Top 10 Saddest Movie Deaths of All Time

Movies have the power to bring out every emotion imaginable, but few experiences in the theater hit as hard as a heartbreaking on-screen death. Whether you're a fan of action-packed blockbusters, touching animated films, or heart-wrenching dramas, chances are you've come across a character's death that stuck with you long after the credits rolled. These moments don't just make you tear up - they often leave you staring at the screen in disbelief, clutching tissues, and asking, "Why did it have to end this way?"

This list is full of those emotional gut-punches that people keep revisiting as the most painful losses on film. But it's not just the characters themselves. It's also the way their stories were told, the bonds they formed, and the sacrifices they made.

Which of these moments brought tears to your eyes or made you feel like you'd lost someone close to you? Vote for the choices you think deserve the top spots.
The Top Ten
Mufasa (James Earl Jones) - The Lion King Mufasa is a major character in Disney's 1994 animated feature film, The Lion King. He is Simba's father, Sarabi's mate, Scar's older brother, and was King of the Pride Lands until his death. He is voiced by James Earl Jones.

Mufasa doesn't deserve to die. He deserves to live longer than he did with his beautiful wife, Sarabi, his best friend, Rafiki, his crazy messenger, Zazu, and his happy-go-lucky cub, Simba. I wanted to slap Scar in the face until his cheeks turned bright red.

Mufasa would still be alive with his wife, his old friend, his messenger, and his grown-up son. Simba will never forget his beloved father who loved him, who saved him from the nasty hyenas, who told him about the amazing kings of the past that guide the kings, and who died for him. Although Mufasa is dead, he will always be with his son.

Bambi's Mom (Paula Winslowe) - Bambi

Still sad after all these years. Ever since Bambi was born, his mother has always been right by him. When he finds himself suddenly without her, it's all the sadder.

I don't get why the mothers always have to die in Disney movies!

I also could not finish this movie, then or now.

John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) - The Green Mile

Once Michael Clarke Duncan said, "Please boss, don't put that thing upon my face. Don't put me in the dark. I's afraid of the dark," I cried. Be aware that I don't exactly find death as sad as others do, but this is the saddest thing I have ever seen in my entire life.

The music, the facial expressions, the dialogue, our attachment to John Coffey - everything about this scene is sad. Watch this movie if you haven't. Ignore Rotten Tomatoes. Watch it. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Believe it or not, I just couldn't hold it in even before he sat down. After she said, "Does it hurt yet? I hope it does. I hope it hurts like hell," I yelled out loud, "You shut your horrible mouth," in tears.

Then, when he said those words, "Don't put me in the darkness, I'm afraid of the dark," I was literally crying so hard that it was loud. When the movie was over, I didn't stop crying, even an hour after I had watched it. Definitely the saddest movie death ever, and I can't see anything else topping it.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) - Avengers: Endgame

This is the first time I cried in a cinema and the only movie except Return of the King that can make me cry on multiple viewings. It's especially sad because you see how much he loves his family, and we won't be able to see him with Morgan again.

It's heartbreaking because Peter Parker/Tom Holland has now lost a third father figure/mentor. I cried for at least 10 minutes after this, and then again when his signature came up in the credits. Tony Stark was and will probably always be my favorite character.

Good job to Favreau, Feige, the Russos, and especially Robert Downey Jr. I love you 3000 for making such an outstanding character and giving him probably the best ending I could have asked for.

Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) - Titanic Jack Dawson is a fictional character created by James Cameron for the 1997 film Titanic. He is portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio.

This is one of the saddest scenes of a character's death in a movie ever, in my opinion. I have known men to even cry at the film Titanic because it's a classic all-time movie.

It can't be that bad for the number of awards it has won, even if it's not everyone's cup of tea. Great actors, great makeup, great costumes, great set, and most of all, great special effects make the movie seem like the real ship brought back to life. It was great back then, the special effects they used to make it look like the real Titanic.

I'm sure most people have seen this movie, but if you haven't, I would recommend you do so you can judge for yourself if you like it. Make sure you have the tissues at the ready because you might or might not need them.

Han Solo (Harrison Ford) - Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

This was the first movie death that hit me like a punch to the gut. I found other movie deaths sad, but none hurt me like this one did. Maybe it was because I grew up with the original Star Wars films and had a lot of time to become attached to the character. Maybe it was because I spent three entire movies watching this character, while most other movie deaths involve a character who was only in one film.

Maybe it was because Han Solo was the first iconic, non-villainous, well-established character, whose popularity spanned decades, that I witnessed being killed on screen. Maybe it was because it felt so rewarding and nostalgic to see Han Solo on screen again, only for him to be killed several minutes into the same movie, crushing the uplifting feeling in the process.

Whatever the reason, it was painful for me to witness his on-screen death, and my reaction mirrored Leia's when she realized that Han Solo was truly gone.

Bubba (Mykelti Williamson) - Forrest Gump

The fact that he died in a real-life conflict makes it sadder.

Boromir (Sean Bean) - The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring

Even though it is Sean Bean's character, so everyone knows he is going to die anyway, it is still so sad to watch him go down defending Merry and Pippin.

And how badass is it that he kept fighting even when he had like three arrows sticking out of him already?

I shed a few tears, but my sister, who is obsessed with him, starts wailing and doesn't even finish watching the movie.

It's sad to see him die, but my sister wailing doesn't help.

I can't express my feelings in words, only in tears. This was the first time I cried for a movie character.

But this isn't any movie character. This is Boromir of Gondor, acted by Sean Bean. I love them both.

Rue (Amandla Stenberg) - The Hunger Games

I was reading the book, knowing Rue's death was coming, but when I got to that part, I cried the rest of the night. I was fighting back tears the next day at school too.

I haven't seen the movie, but seeing a girl as beautiful as Amandla, who I know played Rue so well, and knowing that at some point she has to die is just so depressing.

Amandla is my favorite actress, and her portrayal of the doomed tribute Rue was gratifying, heartfelt, and tugs at your emotions more than any other on-screen death, in my opinion.

Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Severus Snape is a fictional character in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. He is characterised as a person of great complexity, whose coldly sarcastic and controlled exterior conceals deep emotions and anguish.

I think Snape's death is the saddest. I disliked him in the first few movies (and the books), but as I read and watched the last books and movies, I realized he was a great man.

I think it was the saddest because he was a great man and he didn't do anything to deserve his death.

This was so sad! He was protecting Harry Potter all along, and we never knew until later on.

How is Boromir ahead anyway? This was more sad. I watched both movies, and this one is more sad!

I used to think that Severus Snape was a bad man and a full-on betrayer, but then I found out that in the end, he was protecting Harry all along.

When he died, I thought it was amazing, and then when Harry looked at the memory, I cried so much.

The Newcomers

? Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) - Avengers: Endgame

Alright, I really think Natasha should be at the top with Iron Man. His death was predictable - still very sad, but predictable. Natasha, however, was a surprise. Her death hit me really hard.

Also, it seemed unfair to kill her off when they'd done so little with her character. She didn't get a solo movie until after her death, while Iron Man had a whole trilogy. But everything about Natasha's death was heartbreaking: the music, Hawkeye's reaction, and her sacrifice.

The way she sacrificed herself was brave and saddening!

? Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) - Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

Best Star Wars hero. His death makes me so sad.

It's very emotional how he sacrificed himself to stop Kylo and help Rey (using his hologram). On his planet, he ended up becoming one with the Force.

The Contenders
Old Yeller (Spike) - Old Yeller

I cried so hard. And then I kept rethinking that scene where Travis is pointing the gun at Yeller, and he looks like he's going to burst into tears right then and there.

I cried some more. So heartbreaking.

I tear up even thinking about it.

Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) - Watchmen

"Well, what are you waiting for? DO IT!"

This one totally ripped me apart. I'd never read the comic series and didn't think that the long-suffering Rorschach would die at the hands of Dr. Manhattan just like that.

I hate Dr. Manhattan so much. I want to kill him, but unfortunately, that isn't possible. Rorschach was my favorite character.

Rorschach asked Dr. Manhattan to kill him because he was on the brink of becoming like Ozymandias, so he asked him to kill him.

Emma Greenway (Debra Winger) - Terms of Endearment
Kong (Andy Serkis) - King Kong (2005)

They took him out of his element, these ants, meaning people. These little nothings then proceeded to torture and kill him.

Mankind, the cruelest of all.

