Top 30 Most Satisfying Movie Breakups Ever

Top 30 Most Satisfying Movie Breakups Ever

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at movie breakups that left us more satisfied than heartbroken. We’re leaving off “Legally Blonde,” as Elle and Warner were technically already broken up when she told him off. That’s a spoiler with more to come.

#30: Fernand Mondego & Mercedes

“The Count of Monte Cristo” (2002)

In addition to being a neglectful husband and father, Fernand Mondego is an even worse friend. He framed Edmond Dantès, stealing his so-called best friend’s life. This included Edmond’s bride-to-be, Mercedes, and unborn child. Mercedes only married Fernand for her son’s sake. When Edmond resurfaces as the Count of Monte Cristo, he strips Fernand of everything. Not only does Fernand lose his fortune, but Mercedes reveals that Edmond is truly the father of her son. Fernand sends Mercedes a look of disdain and defeat, fighting to hide his disappointment. Despite going to great lengths to take Mercedes away from Edmond, Fernand says that she only occasionally pleased him. That’s still more pleasure than Mercedes ever got out of their relationship.

#29: Reuben Feffer & Lisa Kramer

“Along Came Polly” (2004)

There’s a right and wrong kind of spontaneity. Polly’s impulsive personality encourages Reuben to take the risks required for him to find true happiness. Lisa, meanwhile, surprises Reuben by sleeping with a scuba diving instructor on their honeymoon. Although it’s clear who he should be with, Reuben still considers getting back together with Lisa. Reuben eventually comes to his senses, realizing that the most familiar choice isn’t necessarily the healthiest one. Lisa is so tone-deaf that she questions Reuben’s rejection of her. Reuben rightfully tells her off, saying what we’ve been yelling at the screen. Lisa destroyed their relationship just as Reuben gutted her throw pillows. He thus goes back to Polly in this most unusual crossover between “Friends” and “Will & Grace.”

#28: Emily Meyers & Luke Edmunds

“Fair Play” (2023)

Initially, Emily and Luke look like a cute couple. After Emily is promoted over him, though, Luke shows his true colors. He sabotages his career, trying to drag Emily down with him. While Emily salvages her job, Luke leaves her with physical and emotional bruises. Luke thinks he can casually end their relationship, acting as if he were just as much a victim. Emily won’t let Luke leave until he takes accountability for jeopardizing her reputation and sexually assaulting her, prying out an apology with a knife. Although Luke genuinely seems remorseful of his reprehensible actions, he’s beyond forgiveness. This story began with Emily’s blood on the floor, but it ends with her telling Luke to clean up his, leaving things with a mic drop.

#27: Dani & Christian

“Midsommar” (2019)

“Midsommar” is a breakup movie unlike any other. Christian was prepared to end things with Dani until her entire family tragically died. Although Christian stays with Dani out of obligation, that doesn’t mean he’s there for her. The two only grow more distant on a vacation to a Swedish village where things aren’t what they seem. The trip is nonetheless eye-opening for Dani, who witnesses Christian participating in a sexual ritual. Others might be pulling the strings, but they bring out the couple’s innermost desires. Christian wants to see other people. Dani wants companionship, which she won’t find with Christian. As the newly crowned May Queen, Dani is allowed to save Christian from a human sacrifice. Instead, she lets the remnants of their relationship burn.

#26: Emma “Billie” Dawn & Harry Brock

“Born Yesterday” (1950)

Harry views his girlfriend Billie as an accessory, only wanting to marry her so she can’t testify against him. Although she may seem like a stereotypical “dumb blonde,” Billie’s tutor Paul helps her to realize that she’s smarter than Harry gave her credit. The brutish Harry thinks he holds all of the power in their relationship. Yet, Billie not only comes into possession of Harry’s assets, but also collects some damning evidence against him with Paul’s assistance. Billie agrees to gradually give Harry his property back on two conditions: that he grant Billie her freedom and he stay out of trouble. Harry might not see the inside of a jail cell, but for the first time, Billie has backed him into a corner.

