If you're a masochist like me, sometimes you just want to watch a movie that makes you curl up in a fetal position and sob for hours. Fortunately, romantic dramas have provided this unconventional method of therapy for decades. Naturally, a significant portion of these films are about terminal illnesses that almost always end unhappily.

It is perfectly fine and relatable for a romantic film to wish to portray unrealistic expectations and an unlikely happy ending. But if you want to see a romance with a realistic worst-case situation that inevitably leads to heartbreak, you can watch it for free on Tinder. Or, if you do get caught in a Tinder nightmare, a depressing romantic drama can help you focus your sadness on fiction and avoid dealing with your feelings. One may also seek realistic films that do not sugarcoat the trials and tribulations of the human experience.

In between classics like “A Walk to Remember” and “Remember Me,” here are some romantic dramas that will leave you in a puddle of tears with the best streaming services.

We've seen dozens of tragic love stories involving cancer and other diseases, but “Five Feet Apart” centers on a little-known disease called cystic fibrosis. CF severely affects the immune system, and patients cannot get closer than six feet due to the risk of cross infection. meters from the hospital. For chronic or terminal illnesses, it is often comforting to seek a support system with others who have gone through the same experience. Technology has made it easier for patients to connect in the virtual world, but meeting in person is strictly forbidden. And there is no substitute for the intimacy of a good hug.

“Five Feet Apart” characters Stella (Haley Lou Richardson) and Will (Cole Sprouse) are potentially caught in a deadly Romeo and Juliet love story. Of course, Will is a bit of a bad boy, and the two CF patients turn their backs on the rules: they're not six feet apart, they're shaving a foot off the norm. Now that the pandemic has been dealt with, everyone knows that distances of less than six feet are essentially meaningless.

Realistically, both the audience and the star-crossed lovers know that their relationship is doomed from the start. But we can't help but root for them anyway, as the characters meet each other at a desperate time. At the end of the day, the couple must decide whether to separate or risk death.

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In 2010, Robert Pattinson proved that he has more than just killer Bella's skin. In the film “Remember Me,” he gave audiences a glimpse into his dynamic acting abilities with his impassioned portrayal of Tyler Hawkins. The film tackles strong themes such as Tyler's brother's death by suicide and his love interest, Allie (Emilie de Raven), who develops a more positive outlook on life after witnessing her mother's murder.

Unlike many romantic films, it is not smooth sailing for this couple. Tyler struggles with severe depression and self-destructive behavior, which causes him and Allie to hit practical obstacles that often make their relationship feel like it will never survive. The film is often heavy-handed and heartbreaking, but most of all it is realistic. Reality often sucks and life is unpredictable. Remember Me doesn't shy away from such powerful concepts.”

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This wouldn't be a list of movies that will make you cry if it didn't include a Nicholas Sparks drama; 90s kids will know what I mean: in 2002, we saw a heart-wrenching film called “A Walk to Remember.”

Most “bad boy falls in love with pastor's daughter” movies usually have an overbearing father plot plus a mostly lighthearted arc (see “Footloose”). When rebellious teenager Landon (Shane West) tries to seduce Jamie Sullivan, played by Mandy Moore, he has no idea she has terminal cancer. Still, he does not hesitate to pursue their dizzying relationship.

Not only does Landon cuddle her as she undergoes brutal chemotherapy, he helps her check off all the items on her bucket list with a series of spectacular romantic gestures. Basically, Landon gives her a lifetime of memories and experiences during their summer together while she fights for her life. “A Walk to Remember” is a heartwarming (and heartbreaking) tale of two unlikely teenagers coming together to change each other's lives for the better.

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There are many films that tackle terminal illness in teenagers. Few, however, have delved deeply into the psychological elements that often accompany such a diagnosis. While maintaining a positive outlook during cancer treatment is beneficial, it would be unrealistic not to address the depression, anger, and hopelessness that patients often feel. The film “Keith” pulls no punches when it comes to teenagers dealing with a cancer diagnosis. [Like many high school romances, Keith (Jesse McCartney) and his love interest Natalie (Elizabeth Harnois) meet when they are paired as lab partners. Naturally, it is not love at first sight, but the two grow closer in the typical “opposites attract” scheme. When they finally become a couple, they fantasize about their future lives, knowing that Keith may not live long.

As that reality looms, he battles depression and suicidal thoughts and tries to take matters into his own hands. Natalie, however, is determined to make the most of their time together.

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When it comes to sad romantic dramas, “If I Stay” is quite different. The film begins with an introduction to the intimate relationship between teenage cello prodigy Mia (Chloe Grace Moretz) and her family. She has a loving boyfriend, a tight-knit family, and is eagerly awaiting the results of her audition for the Juilliard School. Once we fall in love with Mr. and Mrs. Halls, we see them suffer a fatal car accident.

Mia, in a coma, must decide whether to continue fighting after learning she is an orphan. What makes this film truly special is the magical realism of the fractured storytelling. Instead of her life being described at the beginning of the film, Mia's memories are unraveled while she makes her decision in the hospital.

While I will probably cry periodically throughout the film (or maybe that's just me), nothing is more wrenching than Stacy Keach's Grump giving her granddaughter permission to “let it go if you can't fight anymore.” The film is as much a story about love as it is about familial love. But ultimately, the film is a character study about a girl with her entire life ahead of her, who must decide whether to live or die after her entire world is shattered.

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