Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
617Kviews
40 Movies People Praise As Great But Too “Emotionally Traumatizing” To Be Watched Again
Watching movies is one of the great ways to spend our free time. The variety of genres allows us to “move” to certain places, feel different emotions and simply escape our reality. Some movies are great for being a “noise” in the background, while others really get us involved. If you are the type of person that doesn’t find it easy to pick a movie worth watching because you simply feel lost in all the variety, the good people of the internet can really save you by sharing their own suggestions on the topic.
Having this in mind, Reddit user u/akambe asked people to share “what movie is so good you'd recommend it to all your friends, but so emotionally traumatic that you'll never watch it again?” The post with 391k views soon became a never-ending list of movies that left people in shock and surprise, from old movies that depict historic events, such as the Holocaust, to dramas that remind us of how short life is and what’s truly important. This question led to a discussion of why people find certain things in these movies touching or even traumatizing: a strong character portrayal, emotionally hard movie scenes, unexpected plot twists, or the mix of it all.
Do you see your choice on the list? If not, what movie did you watch that left you speechless and that you probably won’t watch again? Feel free to leave your recommendations in the comments down below!
More Info: Reddit
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Came here to say this.
This movie... no words. Still haunts me. Still f***s me up, takes me back there, breaks my heart.
They hired the lead actor, Asa Butterfield, for his innocence. He knew nothing about the holocaust. They didn't tell him anything about the holocaust or the gist of the story, he was just playing a little boy who played with another little boy through a fence. They maintained that brilliant innocence of his throughout the movie. THAT'S what makes the ending of this movie just so very soul wrenching. I'm still so very moved by this film.
RELATED:
#2
I just watched this for the first time about a month ago. I held it together fine until Oskar broke down crying because he couldn't save more people. Then came the waterworks.
#3
The last line gets me thinking everytime; "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12. Jesus, does anyone?"
Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago (edited)
I have watched this movie countless times. Good movie and the soundtrack is great.
#4
I love Stephen King and tried to read this book...big nope. Then watched the movie and I'm forever traumatized by John saying he's afraid of the dark...among other sad scenes in this movie. Dropping tears just typing this comment. F**k.
#5
I thought I was going in to see a cool fantasy flick... And it turned out to be a movie dealing with trauma, abuse, and coping mechanisms
Still a great film, but so gut-wrenching
#6
I'm never, EVER, gonna watch that s**t again. It's from Studio Ghibli, the same from Spirited Away (Sen to Chihiro). An absolute masterpiece for sure, but don't expect to find happy little creatures in it.
#7
Dude the f*****g curb stomp is still clear in my mind and it's been years
#9
This movie is unspeakably tragic. But its also profoundly beautiful. The love that the family had for each other gets me every time. Roberto Benigni was perfection in this role!
cassiushumanmother 3 years ago (edited)
I watched it several times. It's poetic, tragic and besides the horror able to give you some smiles, that's quite a piece of art. My favorite one about the Holocaust, with Shindler's list (who is in this list too of course lol, i had not seen it yet)
#10
Very well made; almost everything about that movie is incredible but it’s so emotionally intense and has such graphic subject matter that I’ll never watch it again. It’s one of those movies you see because it’s great but once you’ve seen it you’re like “Ok, cool. Mark that one off the list” and never touch it again
cassiushumanmother 3 years ago
Should be far higher on the list, that's a really disturbing and violent one on so many levels.
#11
That ending montage made me physically ill.
Only movie that's ever done that to me.
François Carré 3 years ago
Best. Antidrug. Campaign. Ever. (Well, ex aequo with Trainspotting, maybe).
#13
My childhood literally ended after finishing that movie.
#14
Its the most beautiful movie and I think everyone should watch it at least once, but I haven't been able to bring myself to watch it since Robin Williams died. I actually haven't watched anything he's in since he died.
Jennie-Lind Normand 3 years ago
A group of us randomly decided on seeing this in the theatre, it was a 'compromise' when none of us could decide on the other features playing and we all ended up loving this movie so much! Robin was a brilliant comic, but his performance in this movie was just amazing
#15
I can't bring myself to watch it again. The anger and hopelessness I felt for that man and those people is beyond compare
#16
I watched the very first bit of it when I was in officer training and thought it was a comedy. A few months later I sat down and watched the whole thing. It's not a comedy...
#18
For a kid's movie it's so emotionally crushing right from the get go and then you have the tragic murder of the 10-year-old voice actress for Ducky that just adds more sadness to that film.
#19
I was 18 when I first saw it for the last time. Joaquin Pheonix's line about people seeing a story about genocide on the news and not caring was a crushing "weight of the world" moment for me.
#20
Leonardo DiCaprio is phenomenal in that. He did character studies to get his role to be believable.
#21
It was such a beautiful film, so very emotional and then it just broke me. Watched it once in the movie theater and never again after.
#23
Steel Magnolias, especially now that I have kids. I can't even think about Sally Field's breakdown without tearing up.
#24
Man, I rarely cry during movies, but I teared up with that movie. The symbolism is absolutely beautiful.
#25
My favourite bit of trivia about that film is when Stephen King watched the ending, he apparently said that he wished he had thought of it.