#25: Captain von Trapp & Baroness Elsa von Schraeder

“The Sound of Music” (1965)

As Maria brings music back into the von Trapp household, she awakens something the Captain hasn’t experienced since his wife passed. Although the two resist declaring their feelings out loud, the Baroness can tell from how the Captain looks at Maria. It’s easy to loathe the Baroness as she attempts to keep the Captain and Maria apart. In the end, though, you empathize with her as the Captain comes clean. Deep down, the Baroness knew they weren’t meant to be. It wasn't until he said the words that the Baroness could be honest with herself. That doesn’t mean the Baroness isn’t heartbroken, keeping a straight face while holding back tears. Regardless, she ultimately wants what’s best for the Captain, pointing him in the right direction.

#24: Douglas Quaid & Lori

“Total Recall” (1990)

Emerging from the Rekall center, Douglas Quaid slowly realizes that his life is a lie… or is it? There are a few different ways to interpret what is and isn’t a dream in this film. Either way, Quaid finds himself being hunted by his wife Lori, who reveals that their marriage was among the false memories implanted in him. That doesn’t stop Lori from playing the marriage card when Quaid holds her at gunpoint. Before Lori can retaliate, Quaid initiates the divorce proceedings, effectively terminating the marriage. Their marriage might’ve been based on a lie, but from Quaid’s perspective, the two were still technically in a relationship. So, this technically counts as a breakup, and a highly satisfying one at that.

#23: Barbara & Oliver Rose

“The War of the Roses” (1989)

Barbara and Oliver loved each other once, but over the years, the rose petals all fell, leaving nothing but thorns. While they agree to divorce, neither is willing to part with their dream home. The once shimmering mansion comes to resemble what their marriage has become: a war zone. As they say, there are no winners in war, only losers. As Oliver and Barbara dangle from a chandelier, it’s evident that these bitter people deserve each other. That doesn’t mean they can live together, but they die side by side as the chandelier crashes down. During their final moments, it appears the two might reach some form of reconciliation. Barbara rejects Oliver’s olive branch, using her last ounce of strength to push his hand aside.

#22: Celie Harris & Albert “Mister” Johnson

“The Color Purple” (1985)

The fact that Celie calls her husband “Mister” says everything. She was never more than a servant to him. Having been abused most of her life, Celie submissively keeps her head down. Through her friendships with other women, especially Shug Avery, Celie finds the strength to finally leave Mister. He isn’t willing to let her go without a fight, but to Mister’s surprise, Celie is ready to fight back. Celie has others in her corner. Not just Shug, but also Squeak, who is inspired by Celie’s words to leave Mister’s son, Harpo. Celie resists the temptation to inflict the same physical pain that her husband has caused her, although she doesn’t let him off easily, cursing Mister until he atones.

#21: Tina & Ike Turner

“What’s Love Got to Do with It” (1993)

After an especially violent encounter, Tina Turner takes the first steps toward reclaiming her voice, leaving Ike in the middle of the night. The next time we see them together is in divorce court, where Tina only wants one thing from Ike: her stage name. Despite Ike’s objections, the judge grants Tina’s request. It still may seem like Ike came out on top, holding onto the money and publishing rights. As Tina shows Ike over the following years, though, he didn’t make her. Whatever he might’ve done to further her career, Tina is capable of doing for herself. She may be starting from scratch again, but over time, more people come to associate the Turner name with Tina than Ike.

#20: Sarah Marshall & Aldous Snow

“Forgetting Sarah Marshall” (2008)

Given that the movie starts with Sarah Marshall initiating one of the most awkward breakups in movie history, it’s hard to feel bad when she gets dumped by her new boyfriend Aldous Snow later on. It comes out later that she was actually cheating with rock star Aldous for a year before she broke things off with her ex, Peter. But Aldous realizes she’s still not over Peter, and he gives her a taste of her own medicine. Her controlling nature clearly isn’t what the free-spirited rock star had in mind. It serves as just another reminder that she may have done her ex, Peter, a favor by dumping him in the first scene.

