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40 Emotionally Scarring Movies That Everyone Must See At Least Once In Their Lifetime

by Sophia

Most of the time, movies work their way up to the peak of human creativity. It includes all kinds of artistic aspects—acting, directing, cinematography, videography, sound design, animating, and sometimes, singing.

You have probably wondered, What was the first movie ever made? It was actually way back in the late 1880s that the first movies began to develop, but they were in the form of photo experiments, blended together to mimic the illusion of a moving picture.

The technology available at that time was still scarce, so movies were still rare. They only became popular from 1906 onwards, when movie theaters were the highlight of entertainment and social gatherings back then.

Movies, or motion pictures, didn't have any sound or music until 1927, though. That did not stop the industry from gaining popularity—the time between the decades of '20s and '60s were even dubbed as the Golden Age of Hollywood, because this is when there was a lot of experimental filmmaking done by five major studios: MGM, Paramount, Fox, Warner Bros., and RKO.

When we think of the highlights of Hollywood from the past century, we would automatically think of the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland. At present time, the industry has definitely branched out and given birth to the fame of many talented artists, each admired by people for their distinct way of bringing out the best in their characters, such as Meryl Streep or Sarah Paulson.

However, movies are also more than just the actors starring in them—it's also about the story and the production. A lot of movie enthusiasts are drawn to movies that leave a significant impact, even if it involves a lot of morbid themes, and there are always movies that these people just can't resist but recommend for their friends to watch.

That being said, a user on Reddit u/akambe asked “What movie is so good you'd recommend it to all your friends, but so emotionally traumatic that you'll never watch it again?” and the people on the platform delivered.

Here are some of the best ones you need to watch at least once in your lifetime!

1. We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)

1. We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)Movieclips Trailers

2. American History X (1998)

2. American History X (1998)Movieclips Classic Trailers

3. Full Metal Jacket (1987)

3. Full Metal Jacket (1987)Warner Bros. Entertainment

4. The Road (2009)

4. The Road (2009)independent.co.uk

5. Life Is Beautiful (1997)

5. Life Is Beautiful (1997)Miramax

6. The Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)

6. The Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)Madman Anime

7. Mary And Max (2009)

7. Mary And Max (2009)Movieclips Classic Trailers

8. Manchester By The Sea (2016)

8. Manchester By The Sea (2016)Esquire

9. Dead Poets Society (1989)

9. Dead Poets Society (1989)Movieclips Classic Trailers

10. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

10. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)Movieclips

11. Nightcrawler (2014)

11. Nightcrawler (2014)Movieclips Trailers

12. Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

12. Leaving Las Vegas (1995)Movieclips Classic Trailers

13. Stand By Me (1986)

13. Stand By Me (1986)Movieclips Classic Trailers

14. Schindler's List (1993)

14. Schindler's List (1993)Movieclips Classic Trailers

15. The Land Before Time (1988)

15. The Land Before Time (1988)Movieclips

16. The Boy In The Striped Pajamas (2008)

16. The Boy In The Striped Pajamas (2008)The Movie Planet

17. Melancholia (2011)

17. Melancholia (2011)triviatrailers

18. The Green Mile (1999)

18. The Green Mile (1999)SceneScreen

19. Bridge To Terabithia (2007)

19. Bridge To Terabithia (2007)MovieStation

20. Hotel Rwanda (2004)

20. Hotel Rwanda (2004)Movieclips

21. The Pianist (2002)

21. The Pianist (2002)MaxMedia Studios

22. Dancer In The Dark (2000)

22. Dancer In The Dark (2000)Taste Of Cinema

23. Midsommar (2019)

23. Midsommar (2019)IMDb

24. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

24. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)Movieclips Classic Trailers

25. Boys Don't Cry (1999)

25. Boys Don't Cry (1999)Movieclips Classic Trailers

26. What Dreams May Come (1998)

26. What Dreams May Come (1998)MARCOS EC

27. What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

27. What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)Movieclips Classic Trailers

28. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

28. A Clockwork Orange (1971)GutavdeskMovies

29. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

29. Brokeback Mountain (2005)DeFilmBlog

30. Wind River (2017)

30. Wind River (2017)IMDb

31. Come And See (1985)

31. Come And See (1985)Film Forum

32. The Hunt (2012)

32. The Hunt (2012)Movieclips Trailers

33. Steel Magnolias (1989)

33. Steel Magnolias (1989)Movieclips

34. Requiem For A Dream (2000)

34. Requiem For A Dream (2000)DeFilmBlog

35. Once Were Warriors (1994)

35. Once Were Warriors (1994)Quinn Phillips

36. Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)

36. Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)MoviemanTrailers

37. Oldboy (2003)

37. Oldboy (2003)Trailer Chan

38. The Mist (2007)

38. The Mist (2007)Movieclips Classic Trailers

39. The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)

39. The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)Movieclips Classic Trailers

40. Jojo Rabbit (2019)

40. Jojo Rabbit (2019)SearchlightPictures

Have you seen any of these movies already? If not, then this is your sign to finally free up your time and watch them one by one!

These movies left so much impact on their viewers, but it was traumatizing and emotionally scarring enough not to repeat because the impact won't just be the same if you watch them again. What are you planning to watch first on this list?

Comment down your thoughts, or share this article for your family and friends to see!

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