Top 20 Most EPIC Self Sacrifices in Movie History

#20: Harry

“Armageddon” (1998)

A group of tradesmen become astronauts, risking their lives to save the world from a deadly asteroid. Harry Stamper is one of them and he proves to be the most heroic of all. Taking one giant leap for mankind, the oil driller makes the ultimate sacrifice in space. The bomb needs one brave soul to set it off. Stamper doesn’t second guess the opportunity, making his future son-in-law go home alive. The ridiculous movie tugs at your heartstrings despite its unbelievable setting. Bruce Willis’ character does it all to save his daughter and the Earth.

#19: Will

“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” (2007)

As each sequel became bigger and crazier, the franchise built to this thrilling moment. Captain Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swann, and Will Turner find themselves in a fight with Davy Jones. To make things more complicated, the heroes have to go after the villain’s heart. Turner steps up to the plate and makes the climactic move. Not only does he defeat Jones, he dooms himself to a life at sea. The humble blacksmith makes a sacrifice despite his possible future with Swann. With an exciting finish, “At World’s End” also provides a surprisingly bittersweet ending. It just goes to show that even pirates can do the right thing.

#18: Yondu

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017)

He might not be Peter Quill’s father, but Yondu Udonta helped raise the hero as a Ravager. This makes Udonta’s exit all the more moving. Despite his harder edge, the paternal figure wants what’s best for Quill. The helpful ally saves Star-Lord from a bomb blast and flies them into space. Only one can live, making this a one-way flight for the mentor character. Michael Rooker’s character proves to himself, his adoptive son, and the audience that he’s much better than the all-powerful Ego. His meaningful and sentimental sendoff shows that this sacrifice speaks volumes.

#17: Father Damien Karras

“The Exorcist” (1973)

This classic horror tale follows priests as they try to help a possessed girl. Their attempts at an exorcism force them to confront their beliefs, with Father Damien Karras choosing to put his life on the line. He pleads with the demon to make an existential swap and it’s a decision that nobody would take lightly. With Karras under the evil spell, the young Regan is back to normal. The hero then leaps out a window in his compromised state. Mortally wounded, the man hopefully dies knowing what he’s done to help. It’s an amazing finale that shows the lengths someone will go to defeat an otherworldly presence.

#16: Wikus

“District 9” (2009)

In the beginning, he’s a company man that follows orders. Wikus van de Merwe doesn’t care about the alien population at all. Once he’s infected and starts to transform, he starts to change his tune. He then becomes an unlikely hero as he helps Christopher Johnson and his son. This involves manning an exo-suit and battling mercenaries. He fends them off while his allies escape, with some help from other unexpected friends. The destructive and violent scene is full of serious danger. While he survives, his fate is ultimately in question as he awaits his friend’s return. We can only hope that someone comes back for him considering his incredible feat.

#15: Nux

“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015)

As one of the War Boys, this guy is basically programmed to do as he’s told. This makes his turn into a hero all that more surprising. Chased by Immortan Joe and his followers, the main group deal with some serious struggles. Nux eventually crashes and blocks the incoming enemies. This proves that he’s courageous after all, but for a much better cause. It’s also a scene that gives Max and Furiosa another chance. Striking a blow against the villains, this sacrifice offers the others serious hope. It’s also heartbreaking to watch such a transformative character die in this way.

#14: Russell Casse

“Independence Day” (1996)

Who’s going to take out the alien threat? Pilot Russell Casse might seem crazy at first, but he’s also braver than most. The exciting climax finds the forces of earth fighting against the extra-terrestrial threat. Casse then has the opportunity to dish out a devastating blow. By flying his plane into the ship, he causes a huge explosion that sends the enemies packing. He ends up being among the most consequential characters in the entire story. While “Independence Day” is full of heroic people, you could make an argument that this one does the most damage.

#13: Basically Everyone

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016)

It’s rare in a “Star Wars” movie to see this kind of destruction. The heroes of “Rogue One” want the plans for the Death Star, knowing they might not make it out alive. They all go to extraordinary lengths to help the Rebel Alliance. As Andor and Erso send away the important data, they die in a massive Empire strike. The heroes do everything for the good of the galaxy. Risking everything for a good cause, the brave group prove that this revolution is built upon sacrifice. Thankfully for fans, they get to spend more time with some of these people on the TV show.

#12: Bing Bong

“Inside Out” (2015)

Like clockwork, Pixar makes us cry once again. This time they create the imaginary friend Bing Bong. In order for Joy to help Riley, she needs help from this elephant. This all means that the host must accept sadness and leave some of her childhood in the memory dump. The movie then delivers a blow to our inner kid, showing the unconditional love the character has for his old friend. It’s a sudden disappearance that leaves you feeling especially nostalgic. While he might be gone, the role certainly leaves a mark on this emotional journey.

#11: Jean Grey

“X2” (2003)

In order for the X-Men to fly from Stryker’s base, they need some clearance for their X-Jet. The powerful Jean Grey then shows off the true potential of her abilities. She’s able to manipulate the incoming water, helping her team to safety. Grey’s love for her friends seems to know no bounds here. Risking her own death by drowning, the hero shows that she can’t standby while her allies face almost certain doom. It’s an impactful scene that seems biblical in terms of scale and decisive action. Even if she rises again as the Phoenix, this feels like a permanent change to this character’s future.

