Fans Rank the 15 Most Heartbreaking Death Scenes in Movie History – Two MCU Scenes Made the Cut

Recently, Ranker conducted a large survey to determine the saddest death scenes in cinema history. We’ve narrowed it down to the top 15 to give you a more focused look, along with our own comments and insights to add some extra flavor. Here’s the 15 saddest death scenes, ranked from 15th to 1st. We hope you enjoy the journey!

15. Sam’s death from Ghost

Ghost is now regarded as a classic romantic film, and the moment when Patrick Swayze’s character, Sam, is shot serves as the pivotal event that drives the entire story. His unexpected death is a shocking turn that propels the plot, but it remains one of the saddest moments in cinema.

Sam’s death feels especially heartbreaking because he was an innocent person who didn’t deserve to die, particularly under such cruel circumstances.

14. Walt asking for a light from Gran Torino

When Clint Eastwood dies on screen, it’s always a heroic and intense moment, and Gran Torino is a perfect example of this. While his death is undeniably epic, it also marks a deeply emotional end to a complex story, serving as the culmination of outstanding character development throughout the film. It’s a bittersweet farewell to a character who undergoes significant growth.

13. Snape kills Dumbledore from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Imagine reading the final book without knowing what would happen, only to see Snape, the character you’ve always suspected of being a villain, kill one of the most beloved figures in the series. While Dumbledore’s death was necessary for the plot, it was still a heartbreaking moment that left everyone reeling. Even though Snape’s actions were later explained, the sadness of that moment remains.

12. Frankie euthanizes Maggie from Million Dollar Baby

Another Clint Eastwood film on this list? It just shows that the legendary filmmaker has a knack for tragedy. Million Dollar Baby is a powerful drama that explores various emotional depths, and the heartbreaking moment in the film is truly devastating. We agree that it definitely deserves its place here.

11. The truth about Severus Snape from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

Returning to the Harry Potter series, Snape’s death was a gut-wrenching moment for fans, especially after it was revealed that he had been one of the story’s greatest heroes all along. Though his death was necessary for the plot, it left a deep emotional impact and remains one of the most heartbreaking moments in the entire franchise.

10. Captain Miller’s final words from Saving Private Ryan

Did Miller deserve to die? Maybe not. But should he have died? That’s up to you to decide. Either way, his death was a powerful moment in a movie that everyone loved, marking the end of an unforgettable adventure. It wasn’t the fairest ending, but it was definitely heartbreaking.

9. Skip’s death from My Dog Skip

Animal deaths, especially those of dogs, always bring out the tears. My Dog Skip was a heartwarming family movie, and little Skip won everyone’s heart. When he peacefully passed away at the end, it was so sad that even now, just thinking about it, brings tears to our eyes.

8. Yondu’s goodbye from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Yondu’s death may not deserve eighth place, but it definitely deserves a spot on this list. Until that moment, we saw Yondu as a tough, unemotional character, but he surprised us all with one of Marvel’s most powerful moments. His death became one of the franchise’s saddest and most impactful, leaving a lasting impression.

7. The snap from Avengers: Endgame

Right after Yondu, we have Tony Stark’s sacrifice in Endgame. While it may have been expected, which lessened some of the emotional impact, it was still an epic and heroic moment that felt right for a character like Tony. No matter your thoughts on it, this death stands as a key moment in Marvel’s cinematic journey.

6. Scar’s betrayal of Mufasa from The Lion King

This death happens early in the movie, leaving you little time to process it, but when you reflect on it later, you realize just how tragic it is. It was a heartbreaking betrayal that deeply affected young Simba, making Scar not only one of Disney’s most hated villains, but also one of its most memorable.

5. Bambi’s mom from Bambi

The death of Bambi’s mother in Disney’s classic animated film is a moment that no one will ever forget. It’s frequently referenced in popular culture and serves as a harsh reminder of how cruel humans can be to nature and animals. The unknown hunter is universally hated, and for good reason—this scene still brings us to tears every time.

4. Shelby’s life support is turned off from Steel Magnolias

Steel Magnolias is a dramedy you might not expect to see on this list, but it’s both heartwarming and heartbreaking in the best way. We truly loved the story, and it gave us some unforgettable emotional moments, like the one shown in the video, which was utterly devastating.

3. Thomas and the bees from My Girl

This coming-of-age film highlighted how life can be both beautiful and heartbreaking. While the story focuses on Vada, it’s Thomas’ death that left a lasting impact on us. It was an unexpected tragedy that was never meant to happen.

2. Ellie’s story from Up!

Up! is a beloved Pixar classic, often praised as one of the greatest animated films ever made. Ellie’s life story was beautiful but also deeply sad, making it one of the film’s most emotional moments. We completely understand why fans included it on this list—it’s truly deserving.

1. John Coffey’s execution from The Green Mile

John Coffey’s death in The Green Mile is one of the most memorable moments from any Stephen King adaptation. It’s heartbreaking not only because of his kind nature but because his death feels so unjust. The sense of wrong done to an innocent man makes the tragedy even more profound.

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