#19: Amber Von Tussle & Link Larkin

“Hairspray” (2007)

It’s one thing to be dumped on national TV. It’s another thing to deserve it. “You Can’t Stop the Beat” is one of the most joyous closing numbers in any musical, but Amber Von Tussle spends most of it getting absolutely humiliated. From being her racist mother’s accomplice to body shaming Tracy Turnblad every chance she gets, she’s spent the whole movie being the nastiest kid in town. She finally gets her comeuppance. Her reluctant boyfriend, pretty boy Link Larkin, basically dumps her on air when he chooses to join Tracy in a dance. He doesn’t even dignify their breakup with a speech.

#18: Jenna & Earl Hunterson

“Waitress” (2007)

Keri Russell stars in this romcom that treads some pretty dark waters. She plays Jenna, a waitress and piemaker in an abusive relationship with Earl. When she becomes pregnant, it finally gives her the courage to leave him. It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for. Obviously, any abusive loser is going to have a tantrum when he’s dumped. In “Waitress,” the soundtrack completely drowns Earl out. What he has to say is so unimportant we don’t even need to hear it. He’s carried out, kicking and screaming like an infant, while Jenna gets her first precious moments with her new daughter.

#17: Linda & Robbie Hart

“The Wedding Singer” (1998)

Adam Sandler plays Robbie, a wedding singer whose obsession with getting married led him to being left at the altar by the cold, immature Linda. Of course, she comes back just in time to mess things up with Julia, the woman he’s supposed to end up with. It’s almost chilling how she tries to play up her innocence when Robbie doesn’t want to get back together. Luckily, he sees through it. The scene includes a fun joke for music lovers. Robbie remarks that Linda shouldn’t wear his Van Halen shirt, as it might jinx the band. The movie’s set in 1985, and lead singer David Lee Roth would actually leave the band that year. Thanks a lot, Linda.

#16: Muriel Heslop & David Van Arkle

“Muriel’s Wedding” (1994)

This Australian dark comedy stars Toni Collette as social outcast Muriel Heslop, whose self-esteem is completely tied up in getting married. She finally does have her ABBA-themed fantasy wedding, but it’s to a man who doesn’t love her. David is not attracted to Muriel. He’s just a professional athlete who needs a visa. However, once he gets to know her, he admits he could learn to like being married to her, and that’s about as sweet as he’s been the whole movie. This comes only after Muriel has gained enough self-confidence to stop pretending. David may be handsome, but she realizes she deserves better and we applaud her decision to leave him.

#15: Bernadine ‘Bernie’ & John Harris

“Waiting to Exhale” (1995)

Bernadine Harris left her own dreams behind to be a full-time wife and mother while her husband John became a successful businessman. When he announces he’s leaving her for a colleague, he sets their whole life on fire. So she decides to pay him back in kind. She furiously monologues to herself while she piles his clothes, expensive shoes, and every material thing he cares about into his car. Then she soaks it with lighter fluid and lights the match. It’s already an epic scene of rage and revenge, but what makes it even more impactful is the powerhouse acting by the unmatchable Angela Bassett.

#14: Mia Thermopolis & Andrew Jacoby

“The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” (2004)

Though born a commoner, Princess Mia Thermopolis of Genovia has fully accepted her place as a royal. Now comes the time to secure the throne for the next generation. Her initial choice is Andrew, Duke of Kenilworth. Unfortunately, while Andrew is handsome, there’s no spark between them. It doesn’t help that she’s in love with the handsome Nicholas. Andrew is the more politically advantageous marriage, so they mutually decide to buck up and get married anyway. They almost go through with the extravagant wedding, but rather than be unhappy, Mia freezes mid-walk down the aisle and flees. Maybe it’s not the nicest way to leave someone, but it’s hard to argue with the results.

