16 Sad And Disturbing Movies That People Can't Rewatch

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26-05-2025

Recently, u/0xHermione asked r/AskReddit, "What's a movie that disturbed you so much, you'd never watch it again?" So we thought we'd share some of the top responses:
Requiem For a Dream
"Amazing, impactful movie, but once was enough for me."–_MyCatsNameIsBinx"I'm a college professor and I used to show it in class to illustrate the parallels between Rx pill addiction and heroin addiction."–Fun_Low777Brief description: This harrowing film depicts the traumatic and destructive effects of addiction as it follows four people whose lives are crumbling as a result of their habits.
Grave of the Fireflies
"I wouldn't say this one was disturbing, but incredibly sad and poignant. And yes, I couldn't get myself to watch it again."–Kirosky"I watched this and then immediately followed it up with Spirited Away. Grave of the Fireflies needs a chaser."–QCs_diner_patronBrief description: This animated film depicts the destructive impact of war as it follows two orphaned siblings trying to survive in war-torn Japan during WWII.
Bambi
"I was six. I cried so hard I threw up and blamed the dog. He got yelled at. I've lived with that guilt for 20 years. Still won't rewatch it."–Machineabyss764Brief description: This animated Disney film is about a young deer having to grow up in the forrest alone, learning about loss and life.
What Dreams May Come
"I love this movie but I don't think I can watch it again."–EfficientDismal"I cried way too long during the closing scenes and then walked out of the theater asking myself questions about my existence and mortality that I never want to ask myself again."–jasonmarsellBrief description: This emotional film is about a man risking his afterlife in heaven in order to save his wife from the depths of despair.
Schindler's List
"I think everyone should watch it once, but once is enough."–emceekatie"I first watched this last year while eating pho in bed. I spilled boiling broth on my pants but it was during the train part toward the end and I couldn't move or look away. I ended up with a quarter-sized burn on my leg by the time the movie ended. No regrets."–YandojiBrief description: This historical drama is the story of Oskar Schindler, who, despite the horrors that surround him, endeavours to save the lives of over a thousand Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.
The Butterfly Effect
"I unfortunately watched this movie as a kid. It had quite an impact on me and definitely left me with some trauma. I thought I'd never watch it again, but my roommate convinced me to and that version had a different ending. Not sure which I saw but the first time I watched it, I was depressed for three entire days."–Narcissista"I watched this years ago then a couple of night ago it was on. So the wife and I started watching it again… that scene with the dad taking home movies came on and I suddenly remembered…. 'Nope! Turn it off now!' That movie is just hauntingly miserable."–BeershedfredBrief description: When a man discovers that he can travel back in time to crucial events in his life, he doesn't consider the harrowing consequences of his interferences.
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
"Man, everyone should see this film once because it is so well done and a wonderful homage to the filmmakers friend. But holy shit, I don't think I could bring myself to watch it again. The friend did such a good job telling the story that halfway through I had to turn it off and finish it another day. I was absolutely heartbroken but also FURIOUS. I have never had a film make me feel such raw, fruitless, immeasurable anger in my life. And there is nowhere to point it."–TheDreamingMyriadBrief description: This devastating documentary follows a filmmaker who is attempting to honour his late friend whilst showing his friend's son who his father was. In doing so, the filmmaker uncovers a tragic story of loss and tragedy.
Threads
"Threads.. the BBC movie about a limited nuclear exchange. The most matter of fact and horrible deaths. The loss of dignity in dying from radiation sickness… It hit so hard!"–caduceushugsBrief description: This haunting film focuses on the real life impact of nuclear war through the eyes of two families in Britain.
Kids
"I feel like it had made it's point by one hour in, the last 30 minutes just felt unnecessary, but oh god it hammered that point home. Great movie, but once was enough."–DetLoinsBrief description: This movie, set over the course of one day in New York, follows a group of teens who are exploring debauchery and adolescence in a reckless, disturbing way.
Se7en
"The only movie I walked out of deeply regretting that I'd seen it. I felt like my heart was poisoned."–staceychevBrief description: We follow two detectives who are on the hunt for a serial killer whose crimes are inspired by the seven deadly sins.
Mother!
"It was a 120 minute long anxiety attack."–Rowsdowers_Revenge"Agreed. I hated it until the end and then I loved it, but once really is enough."–TheFemale72Brief description: This disturbing psychological thriller follows the peculiar events that surround a couple living a fairly peaceful life. When people begin to barge in uninvited, a series of disturbing and chaotic events unfurl.
The Lovely Bones
"Incredible film, so well done that you almost hate Stanley Tucci because he plays the role so well. Don't think I could watch it again since having a daughter, though!"–CraigusFragglusBrief description: This supernatural drama is centred around a family struggling to deal with the murder of their daughter. Not wanting to move into the afterlife, the daughter in question remains in purgatory, watching over her distressed family and her killer.
The NeverEnding Story
"Artax in the swamp of sadness messed up all the '80s kids. We didn't even talk about that scene on the playground. Everyone tried to suppress that memory."–OldElPasoSnowplowBrief description: This fairytale story follows a lonely boy, Bastain, who is magically transported to the land of Fantasia after reading an old book in the book shop. The land is under threat from a dark force called The Nothing, and Bastian must try to save it.
Once We Were Warriors
"Very hard watch, even harder rewatch. Not for the faint of heart."–El_Guerrero_MayaBrief description: This visceral drama follows a Māori family in New Zealand. We see the impact of domestic violence, poverty, and unrest in a brutal way.
The Human Centipede
"FOR REAL. My son had asked about it once because he wanted to watch a horror movie. I told him, 'bro, you can't ever unsee it, I promise you don't want to watch it,' and I described the premise of the movie. Well, a few weeks later he ended up seeing the South Park parody and cried." –nortstar621Brief description: This body horror depicts a scientist who kidnaps three tourists in order to perform a horrific experiment on them, attempting to conjoin the three of them together to form a sort of human centipede.
Midsommar
"I'm not a horror girlie, but this was my favourite movie. The tension, music, scenery, and story are perfect. This wasn't even a supernatural horror, just people doing it to each other which is more terrifying. That being said, I watched it in theatres when it was released and have NEVER seen it since. I was too terrified. Will I recommend it as the best scary movie? Yes. Will I ever watch it again? Fuck no." –extrabeesBrief description: This folk horror is centred around a group of grad students who visit a remote Swedish commune at the time of Midsommar festival; the unnerving traditions of the community begin to reveal themselves in horrific ways.
H/T to u/0xHermione and r/AskReddit for having the discussion!
Any of your own to add? Let us know in the comments below!