Top 10 Emotional Movie Scenes

I’m not crying, you’re crying.

You know a film is good when it can pull at your heartstrings. Our team at ScreenHeads have put their heads together and come up with our top 10 cry-worthy moments from films.

Get your tissues at the ready as we relive them below…

10. Will and Louisa in Switzerland – Me Before You (2016)

Sam Claflin and Emelia Clarke make sure we are wiping away a tear or two during their final scene in this film. Based on the novel of the same name by Jojo Moyes, Clarke plays a young, seemingly helpless woman who gets a job as a carer for a disabled wealthy young man played by Claflin.

As you’d expect, the unlikely pair eventually fall in love. However, said love implodes when Claflin’s Will reveals he can’t live with his motionless body any longer and plans to end his life in Switzerland. Clarke’s Louisa quits and walks away, but soon enough finds herself at Will’s bedside in Switzerland to say goodbye. The scene gives us a sweet and heartfelt ending for the pair.

9. The toys go into the furnace – Toy Story 3 (2010)

An almost emotional blow that would have audiences of all ages. The third instalment around the toys of Andy’s room was filled with heart and bittersweet goodbyes. But, its the big climax of the film that has our jaws dropping.

As Woody and the team escape the clutches of the evil Lotso Huggin’ Bear, they wind up in a furnace which slowly but surely is pulling them into a fiery abyss. Accepting their fate, the toys all hold hands as they prepare to burn to a crisp as a family. Yes, it’s an animated film. Yes, in hindsight of course they were going to survive. Yes, if you don’t understand because you’re not a Toy Story fan mind your business!

8. Littlefoot’s mother dies – The Land Before Time (1989)

Maybe not a inclusion that many people will remember nowadays, but go back and watch – you’ll understand why it has made it into our countdown.

Set in a time where dinosaurs roam the earth, young “long-neck” Littlefoot ventures through the world to be with her grandparents after her mother is killed defending him from a “sharp-tooth”. Needless to say, watching Littlefoot’s final interaction with his mother as she dies is heartbreaking to watch even for adults, and the musical score of course makes it hit us even harder.

7. “It’s not your fault” – Good Will Hunting (1997)

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s screenwriting debut earned them Oscars and critical acclaim, with this scene being one of the many reasons for both. Telling the story of a young prodigy named Will Hunting who is prepared for a life using his skills, we also see as the character is given therapeutic sessions by a college teacher played by the late great Robin Williams.

Throughout the film we find out more and more about the upbringing of Matt Damon’s Will, culminating in the revelation that he was physically abused growing up. This leads to the famous ‘it’s not your fault’ scene where Williams’ character repeatedly says the phrase to Will so he can come to terms with his past and also understand that he did nothing to deserve it. We get a tearful performance from Damon and not a dry eye for anyone who views it.

6. Mufasa’s death – The Lion King (1994)

The animated film that made everyone weary of having a potentially evil uncle. The Lion King has become potentially the most famous animated film in history, and so because of this the death of Mufasa is legendary for breaking the hearts of viewers around the world.

Jealous of his brother and nephew’s hierarchy as king and future king, the vicious Scar, voiced by Jeremy Irons, plays mastermind in causing a stamp-head that almost kills the young Simba. King Mufasa, voiced by James Earl Jones, rushes to the scene and quickly gets his son out of harms way, only to be pushed off a cliff by Scar who then blames Simba for his own father’s death. The scene of Simba finding Mufasa’s body is known to still choke up fans today, almost 30 years after its release.

5. Carl and Ellie’s love story – Up (2009)

Another example of Disney showing they don’t look down to kids. Up‘s opening sequence features our main character Carl as he meets the tomboyish Ellie when they’re both children. from there, we watch them blossom into a couple, get married and share a home together.

Not everything is sunshine and daisies sadly, as we show the pair going through a miscarriage and illnesses, which sees Ellie eventually passing away. Though this kicks us into the main adventure of the film, it is a very poignant and honest sequence which almost acts as a short film in itself. Beautifully executed and sure to make anyone with a heart’s eyes fill up.

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4. Wade and Vanessa in Heaven – Deadpool 2 (2016)

Probably an unexpected inclusion, and probably least unlikely to be this high in the countdown, but you can thank AHA for this. Deadpool 2, though viewed as a comedy/action superhero film, gives us a very emotional final scene for Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson and his recently departed lover Vanessa played by Morena Baccarin.

Wade passes away momentarily and is able to reunite with Vanessa, passing into Heaven which takes away his scarred body and gives him a chance to say sorry for her loss. With a sombre version of AHA’s Take On Me playing over it, the film quickly switches from action-filled to tear-eyed drama as it pulls the rug from under our feet.

3. Tony Stark’s death – Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Avengers: Endgame tied up a lot of loose ends from the first three phases of the MCU, including the story of Tony Stark. Growing from a selfish narcissist to a fully fledged hero, Robert Downey Jr’s Stark ends his story in Endgame by putting the universe’s fate before his own as he uses the Infinity Stones to snap Josh Brolin’s Thanos and his army out of existence, knowing full will his own life will be taken with them.

The final moments of his character on screen show his on-screen wife telling him he can finally rest knowing everyone is safe as his arc reactor’s light finally dims. The MCU has a reputation for being able to bring emotion into their stories, but this – having an 11 year build up – break the hearts of Iron Man fans across the universe.

2. Marley is put down – Marley & Me (2008)

When it comes to the loss of furry friends in film, you know it’s guaranteed to give you puffy eyes. Marley & Me, probably the most famous dog-based movie of recent decades, tells the story of golden retriever Marley as he is raised by a couple played by Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston.

As he watch the ups and downs of the couple’s life together, Marley is always there until he himself succumbs to illnesses and needs to be put down. Though Wilson is mainly known for his comedy chops, his final scene with his on-screen pet is he is put to rest is sure to make you appreciate man’s best friend more than ever before.

1. Sam and Molly say goodbye – Ghost (1990)

Nicking the top spot is romantic classic that helped to make pottery sexy somehow! Yes, Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore star in the global hit that features a man who is killed and sticks around to watch over his grieving lover.

After stopping his killer and ex-best friend from succeeding in their plans, Swayze’s Sam is finally at peace and gets to speak to Moore’s Molly before entering Heaven. The final scene of the film is stunningly executed and brings a new meaning to the word ‘ditto’. If you want happy/bittersweet tears whilst getting a few laughs from Whoopi Goldberg, tune in and be thrown by the film’s ending.

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Like our top 10 choices? Agree or disagree? Want to tell us your own choices? Let us know in the comment section below!