Top 30 Brutal Movie Deaths of The Century (So Far)

“The Suicide Squad” (2021)
Hardened criminals or not, no one was making it off of this beach alive. The operation starts with Blackguard selling the team out, and ends with a bullet storm the likes of which you may never see in a superhero movie ever again. The Suicide Squad takes some heavy casualities, to put it lightly. There’s also an exploding, fiery helicopter crash, just in case this beachside massacre wasn’t dramatic enough. Yeah, we don’t blame Savant for turning tail and running. Although, he doesn’t get very far before Waller pulls the plug on him, too. Hey, you don’t get a name like “The Suicide Squad” if you aren’t expendable.

“Serenity” (2005)
There’s unexpected, there’s abrupt, and then there’s whatever happened to Hoban "Wash" Washburne. The Serenity pilot had just navigated the crew through a nail-biting crossfire and even pulled off a miraculous crash landing, too. Then, as he’s beginning to clap himself on the back - bang. A rogue spear blasts through the cockpit and impales him right in the chest. It doesn’t just happen in the middle of a scene, it happens in the middle of a sentence. Giving Wash his moment of glory and then immediately taking it away isn’t just gruesome, it’s downright cruel.

“Dredd” (2012)
Hostage negotiators should take notes from Judge Dredd. His terms are pretty fair; if the girl goes free, the crook can peacefully live out his days behind bars. The other option? Well, it leans towards the cruel and unusual. Predictably, the villain tests his luck, and if Dredd’s anything, he’s a man of his word. A single gunshot later, and the guy has a mouthful of Dredd’s heat bullets. He can’t even utter his last words before his whole head has erupted like a baking soda volcano. The verdict is in; never test Judge Dredd.

“The Invisible Man” (2020)
Horror films always have a few unlucky victims, but Emily is the saddest of all. Her only crime was hearing her sister out, and in doing so, she put herself right in harm’s way. Once Emily learned about the possibility of the invisibility suit, she had to be cut from the equation. And we do mean “cut.” There isn’t even time to process what’s going on before Emily is gone. Even worse, she was at dinner with her sister, who is then promptly framed for the murder. He may be invisible, but this villain’s body count is all too real.

“The Menu” (2022)
At the island restaurant, Hawthorn, the entree is bloodshed, the sides come with social critiques, and it’s all washed down with a tall glass of black humor. Oh, and dessert? You’ll never forget it. Chef Slowik’s signature s’mores recipe calls for a secret ingredient - everyone on the island. He isn’t a monster, though. He sweetens the deal with some sugary additions. Adorned with marshmallow helmets, chocolate toupees, and graham cracker suits of armor, the staff and guests all submit to Hawthorn's final dinner service. It’s probably the first and only time you’ll see a restaurant of people die via s’mores.

“Deadpool 2” (2018)
Despite his penchant for quips, the Merc with a Mouth isn’t exactly a great team leader. Case-in-point, the X-force is almost entirely wiped out on their very first mission. It’s not pretty. In fact, most of them don’t even hit the ground. At least, not in one piece. Whether it’s by public transportation, helicopter propellers, or good, old-fashioned wood chippers, most of the X-Force end up dead and buried in exceedingly grotesque fashion. And Vanisher - well, his demise is the most “shocking” of all. Since this is still a “Deadpool” movie, it's all played for laughs. But, that doesn’t make the reality any less disturbing.

“John Wick: Chapter 2” (2017)
When you think of a hitman’s weapon of choice, a measly pencil probably doesn’t come to mind. But, this is John Wick we’re talking about. It has a sharp point; that’s all he needs to absolutely shred through enemies. When two assassins try to double-team him in an airport, he uses the writing utensil like an exacto-knife, causing enough damage to leave you queasy. John certainly gets points for creativity, even if it is hard to watch at points. That pencil is going to need a serious cleaning after this fight; that’s all we’re saying.

