Movies have an amazing ability to transport us to different worlds and provoke strong emotions in us that has the ability to haunt and remain with us for the rest of our lives. Today, we are going to talk about some of the saddest moments in movies, that have not just tugged at our heartstrings, but have also changed the landscape of cinema.
Often we prefer to watch movies that make us laugh and lift our spirits, but there are those few moments in cinema that hit us straight in our feels, leaving us teary-eyed and emotionally impacted.
Let’s explore some of the saddest moments in movies, but also some of the best movie moments in the history of celluloid.
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8 Saddest Moments In Movies That Are Sure To Make You Cry
1. “The Lion King” (1994) – Mufasa’s Death
Imagine yourself as a kid sitting in a movie theatre eating popcorn getting ready for an exciting animated movie. And then…suddenly tragedy strikes! Mufasa, the majestic king, meets his untimely end. This moment is gut wrenching, it seizes your heart and does not let go.
Simba’s innocent screams for his father, urging him to wake up and then finally realizing that he has lost his father forever made everyone cry, kids and adults alike.
One of the saddest moments in movies, it showed that life can be very fragile, and how hard it can be to deal with losing your loved ones.
2. “The Green Mile” (1999) – John Coffey’s Execution
Let’s talk about John Coffey now shall we? No I don’t mean the drink; I am referring to that man with so much good inside him that one would think he could not harm a fly no matter what happens to him.
The unfairness of his impending execution is brought out poignantly in this scene when he walks towards the electric chair, touches all of us deeply within ourselves: we see his gentle eyes, hear his quiet voice and watch helplessly while he heals people making our hearts ache.
And with that, our tears start streaming because the world is losing such a rare gem—someone who carries within themselves pure compassion. This scene makes us question how unfair life is and long for a place which cherishes and guards innocence.
3. “Up” (2009) – Ellie’s Montage
Get your tissues ready because Pixar knows exactly how to bring on the waterworks. In the very first minutes of the movie, they show us Carl’s whole life and the love he shared with his beloved wife, Ellie.
From how they fall in love, get married, get pregnant and unfortunately lose the baby. That scene in the hospital when Ellie breaks down after getting to know about her miscarriage still brings tears to my eyes. Finally, when Ellie dies leaving Carl all alone in the world, oofff, enough to make a grown woman cry!
It feels like someone has punched you in the stomach when you watch it because losing a loved one is never easy, and it never gets easier.
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4. “Marley & Me” (2008) – When Marley Dies
I cried buckets and hugged my dog for an hour straight after I finished watching this movie, and I think a lot of people did the same. We witness the birth of Marley, a Labrador who is the most mischievous and lovable goofball pet in the world.
We follow Marley and his family’s heart-warming adventures, and then comes the moment when out hearts break forever. Marley passes away leaving us in a pool of our own tears and with his beloved owner, John by his side.
Anyone who has ever loved a four-legged furry friend knows what a gut-punch of a scene this was, and is without a doubt one of the saddest moments in movies in the history of movies.
5. “Marriage Story” (2019) – “Every Day I Wake Up, and I Hope You’re Dead”
Is this is the saddest movie on Netflix? Maybe not, because this scene was shocking, heartbreaking and emotionally overwhelming, for sure.
Bitter divorces always bring out the worst in people, and that is exactly what is has been enacted in this scene which is probably one of the best movie moments ever. Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) are going through a bitter divorce, and they are doing everything possible to tear each other apart.
One day while having an disagreement, Charlie snaps and says things he can never take back. “Every day I wake up, and I hope you’re dead. Dead like if I could guarantee Henry would be okay, I’d hope you get an illness and then get hit by a car, and die.” This scene leaves you shocked and you think how can someone who you loved with all your heart say something like that?
One of the saddest and most emotionally charged scenes I have watched, and I still think about it sometimes.
6. “Jojo Rabbit” (2019) – When Jojo Finds His Mother Hanging
Jojo Rabbit, a satirical and poignant war movie that’s surely going to melt and break your heart at the same time. Jojo, a sweet, imaginative and devoted boy, suddenly discovers that his mother has been hanged in the public square. It’s a horrible, horrible moment that breaks your heart in two. One of the most emotionally traumatizing and saddest moments in movies, for sure.
Jojo, desperate to hold onto the perfect image of his mom, grabs onto her legs, hoping to keep her close. He tries to tie her shoes, desperately clinging to the hope that maybe, just maybe, she’ll come back. But then the harsh reality hits him; he is still a child and he needs his mother to help him navigate this cruel world.
This is one of those scenes that makes you want to reach out and hug your loved ones tight, because you never know how much time you have left with them.
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7. “Stepmom” (1998) – “You Can Have Their Future”
Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts play mother and stepmother in this emotional drama, who are trying to navigate their way through complexities that motherhood brings. Jackie (Sarandon) is more traditional when it comes to raising children, whereas Isabel (Roberts) has a flair for unorthodox parenting methods.
When Jackie discovers she has cancer, she tries to come to terms with the fact that Isabel will be her kids’ primary caretaker. In a powerful moment, Isabel confesses to Jackie that when her daughter will be getting married, she will really miss her mom, and her wedding day won’t be as joyful as it should be.
And Jackie, raw and sentimental confesses her fear that her daughter won’t even think about her. The scene ends with Jackie telling Isabel, “I have their past, and you can have their future.” One of the best movie moments, it’s a reminder of the sacrifices and acceptance that come with blended families.
8. “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” (2008) – Bruno’s Fate
This is probably the saddest movie on Netflix, in my opinion. This movie will literally make you question the world we live in. Bruno, a sweet German boy befriends Shmuel, a Jewish boy, living in a concentration camp during World War II.
As their friendship strengthens, they’re forced to confront the brutalities of war, and when the climax scene comes, you will feel like crumbling altogether. One of the saddest moments in movies of all time, Bruno in order to help Shmuel find his father, digs under the barbed wire to join him, but unfortunately they are caught by guards.
Both of them are sent to the gas chamber, and they have no idea they’re going to die. The two best friends die together side by side, holding hands. One of the saddest movies to watch, it feels like your heart has been ripped out and stomped on. You are left wondering about the senselessness of war, and the unbearable pain it inflicts.
The saddest moments in movies can touch your heart, evoke empathy and remind you that all of us share something common. These eight movies are probably the saddest movies to watch, but they left an indelible effect on audiences worldwide with their powerful stories and unforgettable characters.
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Which of these saddest moments in movie do you think broke your heart the most? What are some more saddest movies to watch, in your opinion? Let us know in the comments down below!
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