Movies About Losing A Loved One

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

Up is an animated film released in 2009, directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, about an elderly man named Carl Fredrickson who embarks on an adventure with an 8-year-old stowaway named Russell. After his wife Ellie dies, Carl is determined to fulfill her dream of traveling to South America. He ties hundreds of helium balloons to his house and flies it to the wilds of South America, where they encounter talking dogs, a villainous explorer and a rare bird they must save. Along the way, Carl learns to open his heart to new friends and discover the true meaning of adventure.

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, produced, and directed by Martin McDonagh. The film follows Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand), a middle-aged woman who rents three billboards to post a message to the local police department, seeking justice for her murdered daughter. The billboards cause a ruckus in the small town of Ebbing, Missouri, which leads to confrontations and unexpected consequences for all involved. The film also stars Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Peter Dinklage, Caleb Landry Jones, and Lucas Hedges. Through a combination of pitch-black comedy and dramatic confrontations, the film explores themes of justice, redemption, and the consequences of violence. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning two for Best Supporting Actor (Rockwell) and Best Actress (McDormand).

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 starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Steve Buscemi, Helena Bonham Carter and Danny DeVito. Based on a novel by Daniel Wallace, the film tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest and uses his inventive tall tales to get out of tricky situations. His son, Will, is struggling to connect with his father and understand his stories. When Edward is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, Will embarks on an epic journey to unravel the truth behind his father's extraordinary life. Along the way, Will discovers the magical, heartbreaking, and inspiring truths that make Edward such a unique and extraordinary person.

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

Three Colors: Blue is a French-Polish drama film directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski. The film is the first in the Three Colors trilogy, which examines the French Revolutionary ideals. The story follows Julie, a woman who is trying to come to terms with the death of her husband, a famous composer, and their young daughter. Grief-stricken and despairing, she attempts to isolate herself from the world and everything that reminds her of her family. As Julie begins to slowly reclaim her life, she finds herself in the company of a young law student and an eccentric neighbor, and finds that she can still find comfort and hope in the world. The film is known for its rich symbolism, dream sequences, and non-linear storytelling. It is a powerful exploration of grief, loss, and the power of human connection.

From Karan Johar, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Sheetal Menon, Katie Amanda Keane
Rated PG-13

My Name Is Khan is a 2010 Indian drama film directed by Karan Johar and starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. The story follows Rizwan Khan, a Muslim man with Asperger syndrome, who moves from India to the United States in search of a better life. After a series of unfortunate events, Rizwan is mistaken for a terrorist and is persecuted by the American government. Through a journey of self-discovery and redemption, Rizwan is able to overcome prejudice and ignorance. Ultimately, he is successful in his mission to meet the President of the United States and deliver his message: "My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist". The film is a journey of courage and hope that teaches the power of acceptance and understanding.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg
Rated PG-13

Arrival is a 2016 American sci-fi drama directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner. The film follows a linguist named Louise Banks (Adams) who is recruited by the U.S. military to help decipher the language of alien visitors who have arrived on Earth. As Banks attempts to understand the aliens’ intentions and communicate with them, she discovers powerful new abilities and begins to question the nature of time, reality, and the human race’s place in the universe. The film received widespread critical acclaim for its smart and ambitious story, and it was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Cecilia Roth, Marisa Paredes, Candela Peña, Antonia San Juan
Rated R

All About My Mother is a 1999 Spanish drama film written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. The film follows Manuela, a single mother, who travels to Barcelona after the death of her son. In her search for his father, she meets a variety of eccentric characters, including a trans woman, a nun, and a pregnant teenager. The film explores the theme of motherhood and examines the power of love, friendship, and acceptance. In the end, Manuela finds solace in the idea that her son is living on in the people she has encountered and in the memories she has cultivated. The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1999.

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 stars Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Lucas Hedges, Kyle Chandler and Gretchen Mol. In the movie, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is a janitor from Quincy, Massachusetts, who has a history of alcoholism and depression. After his older brother Joe (Kyle Chandler) unexpectedly dies, Lee is named the legal guardian of his teenage nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges). Lee must return to his hometown of Manchester-by-the-Sea and confront his painful past and the many relationships he left behind. At the same time, Lee struggles to deal with his grief and complicated feelings toward his ex-wife Randi (Michelle Williams). Ultimately, he must learn to accept his past, confront his challenges, and find a way to build a future for both himself and Patrick. Manchester by the Sea is a powerful story of grief, guilt, redemption, and the power of family.

From Stephen Daldry, starring Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven
Rated R

Billy Elliot is a 2000 British dance drama film directed by Stephen Daldry and written by Lee Hall. The film follows 11-year-old Billy (Jamie Bell), who lives with his father Jackie (Gary Lewis), older brother Tony (Jamie Draven), and his beloved grandmother (Jean Heywood). When his father sends him to a boxing class, Billy discovers his true passion lies in the world of ballet. Despite his father's disapproval and the disapproval of his community, Billy follows his dream of becoming a ballet dancer, and eventually earns a place at the Royal Ballet School. Along the way, Billy learns to forgive his father for his narrow-mindedness and to respect his own individual dreams. The movie celebrates the courage to be who you are, and how even in the face of opposition, one can succeed in achieving their dreams.

