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These 24 Movies Were So Good But So Intense, Viewers Don't Know If They Could Watch It Again

Casey Rackham

3 January 2025 at 4:31 pm·5-min read

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

Three people lying in bed, one reading a book. A teddy bear is next to them. Mood appears tense — "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."
—nataliemichelle
Netflix / courtesy Everett Collection

2.My Sister's Keeper

Two people sitting on a blanket in a park, with one person resting their head on the other's lap — "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."
—izzyart0318
New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection

3.Hereditary

A person in pajamas watches another person on fire inside a living room scene — "The acting was phenomenal, and the story was amazing. However, I could never watch it again. It was so emotionally draining."
—okokimono
A24 / Courtesy Everett Collection

4.Parasite

Woman in a plaid dress stands on stairs, looking surprised, under a modern hanging light — "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."
—luneminescence
Neon / Courtesy Everett Collection

5.Boy's Don't Cry

Two people sitting outdoors on a blanket at night. One is examining a photo; the other watches attentively. Casual attire, jeans, and jackets — "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!"
—horrorwalker
Fox Searchlight Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

6.Hotel Rwanda

Three people peering seriously through a partially opened door, suggesting tension or intrigue — "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."
—aloe_the_simp
United Artists/Courtesy Everett Collection

7.The Lovely Bones

Person outdoors wearing a striped knit hat and coat with fur trim, looking into the distance — "The movie was great but it was unsettling as fuck and scared me for days."
—tiffanywillgomiles
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

8.Marley and Me

A person sitting in a grassy field, wearing a plaid shirt and jacket, embracing a Labrador Retriever — "Why would I do that to myself? Nope, nope, nope."
—jh2424
20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

9.The Lion King

Simba looks up at Mufasa's spirit in the sky, with Rafiki by his side, in a scene from "The Lion King." — "It's my favorite Disney movie. Will never watch it again. Nope."
—nikkib35
Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

10.Coco

Animated boy plays guitar for a smiling elderly woman in a cozy room — "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!"
—kkfla
Disney / Everett Collection

11.Steel Magnolias

Two women facing each other in an emotional embrace, wearing elegant clothing in a garden setting — "Great movie with wonderful acting, but the daughter’s death destroys me, and I cannot watch it again."
—jfuhreal
TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

12.Se7en

A person kneeling in a dimly lit room with the word "GREED" written on the floor in a dark substance, surrounded by luxurious furniture — "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."
—brenleyhorrocks7079
New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection

13.Son of Saul

Man wearing a cap and scarf, looking intently in a dimly lit room with others in the background — "Incredible film, but it's so haunting that you will never be able to watch it more than once."
—cerinamroth
Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

14.Precious

Person in reflective mood, sitting on a bus, wearing a jacket and headband. Scene from a film related to personal journey and resilience — "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."
—cakegirl23
Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection

15.Midsommar

A group of women in traditional embroidered dresses comfort a crying woman in an emotional scene — "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."
—e4d1fa5d22
A24 / Everett Collection

16.A Star is Born

Two musicians perform on stage under bright lights; one sings passionately into a microphone while the other plays guitar and smiles — "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."
—jennieemilianah
Warner Bros. Pictures / Everett Collection

17.The Last King of Scotland

Two actors in a film scene sit in a car; one wears a military uniform with gold braiding — "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."
—baobaopanda
Fox Searchlight/Courtesy Everett Collection

18.The Passion of the Christ

A rugged-looking man with long hair and facial scars stands in front of a blurred group, conveying a tense, dramatic scene — "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."
—mumingo
Newmarket / Courtesy Everett Collection

19.Room

A woman sits on a chair in a small, cluttered room, looking upwards — "Brie Larson was just outstanding, as was Jacob Tremblay. Fantastic movie, but yeah, it’s a one-and-done for me."
—pepperopigeon
A24 / courtesy Everett Collection

20.Atonement

Person with short hair wearing a gray collared shirt and a necklace, set against a blurred backdrop — "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."
—spudermonkey
Focus Features / Courtesy Everett Collection

21.Sophie’s Choice

Two actors in an intimate scene: the woman is in a glamorous dress, and the man is wearing a suit. They are close, in a romantic setting — "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."
—thatblondekat
Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

22.Into the Wild

A person with a backpack walks on a desert road, with an off-road vehicle in the background — "I still have nightmares of Emile Hirsch screaming 'I’m starving! I’m fucking starving!' And it was based on a true story? Nope."
—tristian619
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

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.