Top 10 Unexpected Movie Deaths That Made Us Cry
#10: Phillip Coulson
“The Avengers” (2012) Someone dying in a Joss Whedon project is about as unexpected as a Tony Stark quip, but Phil Coulson's passing in "The Avengers" still hits hard. Despite being in a flying fortress with some of the universe's strongest heroes, Coulson is still unceremoniously stabbed by Loki. Up to this point, "The Avengers" was more about banter and clashing egos than life or death battles, and Coulson's demise acts as an emotional anchor for not only the heroes but also the rest of the story. Coulson does eventually come back to the MCU, but that does not diminish this moment's impact.
#9: Mary Margaret "Maggie" Fitzgerald
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“Million Dollar Baby” (2004) At first glance, Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" might seem like just another boxing movie in the vein of something like "Rocky;" however, that changes around half-way through the story. Once Maggie is injured in the ring and rendered mostly immobile, the sports flick gives way to an emotionally draining drama about perseverance, family, and love. "Million Dollar Baby" is exhausting to watch and offers no easy solutions. When Frankie finally honors Maggie's wish for death, any lingering traces of "Million Dollar Baby's" feel-good sports roots are long gone and the only things left are tears and anger.
#8: Rachel Dawes
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“The Dark Knight” (2008) Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" trilogy is relatively grounded compared to most superhero films, but the movies are not exceptionally dark or grim. Built-up as the Dark Knight's main love interest, Rachel Dawes is killed off in a moment that shocks Bruce Wayne, Harvey Dent, and audiences under the assumption that Batman will always find a way to save the day. What heightens this death's impact is that it does not seem initially hopeless, but the Joker's proclamation that Batman can only save Rachel or Dent proves to be prophetic.
#7: Captain John H. Miller
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“Saving Private Ryan” (1998) The protagonist of a war movie dying is hardly unexpected, especially in one as intense as Steven Spielberg's 1998 epic. However, the way Captain Miller falls is devastating and shocking. Tom Hanks' captain survives staggering odds in a final battle against German soldiers, only to be shot by a prisoner minutes before allied forces arrive to turn the tide. "Saving Private Ryan" paints Miller and his soldiers' mission to save James Ryan as, at best, unwise. This idea is emphasized greatly by the fact the hero's final action in the war is to weakly fire at an approaching tank.
#6: Jack Twist
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“Brokeback Mountain” (2005) Set during a time when same-sex relationships were not as openly accepted, "Brokeback Mountain" has an air of tragedy from the second Ennis and Jack begin to develop feelings for one another. More than a decade passes as both men get married and have kids; meanwhile, Ennis rejects Jack's attempts to start a life together. One day, Ennis receives news confirming that Jack has passed away. The reveal is harrowingly understated, especially since "Brokeback Mountain" leaves it ambiguous as to what exactly happened to Jack. If the tears do not flow during this moment, then they will when Ennis visits Jack's parents and finds a pair of familiar shirts.
#5: Rosie
“Jojo Rabbit” (2019) Due to its satirical tone and Sam Rockwell's boundless charm, "Jojo Rabbit's" tragic beats end up landing like a ton of bricks. Set in Germany during World War II, Jojo is a young Nazi enthusiast whose imaginary friend is Hitler. His mother secretly opposes the war movement and has a Jewish girl hiding in their attic – so it was only a matter of time before something gave way. That happened when Jojo found his mother dead in a public square, a moment that is surprisingly quiet for the film. Rosie is the most inherently good person in "Jojo Rabbit," and her death is devastating.
#4: Hoban “Wash” Washburne
“Serenity” (2005) Joss Whedon's characters are generally on borrowed time, but in writing Wash's death in "Serenity", Whedon seems to delight in being extra cruel. "Firefly's" cinematic finale has action, comedy, twists, and two noteworthy deaths; along with Shepherd Book, Wash – Serenity's pilot – does not survive to the end credits. After braving a battlefield and securing a crash landing, Wash is punished for his success with a vicious spear to the chest. The death is sudden and "Serenity" barely gives anyone time to process the loss as there is still work to be done.
#3: Radio Raheem
“Do the Right Thing” (1989) Spike Lee's 1989 drama tackles racism and racial conflict within the context of a Brooklyn neighborhood, and revolves around an Italian pizzeria's Wall of Fame that lacks any Black representation. Tensions escalate until a fight breaks out between Sal – the owner of the pizzeria – and Radio Raheem and his friends, leading to the cops arriving on the scene to break them up. However, one officer ends up choking Raheem to death, despite pleas to stop from both the crowd and the other cops. It’s a moment that’s simultaneously totally unexpected, yet depressingly familiar — and it serves as the instigating factor for a riot in the movie.
#2: Thomas J. Sennett
“My Girl” (1991) While death is a common theme of many coming of age stories, "My Girl" handles the subject more directly than most. As an 11-year-old girl who lives in a funeral home and whose mother died shortly after giving birth to her, Vada is fully aware that nothing lasts forever. But her friendship with Thomas J. brought a touch of innocence to the protagonist's world. So, it is super shocking when news breaks out that Thomas has died due to an allergic reaction. The funeral scene after this gut-punch is also heartbreaking, as "My Girl" does not attempt to soften Vada's grief. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Neil Perry, “Dead Poets Society” (1989) A Heartbreaking Death That Hurts as Much as a Punch to the Face Ofelia, “Pan's Labyrinth” (2006) Whether the Underworld Is Real or Imaginary, This Death Is Still Devastating Leslie Burke, “Bridge to Terabithia” (2007) Because a Character So Full of Life Just Randomly Dies off Screen Yondu Udonta, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017) Because Quill Deserved to Spend More Time with His Real Daddy Monsieur Gustave H., “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2014) Because It Happens Out of Nowhere & Feels Unexpectedly Real
#1: Malcolm Crowe
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“The Sixth Sense” (1999) Hard as it might be to go into "The Sixth Sense" blind nowadays, the film's legendary twist is nothing short of a crushing masterstroke. After being shot by a patient in the opening sequence, Dr. Malcolm Crowe takes on the case of a child who can see dead people as a way to make amends for failing his former client. Although "The Sixth Sense'' drops some subtle hints foreshadowing its twist, the reveal that Crowe has been dead the whole time comes as a huge shock. This death scene is so unexpected, the impacted character needs around 90 minutes to realize it even happened.
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