#10: Gorman & Vasquez

“Aliens” (1986)

When you start watching a movie from the “Alien” franchise, you know that most people aren’t going to make it out alive. These two soldiers are no different. Facing the fearsome xenomorphs, this pair makes a permanent statement. The resulting blast takes out a few enemies and buys the remaining heroes some time. It might be an action cliche, but it certainly feels like an important gesture here. The creepy aliens force the crew to give it their all. Fueled by some serious explosives, this sacrifice packs a huge punch. It doesn’t quite get the job done, but it does lead indirectly to Ripley’s last battle. The brutal scenes before it still aren’t lost on the audience.

#9: Katniss

“The Hunger Games” (2012)

She thinks she’s saving her sister from certain death, but she’s really starting a revolution. Katniss Everdeen takes the place of her sister Primrose in “The Hunger Games.” Volunteering as tribute, the hero becomes something more than anyone could’ve imagined. She puts her life on the line and ends up going all the way. Everdeen is strong willed, skilled with a bow, and a perfect candidate for the competition. The protagonist later proves to be a pivotal force in fighting the government. With her fairness and conviction, the unexpected warrior shows what it takes to help out a sibling.

#8: James Bond

“No Time to Die” (2021)

Some fans never thought it would happen. “No Time to Die” brings Daniel Craig’s tenure to an end, while also saying goodbye to James Bond. The hero finds himself infected with nanobots on a villain’s island. If he leaves, the secret agent might endanger his loved ones. Bond then chooses to stay and let the incoming missiles take him out. It’s a bold choice, but one that’s necessary in order to protect his partner and child. The twist also shows that the man isn’t indestructible after all. People will have to wait for a reboot to see him again, but nobody will forget this ending any time soon.

#7: Steve Rogers

“Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011)

With an experimental procedure, Steve Rogers transforms into a patriotic hero. His fight against Red Skull leads to an exciting plane scene. Everything comes down to one decision, with the title character having to save the day once more. The fully-loaded aircraft poses a threat with its precious cargo. Rogers decides to down the vehicle, sealing his fate in a frozen tundra. It’s just one in a long line of heroic deeds from the first Avenger. Even if he ends up coming back, he puts in a valiant effort to help out mankind. The protagonist also raises the bar for his allies.

#6: Iron Giant

“The Iron Giant” (1999)

He might be all clinks and clanks, but the title character still has heart. “The Iron Giant” follows the unlikely friendship between boy and machine. In the end, the latter takes care of a missile headed for Rockwell. The explosive could’ve taken out a whole bunch of people otherwise. Thankfully for everyone nearby, the giant has a selfless side and can act at a moment’s notice. The sacrificial gesture speaks volumes about the robot’s surprising humanity. There’s hope in the end that the character will inevitably return. Devastating the other heroes, this choice still hits home.

#5: Rick

“Casablanca” (1942)

He’s maybe the greatest anti-hero in Hollywood history. You love him and sometimes hate him, but Rick Blaine knows what he must do. He takes his old flame Ilsa Lund to the airport and sends her away. Rather than making a selfish move, the man risks his own neck to save someone else. He also knows that this will prevent the possibility of a fairytale ending. As Major Strasser comes by, Blaine also needs to shoot his way out. The character isn’t afraid of getting his hands dirty in order to save the day. “Casablanca” wouldn’t be the same without this finale, captivating audiences with the last choice.

#4: Doctor Octopus

“Spider-Man 2” (2004)

With his mechanized arms, Dr. Otto Octavius wreaks havoc in this thrilling sequel. His experimental machine becomes the focus of the final fight. When he can’t control it anymore, the villain realizes what he must do to his own technology. He puts aside his beef with Spider-Man and chooses to save the city. After his evil arc, the man proves he’s still got some good left in him. Octavius destroys everything, lets his rival escape, and loses his life in the process. It’s quite the reversal for a complicated guy fueled by grief and vengeance.

#3: Spock

“Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (1982)

For many sci-fi fans, this one might still hit close to home. The famed Vulcan makes the ultimate sacrifice to save his fellow crew members. Following Khan’s reappearance, the Enterprise comes to grips with advanced technology and their mortality. Spock then chooses to sacrifice himself. It’s a startling decision that everyone takes hard, but Kirk especially struggles to understand it. Few deaths are as impactful in that genre. He might be more closed off in terms of emotions, but the captain knows that the benefits outweigh the cost. It’s still an effective ending regardless of the sequel.

#2: Tony Stark

“Avengers: Endgame” (2019)

After all the films before it, “Avengers: Endgame” brought an era of Marvel stories to a triumphant close. This meant that some heroes couldn’t make it to the end. It’s only fitting that Tony Stark doesn’t survive, but he goes out with an amazing maneuver. The hero wears the infinity gauntlet and unleashes a mighty snap. The resulting energy kills him, but it’s all for the betterment of the universe. Stark’s death comes after other characters like Black Widow give their lives for the cause. It’s a satisfying and heartbreaking end to an iconic role.

#1: T-800

“Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991)

In this time-travel adventure, the T-800 must protect John Connor from the T-1000. This leads to a spectacular battle at a steel mill. After the enemy goes down, the heroic cyborg mentions that he has to die all the same. This leads to one of the franchise’s most heartfelt scenes. Connor cries as he embraces his protector, later watching as his friend gets lowered into molten steel. Nothing can stop the future bodyguard from completing its mission. With all the awesome action in this film, this quiet moment leaves a serious impression. You suddenly realize that you’ve become attached to an android.

Did we forget another cinematic sacrifice? Let us know in the comments below.