Horror movie deaths are expected, like Mia Goth's character going on a rampage in Pearl. But when someone es away in a drama or action film, it's surprising and heartbreaking. These moments often happen halfway through the film, allowing the story to take a more somber tone. Other times, they happen in the final scene, which is a tough but memorable way to conclude the story.
From Carl's sweet wife Ellie ing away in Up to Selma Ježková's tragic end in Dancer in the Dark, Redditors are discussing the most upsetting and melancholy deaths in movies from the past few decades.
Jenny Curran (Forrest Gump, 1994)
Tom Hanks's best movies and his portrayal of the main character has never been forgotten. The film also includes an emotional death when Jenny Curran es away. One Redditor wrote, "Poor Forrest. His monologue at her grave, starting, "You died on a Saturday..." I can't watch that without tearing up."
Jenny and Forrest become pals when they are young and then get married later on. While it isn't said in the film, fans know that Jenny dies of HIV/Aids based on discussions in the years since the movie was released. It's awful watching Forrest lose someone who meant so much to him.
Ellie (Up, 2009)
Redditor caernavon said "Ellie in Up" is the saddest death in a movie and for many, this is what automatically comes to mind. The film is famous for featuring an opening scene that pulls no punches and is packed with feeling. Redditor highvoltage815 said "How does maybe ten minutes of footage with no dialogue lead to you caring enough about a character to be so sad over it? Brilliant filmmaking."
The movie opens with Carl Fredricksen falling for Ellie and audiences see their relationship. When he's about to share good news of a dream vacation, she gets sick and es away. Audiences feel the intense love that the characters have for each other from the very start.
Brooks Hatlen (The Shawshank Redemption, 1994)
The Shawshank Redemption when Brooks Halten dies. The fan wrote, "The letter he reads about how the world has changed is so sad. 'The world went and got itself in a big d*mn hurry.'"
The death is one of the most unforgettable moments of the film. Brooks has been given parole after being in prison for 50 years and has a difficult time when he is out of prison. After spending time with this character, it's incredibly emotional to see.
Brandon Teena (Boys Don't Cry, 1999)
The 1999 movie Boys Don't Cry follows Brandon Teena, a trans man living in Nebraska. The movie is based on a real character, which is what makes the violence and bigotry throughout so painful to watch.
Redditor BeaowulfShaeffer mentioned Brandon's death scene and wrote that it "nauseated me like no other on-screen death. So matter-of-fact." Brandon is beat up earlier in the movie and there is a terrible, brutal moment near the film's conclusion when he is killed.
Leslie Burke (Bridge To Terabithia, 2007)
Bridge to Terabithia" is one of the hardest movie deaths to watch. Jess Aarons is excited to become pals with Leslie Burke and the two make up a game so they can play in the creek near their homes. This is a welcome and necessary distraction for Jess. The movie portrays the heartbreak and stress of a family who is struggling to make ends meet.
Bridge to Terabithia has great quotes and tells a fantastic, magical story of friends using their imaginations and exploring the world around them. Jess is so young and the concept of death isn't quite real yet.
John Coffey (The Green Mile, 1999)
The Green Mile is one of the most popular movies adapted from a Stephen King novel and one of the most somber as well. Redditor ImJacksThrowaway noted that one of the worst movie death is "John Coffey - Green Mile.....every d*mn time!"
Audiences know that John didn't commit the crimes that he has been charged and sentenced for, and it's horrible to see him be killed. The movie has the strong character development that King is known for and makes fans care so much about John.
Thomas J. Sennett (My Girl, 1991)
After Home Alone, Macaulay Culkin starred in several movies, including My Girl. He played Thomas J. Sennett, who becomes friends with Vada Sultenfuss, a lonely girl growing up in a funeral home.
One Redditor said Thomas's death in "My Girl" is the saddest and Redditor meachatron said "If I am ing correctly that is the first movie to make me cry. So sad." Seeing Thomas get killed by bees is still horrifying to think about. Since many watched this film when they were younger, this scene is even worse.
Selma Ježková (Dancer In The Dark, 2000)
Redditor superPickleMonkey said "the end of Dancer in the Dark" has one of the saddest deaths in a movie, and it's definitely terrible to see what happens to the main character Selma Ježková.
The entire movie is tragic, which makes the end even worse to watch. Selma begins living in the U.S. with her child Gene and struggles to make money. She also has health problems. The movie is dark, serious, and incredibly tough to watch. At the end, Selma is sentenced to death for murdering Bill and sings before she is killed. There is nuance to the situation as Bill shared some parts of his life with Selma beforehand, but the ending is brutal.
Rue (The Hunger Games, 2012)
While The Hunger Games focuses on the strength and power of Katniss Everdeen, Rue makes a big impression as well. Rue is a tribute from District 11 and she and Katniss decide that they should help each other.
Amandla Stenberg's best movies because to her strong performance.
Allie Hamilton And Noah Calhoun (The Notebook, 2004)
The Notebook" has sad deaths. While every film adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel has an emotional storyline, it's gutting to watch Allie Hamilton and Noah Calhoun away at the same time at the end of the movie.
The film concludes with Allie, who has dementia, suffering a health setback and Duke having a heart attack. While it's moving that the characters are able to be together in their final moments, it's still a tough scene to watch. The characters have lost so much time together.
