Ah, "Me Before You," the film that turned us all into emotional wrecks and had us reaching for the tissue box. Starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin, this 2016 romantic drama struck a chord with audiences worldwide, blending love, life lessons, and bittersweet realities. But what do you watch after the credits roll and you've already ugly-cried your way through your third box of tissues? If you're yearning for more stories that pull at your heartstrings, you're in luck! We've compiled a list of 15 films that capture the emotional highs and lows, the deep connections, and yes, the complicated dilemmas that make "Me Before You" unforgettable. So gear up for another emotional rollercoaster ride through love, loss, and everything in between.
The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
If "Me Before You" felt like a punch to your emotional gut, "The Fault in Our Stars" is a roundhouse kick of feelings. Tackling the tangled webs of young love and terminal illness, this film is a heart-wrenching journey. What ties it back to "Me Before You" is its focus on the transformative power of love in the face of life's most severe challenges. While Will and Louisa find profound changes through their complex relationship, so do Hazel and Gus, teaching us all to savor our "little infinities."
CAST
Shailene Woodley
Ansel Elgort
Nat Wolff
Laura Dern
Sam Trammell
Willem Dafoe
Lotte Verbeek
Mike Birbiglia
Ana Dela Cruz
Randy Kovitz
A Walk to Remember (2002)
Imagine your high school love story but make it a Nicholas Sparks novel. Yeah, that's "A Walk to Remember" for you. With the same vibes of an unusual romance that "Me Before You" offers, this tale of a bad boy falling for a good, but very secretive girl, is a tearjerker on its own. The big life-changing event that inevitably comes (no spoilers) adds a layer of depth and transformation that will remind you of Louisa and Will's journey.
CAST
Mandy Moore
Shane West
Peter Coyote
Daryl Hannah
Lauren German
Clayne Crawford
Paz de la Huerta
Matt Lutz
Al Thompson
Jonathan Parks Jordan
La La Land (2016)
Hollywood, the city of stars, where love and dreams crash into the harsh rocks of reality. "La La Land" explores the beautiful mess that is love vs. ambition. While "Me Before You" shows love facing the challenge of physical limitation, "La La Land" puts love up against career ambitions. Will our characters choose their dreams over love? Well, you'll have to watch to find out, but let's just say the film is both a visual and emotional spectacle.
CAST
Ryan Gosling
Emma Stone
John Legend
Rosemarie DeWitt
J.K. Simmons
Amiée Conn
Terry Walters
Thom Shelton
Cinda Adams
Callie Hernandez
About Time (2013)
Ah, "About Time," where the rom-com meets sci-fi in a delightful mashup. Ever wondered how time-travel would affect your love life? This movie answers that in the most British way possible. It's a little bit quirky, a little bit dramatic, and a whole lot of thought-provoking. Much like how Louisa takes care of Will, our time-traveling protagonist sacrifices much for the woman he loves. This movie asks the big questions about what you'd be willing to do for love.
CAST
Domhnall Gleeson
Rachel McAdams
Bill Nighy
Lydia Wilson
Lindsay Duncan
Richard Cordery
Joshua McGuire
Tom Hollander
Margot Robbie
Will Merrick
The Notebook (2004)
Is it even a romance list without "The Notebook"? This movie, based on another Nicholas Sparks novel, is the epitome of undying love. If you appreciated how "Me Before You" explores the difficulties and beauty of loving someone 'til the end, then "The Notebook" is your next stop. Between love letters, rain-soaked kisses, and a love that stands the test of time, this movie is one for the ages.
CAST
Rachel McAdams
Ryan Gosling
Gena Rowlands
James Garner
Sam Shepard
Joan Allen
James Marsden
David Thornton
Kevin Connolly
Starletta DuPois
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Throw in mental health issues, a dance competition, and Bradley Cooper, and you get "Silver Linings Playbook." This movie, lighter in tone but equally complex, explores how two broken people can find healing and love. While "Me Before You" goes deep into the realm of physical challenges and caregiving, "Silver Linings Playbook" delves into the world of psychological wounds and healing through love and, believe it or not, dance.