From Alfonso Cuarón, starring Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Ed Harris, Orto Ignatiussen
Rated PG-13

Gravity is a 2013 sci-fi thriller directed by Alfonso Cuarón. The story follows medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) as they embark on a seemingly routine space mission. Disaster strikes as a mysterious cloud of debris destroys their shuttle and leaves the two astronauts stranded in space, with no hope of rescue. Together they must fight the deadly forces of nature in order to survive and get back to Earth. Along the way they make important discoveries about themselves and the human spirit. With stunning visuals, intense action, and a thought-provoking story, Gravity is a thrilling and emotional journey through the unknown.

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

A Man Called Ove is a Swedish comedy-drama directed by Hannes Holm and based on a novel by Fredrik Backman. The film tells the story of Ove, a grumpy and cantankerous old man living alone in his small neighborhood. Ove is determined to keep the neighborhood in order and enforces the rules of the Residents' Association, even if it means getting into conflicts with his neighbors. Despite his grouchy nature, Ove slowly develops relationships with his new neighbors, who help him come to terms with the loss of his wife and come to appreciate the simple joys of life. The film follows Ove's journey to find friendship, acceptance, and redemption.

From Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Naomi Watts, Danny Huston
Rated R

21 Grams is a 2003 drama directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, and Benicio Del Toro. It tells the story of three strangers whose lives are brought together by a tragic turn of events. Paul (Penn) is a professor in failing health due to a heart condition. Christina (Watts) is a grieving widow struggling to raise her two daughters. Jack (Del Toro) is an ex-convict desperately trying to make amends with his family. Through a series of fateful events, their lives become intertwined in ways none of them could have predicted. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the tragedy that brought them together has the power to break them apart.

From Wes Anderson, starring Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller
Rated R

The Royal Tenenbaums is a 2001 comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson, about the reunion of an estranged family of former child prodigies who attempt to reconcile. The Tenenbaum family consists of Royal (Gene Hackman), the widowed patriarch; Etheline (Anjelica Huston), his wife and the children's adoptive mother; Chas (Ben Stiller), a financial genius; Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), a playwright; Richie (Luke Wilson), a former tennis pro; and adopted brother, Eli (Owen Wilson). The family reunites when Royal learns he is terminally ill. Despite their strained relationship and the complications of their individual lives, the Tenenbaums come together to support each other and attempt to overcome their problems. Through the course of the film, the family is brought closer and ultimately reunited as a whole.

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

A Single Man is an American drama film from 2009 directed by Tom Ford and based on the novel of the same name by Christopher Isherwood. The film follows George Falconer (Colin Firth), an English professor living in Los Angeles in 1962, who has recently lost his partner Jim (Matthew Goode) in a car accident. As he struggles to cope with his grief and depression, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, as he attempts to find meaning in his life and coming to terms with his own mortality. Along the way, he interacts with various characters who ultimately help him realize the importance of living in the present. As his journey comes to an end, George discovers that life is still worth living and finds a sense of purpose and hope.

From François Ozon, starring Pierre Niney, Paula Beer, Ernst Stötzner, Marie Gruber
Rated PG-13

Frantz is a 2016 French-German drama film directed by François Ozon. The film follows the story of Anna (Paula Beer), a young German woman whose fiancé, Frantz, was killed in World War I. Anna meets a mysterious French man, Adrien (Pierre Niney), who visits the grave of Frantz. Adrien bears a striking resemblance to Frantz and over time, Anna begins to suspect that he was a close friend of her fiancé. As their relationship develops, Anna discovers the secret that Adrien and Frantz have been keeping from her. Eventually, Anna and Adrien come to terms with their grief and find solace in each other. The film is a beautiful exploration of the power of love, loss and hope.

From Emerald Fennell, starring Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Clancy Brown
Rated R

Promising Young Woman is a darkly comedic and deeply affecting drama revolving around the life of Cassie (Carey Mulligan), a woman struggling to come to terms with a traumatic past. Once a promising medical student and now living a double life working in a coffee shop, Cassie spends her nights seeking revenge and justice by seeking out predatory men at bars and nightclubs. When she meets Ryan (Bo Burnham), her old classmate, and sparks begin to fly, she must confront her past and decide how she will move forward. Along the way, she discovers that sometimes seeking justice means taking matters into her own hands.

From Pawel Pawlikowski, starring Agata Kulesza, Agata Trzebuchowska, Dawid Ogrodnik, Jerzy Trela
Rated PG-13

From J.A. Bayona, starring Lewis MacDougall, Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell
Rated PG-13

From Ari Aster, starring Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff
Rated R

From Directors: Olivier Assayas, Frédéric Auburtin, Gurinder Chadha, Sylvain Chomet, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Isabel Coixet, Wes Craven, Alfonso Cuarón, Gérard Depardieu, Christopher Doyle, Richard LaGravenese, Vincenzo Natali, Alexander Payne, Bruno Podalydès, Walter Salles, Oliver Schmitz, Nobuhiro Suwa, Daniela Thomas, Tom Tykwer, Gus Van Sant, starring Juliette Binoche, Leonor Watling, Ludivine Sagnier, Fanny Ardant
Rated R

From Directors: Reema Kagti, Priyamvada Narayanan, starring Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Rated Not Rated

From Sebastián Lelio, starring Daniela Vega, Francisco Reyes, Luis Gnecco, Aline Küppenheim
Rated R

From Wes Anderson, starring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman, Amara Karan
Rated R

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Emma Suárez, Adriana Ugarte, Daniel Grao, Inma Cuesta
Rated R

From John Cassavetes, starring Ben Gazzara, Peter Falk, John Cassavetes, Jenny Runacre
Rated PG-13