13 Best Sad Movies on Hulu in 2023

The Banshees of Inisherin tells the story of lifelong friends Padraic and Colm on a remote Irish island in the 1920s. Suddenly, Colm ends their friendship, leaving Padraic bewildered and hurt. As Padraic tries to restore their bond, Colm’s bizarre ultimatum and the ensuing conflict bring profound changes to their lives and their small community.

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007) centers around a desperate and ill-fated robbery planned by two financially troubled brothers, Andy and Hank. Their plan to rob their parent’s jewelry store spirals out of control, leading to tragic consequences and unraveling family secrets. As the aftermath unfolds, the brothers face escalating tension and moral dilemmas, culminating in a harrowing climax that reveals the profound costs of their actions.

In The Babadook (2014), a widowed mother and her troubled son find a mysterious children’s book titled “Mister Babadook” in their home. As they read it, they become haunted by the Babadook, a sinister presence that feeds on their fears and grief. The mother’s struggle to protect her son and confront her own past trauma escalates into a chilling battle against the malevolent entity.

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009) revolves around Terence McDonagh, a morally ambiguous police lieutenant in post-Katrina New Orleans. Struggling with his own vices and addictions, McDonagh navigates the blurred lines between right and wrong while investigating a brutal murder. His journey through the city’s underworld reveals not only the depths of human corruption but also the complexities of his own troubled soul.

Flee (2021) tells the harrowing yet inspiring story of Amin, a man grappling with a hidden past as a child refugee from Afghanistan. As he prepares for marriage, Amin reflects on his arduous journey to safety and the struggle to preserve his identity. The film intertwines themes of love, loss, and the search for a place to call home, revealing how past traumas shape our present and future.

Sophie’s Choice (1982) centers around Sophie, a Polish immigrant haunted by her harrowing past in a Nazi concentration camp. In Brooklyn, she forms a complex relationship with an aspiring writer, Nathan, whose own troubles intertwine with hers. As their bond deepens, Sophie’s agonizing secret about a tragic decision she had to make in the camp comes to light, revealing the profound impact of her past on her present life.

Collective (2019) is a gripping documentary that uncovers deep corruption in the Romanian healthcare system. It follows a team of investigative journalists as they expose shocking healthcare fraud and negligence following a tragic nightclub fire. Their relentless pursuit of truth reveals a network of deceit and malpractice, challenging the very foundations of government and societal trust.

Nomadland (2021) tells the poignant tale of Fern, a widowed woman who, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a modern-day nomad. Along her travels in her van, she discovers the beauty of transient communities, forming deep connections with fellow nomads while grappling with the poignant solitude of her new life. This cinematic odyssey poetically explores themes of loss, resilience, and the enduring spirit of adventure in the vast American landscape.

Three Identical Strangers (2018) follows the astonishing journey of triplets separated at birth, who reunite by chance at age 19. Their joyous reunion catapults them to fame but soon leads to a dark and unsettling discovery about their past. As they delve into the mystery, they uncover shocking secrets that challenge their identities and alter their lives forever.