#13: Viola Hastings & Justin Drayton

“She’s the Man” (2006)

In this update of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” Amanda Bynes plays a soccer player whose boyfriend, Justin, is a tool. When the girls’ soccer team is disbanded, she tries to join her boyfriend’s team, and he sides against her despite her talent at the sport. He tries to assert dominance over his girlfriend in front of his buddies and ends up getting a taste of his own medicine. We love a breakup that comes with an epic comeback. From the jump, we know exactly what Viola is about. She’s not gonna make herself small for any man, even one she’s dating.

#12: Veronica Sawyer & Jason ‘J.D.’ Dean

“Heathers” (1988)

At first, Veronica Sawyer’s disillusionment with being popular makes Jason Dean’s brooding soulfulness seem attractive. But it turns out, he’s just a sociopath. That cool demeanor is really just the callousness of a cold-blooded predator. There are a lot of red flags here, but the moment that Veronica finally ends the relationship just makes you want to grab a celebratory slushie. The ultimatum she gives him is pretty brave, considering he’s a literal murderer. But anyone who tells a guy not to mess with her while he’s the one holding a firearm is our kind of heroine.

#11: Annie MacDuggan-Paradis & Aaron Paradis

“The First Wives Club” (1996)

Annie’s been holding out hope that her handsome but emotionally stunted husband, from whom she is separated, will finally come back to his senses and come home. When he invites her out one night and they sleep together, she thinks he’s finally ready. Then he drops the bomb on her. Not only does he want a divorce, but he’s also in love with their shared therapist. Annie, who generally has problems expressing her anger, is tired of being pushed around and gaslit. She’s overdue for a blowup. It’s a cathartic moment for her and for anyone who’s ever been with someone who made them question how they are being treated.

#10: Hannah ‘Nana’ Weaver & Richard

“Crazy, Stupid, Love” (2011)

After the only person he’s ever slept with asks for a divorce, middle aged Cal Weaver befriends Jacob, a womanizer who teaches him how to pick up the ladies. Emma Stone plays Hannah, Weaver’s daughter and a recent law school grad that thinks her boyfriend is about to propose. Unfortunately, she couldn’t be more wrong. When her boyfriend Richard invites her and some friends out to dinner, she believes he is going to pop the question, but instead he offers her a job at his law firm. Stunned, Hannah chugs a very large glass of gin and rightfully walks out the door. You go girl!

#9: Diana Christensen & Max Schumacher

“Network” (1976)

A film that should be on everyone’s list of 1000 movies to watch before you die, “Network” is an Academy Award winning film that satirizes the television industry in a way that hasn’t been seen since. While the film has no shortage of iconic moments, few can compare to this scene between William Holden and Faye Dunaway. After their affair begins to sour, Max decides to return to his wife, but not before unleashing one of the most brutal and eloquently strung together breakup monologues in cinematic history. He rips into Dunaway’s Diana without mercy, ultimately leaving her sitting alone in her apartment trying to comprehend what just happened.

#8: Meredith Blake & Nicholas ‘Nick’ Parker

“The Parent Trap” (1998)

In this Disney classic, identical twins Annie and Hallie are separated at birth only to later reunite in an attempt to bring their parents back together. There’s just one problem: their father is engaged to another woman! When the four of them head out on a camping trip, Annie and Hallie do everything in their power to dissuade Meredith from marrying Nick. However, the final straw is when they push her into the middle of the lake while she’s asleep. When a soaked Meredith returns to shore, she gives Nick an ultimatum: them or me. Let’s just say that when you ask a father to choose between a woman and his kids, the latter will win every time.

#7: Iris Simpkins & Jasper Bloom

“The Holiday” (2006)

The Holiday” opens with one of the most cringe worthy moments of all-time, as lovelorn Iris is forced to watch as Jasper, the love of her life, is congratulated on his engagement to another woman. It doesn’t get much better from there, as Jasper continues to treat her like a doormat for the rest of the film. However, after a newfound friend convinces her to unlock her inner courage, Iris is finally ready to tell Jasper it’s over; and boy does she ever give it to him! Kate Winslet knocks this scene out of the park, giving viewers a satisfying moment of revenge that’s highlighted by slamming a door right in Jasper’s face! Now that’s gumption!

