Top 10 TV Moments that Made Us Happy Cry
These are the tv moments that made us happy cry! For this list, we're looking at moments from television series that elicited a major emotional reaction from us, but for all the right reasons. We've included TV moments from shows like Game of Thrones, New Girl, Glee, Gilmore Girls, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The office, Black Mirror, This is Us, The Vampire Diaries and Friends.
#10: Sansa & Jon Reunite
“Game of Thrones” (2011-)
“Game of Thrones” makes us cry...a lot, but it’s rarely because of lovely moments like this. Sansa and Jon both endured horrific trials in the series’ previous seasons. Thanks to their bravery, resilience, and a bit of luck, both came out on top and Sansa was escorted to the Wall to see her supposed half-brother. It’s astounding to think that these characters had never interacted on screen before this, but the plight of House Stark carries so much weight to the viewers that the love and relief they felt is palpable. It’s dangerous to let your guard down in Westeros, but this gave us a glimmer of hope in a dark world.
#9: Schmidt Proposes to Cece
“New Girl” (2011-)
Top 10 Best Cece & Schmidt Moments on New Girl
Schmidt has a reputation as TV’s most lovable douchebag, but moments like this show how much his character has developed. After yet another breakup with Cece, he’s unable to shake the memory of her. When Jess lets Cece’s true feelings for him slip, he makes a huge decision. Cece returns from her trip and Schmidt proposes to her, fulfilling the promise he made to her in the first season. It was a surprise to see such an immature character providing the show with one of its most heartfelt moments, but that’s just a testament to Max Greenfield’s impeccable performance. It was so sweet that even Schmidt couldn’t help but happy cry!
#8: Kurt Comes Out
“Glee” (2009-15)
Top 10 Unforgettable Kurt & Blaine Moments on Glee
Kurt Hummel was one of “Glee’s” breakout characters, particularly for the way the show handled his journey as a young gay man. His struggles begin early in the series, after he joins the football team to impress his father. After his Beyoncé choreography is able to win the game, the two share a sweet moment. Mustering up all of his courage, he admits the truth to his dad, but Mr. Hummel actually isn’t surprised. Burt is the kind of dad we all would love to have, and both performances are on point in the scene. It’s a perfect microcosm of the show’s themes about embracing yourself just the way you are.
#7: Rory’s Valedictory Speech
“Gilmore Girls” (2000-07; 2016)
Top 10 Rory Gilmore Moments That Make Us Yell at Our TVs
The mother/daughter relationship between Rory and Lorelai has always been at the heart of “Gilmore Girls.” As the third season came to a close, Rory graduated from Chilton as valedictorian, and gives a beautiful speech, which she dedicates to her best friend and mother. It puts Rory’s intelligence and Lorelai’s lovable vulnerability on full display, while also getting a few laughs out of the other audience members’ reactions. As Lorelai and Sookie try their best to keep it together, we as viewers experienced the same struggle.
#6: Buffy Wins the Class Protector Award
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
Top 10 Most Shocking Buffy the Vampire Slayer Moments
Even a casual “Buffy” viewer knows that she saved the world...a lot. She even does it right before showing up to her senior prom! When she arrives, she is surprised with a special award. Jonathan gives a heartfelt speech on behalf of her classmates, who are grateful to her for saving their lives time and time again. What’s particularly poignant about the scene is that Buffy’s job is all too often a thankless one, with her immense accomplishments mostly being overlooked. Now, at the end of her high school career, she learns that she never actually flew under the radar, but was regarded as a hero even by those who didn’t know her.
#5: Jim & Pam’s Wedding
“The Office” [US] (2005-13)
Top 10 How I Met Your Mother Moments That Made Us Happy Cry
Before Jim and Pam’s wedding at Niagara Falls, their coworkers manage to ruin everything, naturally. Pam’s neuroses are at a major high but when Jim talks her off the ledge, it proves how perfect of a couple they are. They begin to understand that the wedding isn’t about everything going perfectly, but rather about sharing their love with friends and family, no matter how absurd they can be. As it turns out, they had their own private ceremony beneath the falls as part of Jim’s backup plan. The cherry on top of the adorable moment is Jim’s insistence that he wanted to marry Pam since the day he met her.
#4: Heaven Is a Place on Earth
“Black Mirror” (2011-)
The Horrifying True Story of Under the Banner of Heaven
“Black Mirror” might be one of the bleakest shows on television, which is why it “San Junipero” was such a surprise. Kelly and Yorkie are elderly women who connect as younger versions of themselves in a digital world. Yorkie plans on having her consciousness permanently transferred there when she dies, but Kelly is hesitant, because her late husband and daughter weren’t able to do so. Ultimately, Kelly decides to upload herself after death, and the two get to spend eternity together in their own personal heaven. Seeing the bliss on their faces as they realize what they have to look forward to is one of the most beautiful and optimistic TV scenes in recent memory.
#3: The Final Scene
“The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17)
Top 20 Sitcom Moments That Made Us Happy Cry
When a series comes to an end, it must walk a fine line between satisfying viewers and coming to a natural conclusion. “The Vampire Diaries” did this masterfully in the series’ final moments. Damon and Elena end up together as she provides exquisite narration, describing the peace and happiness that she’s able to find after her long and happy life. As the show’s run comes to a close, Damon and Stefan are also able to find peace with one another as they reunite in the afterlife. The scene is a surprisingly uplifting end to a series that revelled in darkness.
#2: Rebecca Chooses Randall
“This Is Us” (2016-)
Top 10 Best Rebecca Moments on Ted Lasso
The Pearson family comes full circle in this beautiful moment that encapsulates the uplifting themes of the show. In a flashback to 1980, Rebecca and Jack lose one of their triplets in the birthing process. As Rebecca grieves this loss, she decides to fill the hole in her heart by adopting Randall, and here we get to see their first meeting. The scene is intercut with present-day Rebecca speaking to Randall’s newborn daughter, explaining to her the hopefulness that life offers. The natural writing and Mandy Moore’s sincere performance make this critical moment one of the series’ most poignant, and in a series like this, that’s saying something.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions
Will & Grace Reunite
“Will & Grace” (1998-2006; 2017-)
I Love You & I Like You
“Parks and Recreation” (2009-15)
Cam & Mitch Get Married
“Modern Family” (2009-)
#1: Rachel Gets Off the Plane
“Friends” (1994-2004)
Top 10 Unforgettable Rachel & Finn Moments
There is no shortage of heartstring-tugging moments on “Friends,” including Monica and Chandler’s joint proposal, but that moment has nothing on this one. Ross and Rachel’s will they/won’t they dynamic was at the core of the series finale, as Rachel prepares to leave for her new job in Paris and Ross debates sharing his feelings with her. Just when it seemed like things weren’t going to work out, Ross finds a voicemail Rachel left for him. In a tense and emotional moment, we’re left wondering along with Ross if she’ll make it back to him. When she does, we were left with a moment we’ll never forget.
