The Unusual Films That Made Brad Pitt Cry

Brad Pitt, one of Hollywood’s most enduring leading men, has built his career on a mix of rugged charm, impeccable performances, and collaborations with some of cinema’s greatest directors. From David Fincher’s Fight Club to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, Pitt has become synonymous with cool restraint — a man who rarely wears his emotions on his sleeve. But even for an actor known for his calm composure, a few films have managed to move him to tears — and the choices may surprise you.

A Star Who Doesn’t Cry Easily

In a candid 2013 interview with W Magazine, Pitt admitted he’s not typically a film crier. “I’m not much of a crier at films. I’ll tear up every now and then but not much of a crier,” he said. Yet when pressed, he revealed two very different movies that had left him in tears — neither of them the obvious tearjerkers like Titanic or The Green Mile.

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

The first film that broke through Pitt’s emotional guard was DreamWorks’ animated hit How to Train Your Dragon. While the film is beloved by families worldwide, it isn’t often cited as a cinematic weep-fest. For Pitt, though, the finale was overwhelming.

“At the end, he’s lost his leg, and they’re living in harmony with the Dragons — that got me,” he admitted. The story of Hiccup and Toothless’ unlikely bond clearly struck a chord with the actor, who found himself moved by its themes of loss, resilience, and coexistence.

Life as a House (2001)

Pitt’s second tear-filled encounter with cinema came in less expected circumstances — and with a little help from bad luck. While traveling from Cabo to Montreal, he was struck with a severe bout of food poisoning, which left him bedridden in a hotel room. In his 27th hour of “pure wretchedness,” Pitt stumbled upon Life as a House, a 2001 drama starring Kevin Kline.

The film follows an architect diagnosed with terminal cancer who reconnects with his estranged son while building a dream home together. For Pitt, the combination of his vulnerable state and the film’s poignant storyline proved too much to bear.

“This was a time when I actually wept at a film,” Pitt recalled. “This movie crushed me, just crushed me. In fact, I should see it again and see if it has the same effect.”

A Glimpse Behind the Star Persona

For a man whose screen presence often leans toward stoic heroes and sharp-witted rogues, Pitt’s admissions reveal an unexpectedly tender side. His willingness to be undone by a family-friendly animated film or a heartfelt drama he stumbled upon while sick speaks to a universal truth: even Hollywood’s most unflappable stars are moved by the simple power of storytelling.

In the end, Pitt’s choices remind us that emotional vulnerability isn’t about the “right” film to cry over — it’s about the moment, the state of mind, and the way a story resonates. Whether it’s dragons soaring across the sky or a father reconciling with his son, Brad Pitt proves that sometimes, the movies that make us cry are the ones we least expect.

Do you want me to make this article more of a light, humorous lifestyle piece (playing up the unexpectedness of Pitt’s picks), or lean into a deeper profile that explores what these films reveal about his personality?