I don’t know when this trend started, but lately, the airwaves seem to be full of sad TV commercials, all guaranteed to make you cry. Or maybe it’s just me, being an overly emotional person… but I don’t think so! I actually really love ads that tug at my heartstrings, and if you do too, grab the Kleenex and keep reading. Here are my picks for the most tragic, touching, and downright sad TV commercials of all time.
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Embrace Life
I’m not sure if this necessarily belongs among the sad TV commercials, but it does make me cry. A lot. Every time I watch it. While most wear-your-seatbelt commercials use fear to convince you to be safe, this one uses love. Made for less than $50,000 and never actually aired on TV, it’s become an international sensation, transcending the need for translation – we can all see, and to the point, FEEL, what’s going on here, without words. Right in the feels.
Pictures of You
The Transport Accident Commission asserts that speeding is as dangerous as driving impaired, and they make their case with this horribly tragic TV commercial. The music is haunting (a remake of The Cure’s “Pictures of You”) and the images are stark and heartrending. It does make you think about slowing down, doesn’t it, once you see the terrible aftermath of speeding?
the consequences of such a preventable act. The somber tones and slowed-down cover enhance the message's potency, transforming it into a visceral experience that lingers long after the commercial ends. The stark reality of loss depicted reminds us that behind every statistic, there are families and loved ones torn apart by a single moment's choice. The ad effectively uses emotional weight to encourage viewers to reevaluate their driving habits, hoping to prevent future tragedies. It's a powerful plea for caution that resonates profoundly, leaving an indelible imprint on the conscience of anyone who watches.
Frequently asked questions
Oh, it's all about the feels! These ads tap into our emotions, triggering memories or feelings that we can relate to. It's like they know just how to pull at our heartstrings.
You know the ones—those heartfelt holiday ads, the tear-jerking pet adoption stories, and those heartwarming family reunion ads. They always get us!
Absolutely! Many sad commercials are based on real-life events or experiences. That authenticity really makes them hit home.
Yeah, it can get pretty overwhelming. It's good to have a balance. Maybe mix in some funny or uplifting ads to keep the mood light?
Brands use them because they know emotional stories stick with us. If we feel something deep, we remember the brand better. It's all about making a lasting impression.
Giving
It’s not until the very end of this TV spot that you even learn who it’s for – a Thai communications company called True – but the message is clear, that indeed, giving is communicating. It’s an amazingly poignant three minutes, and if you’re not misty-eyed by the end, you’re one heartless human being.
Graffiti
Let me be clear – I have a serious love/hate relationship with pharmaceutical companies. But this brief TV commercial is both sweet and sad, making you tear up the second the big brother walks into the apartment. You think you know what’s going on, but you won’t til the powerful ending.
It’s Time
What a sweet story! It’s not a sad commercial, really, just one that’s sure to make you cry a little, because it’s so much about love and all the things that come along with it, regardless of who you are. It makes what can be a difficult subject for some – marriage equality – a little less abstract, a little more about what it actually IS about – love.
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Stork
This one didn’t make me tear up til the end… then wow, did I cry like, well, a baby! His little bird eyes are so expressive, and the music doesn’t help, either. And it begs a bigger existential question, too – are you living up to your potential? After all that stork did to bring you into this world, you’re a pencil pusher? I think not. Go, follow your dreams!
Origami
Oh for crying out loud, this is a commercial for chewing gum, but it’s still so sweet – she saved all of those birds, all those years! – it makes me cry. The end.
Get Closer
Again, you don’t even know what this commercial is for until the very end, and somehow, it makes it worse! Hugs. This is a commercial about hugs, getting closer, being human. And what’s so heartbreaking is that it’s true. Minus the bear suit, how many hugs would he have gotten?
Love Them Back
Can I just say how lucky you are I didn’t include the Sarah McLaughlin ASPCA commercial? I’ll include this dog food one instead. It’s so sweet and sad and sweet (I know, I typed that twice on purpose) you’ll smile and cry at the same time. I want a doggie friend forever now, too.
There are two other super-sad TV commercials I couldn’t find, one made to encourage people not to smoke (where a man is remembering his wife, who died of lung cancer in her early 40s) and one about how many orphans have been made during the AIDS epidemic. So many tears, so little time… which of these commercials made you cry? Or is there another one I need to add to my list?
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