15 Movies to Watch If You Loved Netflix’s Surprise Hit “The Tearsmith”

Netflix has done it again – releasing an under-the-radar movie that has quickly become a massive hit. This time it’s the Italian young adult adaptation “The Tearsmith” that has captivated audiences around the world and sat atop the Netflix Top 10 charts for weeks.

While fans of the original book series may not be surprised by the movie’s success, “The Tearsmith” has clearly expanded its reach far beyond just the built-in fanbase. The story of two teenage orphans, adopted into the same family, who share a history of abuse and a powerful attraction – all mixed with fairy tale and fantasy elements – has resonated widely.

“The Tearsmith” blends together aspects of Twilight, Harry Potter, and Jane Eyre to create its own unique take on a gothic YA romance. And judging by the massive viewership, it’s a formula that works. So if you binged “The Tearsmith” and are hungry for more, or even if you were a bit bewildered by it but still intrigued, here are 15 movies to add to your watchlist next.

1. Beautiful Creatures (2013)

Beautiful Creatures was one of the many YA fantasy novel adaptations to hit theaters in the post-Twilight, post-Harry Potter wave. But it stands out from the pack thanks to the genuine chemistry between its young leads Alden Ehrenreich and Alice Englert.

While it didn’t reach the same level of success as “The Tearsmith”, it shows that a lot of what people love about this genre is the core relationships and melodrama more so than the mythologies and world-building. If you liked the romance of “The Tearsmith”, give Beautiful Creatures a shot.

2. Heavenly Creatures (1994)

Before he was winning Oscars for The Lord of the Rings, director Peter Jackson made the psychological drama Heavenly Creatures. It stars Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey as two young women who retreat into a rich fantasy life together, eventually losing their grasp on reality.

Unlike “The Tearsmith”, Heavenly Creatures actually shows us the fantasy world the characters get lost in, making for an even more intense, immersive psychological experience. It’s a darker, more adult take on some similar themes.

3. Red Riding Hood (2011)

Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke puts a werewolf-infused twist on the classic fairy tale in Red Riding Hood. The gothic romance shares a lot of DNA with “The Tearsmith” in terms of its darker, moodier take on a familiar story and its exploration of a dangerous, forbidden love.

If you liked the way “The Tearsmith” played with fairy tale tropes and imagery, Red Riding Hood does that even more directly. Plus it has an incredible cast including Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Julie Christie, and Shiloh Fernandez.

4. A Little Princess (1995)

Speaking of incredible casts, Alfonso Cuarón’s adaptation of the classic novel A Little Princess stars Liesel Matthews, Eleanor Bron, Liam Cunningham, and Camilla Belle. It’s the story of a young girl who is sent to live at a strict boarding school in New York after her father goes missing.

Like “The Tearsmith”, A Little Princess deals with themes of found family, inner strength, and the power of imagination and storytelling. Cuarón brings his signature visual flare, making this a treat to watch. Have tissues ready for the ending.

5. Call Me By Your Name (2017)

On the surface, the Oscar-winning Call Me By Your Name may not seem to have much in common with “The Tearsmith”. But at their core, both are tender coming-of-age stories and romances set against the backdrop of the lush Italian countryside.

Call Me By Your Name is definitely a more mature, sophisticated take, following the love affair between 17-year-old Elio (Timothée Chalamet) and the older Oliver (Armie Hammer). But it captures the ache and intensity of young love in a way that fans of “The Tearsmith” will appreciate.

6. Turtles All the Way Down (2024)

John Green’s 2017 novel Turtles All the Way Down is getting the movie treatment, with filming currently underway. The story centers on 16-year-old Aza Holmes who struggles with anxiety and OCD while trying to solve the mystery of a missing billionaire.

Green has a knack for writing complex, authentic teen characters and understands mental health issues on a deep level. If you connected with the emotional challenges the characters face in “The Tearsmith”, keep an eye out for Turtles All the Way Down.

7. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

Speaking of John Green adaptations, the 2014 mega-hit The Fault in Our Stars is another great pick for “The Tearsmith” fans looking for a cathartic cry. Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort star as two teenagers who fall in love after meeting in a cancer support group.

It’s a heartbreaking story of life, love, and loss that doesn’t shy away from the realities of illness. But it’s also funny, romantic, and ultimately hopeful. Like “The Tearsmith”, it understands that there is light to be found even in dark places.

