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Okay, real talk: I am still not over Nora and Hae Sung. It’s been years, and I still think about that bar scene at least once a week. If you’re currently in your ‘what if’ era and need more movies that make you question every life choice you’ve ever made, I got you. We’re talking slow-burn, soul-crushing, beautiful cinema that hits right in the feels. Grab a blanket, order some takeout, and prepare to sob.
1. Before Sunset: The OG ‘What If’ Masterpiece
Look, if you loved Past Lives, you owe it to yourself to watch the Before trilogy. Specifically, Before Sunset. It’s 80 minutes of Jesse and Celine walking around Paris talking about their regrets and missed connections. It’s literally just two people talking, but I promise it’s more intense than any action movie. It’s got a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes for a reason, okay? You will be screaming at the screen by the final frame. Trust me.
2. In the Mood for Love: Pure Aesthetic Agony
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If you want a movie that is basically just longing personified, this is it. Wong Kar-wai really knew how to make us suffer in the most gorgeous way possible. The chemistry? Off the charts. The colors? Iconic. It’s 1960s Hong Kong, and it’s all about a neighborly bond that is so close yet so far. It’s a total mood if you’re into that specific kind of ‘we can never be together’ heartbreak.
3. Carol: The Look That Said Everything
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in 1950s New York. Need I say more? It’s not just the costumes (which are to die for), it’s the way they look at each other. It’s the kind of slow-burn romance that makes your chest hurt. If you liked the quiet intensity of Past Lives, this is going to be your new obsession. It’s sophisticated, it’s painful, and it’s honestly perfect.
4. Portrait of a Lady on Fire
This movie is basically a painting come to life. It’s about a painter and her subject, and the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. It’s French, it’s artsy, and it will leave you staring at a wall for twenty minutes after it ends. If you’re ready to feel things you didn’t even know you had, press play immediately. No cap, this is one of the best films of the 2010s.
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
I know, I know, everyone talks about this one. But have you watched it lately? It hits differently when you’re older. The idea of deleting someone from your memory because the breakup hurts too much? Too real. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, and it’s deeply relatable. If you’re currently mourning a ‘what could have been’ situation, maybe skip this one—or watch it and cry it all out. Your choice.
6. Blue Valentine: Prepare to Have Your Heart Broken
If Past Lives is the ‘what if’ movie, this is the ‘what happened to us’ movie. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams are so good it’s actually annoying. It’s a brutal look at how love changes over time. It’s not easy watching, but it’s so raw and honest that you can’t look away. It’s definitely a ‘watch with a glass of wine and a box of tissues’ kind of night.
7. Call Me by Your Name
The Italian summer vibes are unmatched, but the heartbreak? That’s what we’re here for. It captures that specific feeling of a summer romance that changes you forever. The final scene alone is enough to ruin your entire week. It’s got that same lingering, bittersweet quality that makes Past Lives so memorable. Honestly, I’m still not over that fireplace scene. Just iconic.
8. Lost in Translation: Strangers in a Strange Land
There is something about being in a foreign city that makes you feel so lonely and so connected at the same time. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson just get it. This movie is a total vibe. It’s quiet, it’s funny, and it’s incredibly sad. If you’re feeling a bit lost in your own life right now, this is the movie that will make you feel like you aren’t alone in that feeling.
9. Decision to Leave: A Different Kind of Longing
Okay, so this is a thriller, but hear me out—it’s also one of the most romantic movies I’ve seen in years. It’s directed by Park Chan-wook, and the way he films desire is just… chef’s kiss. It’s about a detective falling for a suspect, and the tension is absolutely suffocating. If you want something that keeps your brain busy while your heart breaks, this is the one.
10. Brokeback Mountain: The One That Started It All
We all know the story, but the emotional impact never fades. It’s a classic for a reason. The longing, the secrecy, the societal pressure—it hits all the same notes as Past Lives. It’s about a love that can’t exist in the world the characters live in. If you want to feel like your heart is being squeezed, this is the gold standard.
11. Normal People (Okay, it’s a show, but still!)
I know this is a list of movies, but I’m breaking the rules because I have to talk about Marianne and Connell. If you haven’t watched this on Hulu yet, what are you even doing? It is the ultimate ‘right person, wrong time’ story. It will ruin your life in the best way possible. The chemistry between Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal? Honestly, I’m still screaming.
12. The Worst Person in the World
This movie is basically for anyone who feels like they’re still trying to figure out who they are. It’s messy, it’s funny, and it’s deeply painful. It covers years of a life, showing the choices that lead us to where we are. It’s the perfect companion piece to Past Lives because it explores the same idea of ‘the paths not taken.’ It’s a total mood for your twenties.
FAQs
Why is Past Lives so sad?
It’s sad because it highlights the ‘what ifs’ of life. It’s not about a villain or a breakup, but about time, distance, and the versions of ourselves we leave behind. It hits home for anyone who has ever wondered about a past love.
Is Past Lives on Netflix?
As of June 2026, Past Lives is available on various streaming platforms like Paramount+ and can be rented on Amazon Prime or Apple TV. Always check your local listings as streaming rights change constantly!
What should I watch if I liked the ‘right person, wrong time’ trope?
Definitely go for Before Sunset or Normal People. Both capture that specific ache of two people who clearly belong together but are constantly kept apart by life circumstances. They are the absolute peak of that trope.
There you have it—12 movies to help you lean into the sadness and embrace the ‘what ifs.’ Which one are you watching tonight? Let me know in the comments if I missed your favorite heartbreak film. If you’re feeling extra emotional, tell your bestie to watch along with you. Happy crying, everyone!