“Cocaine Bear” (2023)
Like all great movies, this sophisticated thinkpiece asks a very important moral question: can a coked-up black bear outrun a speeding ambulance? These paramedics have to learn the hard way that the answer is, unequivocally, yes. Look, “Cocaine Bear” is all kinds of insane, but seeing a high-speed car chase turn into an on-the-run bear feast is just something else. Whatever you think you’re prepared for, we promise you, this scene is even crazier. The paramedics could try calling another ambulance, but something tells us they may have better luck with animal control next time.

“Logan” (2017)
With his regenerative abilities failing him, Wolverine stepped into this fight knowing full well it could be his final stand. But, all things considered, battling his clone to save his quasi-daughter is the most poetic ending Logan could have hoped for. That doesn’t make it a happy goodbye, though. Between Logan, Laura, and X-24, there’s a lot of adamantium claws bloodying things up. Logan takes it all like a champ, but not even he can bounce back from a tree branch in his midsection. It’s a wince-inducing farewell to Wolverine that’s soaked with both blood and tears.

“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015)
There’s no such thing as mercy in this post-apocalyptic wasteland. Immortan Joe should know that better than anyone. So, it’s only fitting that he reaps what he sowed at the hands of Furiosa, who chains his iconic mask to the wheel of his vehicle. The truck keeps going, the chain goes taut, and Immortan Joe loses his face covering… and a lot of other stuff, too. You get the picture. It’s the kind of haunting end that only gets worse the more you think about it. But, then again, we can’t say Immortan Joe didn’t have it coming.

“It” (2017)
Georgie’s parents taught their youngest son not to take things from strangers. However, that didn’t stop the killer clown Pennywise from striking up a deeply uncomfortable conversation with the boy. The scene stews in spine-tingling tension just long enough to make the eventual jumpscare downright unforgettable. For his friendliness, Georgie lost his boat, his arm, and his life. The pained cries for his brother are haunting no matter how you cut it, let alone from a six-year old child. It set a sinister precedent for Pennywise’s rampage through the rest of the film.

“Kingsman: The Golden Circle” (2017)
More often than not, traitors and villains end up in handcuffs by the time the credits roll. Except, in this case, there isn’t a hand left to cuff. Pedro Pascal’s traitorous Whiskey put his personal vendetta above the mission, but all he got was a much-deserved beatdown courtesy of Eggsy and Harry Hart. The two agents didn’t just stop at fisticuffs, though, and they decided Whiskey was better left as a paste instead of a man. As far as painful ends go, diving headfirst into a meat processor has got to be pretty high on the list.

“Final Destination 5” (2011)
Death will not be thwarted! In the fifth entry of this horror franchise, the first named character death is the most brutal. Candice’s fatal gym practice is full of misdirects and dead ends, conjuring an unbearable sense of dread to every move. In the end, though, it all comes down to gravity. Namely, a rather botched landing. Candice definitely earned a few deductions on this one, and that’s putting it lightly. It’s just a mercy that the aftermath is obscured until the dust settles, which leaves plenty of time to look away from the disturbingly mangled remains.

“Predators” (2010)
It’s a cardinal rule of horror that the villain always comes back for one last scare. But, evidently, Stans hadn’t brushed up on the topic before gloating about killing the Predator. The creature doesn’t take it very kindly, and treats the death-row inmate to a shot in the back and a very rough spinal surgery. As if the visuals alone weren’t bad enough, the sickening sound effects prove that it doesn’t feel very nice. At least Stans bought enough time for his team to get away.

“Shaun of the Dead” (2004)
By the time all is said and done, this guy probably wished he would hurry up and zombify already. Admittedly, it’s hard to feel too bad for David’s demise, especially since he’s the one who decided to start removing the barricade in the first place. All it did was put him on a silver platter for the zombies, who didn’t stop feasting until his insides were on the outside. A single bite would’ve done the same thing, and been a lot less painful. But hey, at least Dianne found a use for his detached leg. Quite frankly, it’s the biggest help David had been in the whole movie.

