ComScore

10 TV Shows to Watch When You Need a Good Cry

There’s a time and a place for feel-good shows, but sometimes, we’re in the mood for something a little more, shall we say, emotionally draining. Here, ten shows we turn on when we need a good cry.

40 Movies to Watch When You Need a Good Cry


sad tv shows this is us
NBC

this Is Us

Probably the most tears per minute of any TV show ever.

Watch it on: NBC and Hulu

sad tv shows parenthood
ABC

parenthood

The sadness lies in how damn relatable it is.

Watch it on: Netflix

sad tv shows bojack
Netflix

bojack Horseman

For an animated show about an anthropomorphic horse, BoJack has made us weep on no fewer than 11 occasions.

Watch it on: Netflix

sad tv shows greys anatomy
ABC

grey's Anatomy

With 14 seasons under its belt, this medical drama has no shortage of tear-jerking moments.

Watch it on: ABC, Hulu and Netflix

sad tv shows himym
ABC

how I Met Your Mother

For a comedy, HIMYM has a surprising number of tender moments. (Like when Marshall’s dad dies.)

Watch it on: Netflix

sad tv shows handmaids
Hulu

handmaid's Tale

Watch this and alternate between tears and genuine concern.

Watch it on: Hulu

sad tv shows breaking bad
AMC

breaking Bad

Momentary periods of respite (in the form of dark humor) didn’t make the constant death, despair and destruction any less crushing.

Watch it on: Netflix

sad tv shows six feet under
HBO

six Feet Under

The scene: The series’ last. The song: “Breathe Me” by Sia.

Watch it on: Amazon Prime

sad tv shows game of thrones1
HBO

game Of Thrones

Sometimes you’ll cry out of fear; other times it’ll be because of the Red Wedding

Watch it on: HBO and Amazon Prime

sad tv shows the voice
NBC

the Voice

On the plus side, lots of the darkest contestant backstories have happy endings.

Watch it on: NBC and Hulu



sarah stiefvater

Wellness Director

Sarah Stiefvater is PureWow's Wellness Director. She's been at PureWow for ten years, and in that time has written and edited stories across all categories, but currently focuses...