#27
Incredible movie but I'll never watch it again. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a sociopath too well; so much so that I struggle to watch him in other things now.
#28
watched this with a girl on a netflix and chill date cus we'd both heard good things, but had no idea what it was about. There was no chill, and no second date.
#29
Nicolas Cage is amazing in it (Won an Oscar for it!), but as a recovered alcoholic, that film hits WAY too close to home. Good film though.
François Carré 3 years ago
I mentioned this film a few days ago in another post and got downvoted to hell, I don't know why.
#30
soul crashing. can’t bring myself to watch it 2nd time. but must see. alcohol fueled domestic violence abusive families all over the world are the same. it was so on point.
#31
Saw the screener with my film class and had no idea what to expect. Needless to say I was completely blown away and have re-watched it quite a few times since.
Jim Carrey’s performance is phenomenal.
#32
Amazing performance by Bjork and brutally sad. I bought a copy of the DVD after seeing the movie because I loved it so much. I lent the disc to several friends and looked at it many times myself, but could just never summon the energy to watch it again.
#33
Watched it when it first came out. Loved it. Can’t put myself through it again though. It’s so hard going and heartbreaking.
#34
This movie showed how a man can be fully socially functional while suffering from major depression. That aspect hit me the hardest.
#35
Really disturbing. Don't think I've ever really gotten over it.
#36
I got really invested in it when I was watching it for the first time, and I've had an absolute fear of cults since I was a kid. I don't find the film scary at all, but by the end of it, I was just completely frozen.
I've watched it since then cuz I love it but I have to take like months to prepare myself to watch it again lmao
Flash Henry 3 years ago
I could watch that movie over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over forever
#37
That. F*****g. Movie.
Things it shows:
children should not be exposed to pornography
Children who are being questioned to see if they were abused should only have that questioning done by a specially trained expert and possibly with potentially a trained advocate present because it’s too easy to lead them to a conclusion they think the questioner wants to hear, especially if they think they are in trouble
(note: I edited this due to the several very good points several people said about parents shouldn’t be present, some people are also saying best practice is one on one with that trained forensic questioner.)
basically everyone in that story ended up f****d up
cassiushumanmother 3 years ago
I loved it, Mads was excellent as usual, you can feel the tension during all of it, mostly through him.
#38
It's such a beautiful movie and so damn sad. I've recommended it to lots of people but it's hard to find.
#39
I've actually put myself through watching this movie multiple times because it's so good but, wow, traumatizing. For anyone on the fence about it, it does have a satisfying conclusion.
Maripat Webber 3 years ago
Very underrated, under appreciated film. But I couldn't see it again.
#40
Wonderful movie, but even more devastating than Grave of the Fireflies, in my opinion.
What do you think ?
Johnny 3 years ago (edited)
One movie that I found to be surprisingly emotionally intense (since it's an animated children's movie) is "Up". Not the whole movie, just the montage with carl and ellie as they age - I've watched the movie several times and always fast forward to the start of the balloon scene.
Kiss Army 3 years ago (edited)
I watched the crime documentary "Don't F*ck With Cats" on Netflix. I am a crime buff and watch and read this stuff all the time but that one got to me. I could not get it out of my mind and had sleepless nights and/or nightmares for well over a week... I still can't think about it too much or my mind gets flooded with it again.
AzKhaleesi 3 years ago
Oh holy crap me too buddy.... me too. no nightmares, but I was angry.
Load More Replies...
Amanda Panda 3 years ago
Precious was really difficult for me to watch. It's just too real. There are so many children suffering horribly at the hands of their own parents.
Karen Fahel 3 years ago
You don't want to know how many times I've watched "Precious"! Yes, it's very sad and very real...but also very good. It's got one of the happiest sad endings (or saddest happy endings...take your pick) of any movie I've ever seen.
Load More Replies... Johnny 3 years ago (edited)
One movie that I found to be surprisingly emotionally intense (since it's an animated children's movie) is "Up". Not the whole movie, just the montage with carl and ellie as they age - I've watched the movie several times and always fast forward to the start of the balloon scene.
Kiss Army 3 years ago (edited)
I watched the crime documentary "Don't F*ck With Cats" on Netflix. I am a crime buff and watch and read this stuff all the time but that one got to me. I could not get it out of my mind and had sleepless nights and/or nightmares for well over a week... I still can't think about it too much or my mind gets flooded with it again.
AzKhaleesi 3 years ago
Oh holy crap me too buddy.... me too. no nightmares, but I was angry.
Load More Replies... Amanda Panda 3 years ago
Precious was really difficult for me to watch. It's just too real. There are so many children suffering horribly at the hands of their own parents.
Karen Fahel 3 years ago
You don't want to know how many times I've watched "Precious"! Yes, it's very sad and very real...but also very good. It's got one of the happiest sad endings (or saddest happy endings...take your pick) of any movie I've ever seen.
Load More Replies... You May Like 50 Underrated Movies Revealed for Your Cinematic Nights 115 Of The Best Teen Movies To Reminisce On Your Youth 50 Sad Movies You Can Watch On Netflix On A Rainy Day
Linas Simonaitis
Saimonas Lukošius
Linas Simonaitis
Related on Bored Panda