“Ghost Ship” (2002)
This adds new meaning to the phrase “dance like there’s no tomorrow” - since, for most of these passengers, there wouldn’t be one. After all, the only thing sharper than these dance movies was the razor wire that swept the crowd - and not in a fun way. The result is a remarkably bloody, inventive, and efficient massacre that lives on in horror infamy. Honestly, we can’t decide what’s worse: death by division, or being the only one left in an actual sea of bodies. At least it was quick, because judging by the force of the wire, it most certainly wasn’t painless.

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022)
No one expects a so-called superhero to stain their hands red, much less in a family-friendly Marvel film. But, given the history of director Sam Raimi, it shouldn’t have come as a shock when Wanda upgraded to supervillain - or that she went on an absolute massacre through the multiverse. From Black Bolt’s implosion, to shredding Reed Richards, to Peggy’s bisection, each of her murders are more gruesome than the last. It’s all compounded by the fact that this is coming from a former Avenger of all people. Suffice it to say, the Scarlet Witch lived up to her name by embracing a different shade of red.

“Jason X” (2001)
In this futuristic slasher film, everyone’s favorite hockey-masked killer found some equally forward-thinking ways to dispose of his victims. Unfortunately for Adrienne, that meant a swirlie into liquid nitrogen. On its own, a face of severe frostbite is creative enough to stand out even in Jason’s esteemed kill catalog. But, no one’s ever accused this horror icon of shirking on his work. At least, not the kind that involves putting people into body bags. So, instead of letting Adrienne succumb to her very fatal wounds, he decides to shatter her skull into bloody crystals. You know, just for good measure.

“Apostle” (2018)
While this macabre execution definitely earns points for creativity, that doesn’t make it any easier to watch. The poor Jeremy is framed for the murder of his lover, and sentenced to a slow and agonizing death by makeshift drill. Not only is it a shockingly vile way to go, but the fact the entire village has to watch makes it that much worse. Seeing some of them lose their lunch at the sight says more than the drill itself does. After all, if this is too much for even the cultists to stomach, it’s no wonder the scene is a total jaw-dropper to the uninitiated.

“The Green Inferno” (2013)
This bloody demise is beyond savage. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished, and Jonah’s well-intentioned activism results in his dismemberment. He basically becomes an action figure to the natives, complete with limbs and organs that easily pop out of place. It’s plain disgusting in every sense of the word, especially when the cannibals feast upon the remains as if it were a delicacy - and all in front of his friends, too. The only small mercy is that the villagers started with his head, putting him out of his misery before they finished their plate.

“Sinister” (2012)
These may be forgotten tapes of other families, but they have more in common with horror films than home videos. The footage starts out innocent enough, but there’s still a certain unsettling quality to the grainy filter. Then, just when it seems the danger seems to have passed, suddenly the mower isn’t only cutting grass anymore. The shrill score sells it as one of the genre’s most effective jumpscares, but the actual mode of death is nothing to forget, either. Even putting aside the pain of it all, the victims had to endure torment at the hands of one of their own, which is just a different kind of demented.

“Drive” (2011)
This hyper-violent action thriller delivered an unforgettable assassination in the tight confines of an elevator, before it even reached its floor. It’s all done without a single word uttered - or even a weapon, for that matter. All it took was a small space, a worthy pair of kickers, and a whole lot of rage. Ryan Gosling’s titular Driver just doesn’t quit, even when the hitman is clearly down for the count. The end result is a man with a puddle where his face should be. It’s a stunning sequence that’s remembered just as much for its brutality as it is for its technical merits.

“Final Destination 2” (2003)
Even in a series known for offing its cast in exceedingly dramatic fashion, this was a rough way to go. Surprisingly, it isn’t the exploding car that kills Rory - or at least, not directly. That honor, or dishonor (?), belongs to a barbed wire fence, which gets blasted with enough force to do more than shave a few pounds off. In the end, all Rory - or, rather, the pieces of him - can do is slowly fall to the ground like the uneven layers of a human cake. As far as dismemberments go, this one cuts the deepest, if only because of that sickening aftermath.

