24 Movies People Loved But Can Absolutely Never Watch Again
“Incredible film, but it’s so haunting that you will never be able to watch it more than once.”
There are some movies out there that are very good — like Requiem for a Dream and Schindler’s List — but that are incredibly hard to watch. So hard to watch that some people refuse to sit through them again. According to our BuzzFeed Community, here are some of those films:
1. Marriage Story
Netflix / courtesy Everett Collection
“It was a great movie with great characters and great acting. But my husband and I were literally anguished for like a few days after watching it together. Definitely put a damper on things, considering we were engaged and not yet married at the time.”
2. My Sister’s Keeper
New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection
“It was just too much for me. It drained me emotionally and even physically because I couldn’t sleep for three nights. It even upsets me when I’m thinking about it. I promised myself that I would never watch it again. And I will keep that promise until I die.”
3. Hereditary
A24 / Courtesy Everett Collection
“The acting was phenomenal, and the story was amazing. However, I could never watch it again. It was so emotionally draining.”
4. Parasite
Neon / Courtesy Everett Collection
“A cinematic masterpiece, but it’s such an emotional ride. I watched it at the theater and was shook by all the emotions I went through. Then I watched it another time with my dad and, oh my god, it was even harder to watch. One of the best movies ever, but I will never watch it again.”
5. Boy’s Don’t Cry
Fox Searchlight Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
“The subject matter is just as relevant today as it was over 40 years ago and just as frightening to people in certain parts of the USA. Unless you are a seeker of soul-crushing punishment for yourself, you will only watch this movie once!”
6. Hotel Rwanda
United Artists/Courtesy Everett Collection
“It hits home and the movie is done brilliantly, it’s just so sad that honestly, I wouldn’t watch it again. I do recommend people watch it though — it’s a brilliant movie.”
8. Marley and Me
20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
“Why would I do that to myself? Nope, nope, nope.”
9. The Lion King
Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
“It’s my favorite Disney movie. Will never watch it again. Nope.”
10. Coco
Disney / Everett Collection
“Hear me out here! I loved it. LOVED it. I never cry during movies, but I WEPT during this movie. My poor kids were cracking up, asking if I would be OK! I had to ‘collect myself’ before stumbling out of the theater. Gorgeous movie, but it was more than I could take!”
11. Steel Magnolias
TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
“Great movie with wonderful acting, but the daughter’s death destroys me, and I cannot watch it again.”
12. Se7en
New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection
“I will never, ever watch it again. It’s a good story and well told. But the imagery is so disturbing that the idea of having to sit through it again makes my stomach turn. Wouldn’t recommend it solely because of how horrible some scenes are.”
13. Son of Saul
Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
“Incredible film, but it’s so haunting that you will never be able to watch it more than once.”
14. Precious
Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection
“It’s one of the saddest movies and it’s so heartbreaking. I’ve watched it once and don’t think I could ever bring myself to watch it again.”
15. Midsommar
A24 / Everett Collection
“It was good, but the beginning with the death of her parents and the way she cried really stuck with me in an unsettling way. That was the first time I’ve seen a reaction like that in a movie and it just felt so real. Such good acting.”
16. A Star is Born
Warner Bros. Pictures / Everett Collection
“It might be controversial or unpopular opinion, but A Star Is Born with Gaga and Cooper. I was bawling when I saw him with his belt and his dog outside. My boyfriend was so worried because I walked out of the theater because I couldn’t stop sobbing. Love the soundtrack and have the movie on Blu-ray but it’s still wrapped because I tear up thinking about the last song she sings.”
17. The Last King of Scotland
Fox Searchlight/Courtesy Everett Collection
“Incredible acting, but when you add up the gaslighting, the decapitated body, and the extended torture scene at the end, it’s a recipe for nightmares.”
18. The Passion of the Christ
Newmarket / Courtesy Everett Collection
“This movie is so gut-wrenching and yet very beautiful. But I’ll never watch it again. The torture scenes were so horrific I left the theater with a stomach ache.”
19. Room
A24 / courtesy Everett Collection
“Brie Larson was just outstanding, as was Jacob Tremblay. Fantastic movie, but yeah, it’s a one-and-done for me.”
20. Atonement
Focus Features / Courtesy Everett Collection
“Fantastic but I can never watch it EVER again. It stabbed me in the gut. I won’t even try to read the book because I’ll be reduced to a sobbing mess.”
21. Sophie’s Choice
Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
“I saw it once many years ago. It’s the next movie on the AFI Top 100 Movies list I’m going through, but I’ve been stuck on it for a few months. I have to work myself up to watch it again.”
22. Into the Wild
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection
“I still have nightmares of Emile Hirsch screaming ‘I’m starving! I’m fucking starving!’ And it was based on a true story? Nope.”
What other movies do you think belong on this list? Let us know in the comments below!
Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.