1. Cinema Paradiso
"I've been working at a movie theater since the early 2000s, when movies were still screened on film, and I love the sound of the projector and the space of the projection room, so I can't help but cry no matter how many times I watch that scene, which is depicted as a turning point in the story." - Hiromi Kono (39 years old) / Filmarks
"'Love your work.' These words from Alfredo have been supporting me." Kentaro Kuramoto (47 years old) / Hiroshima Hatchoza Theater
"Anyone who loves movies will be moved by something like this." - THE-kun "Zakkun" (34 years old) / Filmarks
"The final scene, in which he looks at the burnt film with the eyes of a boy, really touches my heart. It was the first time I cried at a kissing scene." - Big Shrimp, Male / Filmarks
2nd place: "PERFECT DAYS"
"They may not be big things, but I want to pick up the little everyday things that everyone experiences and make my days perfect. After watching the film, it really touched my heart." Monami (28 years old) / BRUTUS.jp
"The main character, who is a gentle and skilled craftsman, reminded me of my grandfather, who used to be a photographer, and I felt a strong desire to meet him more and talk to him more." - Kishi (22 years old) / Fushimi Million Theater, Aichi
"For someone like me who is constantly busy and swamped with work, this film was a breath of fresh air." Kai-chan (34 years old) / Filmarks
3rd place: "Aftersun"
"I was deeply moved by the Polaroid photo of Callum and Sophie on their last night together, as their images gradually emerged. I'm sure there are things in life like that, things that you can't see right away, but gradually, gradually, they become clearer." - Moe (33 years old) / Filmarks
"The situation of spending summer vacations alone with my father, who is divorced from my mother and lives far away, overlapped perfectly with my own experience. I am now much older than he was when he became a father at a young age. I thought I empathized with Sophie, but I gradually became aware of the pain of her father, Callum. Through this film, I began to imagine that he was trying to be a father to me during that summer vacation, and it really touched me." Yuri (29 years old) / Kochi (Kinema Museum)
4th place: "Coda Love Song"
"The applause scene that breaks the silent tension and draws you into the world of the deaf and mute, and the scene where Ruby sings using sign language for her family who show up during her audition, really touched my heart." - Susumu Nishiyama (59 years old) / Okayama Cinema Clair
"The final song, 'Both Sides Now,' combined with the story, is very moving. It's a work that really lets you feel the power of song." - GACCHAN (28 years old) / BRUTUS.jp
"The joy on the deaf family's faces and Ruby's ability to sing for them were truly moving." - Azuki (20 years old) / BRUTUS.jp
5. "Everything at Dawn"
"Personally, Fujisawa's PMS symptoms overlapped with my own, and I found the depression she felt afterward heartbreaking. Each character has their own difficulties in life, but the way they maintain a comfortable distance from each other and their casual caring touched me. I was envious, but at the same time, I felt that if I put my mind to it, I might be able to create an environment like that." Mineko, female / BRUTUS.jp
6. "The Shawshank Redemption"
"'Live desperately or die desperately.' Andy's words really sink in. It's a film you'll want to watch when you feel like life is difficult." - Charmy (61 years old) / Filmarks
"I encourage myself by remembering the line, 'There are things in your heart that no one can take away.'" - Kawama Yukiko (33 years old) / BRUTUS.jp
7. "Good Will Hunting"
"A deeply moving film is one that leaves you with an indescribable feeling after watching it, a film that acts as a tonic for the soul, a film that you'll want to watch again when you stop and think about something." 716 Kazu (26 years old) Male / Filmarks
"I was deeply touched by the preciousness of the people who support me." Harusorayuki, 22 (49 years old), male / Filmarks
8. "Interstellar"
"It's a science fiction film with a love theme. When I realized that it depicted love on an overwhelming scale, I was so moved I couldn't speak." - Nagoya, 60-year-old woman, movie-loving / Filmarks
"Going into space and paying the price of accelerating time, and even sacrificing your own life to do something for someone else, that feeling really touches me." - Kota Kikuchi (40 years old) / Filmarks
8th place: "Call Me by Your Name"
"The title itself is moving. I want to be called by your name too. I will never forget the look on Elio's face as he quietly slumps his shoulders in front of the crackling fireplace." - Kanzaburo (26 years old) / Filmarks
"The love scene was so beautiful that it felt like I was watching a moving painting." Neneka (23 years old) / Filmarks
10th place: Chocolate Donut
"It's by no means a happy ending, but that's exactly why society's lack of understanding is so painful and will remain in my memory forever." - Junko Kikuchi (52 years old) / Yamagata <Tsuruoka Machinaka Cinema>
"The bond between family members on paper and those who are not related by blood is heartbreaking. The depth of love is immeasurable." Hallelujah (64 years old) / Filmarks
10. The Holdovers
"Your past doesn't determine the direction of your life. I was deeply touched by his words, which were so dignified and compassionate, typical of a teacher." Hiroshi (48 years old) / Kochi Cinema Museum
"When Paul told Angus to 'hang in there,' I burst into tears and it really touched my heart. It's my number one winter movie to watch." - Anne (28 years old)
10. "Life is Beautiful"
"It's normal to portray it as tragic, but how can it be portrayed in such a comedic way? This is a masterpiece from director and star Roberto Benigni."
"Just remembering my father's final scene brings tears to my eyes. It's a masterpiece of fatherly love." - Peperonchino (55 years old) / Filmarks
Comparing the rankings for those under 20 and those over 60
Top 3 for those under 20
1st place: "Aftersun" 2022 / USA
2nd place "PERFECT DAYS" '23/Japan = Germany
3rd place: "Coda Love Song" 2021 / US = France = Canada
Top 3 for those over 60
1. "Cinema Paradiso" 1989 / Italy-France
2. "The Shawshank Redemption" 1994 / USA
3rd place: "Sand Vessel" 1974/Japan
Coming in third place for those in their 60s and older was "The Sand Glass," based on a novel by Seicho Matsumoto. This heart-wrenching drama, which tells the story of a murder case and the dark side of society, beat out other classics to make it onto the list. The number of votes from those in their 20s and younger solidified the second to fourth places overall.
Filmarks users' answers to touching quotes from touching movies
We also conducted a survey of users of Filmarks, a review service used by movie lovers. Movie lovers who regularly read movie reviews shared their thoughts on movies, such as specific lines.
Rambo 1982/USA
"No matter how many times I watch it, Rambo's famous line, 'Nothing is over,' always touches me." - Kazuki Matsumoto (23 years old)
"The Legend of 1999" / Italy-US
"The line, 'There's everything in the city, but it's endless,' is life itself. I empathized with the difficulty of simply living." - Yoichi Maruyama (37 years old)
"Wonderful World" '21/Japan
"The words 'Outside is a constant stream of patience, but it's not that much fun considering how much patience you have, but the sky is so wide' strike a chord with viewers who identify with Mikami." Akira Kimijima (63 years old)
