Netflix has a collection of poignant films that feature powerful performances by female leads. These tearjerker movies offer moving narratives of love, loss, and resilience. Here are seven must-watch films that will touch your heart and showcase the strength of their leading women:
P.S. I Love You (2007)
When she loses her beloved husband to a brain tumor, grieving widow Holly Kennedy learns that he left a series of letters behind to help her cope. Each letter guides her through her sorrow, encouraging her to embrace life and find happiness again. This heartfelt journey, filled with love and loss, highlights the enduring bond between Holly and her husband, even beyond death.
The Impossible (2012)
Tracking one family’s harrowing experiences, this gripping drama depicts the chaos generated by the massive 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. Naomi Watts delivers a powerful performance as a mother who, separated from her family, fights for survival and reunification amidst the devastation. The film’s raw portrayal of a natural disaster and its emotional toll is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
The Deep End of the Ocean (1999)
A mother grows desperate when her 3-year-old son disappears, but he turns up — nine years later in the town where the family has just relocated. Michelle Pfeiffer stars as a mother who must navigate the complex emotions of joy, confusion, and anger as she reintegrates her long-lost son into the family. The film explores themes of loss, identity, and the enduring power of maternal love.
Mai (2024)
When a struggling single mother falls for a wealthy heartbreaker, their risky romance could just turn their lives around — or tear their worlds apart. This Vietnamese drama showcases the strength and vulnerability of a woman caught between love and the harsh realities of her life. As she navigates this tumultuous relationship, she must find the balance between following her heart and protecting her family.
Pieces of a Woman (2020)
A heartbreaking home birth leaves a woman grappling with the profound emotional fallout, isolated from her partner and family by a chasm of grief. Vanessa Kirby delivers an intense performance as she portrays the raw, unfiltered journey of a woman dealing with unimaginable loss. The film delves deep into the nuances of grief, personal healing, and the impact on relationships.
Irreplaceable You (2018)
A stunning cancer diagnosis spurs Abbie to seek a future girlfriend for fiancé and childhood sweetheart Sam, who’s clueless when it comes to dating. Gugu Mbatha-Raw shines in this bittersweet romance that deals with love, impending loss, and the hope of finding happiness again. The film beautifully captures the selfless act of preparing a loved one for life after a heart-wrenching goodbye.
Little Big Women (2020)
A family grapples with the passing of their estranged father and the remnants of the life he led during his absence. This Taiwanese drama focuses on the women left behind, exploring their grief, anger, and eventual understanding. Chen Shu-fang leads a stellar cast in this exploration of familial bonds, the impact of abandonment, and the journey toward forgiveness and reconciliation.
