Top 10 Saddest Scenes in Romance Movies
#10: A Painful Goodbye "Dear John" (2010)
Top 10 Saddest Scenes in Teen Movies
This 2010 film is rife with tension, war, and sadness. But it’s the scene where John effectively bids farewell to his dying father that’s the most painful to watch. Despite their often fraught relationship, the love between them is undeniable, and John’s letter is proof of that. All this time, we thought his narration at the start of the movie was for Savannah. The fact that it was actually for his dad makes it all the more impactful. John writes a lot of letters throughout the course of the film, but none carry as much weight as this one. His words are vulnerable, and lead to a quiet and powerfully tender moment between the two. We’re not crying, you’re crying.
#9: A Poignant Song & Message “Midnight Sun” (2018)
Top 20 Most Rewatched Scenes in Romance Movies
Teenager Katie has a genetic disorder called XP, which is characterized by extreme sensitivity to sunlight. But when she and Charlie fall in love, nothing - not even her deteriorating health - can come between them. The track she writes - and later records with his help - exemplifies what their connection means to her. And though she passes, she leaves him with a lot to remember her by. As he heads to college, “Charlie’s Song” - which has become a viral hit - comes on the radio. But there’s more; he also discovers a poignant letter in the notebook Katie left him. These final moments are full of a bittersweet hope, but watching her live on through her art always makes us sob.
#8: Standing in the Rain “The Bridges of Madison County” (1995)
Francesca and Robert fall for each other during their short-lived affair, but she breaks it off as her family returns. Still, they run into each other one last time, and it’s heart-wrenching. As she waits for her husband in the car, she sees her former flame standing in the rain. No words are spoken, yet the moment is full of meaning. He’s soaked, hoping she’ll change her mind. Meanwhile, she’s protected from the storm but seems to wish she wasn’t. That’s some serious symbolism if we’ve ever seen it! Francesca nearly joins him later at a stoplight, but ultimately stays. The sadness that permeates this scene makes it easy to understand why she wants her ashes scattered in the same place as his.
#7: A Parting Moment “Roman Holiday” (1953)
Top 10 Saddest Breakup Scenes in Movies
When reporter Joe Bradley realizes it’s Princess Ann who’s staying at his apartment, he sees a golden chance to advance his career. But it quickly grows into something deeper. Though the pair each conceal aspects of their identity, they fall in love. That’s enough to prevent Joe from selling the story. Sadly, it doesn’t change the fact that Ann has to return and fulfill her royal duties. As she sees him standing amongst the press and realizes who he is, the two share a subtle but deep goodbye. Her sorrowful parting look says it all. And as the room clears out, he lingers a moment longer before taking off. Each step feels heavier than the last, as he leaves a once-in-a-lifetime connection behind.
#6: Two Shirts & a Postcard “Brokeback Mountain” (2005)
Top 20 Saddest Romantic Movies of All Time
Because of societal circumstances outside their control, Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar never get a chance to really be together. They only have their occasional trips throughout the years. As if that wasn’t tragic enough on its own, Jack unexpectedly passes away. What’s more, Ennis isn’t allowed to scatter his ashes on the titular Wyoming mountain where they first fell in love. But he does take their old shirts from Jack’s childhood room, and hangs them by a postcard of the beautiful landscape in his own closet. Looking intensely at them, Ennis utters three emotionally charged words. There’s been much speculation about what exactly they mean. But one thing’s for sure: it’s an absolutely devastating moment.
#5: Sacrificial Love “Romeo + Juliet” (1996)
Most of us know the story of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” pretty well. Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 adaptation certainly puts an interesting twist on the classic tale. But sadly, our titular star-crossed lovers still can’t escape their tragic fate. As Romeo finds what he believes to be Juliet’s deceased corpse in a church, he feels compelled to ingest a fatal poison. Though she regains consciousness at the same time, the damage is already done. Unable to go on without him, she proceeds to take her own life as well. It’s safe to say that knowing such a harrowing end is coming doesn’t take away its sting.
#4: Will Walks Away “Five Feet Apart” (2019)
Top 10 Most Heartbreaking Scenes in DC Animated Movies
Will and Stella both have the genetic disease cystic fibrosis, prompting them to maintain a (mostly) safe distance from each other for the majority of the movie. She’s waiting for a lung transplant, while he’s pinning his hopes on a drug trial. Despite the lack of physical proximity, their relationship is full of intimate moments. So it feels like a real punch to the gut when he has to leave her. Their goodbye is simply gut-wrenching. Granted, it’s necessary. The medicine failed him, and it’s the only way he can make sure not to infect her following her transplant. Still, we can’t help but wish there was another way as we lose it watching her flip through the drawings he left her.
#3: Heart-To-Heart “A Walk to Remember” (2002)
Top 5 Heart Stopping Moments From The Passenger
There’s no shortage of tragic moments in this 2002 film. Of course, many of them involve teenagers Landon Carter and Jamie Sullivan. But one scene that tugs at our heartstrings every time shines a light on the bond between Jamie and her dad. While she’s hospitalized for leukemia, they have an incredibly moving conversation. Seeing the Reverend open up about the loss of his wife and his desire to protect his daughter never fails to make us emotional. Their fierce love for each other is evident, and makes her inevitable fate that much harder to digest. This interaction between the father-daughter duo is understated, yet absolutely heartbreaking.
#2: The Eulogy Letter “The Fault in Our Stars” (2014)
Top 20 Saddest Scenes in Teen Movies
We were already struggling to hold it together during Augustus Waters’s pre-funeral. And things didn’t get any less heartbreaking as we watched Hazel Grace grieve the loss of her love after his passing. But it’s the film’s ending that really makes us burst into a puddle of tears. Hazel realizes that the piece of mail Peter Van Houten gave her at the funeral is actually filled with Gus’s very important thoughts. Knowing she wanted him to eulogize her, he did. And what beautiful words he chose for the occasion. They capture her essence - and their magical relationship - wonderfully. We’d definitely recommend keeping a big box of tissues handy for this one.
#1: Never Letting Go “Titanic” (1997)
Top 20 I Love You Scenes in Movies
Jack and Rose’s relationship is anchored by an undeniable - and unbreakable - connection. It’s the kind of love most of us dream of finding. That’s why the tragic way their story ends continues to resonate with people today. Their parting scene is heavy, emotional, and quite distressing. She wants nothing more than for him to wake up, but it’s too late. Right before Jack is swallowed up by the Atlantic, Rose vows to never let go of the promise she made him. She keeps her word, and lives a full life. Thanks to exquisite performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, it’s easy to believe in the couple. That also means it never gets easier to watch their final moments together without weeping.
