When it comes to movies, I’m a crying machine. No matter what I head to the theater to see, I almost always get really emotionally invested and start crying — sad movies, romantic movies, even animated children’s movies. I took the kids I was babysitting once to see Wall-E and the tears just kept streaming down my face.

I’m finally seeing Les Misérables tonight and I know I am going to be a big crying mess. Every time I Dreamed A Dream starts playing on my iPod, cue the waterworks. When I see the movie’s trailer on TV, I can feel my lip start trembling and the tears ready to start falling.

To be clear, I’m not at all embarrassed about my movie crying — a lot of time it just feels really good to get all those emotions out — but I have picked up a few tips and tricks along the way to keep my PDC (that’s public display of crying) a little more under control. Winter break is an awesome time to catch up on all the movies in the theaters, so here are my seven tips if you want to get a good cry on at the movies.

Skip this Ad

Next

ADVERTISEMENT

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Skip The Mascara

The movies are dark and nobody really sees my face, so I usually skip the make up routine to prep for my cry. If I forget this self rule, once the lights of the theater rise up after the credits, it can be an alarming sight to behold. By just skipping the mascara altogether, I can cry as freely as I like without having to worry about the after effects.

Source: Shutterstock.com

Go With A Friend

It’s nice to have someone to check in on you when the tears are falling mid-movie. They can literally provide a shoulder to cry on! Plus, it helps if after the movie you can talk out all your emotions with them.

Source: Shutterstock.com

Bring Tissues (Lots!)

There’s nothing worse than crying at a movie and then having to wipe your tears and snot (hey, it happens) on your sleeve — especially if you plan on sharing snacks with someone or holding hands with a date. I cannot overstate the importance of bringing tissues to the movies. If you forget, grab a whole bunch of napkins before you go in.

Source: Shutterstock.com

Be Careful With Glasses

Whether you wear glasses normally (like I do) or you are at a 3-D screening, I've learned to be very careful with glasses during movies. Many times my buttery popcorn fingers have smeared the lenses when I've tried to wipe away a tear. Just be very mindful of this and try to bring a cloth or something to clear up any smudges so that it's only your tears, and not your glasses, making the big picture blurry.

Source: Shutterstock.com

Indulge In A Favorite Snack

A delicious snack can provide a little bit of distraction from whatever is happening on screen that's making you tear up. Many of my movie theater tears have been momentarily cured with a big bag of popcorn or a box of candy.

Source: Shutterstock.com

Try To Keep It Down

When I cry at a movie at home, I will do a lot of loud crying and sobbing. We can’t necessarily control how we cry, but just try to be considerate of those around you who maybe aren't getting as emotional and are trying to hear the movie. If a movie brings on your full-out heaving sobs and uncontrollable wailing, that's totally understandable, but you may want to step out of the theater for a second to collect yourself.

Source: Shutterstock.com

Make Fun Plans For After

Just the other week I saw a movie that left me in a total daze after I exited the theater. I didn’t want to do anything because I was so emotionally drained. I just stared at my ceiling for about two hours. Do not do this to yourself! Plan something fun after the movies, like getting some hot chocolate or listening to some happy music, to make sure your movie theater cry doesn't ruin your whole day.

Source: Shutterstock.com

Are you planning on seeing any movies over winter break? Do you cry really easily at the movies? What movie or movie scene always makes you cry? Tell us in the comments!

Confession: I’m The Biggest Cry Baby Ever

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!