How To Find TV Shows That Make You Cry (in a Good Way)

TV shows are a powerful medium for storytelling, offering an array of emotions, experiences, and life lessons. One of the most profound and cathartic experiences that a TV show can offer is the ability to make you cry---tearful moments that resonate deeply with your emotions. But not all tears are created equal. While some tearful scenes might leave you feeling emotionally drained in a negative sense, others can evoke a sense of catharsis, healing, or empathy. These are the "good" tears, the ones that leave you feeling emotionally fulfilled and connected to the characters and story.

In this article, we'll explore how to find TV shows that make you cry in a good way. We will delve into the factors that make a show emotionally impactful, the types of shows that excel at invoking tears, and how to approach TV shows to experience this emotional depth. Whether you're seeking an emotional release, want to be moved by a story, or simply enjoy the emotional complexity that TV shows can offer, this guide will help you identify the types of series that will make you cry for all the right reasons.

Understanding the Power of Emotional Storytelling in TV Shows

Before diving into how to find TV shows that make you cry, it's important to understand what makes emotional storytelling so powerful. TV shows have the unique ability to immerse viewers in characters' lives and emotions over long periods of time. This extended connection to the characters and their struggles creates a sense of attachment and empathy that isn't easily achieved in other forms of entertainment.

1.1 The Role of Character Development

Character development is one of the most significant contributors to an emotional connection. TV shows allow for deep character exploration, letting viewers witness the growth, challenges, and personal transformations of characters. When these characters face hardship, loss, or emotional turmoil, the connection the audience has formed with them intensifies the emotional response.

For instance, characters in long-running shows like This Is Us or The Good Place become familiar figures in viewers' lives. As these characters evolve, their emotional arcs resonate deeply because the audience has had the time to become invested in their journey. These moments of emotional growth, especially when paired with personal loss or poignant life lessons, are often the ones that evoke tears.

1.2 The Power of Empathy and Relatability

One of the reasons TV shows can make us cry in a good way is that they often evoke empathy. The struggles, joys, and heartaches of characters in these shows reflect aspects of the human experience that many viewers can relate to. A character's grief after the loss of a loved one or their struggles with personal identity can mirror real-life challenges, which fosters a deeper emotional connection.

Relatable storylines about love, loss, friendship, and identity have universal appeal. When a TV show addresses these themes in a way that reflects reality or touches on difficult emotions, it can stir something inside viewers. We cry not only because the story is sad but because we see ourselves in the characters' journeys.

1.3 The Emotional Impact of Music and Cinematic Techniques

The use of music and visual techniques also plays a crucial role in enhancing the emotional depth of a show. Music, in particular, has an almost magical ability to elevate emotional moments, and when paired with the right scene, it can push a viewer to tears. Think of the iconic score in Schindler's List or the poignant soundtrack in Grey's Anatomy---these moments become more powerful because of the music that accompanies them.

Cinematography and editing also help create emotional depth by emphasizing character expressions, quiet moments of reflection, and the weight of important scenes. Close-ups, subtle lighting, and well-timed pauses can heighten the emotional atmosphere, making the scenes even more impactful.

Types of TV Shows That Make You Cry in a Good Way

Not all TV shows are designed to elicit tears. Some focus on action, humor, or adventure, but there are particular genres and types of shows that excel at crafting emotional experiences that bring tears in a positive way. Here are a few genres that are particularly adept at creating emotional depth:

2.1 Drama Series

Drama series are often the go-to genre for emotionally charged storytelling. These shows dive deep into human emotions and relationships, exploring themes such as love, loss, betrayal, and redemption. The character-driven nature of drama allows for intricate plots and emotional arcs that can be both heart-wrenching and uplifting.

Shows like This Is Us and Friday Night Lights are examples of drama series that can make you cry in a good way. They tackle complex human experiences such as family dynamics, personal struggles, and life-changing events, all while providing a satisfying emotional payoff.

2.2 Medical Dramas

Medical dramas often tug at viewers' heartstrings by placing characters in high-stakes, life-or-death situations. The emotional weight of dealing with patients who face terminal illnesses or life-threatening conditions can be profoundly moving. Additionally, medical dramas frequently address themes of empathy, compassion, and sacrifice, all of which contribute to the emotional intensity of the show.

Grey's Anatomy is perhaps the most famous example of a medical drama that regularly evokes tears. The show often delves into the lives of doctors and patients, focusing on their personal and professional struggles. These moments of vulnerability---whether through a life lost or a personal triumph---make the tears feel earned.

