the victim's family. As they investigate, they uncover a web of secrets and lies that could be connected to the murder. Along the way, Cory and Jane are forced to confront their own personal struggles as well. In the end, they find justice and closure, but at a cost.

From Tom McCarthy, starring Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale, Paul Benjamin
Rated R

The Station Agent is a 2003 romantic comedy-drama about an unlikely friendship that develops between three unlikely companions. It tells the story of Fin McBride, a lonely, quiet man who inherits a decommissioned train station in rural New Jersey. Fin moves into the station, hoping to be left alone, but is quickly befriended by two locals: Joe Oramas, a chatty hot dog vendor, and Olivia Harris, a grieving artist. As they spend more time together, they form an unlikely friendship that helps them each find solace in their lives. The film is a touching, funny, and poignant story of friendship and acceptance, with wonderful performances from its three leads.

From Tom Ford, starring Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Nicholas Hoult
Rated R

A Single Man is a 2009 drama film directed by fashion designer Tom Ford, based on the 1964 novel of the same name by Christopher Isherwood. Set in Los Angeles in 1962, at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the film follows a day in the life of George Falconer (Colin Firth), a 52 year old British college professor and gay man who is struggling to find meaning in his life after the death of his longtime partner, Jim (Matthew Goode). Throughout the day, George encounters a series of events and people, some of whom he can relate to and some of whom he cannot, that lead him to contemplate the notion of life, death, and the meaning of it all. As his day progresses, he begins to come to terms with his grief and develop a better understanding of his place in the world.

From Atom Egoyan, starring Ian Holm, Sarah Polley, Caerthan Banks, Tom McCamus
Rated R

The Sweet Hereafter is a drama directed and written by Atom Egoyan. It follows the lives of a small town in British Columbia as they grapple with the aftermath of a tragic school bus accident that has killed most of the children in the community. The town is visited by a lawyer, Mitchell Stevens, who attempts to persuade the parents of the victims to sue the bus company. As the families struggle to cope with their grief, they must decide whether to accept the lawyer's offer and pursue a legal battle or find another way to move forward. At the heart of the story is the moral dilemma of what is right and wrong in the wake of such a tragedy. The film explores themes of loss, guilt, and recovery, while ultimately questioning the meaning of justice.

From Mike Binder, starring Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith, Liv Tyler
Rated R

From William H. Macy, starring Billy Crudup, Anton Yelchin, Felicity Huffman, Selena Gomez
Rated R

From Emilio Estevez, starring Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Deborah Kara Unger, Yorick van Wageningen
Rated PG-13

From Alexander Payne, starring George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause
Rated R

From Mike Mills, starring Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Mélanie Laurent, Goran Visnjic
Rated R

From Gabor Csupo, starring Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Zooey Deschanel, Robert Patrick
Rated PG

From John Cameron Mitchell, starring Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest, Miles Teller
Rated PG-13

From Richard LaGravenese, starring Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Harry Connick Jr., Lisa Kudrow
Rated PG-13

From Lasse Hallström, starring Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Josh Lucas
Rated PG-13