Top 10 Movie Deaths That Still Hurt

Well that one left a scar. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top Ten Movie Deaths That Still Hurt. For this list, we’ll be looking at the saddest movie character deaths that still make us emotional. We will not be included animated movies or animals on this list, so Mufasa and Marley will not be included (despite how devastating they are).

“Logan” (2017)
“Logan” served as a bookend of sorts for the superhero genre. “X-Men” basically kickstarted the movement, and “Logan” closed a chapter in its history. It was as much a superhero story as it was a comment on the genre itself, which grew up, became hardened, and eventually passed the baton to the new generation. Logan’s death served as both this metaphorical baton passing and the culmination of nearly twenty years’ worth of superhero stories and character work. This movie showed us an aging superhero well past his prime and resigned to his tragic fate, and it made for some pretty bleak viewing. People literally grew up with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, and it was incredibly tough to see him go.

“Rocky IV” (1985)
“Rocky IV” was easily the goofiest film in the “Rocky” franchise, eschewing reality in favor of ridiculous Cold War metaphors, a Terminator-esque opponent, and a talking robot. That said, it still found time for drama, represented by the death of Apollo Creed. We watched Apollo grow throughout the “Rocky” series from cocky villain to mentor, and he quickly became Rocky’s closest friend. When Rocky lost Apollo, he lost a part of himself, and the rest of the movie is devoted to exploring his grief and isolation, both physically and mentally. Rocky was never the same after Apollo’s death, and it still hurts to think about.

“Titanic” (1997)
Spoiler alert – the Titanic sinks. We all knew that going in, so we all figured that one of the two main characters would die. But that didn’t make Jack’s death any less despairing. Perhaps it’s the way in which he dies. He continues to protect Rose until the very end, sacrificing himself so Rose can lay on the drifting door. We are then forced to watch him freeze to death, and let us tell you, that did not make for easy viewing! By the end, we are left listening to Rose’s desperate and pained cries as she realizes that her love has died, and Kate Winslet perfectly captures the pain and confusion of such a tragic event.

“My Girl” (1991)
There are very few things in life more tragic than the death of a child. While searching for Vada’s mood ring, Thomas kicks a bees’ nest and its occupants proceed to sting him numerous times, resulting in a fatal allergic reaction. It’s not so much the death scene itself that stirs the emotions, as we don’t really see anything except Thomas flailing around and his glasses falling to the ground. It’s Vada’s reaction that really tugs on the heartstrings, and Anna Chlumsky sells her pain with acting skills far beyond her age. That scene in the funeral home has been indelibly ingrained in our brains since childhood, and we can’t help but get emotional every time we think about it.

“The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)
Brooks served more as a symbol than a fully realized character. He represents the fragility of change and the inability to adapt, especially in inmates who have been locked up for decades. Brooks was imprisoned for fifty years and has incredible difficulty adjusting to the modern world and his newfound freedom. In one of the most heartbreaking montages in film history, we watch him struggle with everyday traffic, loneliness, nightmares, and his job as a grocery bagger. His final words serve as a painful statement for battling anxieties and suicidal thoughts, and it is profoundly personal for anyone who has gone through such a tragic event.

“The Outsiders” (1983)
S.E. Hinton’s novel “The Outsiders” has always been praised for deftly conveying tragedy and mature themes for younger audiences. Perhaps the most important aspect of the story is Johnny’s redemption. Johnny and the Greasers save a group of children from a burning church, and Johnny suffers fatal injuries. His impending death causes him to re-purpose his priorities – not only does he stop caring about the senseless gang drama, he tells Ponyboy to “stay gold”. His death allows Ponyboy to live – not to mention the children – and “stay gold” has remained one of the most iconic quotes in children’s literature. It’s clear that Johnny’s lessons touched not only Ponyboy, but the entire world at large.

“The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” (2008)
Movies don’t get much darker than this. It tells the story of Bruno and Shmuel, two young boys who are caught in the midst of the Holocaust. Bruno is a young German who is indoctrinated with anti-Semitic propaganda, yet befriends the imprisoned Shmuel. One day, Bruno decides to help Shmuel find his “missing” father, but the two are ferried into a gas chamber. The Holocaust is undoubtedly one of the most tragic events in human history, and by telling this story through the prospective of two children, it allows viewers a more personal glimpse into its utter depravity. This movie perfectly highlights the duality of humanity – its empathy, and senseless wickedness – which makes for some truly unforgettable viewing.

“Avengers: Endgame” (2019)
Well, we all knew it was coming, but it still hurt! Much like Logan’s death, Iron Man’s serves as a thematic statement regarding the history of superhero films in the 21st century, perhaps even more so. The Marvel Cinematic Universe began with Robert Downey Jr.’s endlessly charismatic Tony Stark, and phase three with his sacrificial demise. The death is certainly sad from a pure storytelling perspective, but it’s also sorrowful for what it represents – the symbolic end of what we've come to know as the MCU. Sure, we still have about a billion movies to go, but nothing will recapture the cinematic magic of watching the MCU develop throughout the 2010s.

“The Green Mile” (1999)
There’s just something about Stephen King’s old timey prison stories that really get the waterworks going. The death of the innocent, childlike, and literally magical John Coffey is one of cinema’s saddest moments. So many aspects of this scene are downright tear-inducing, including the crying officers, the swelling music, the dramatic sparks, and of course the iconic line, “I is afraid of the dark.” John Coffey is the very personification of love and kindness, and while he recognizes humanity’s cruelty and penchant for sin, he decides to die as a scapegoat. Sound familiar? The Biblical allusions allow the story to permeate more effectively, all but ensuring that we never forget the sacrifice of poor John Coffey.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Georgie Denbrough
“It” (2017)

Jack Twist
“Brokeback Mountain” (2005)


Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie
“Steel Magnolias” (1989)

Guido Orefice
“Life Is Beautiful” (1997)

Trinity
“The Matrix Revolutions” (2003)

“Forrest Gump” (1994)
Despite all his accomplishments and all that he saw, Forrest always returned to Jenny. Forrest was no stranger to death, having seen both his mother and Bubba pass away. But it’s Jenny’s death that truly made an impact, both on Forrest and the viewer. While we don’t see Jenny’s actual death, the final moments between her and Forrest are gorgeous, and the montage where Forrest talks to her grave is one of the saddest yet most uplifting montages in film. Tom Hanks is simply spellbinding, selling every last bit of Forrest’s sadness and loneliness, but also his penchant for bravery. Like Forrest says, dying is just a part of life. We just wish it wasn’t.