#6: Melissa & Dr. Stuart ‘Stu’ Price

“The Hangover” (2009)

In a film noted for its gross out humor and crass dialogue, perhaps no character is as overtly unlikable as Melissa, Stu’s bossy girlfriend. While she is only in the film for a couple of scenes, they are more than enough to convince us that she is a total nightmare. Thankfully, after making it through the worst hangover of his life and finding a little self-respect in the process, Stu is ready to tell Melissa it’s over. In front of friends and family, Stu announces with conviction that he is done with her, but not before informing everyone that Melissa cheated on him. Atta boy Stu!

#5: Torrance Shipman & Aaron

“Bring It On” (2000)

Man, some on-screen boyfriends are almost too much to bear. “Bring It On” follows high school cheerleader Torrance Shipman, as she attempts to guide her cheer squad to a sixth consecutive national title. However, along the way her philandering and unsupportive boyfriend Aaron continuously causes her emotional grief. To call him a dude boyfriend would be a gross understatement, as Aaron thinks of no one but himself and is constantly telling Torrance she’s no good. Thankfully, Torrance comes to her senses and dumps his ass, ultimately ending up with Cliff, Aaron’s polar opposite in almost every imaginable way.

#4: Erica Albright & Mark Zuckerberg

“The Social Network” (2010)

“The Social Network” makes no attempt to hide the fact that its protagonist is more than a little self-centered. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the film’s opening scene, as for the better part of five minutes Zuckerberg appears to be talking to himself instead of to his girlfriend Erica…who is seated directly across from him. As she struggles to keep up, you can’t help but get the feeling that this scene is hurtling to a dramatic conclusion - and boy does it ever. The final straw comes when Zuckerberg condescendingly tells Erica he’ll introduce her to people she “wouldn’t normally get to meet.” Yikes. Not to worry, Erica gets the last laugh with one hell of a closing line.

#3: Bridget Jones & Daniel Cleaver

“Bridget Jones’s Diary” (2001)

Single, awkward, and insecure about her weight, Bridget Jones wants nothing more than to find her Mr. Right. She’s soon presented with two options: Mark Darcy, a family friend who despises her and Daniel Cleaver, her womanizing boss. For a while she settles on the latter, but things don’t work out quite the way she hoped. Their relationship culminates in one of the film’s most memorable scenes, as Mark and Daniel come to blows in the middle of the street. After Daniel is knocked unconscious, Bridget rushes to his side, but when he comes to he doesn’t exactly win her over with his comments. So she satisfyingly dumps him like he’s another one of her bad habits.

#2: Scarlett O’Hara & Rhett Butler

“Gone With the Wind” (1939)

Set in Georgia during and after the American Civil War, “Gone with the Wind” traces the life of Scarlett O’Hara as she struggles to maintain her marriage to Rhett Butler while being openly in love with another man. The film is wrought with moments of flared tempers and unbridled emotions, but few can compare to the final scene, when Rhett, scorned by his years in a loveless marriage, decides to leave his wife. But not before he delivers one of the most iconic lines in cinematic history. It’s a fitting end to Scarlett and Rhett’s sham of a marriage.

#1: Rose DeWitt Bukater & Caledon Nathan ‘Cal’ Hockley

“Titanic” (1997)

Cal Hockley is a pompous ass. There, we said it. The man has little to no redeeming qualities, regularly talks down to people he considers beneath him and only pays Rose any attention because she’s a beautiful woman from a respectable family. So one can’t help but let out a joyous cheer when Rose finally summons the courage to stand up to him in the film’s third act. After he calls her a whore for attempting to reunite with Jack, Rose rightfully quips “I’d rather be his whore than your wife.” She follows that up by spitting directly in Cal’s face, further cementing the fact that their relationship is over!

Which movie couples are you glad broke up? Let us know in the comments.