8. The Hunger Games (2012)

On the action-adventure side of the YA adaptation spectrum, The Hunger Games set the standard with its gripping story of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) fighting for survival in a dystopian world.

While a very different vibe than “The Tearsmith”, both stories center on strong young women who have to dig deep within themselves to overcome immense obstacles. Katniss and “The Tearsmith”‘s Maria share a resilience and determination that is inspiring to watch.

9. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, based on the beloved novel by Stephen Chbosky, is a coming-of-age story that perfectly captures the joy and pain of being a teenager. Logan Lerman stars as Charlie, an introvert who comes out of his shell thanks to new friends played by Ezra Miller and Emma Watson.

Like “The Tearsmith”, it deals with some heavy topics like mental health, abuse, and grief. But it does so with sensitivity, humor, and a lot of heart. It’s a reminder that even when we feel lost and alone, we can find our people.

10. Five Feet Apart (2019)

Five Feet Apart is like The Fault in Our Stars meets Romeo and Juliet. Haley Lu Richardson and Cole Sprouse play two young people with cystic fibrosis who fall for each other despite the fact that they must stay six feet apart at all times for health reasons.

It’s the kind of swoony, star-crossed romance that “The Tearsmith” excels at, with the added element of physical barriers keeping the characters apart. Bring the tissues, because this one is a tearjerker in the best way.

11. The Spectacular Now (2013)

Speaking of Shailene Woodley tearjerkers, she also stars in The Spectacular Now alongside Miles Teller. It’s a more grounded, realistic coming-of-age story about a hard-partying high school senior who falls for a “nice girl” and starts to reevaluate his life choices.

While lighter on the fantasy than “The Tearsmith”, it’s another great example of a YA story that treats its young characters with respect and empathy. It understands that the emotions you feel as a teenager are valid and powerful.

12. The Half of It (2020)

Netflix’s The Half of It puts a modern, queer spin on the Cyrano de Bergerac story. Shy, introverted Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) helps a jock woo a girl at their school by writing love letters for him, only to realize she has feelings for the same girl.

Like “The Tearsmith”, The Half of It lets its characters be messy and complicated. It normalizes the confusion and fluidity of teenage sexuality without judgment. And the friendship between Ellie and Paul is just as important as the central romance.

13. The Sky is Everywhere (2022)

Based on the YA novel by Jandy Nelson, The Sky is Everywhere is a visually stunning, magical realism-tinged story of a teenage girl grieving the sudden death of her older sister. Grace Kaufman gives a star-making performance as Lennie, who feels torn between two boys as she processes her loss.

It’s the kind of movie that feels like it was ripped straight from the pages of a teen’s diary, full of raw emotions, soaring highs and gutting lows. Director Josephine Decker translates Lennie’s inner world to the screen in creative, poetic ways that recall “The Tearsmith”‘s flights of fancy.

14. If I Stay (2014)

Based on the novel by Gayle Forman, If I Stay stars Chloë Grace Moretz as a teenage cellist who has an out-of-body experience after a car accident puts her in a coma. As she watches her friends and family in the hospital, she must decide whether to wake up and live a difficult life or slip away peacefully.

It’s a literal life-or-death stakes take on the coming-of-age story, as Mia reflects back on her romance with rocker Adam (Jamie Blackley) and grapples with following her musical dreams. If I Stay is a tearjerker for sure, but an uplifting one with a lot to say about resilience and the power of love.

15. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants has become a millennial classic for the way it portrays the unbreakable bonds of female friendship. Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Blake Lively play four best friends who spend their first summer apart but stay connected by sharing a pair of secondhand jeans.

Like “The Tearsmith”, it’s a story about growing up and all the joy and pain that comes with it. The girls go through death, divorce, heartbreak, and more, but they always have each other to lean on. Watching it feels like a warm hug from your best friend.

Hopefully these suggestions will help fill the “The Tearsmith”-shaped hole in your viewing schedule. Whether you’re in the mood for a good cry, a sweet romance, or an exciting adventure, there’s a YA adaptation out there for you.

The success of “The Tearsmith” shows that these types of emotional, character-driven stories still have a huge place in the pop culture landscape. We’ll always need movies that help us process our feelings, especially during the whirlwind teenage years.