2.3 Family-Oriented Shows

Family-oriented shows, especially those that tackle themes of familial love, generational differences, or the complexities of relationships between parents and children, can elicit a lot of emotional moments. These shows often feature heartwarming family dynamics that create a sense of nostalgia and evoke deep emotional connections.

Parenthood is an excellent example of a family-oriented show that makes viewers cry in a good way. The characters' ups and downs, from the joys of parenting to the difficulties of dealing with illness, are explored in a way that resonates deeply with audiences.

2.4 Coming-of-Age Dramas

Coming-of-age stories are inherently emotional as they focus on the transition from adolescence to adulthood. These shows typically explore themes such as self-discovery, loss of innocence, and the complexities of growing up. The emotional rollercoaster of coming-of-age narratives often brings tears, as they tap into universal experiences of change, uncertainty, and growth.

Shows like Euphoria and Atypical are prime examples of coming-of-age series that strike an emotional chord. Whether it's dealing with identity, family pressures, or navigating the social complexities of adolescence, these shows draw on the struggles that many of us face when growing up.

2.5 Fantasy and Sci-Fi with Emotional Depth

While fantasy and sci-fi genres are often associated with action and adventure, many shows in these categories also incorporate deep emotional storytelling. These series combine elements of speculative fiction with profound character development, using their fantastical settings to explore very real human emotions and relationships.

Stranger Things , while primarily a sci-fi horror show, features emotional arcs that delve into friendship, loss, and the passage of time. Similarly, The 100 and Doctor Who often juxtapose high-stakes adventures with moments of personal loss and sacrifice that evoke deep emotional responses.

The Best TV Shows to Make You Cry in a Good Way

To help you get started, here's a list of TV shows that are renowned for their emotional depth, characters' heartache, and eventual emotional payoff. These are the shows that make you cry in a good way:

3.1 This Is Us

One of the most emotionally stirring shows in recent memory, This Is Us chronicles the lives of the Pearson family over several decades. The show expertly balances heartwarming moments with profound grief, and each character's journey is a deeply emotional ride. The series explores themes of love, loss, identity, and family, offering moments that will undoubtedly leave you teary-eyed but also emotionally fulfilled.

3.2 Grey's Anatomy

As one of the longest-running medical dramas in history, Grey's Anatomy is known for its gut-wrenching moments and deeply emotional character arcs. With its ever-evolving cast of characters and high-stakes medical scenarios, this show can evoke everything from tears of joy to tears of sorrow.

3.3 The Good Place

While The Good Place is primarily a comedy, it masterfully explores philosophical and emotional themes about life, death, and redemption. The characters' emotional journeys---paired with some truly unexpected twists---make for a show that is both thought-provoking and tear-jerking.

3.4 Parenthood

Parenthood is a classic family drama that perfectly captures the emotional complexities of family life. The characters deal with everything from sibling rivalry to parenting challenges, illness, and the loss of loved ones. The show's portrayal of familial bonds and the emotional highs and lows that come with them makes it a tear-jerker in the best way.

3.5 BoJack Horseman

Though it is animated and features a lot of absurd humor, BoJack Horseman is a show that delves deep into depression, addiction, and the search for meaning in life. It often strikes a balance between dark humor and heartbreaking moments of emotional clarity, making it an emotionally complex series.

How to Approach TV Shows That Make You Cry

If you're seeking to experience emotional depth and want to cry in a good way, here are a few tips to make your viewing experience even more impactful:

• Take your time: Don't rush through emotional moments. Let the scenes breathe and allow the characters' struggles to sink in. The slower pace often enhances the emotional connection.
• Stay open to vulnerability: Let yourself be vulnerable. Allow the emotions that these shows bring up to wash over you, even if they feel uncomfortable at first. Crying can be a form of emotional release, and allowing yourself to feel fully can deepen the catharsis.
• Pay attention to character growth: Emotional moments that come with personal growth or transformation are often the most rewarding. These moments make the tears feel earned, not gratuitous.
• Watch with someone: Watching emotional shows with a friend or family member can help deepen the experience. It allows you to connect over shared emotional moments, making the tears feel less isolating.

Conclusion

TV shows that make you cry in a good way are not only a testament to the power of storytelling, but they also reflect the profound emotional connections that we can form with characters. Whether through relatable struggles, personal growth, or simply by exploring the universal aspects of the human condition, these shows give us a chance to reflect, empathize, and experience deep emotional release. By approaching TV shows with an open heart and mind, you can find series that will make you cry---not because they are sad, but because they are emotionally enriching and cathartic.

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