CAST
Bradley Cooper
Jennifer Lawrence
Robert De Niro
Jacki Weaver
Chris Tucker
Anupam Kher
John Ortiz
Shea Whigham
Julia Stiles
Paul Herman
Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
If Louisa's clumsy yet lovable nature appealed to you, Bridget Jones is your spirit animal. This British rom-com, full of awkward encounters and classic British wit, is a tale of self-discovery and love. It's essentially "Me Before You" if Louisa had to navigate through a series of hilariously embarrassing events all while jotting them down in her diary. A love triangle, some self-discovery, and a whole lot of British humor make this movie a delightful watch.
CAST
Renée Zellweger
Colin Firth
Hugh Grant
Jim Broadbent
Gemma Jones
James Callis
Sally Phillips
Shirley Henderson
Embeth Davidtz
Lisa Barbuscia
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Remember those teen years filled with awkwardness and emotion? "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" plunges headlong into that world, touching on friendship, love, and mental health. The characters navigate through the convoluted maze of adolescence, reminding us of how "Me Before You" also beautifully showcased the bumpy path of human relationships and the transformative power of love.
CAST
Logan Lerman
Emma Watson
Ezra Miller
Mae Whitman
Kate Walsh
Dylan McDermott
Melanie Lynskey
Nina Dobrev
Johnny Simmons
Joan Cusack
2 degrees of seperation (similar to The Perks of Being a Wallflower)
P.S. I Love You (2007)
A love story from beyond the grave, "P.S. I Love You" takes you on a grieving widow's journey through healing and self-discovery, guided by her late husband's letters. Much like "Me Before You," it addresses love and loss, but sprinkles in a pinch of adventure and a ton of Irish charm.
CAST
Hilary Swank
Gerard Butler
Lisa Kudrow
Harry Connick Jr.
Gina Gershon
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Kathy Bates
James Marsters
Nellie McKay
Anne Kent
The Spectacular Now (2013)
If the unfiltered reality in "Me Before You" caught your eye, then you'll love "The Spectacular Now." This story of high school sweethearts faces the uncomfortable truths about young love. It's honest, brutal at times, but always compelling.
CAST
Miles Teller
Shailene Woodley
Masam Holden
Kaitlyn Dever
Brie Larson
Kyle Chandler
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Karen Strassman
Andre Royo
The Theory of Everything (2014)
Stephen Hawking and his wife, Jane, paint a picture of love against all odds, much like our beloved Louisa and Will. It's not just a story about defying physical limitations, but about two people whose love for each other defies the universe's biggest questions.
CAST
Eddie Redmayne
Felicity Jones
Charlie Cox
Emily Watson
Simon McBurney
David Thewlis
Maxine Peake
Harry Lloyd
Tom Prior
Sophie Perry
Once (2007)
Music is the backdrop in this romance about two musicians who meet and create beautiful melodies together. But life isn't a simple song. Much like "Me Before You," this film explores what it means to choose between love and personal aspirations.
CAST
Glen Hansard
Hugh Walsh
Gerard Hendrick
Alaistair Foley
Geoff Minogue
Bill Hodnett
Danuse Ktrestova
Darren Healy
Mal Whyte
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
A quirky, non-linear take on a doomed love affair, "500 Days of Summer" will have you chuckling one moment and brooding the next. Like "Me Before You," it challenges our views on love and relationships, making us question what we thought we knew.
CAST
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Zooey Deschanel
Geoffrey Arend
Chloë Grace Moretz
Matthew Gray Gubler
Clark Gregg
Patricia Belcher
Rachel Boston
Minka Kelly
Charles Walker
Before Sunrise (1995)
What could happen between two people who spend just one night together? "Before Sunrise" is like the brief, European vacation you never took, filled with dialogue, romance, and heart-tugging decisions. It captures that fleeting essence of romance that was equally poignant in "Me Before You."
CAST
Ethan Hawke
Julie Delpy
Andrea Eckert
Hanno Pöschl
Haymon Maria Buttinger
Erni Mangold
Karl Bruckschwaiger
Tex Rubinowitz
Dominik Castell
Harold Waiglein
The Best of Me (2014)
Last but not least, we round out this list with another Nicholas Sparks entry, "The Best of Me." This movie tells you that first love never truly dies, as two high school sweethearts reunite after many years. Like "Me Before You," it touches on the power and tragedy of fate, making us all wonder what could have been.
CAST
Michelle Monaghan
James Marsden
Luke Bracey
Liana Liberato
Gerald McRaney
Caroline Goodall
Clarke Peters
Sebastian Arcelus
Jon Tenney
Sean Bridgers