"I'm fine. I have something in my eye, that's all.
[sobs] ...I have something in my other eye.
[sobbing] I have something in my heart..."
—
Stephen Colbert
Some viewers are impassive when it comes to what they watch. They've seen it all. No fictional death, sacrifice, emotional display or confession can move them.
Except these.
Since most of these involve death scenes, shocking twists, or something just as major, expect
many spoilers. However, they can also be as simple as the right imagery, tone, and music coming together - for the sole purpose of working those tear-ducts.
This being one of the
Subjective Tropes, one person's
Tear Jerker may be another's
Narm, which is often a failed attempt to induce this. Some tearjerking moments, especially of deaths, can wind up being
traumatizing.
Tropes that often result in Tear Jerker moments:
Many
Downer Endings and
Bittersweet Endings include tearjerking moments. Either way, make sure to bring the Kleenex. If you want to avoid them altogether, then you might want to consider heeding the
Snicket Warning Label.
Examples from works:
