Top 10 Saddest Movie Deaths of All Time

The Top Ten
1 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 RottenTomatoes. Watch it. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

I never really cry in movies, but it's hard not to here. "Please, don't put that thing in my head, I'm a afraid of the dark!", that quote nearly made me cry.

Believe it or not I just couldn't hold it in even before he sat down and after she said "does it hurt yet? I hope it does. I hope it hurts like hell." I yelled like loud "you shut your hor mouth " in tears, then he said those wordswords "don't put me in the darkness I's afraid of the dark" is the moment were I was litteraly crying so hard that it was loud. When the movie was over I didn't stop crying even like and hour after I had watched it definitely the saddest movie death ever and I can't see anything else topping it.

I've only just watched it today, and I was surprised to see this at the number one spot. I did find it very sad. I had not known that this guy would die, as I thought he'd be dismissed as some prisoner.

It's the saddest death I've seen in a film - aside from Marley, in Marley and Me.

2 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, and 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. Was and will probably always be my favorite character. Good job to Favreau, Feige, the Russo's and especially Robert Downey Jr. I love you 3000 for making such an outstanding character and giving him probably the best endings I could have asked for.

I don't know if I have ever seen -- in movie history -- a global audience react to a performance the way they did to Robert Downey in (Avengers: Endgame) There were people bawling in movie theaters, hyperventilating. I mean, that is a profound performance, when you can touch audiences all over the world to that degree. We've never seen anything like that, and if that doesn't deserve an Oscar, I don't know what does."

His death was predictable. That being said, what matters is that the scene was executed very well and there couldn't have been a proper ending for Iron Man's character arc.

Additionally, damn did this death really resonate towards the audience. Its probably the most emotional Marvel has ever done, tied with Logan in my opinion.

I literally searched up this list just to find Iron Man and say this is the saddest death ever. You expect him to come back but he doesn't. I looked for a possibility that he'd come but never found one.

3 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.

He had a son, a wife, a brother(WHO killed him), and a kingdom to look after. He did not need to die. King mufasa is the saddest animated death.

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 turn bright red. Muffs a 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.

This is probably one of the saddest movie deaths I've ever seen! Every time I rewind this scene over and over again hoping he will wake up! I don't know why! I'm honestly really happy scar dies in the end because that's what he deserves! Even if you make me watch the lion King a million times I will still cry at this part and then laugh five minutes later while singing hakuna matata.

Mufasa's deaths in this movie hit me like a speeding bullet when I was younger. This has to be one of the saddest Disney movie deaths in history. What made it even sadder was that Scar convinced Simba that it was his fault.

4 Bruno (Asa Butterfield) - The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

That boy didn't deserve to die neither did any one else in that gas chamber.

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

Shook me greatly

5 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 and when he finds himself suddenly without her its all the sadder.

People hunt deer all the time. And for good reason too; they're pests in some places.

I guess no-one hunts like Gaston since he uses antlers in all of his decorating.

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

6 Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) - Titanic

there are some other deaths on here that were sad but I reckon some of them were a necessity for the movies plot to conclude (e.g. Toby stark, Avengers Endgame) whereas Jack and rose could have survived and lived together and that makes his death 10x more tragic

This is one of the most sadest scenes of a characters 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 amount of awards it has won even if its not everyone's cup of tea. Great actors, great make up, great costumes, great set and most of all great special effects to make the movie seem like the real ship 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.?

I thought this movie was an amazing one. It truly brought the feelings of that fateful night and how sad it was for everyone. The saddest death on my list, is definitely this one. And that also counts for first place on my list. Because to me, this film was just amazing and I think it should be saved for many generations to come.

It was the saddest movie I ever watched. He looked so fun and can give you the time of your life. He is that one movie character whose death makes you breathless and you can feel yourself dying too. He was also that character that you would want as a best friend. The worst part is that he was only 17

7 Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) - The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Gwendolyne Maxine "Gwen" Stacy is a fictional character who appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, usually as a supporting character in those featuring Spider-Man.

If you didn't read the comics, then you wouldn't have expected it. This has broken my heart! Garfield and Stone had amazing chemistry and I know whoever will play Mary Jane in the next film will disappoint, and I will only wish that it were Gwen Stacey instead of Mary Jane. I'm worried that this death ruined the next two films. Honestly if Emma Stone hadn't played Gwen Stacy and played Mary Jane instead, then the series would be much better off. I see no way of recovering...

I knew what was coming because of the comics but nevertheless it was really sad, the same feeling I had when Snape died.

They should have waited to the last movie the chemistry between these two was believable big mistake Marc.

How is this not at least in the top 20? Such a heartbreaking scene as you could see that he gave his all in trying to save her but bailed

8 Thomas J. Sennett (Macaulay Culkin) - My Girl
9 Emma Greenway (Debra Winger) - Terms of Endearment
10 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... and I cried some more. So heartbreaking...

I tear up even thinking about it.

The Newcomers

? Gerald O'Hara (Thomas Mitchell) - Gone with the Wind
The Contenders
11 Bubba (Mykelti Williamson) - Forrest Gump

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

Dude knew his shrimp.

12 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.

This was the most unexpected death ever in my book, he was my favorite character from Star Wars and probably my favorite in all of movies after Indy, and Harrison Ford is my favorite actor there is. When he died I could not let it go and I will most likely never forget this in my life, this should be number 1 on any list it is basically basically like killing James Bond in Goldfinger or like killing Forrest Gump or even like this is definitely the saddest death.

My heart beated so hard in the theaters, and I actually cried by eyes off. It was the first time I've ever cried in theaters. Can't believe almost every movie I watch on theaters would always end with a sad death. All I ever wanted to do is exit the door happy, but instead, I felt so depressed. When Han Solo died, it felt like I just lost a family member because, like almost everybody else out there, I grew up with Han Solo and liked the guy. Never saw his death coming.

This was such a sad moment in the Star Wars franchise, Han Solo getting killed off by Kylo Ren with his actions, it caused so much pain and sympathy in every audience and report.
This moment should be celebrated every year as an anniversary and written on calendars for the rest of our lives.
It will be remembered forever by everyone in the world, the death of all those people on that planet that the Starkiller Base destroyed was very sad, regardless of what planet got destroyed, but this scene was about the death of our greatest Star Wars character besides Luke Skywalker, If Luke Skywalker was killed off the same way, then that might be sadder, but this was so sad it hit everyone's heart like a train wreck.
R.I.P. Han Solo, you will be missed forever, no wonder it's so high on the list.

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

Even though it is Sean Beans 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 3 arrows sticking out of him already.

I shed a few tears but my sister who is like obsessed with him starts wailing and 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.

John Coffey makes me said but this one definitely is the saddest of all time his realization of all he did wrong and his finale words to aragorn gets me every time. and right under Boromir is Snape and right under Snape is qui gon jinn

14 Rue (Amandla Stenberg) - The Hunger Games

I was reading the book, knowing Rue's death was coming, but when I got to the part of the book 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 in some point she has to die is just so depressing.

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

I was in tears. When I read it, I was just shocked, and then when I watched it, all of the feelings came out! She was so young.

This was honestly the saddest thing in the whole series, and I don't think I'll ever get over it.

15 Elizabeth March (Eliza Scanlen) - Little Women
16 Rosie Betzler (Scarlett Johansson) - Jojo Rabbit
17 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 Snapes is the Saddest death. Like I hated Him in the first few movies (and the books) But as I read and watched the last books and movies I then knew he was a GREAT man! I think it was the saddest because he was great man and he didn't do anything for him to die

This was so sad! He was protecting Harry Potter all along and we never know til later on! How is Boromir ahead anyways? Not as sad 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

He was a good man. I want to have a boyfriend who will love me like Snape loves Lily. His love was stronger than death and this is beautiful.

18 Lennie Small (John Malkovich) - Of Mice and Men
19 Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) - Watchmen

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

"Well.. What are you waiting for? DO IT! "
This one totally ripped me. 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, unfortunately that isn't possible. Rorschach was my favorite character.

A great acted, performed scene that perfectly captures the message of the graphic novel

20 Angel Dumott Schunard (Wilson Jermaine Heredia) - Rent
21 Noah Calhoun (James Garner) - The Notebook
22 Hector (Gael Garcia Bernal) - Coco
23 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 2. 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

Was he the one who tried to save the family but got shot by the sniper?

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

24 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 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 10 times sadder

I cried for 2 days. And I'm a grown man.

25 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 got the balls to climb the empire state building, kill 3 t-rexes, and give your life for a woman, you gotta be in this list.

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

This was really sad

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