When you have the courage to climb the Empire State Building, kill three T-rexes, and give your life for a woman, you have to be on this list.

That was sad. Andy Serkis is great at playing apes.

Ellie Fredricksen (Elie Docter) - Up

Disney created the greatest love story I've ever seen in eight minutes, and then they make your heart explode.

At least she was already old, but we saw her as a child. She didn't deserve to die before making her dream come true.

Why do they make us cry so much? Ellie and Carl's love was cute, but then she had to die, making the movie ten times sadder.

Irwin Wade (Giovanni Ribisi) - Saving Private Ryan

Wade's death hit so hard because it's real. This is what happened to millions of good, innocent, well-meaning men during World War II.

They died alone, afraid, and in agony. Nobody should have to experience what they and Wade did.

Saddest death I have ever seen. I rarely cry during movies, but this brings me to tears every time.

It makes me want to cry, even though I've seen the movie so many times.

Mrs. Gump (Sally Fields) - Forrest Gump
Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) - Atonement

Not having read the book beforehand, I wasn't aware of how tragic the ending of Atonement would be.

When Briony revealed the truth about how Robbie's story ended, I immediately started to sob and continued to for quite some time. Robbie is one character I just can't seem to shake, and his death is one I think I won't ever be able to forget.

What happened to that character was just tragic. The death scene of Robbie Turner was pretty haunting to watch.

Elizabeth March (Eliza Scanlen) - Little Women
Bruno (Asa Butterfield) - The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

That boy didn't deserve to die. Neither did anyone else in that gas chamber.

The poor kids didn't deserve to die. Bruno was clueless.

Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin) - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

Saddest Hunger Games death. They should've just killed Gale. Finnick was my favorite character in the series, and Suzanne Collins just had to kill him off!

So sad. I cried in the book and the movie!

Finnick suffered more than just about anyone in this series:

- Forced into the Games at 14
- Forced into prostitution at 16
- Reaped again and put against his friends at about 22
- Watched his mentor and friend Mags die because, on the order of the rebellion, he had to keep Peeta alive at all costs
- Escaped the Quell to learn that his only true love, Annie Cresta, had been captured and tortured by the Capitol while she suffered from severe anxiety/PTSD and possibly other mental illnesses (I think she may be autistic, but that's just me. I just have a lot of Odesta/Annie/Finnick feels, okay?)

He broadcasts stories of his friends and fellow victors, whose deaths have almost ruined him, for all of Panem to hear.

Finnick talks at length about the sexual abuse he suffered in the Capitol. He marries the love of his life, Annie Cresta. He goes on a mission with Katniss and Co. to try and save Panem, only to be decapitated in a sewer by lizard mutts.

He dies before even learning that Annie is pregnant. Anyone who dismisses Finnick simply as 'hot' completely misinterpreted his character. Finnick is a true hero and a portrait of someone who has suffered but stayed strong.

Team Odesta forever.

Jenny Curran/Gump (Robin Wright) - Forrest Gump

Even if she acted poorly for most of the film, she still changed later on. And then she tells Forrest that she has a virus (AIDS, probably).

Anyway, she dies, and it comes out of nowhere.

They should've ended the film at the scene where Jenny talks to Forrest while lying in bed after the wedding.

That's such a shame. That scene of Forrest in the graveyard, good God. How depressing.

Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb) - Bridge to Terabithia

The saddest part of her death is that she was young and had so much life ahead of her. She was one of those people who you felt would just change the world one day, and her life was cut short.

It's sad because she brought out the best in Jess and even the school bully. She never made a lot of friends, but in her death, she "opened their minds" to how precious life is and to never take a single moment for granted.

Go through life with joy, and always be the one willing to take the stripes to help someone else, even if they don't like you. Leslie made everyone want to be a better person. She was the bridge to Terabithia, the bridge to the other side, the bridge to Heaven on earth.

Ben Parker (Cliff Robertson) - Spiderman

This scene has made me cry the hardest, more than any other movie ever.

I cry as hard as when a loved one dies when seeing this scene.

What makes it so sad is that Peter had the power to prevent it. Instead, his selfish actions resulted in the death of Uncle Ben.

Uncle Ben was killed when he was trying to stop the criminal, not with violence but with words.

Melanie Hamilton (Olivia de Havilland) - Gone With the Wind
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