“Suspiria” (2018)
What makes this horrifying scene even worse is that Olga’s last dance wasn’t actually her own. Instead, it was choreographed by the unknowing Susie, who created a routine that’s practically to die for. It contorts Olga’s body into a gross tangle of limbs that’s just difficult to look at, let alone experience. The unflinching savagery easily positions it as one of the most ruthless body horror scenes in any movie, period. Afterwards, the matrons grab her with hooks and use her for their ritual. Olga didn’t technically die here, but given what transpired after, she probably wished she had.

“Bone Tomahawk” (2015)
Getting imprisoned by cannibals rarely spells good fortune, but the utter lack of humanity here puts it in a league of its own. At this point, it was already clear that the so-called ‘Troglodytes’ were not friendly. However, watching them strip and scalp Nick conveys their brutality in a way words never could, so much so that we can’t show most of this scene here. The camera rarely points away from the bloodshed, which makes it an endurance test of sorts as the humiliation escalates. The desecration ends with them tearing him in two. Watching them eat his remains after the fact feels particularly callous considering everything they just put him through.

“Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006)
We’ve all seen the bottom of the bottle during a night out. Unfortunately for this suspected rebel, Captain Vidal showed him a more literal meaning of the phrase. In doing so, he left the victim’s skull looking more like a crater than a head. However, even that abrupt flash of gore isn’t as spine-tingling as the complete calm in which Vidal does it. It’s clear he’s done this before, and will do it again if given the opportunity. He had a gun on him, after all, so the fact he chose to personally and violently dispatch the farmer speaks volumes.

“Hereditary” (2018)
Evidently, iconic death scenes run in the family. No doubt, Annie’s throat massage with piano wire is the greatest kind of shocking sendoff a character could hope for . But, despite Paimon’s best efforts, even that can’t top the unmitigated shock of Charlie’s abrupt decapitation. It’s the ultimate bloody surprise during a scene that demands its audience focus on anything but the coming telephone pole. While it’s hard to say if Charlie’s nut allergy would have claimed her anyway, it certainly would have been a less violent way to go. If anything, it would have left the Graham family with a lot less trauma.

“The Passion of the Christ” (2004)
Director Mel Gibson made sure this film earned its R rating, that’s for sure. No matter how controversial the resulting violence may be, there’s no denying it crafted one very memorable death scene. The movie puts an immense, prolonged, and almost gratuitous focus upon the suffering that Jesus endured during his crucifixion. That means showing everything, blood and all. Even though it's adapted from revered source material, seeing it performed in a mainstream blockbuster is an entirely different experience. The excessive violence and somber score make the scene more unpleasant than uplifting. But, then again, that seems to be the whole point.

“Terrifier 2” (2022)
Even psychopathic killers need a refreshment every now and then. But, once he’s rehydrated, Art the Clown does what he does best - terrify. He’s not one to make false promises, either. By the time his torment of Allie is over, she’s lost skin, limbs, and has suffered broken bones to boot. Then, Art decides to season his new victim with salt and bleach, even going as far as rubbing it into her wounds. Clearly, this is a dish best served with a barf bag.

“Saw VI” (2009)
Admittedly, this horror franchise has no shortage of gory, horrifying, and downright nasty modes of death. Look no further than the twisted rack scene from “Saw 3.” Or, how about the sadistically creative reverse bear trap from “Saw 3D?” No matter where you look, there’s plenty of blood to satisfy genre diehards. And yet, none of that compares to William’s death by acid. It might not sound all that bad, until you realize that he doesn’t just die - he dies from the inside out. What remains can’t even be called a body anymore. If this isn’t Jigsaw’s sick Magnum Opus, we don’t know what is.