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30 Movies With Extremely Upsetting Endings That You Probably Don’t Want To Watch With Your Kids
Interview With Expert
Time for a cozy movie night! Grab the popcorn, gummy bears, chocolate-covered raisins, and I'll prepare the fluffy blankets. Put on your PJs, grab your sparkling beverage of choice, and settle into the couch. Now, what would you like to watch this evening: an uplifting film full of laughter and joy or a depressing drama that will turn you into a puddle of tears?
Redditors have been discussing movies that have anything but a happy ending, so we’ve gathered some of the saddest ones below. If you’re looking for something to watch with your kids, you might want to skip these. But if you’re in the mood for some much-needed catharsis, keep these heartbreaking films in mind! And continue reading to find a conversation with John Barker, Managing Director at All The Right Movies.
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#1
The Green Mile.
I spent the whole movie hoping for the truth to come out and for him to be exonerated.
>!Then the truth comes out and everyone that matters is poised to do exactly that and the poor f**k is just so tired and beaten down from all the hate and hurt in the world that he just wants to get it over with. Everyone involved knows full and damn well he's innocent and they go ahead with the e*******n anyway, because this literal angel full of childlike love and innocence basically begs them to set him free from this mean a*s world. !<
It's one of only a couple of movies that are both on my "Favorite movies of all time" list and also on me "Can never ever watch it again" list.
RELATED:
#2
Stand By Me. Listening to narrator talk about how friends fade into obscurity and only memories remain becomes more relatable every time I watch it.
Awesomekip:
“I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?”
Hits hard.
#3
Hands down it's Grave of the Fireflies.
ravravioli:
In the 90s, my parents found this movie for us because we loved Totoro. They put it on for us and then went out to dinner. They came back to utter chaos. 20+ years later I am still traumatized.
PeepPeep the duck 1 day ago
Accidentally traumatised my ex with this one too. The whole way through is so emotional
To learn more about some of these surprisingly sad films, we reached out to John Barker, Managing Director at All The Right Movies. He was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and discuss some films that would certainly fit on this list.
"Some of the most memorable films ever made have downbeat endings: Casablanca, where Rick sacrifices his chance at happiness with Ilsa is timeless," John shared. "A more modern (and equally devastating) one is Million Dollar Baby, where Frankie turns off Maggie's life-support system."
"Maybe the saddest for me, though, is Chinatown, where Evelyn is shot, and her daughter is left alone with her abusive father," the cinephile says. "Truly tragic and highlights the theme of the film, the futility of fighting corruption."
#4
What Dreams May Come.
anon:
I was scrolling through to see if this had been mentioned. That whole movie is sad and depressing. Beautifully done and an incredible performance by Robin Williams but good lord I can’t watch it again.
#5
Dead Poets Society.
ihavesomestuff:
In my top 10 favorite movies. One of the few movies that destroyed me emotionally but I've still watched multiple times. It's just that good.
#6
My girl. His glasses, he can't see without his glasses.
Professional-Text495:
Saw that movie in the theatre. No one expected that- they thought it was going to be another comedy from that kid in Home Alone.
My biggest memory from that movie was walking up the aisle and seeing kleenex all on the ground from people wiping their tears.
It was several years later when I'd see that much kleenex on the ground leaving a theater, but that time it was for "eyes wide shut."
Huddo's sister 2 days ago
Kids dying has always hit me harder than anything else (though I guess that's understandable since two of my brothers died before I was 20).
On the other hand, we wanted to know if there were any upsetting films that John wouldn't ever want to watch again.
"Requiem for a Dream is one; a film about addiction that ends with all characters in varying states of ruin," he shared. "A finale far too bleak for more than one viewing - for me, anyway."
"The Boy In The Striped Pajamas: Set during the H*******t, the ending involves the death of the main characters," he continued. "Something we've seen before, but the way in which it happens (no spoilers) is pretty shattering, and unexpected."
"The one that stayed with me the longest was probably Grave of the Fireflies," John added. "It's an animation, but there's not much you can call fun about it. Set during World War II and following the tale of two orphans, describing the end would reveal too much. It's superb, but you'll probably not want to watch it again."
#7
Old Yeller. Sad ending for a good dog.
#8
The boy in the striped Pajamas.
PaperStSoapCO_:
God damn I recently rewatched this and it f****d me up real good. Everything about it, obviously the ending but I was bawling through the entire thing. It hurts me.
Huddo's sister 2 days ago
Fantastic book and movie though. Also, you have to expect that it's going to be depressing, given the subject matter.
#9
Hachi: A Dog's Tale - a serious tearjerker this one.
michyeosseo1998:
Even to this day, I tear up the moment I hear the soundtrack of the movie, let alone watch the movie itself...
Finally, we wanted to know if John believes viewers should go into a film knowing that there will be a sad ending or if the element of surprise can make these endings more powerful.
"Knowing a film has a sad ending allows the viewer to prepare themselves, meaning they can focus on how the story is crafted, or on what the message of the film is - this is probably a benefit for more artistic filmmakers," he noted. "On the other hand, the act of unfolding a story can be an artform in itself. A sad ending can be a more powerful and memorable way to climax your story, and the user not knowing what is coming allows a filmmaker to build narrative tension - a key part of many films."
#10
Marley and me.
Oh god I started watching this, got sucked in even though I KNEW how the ending would go. My bf came home in the middle of it, asked me why the f**k was I watching this, and then just handed me a roll of toilet paper. (We only bought actual Kleenex if someone was sick.) PS I used half of it.
#11
Million dollar baby
xMCioffi1986x:
Yeah, there's no tiptoeing or silver lining, it's just brutally honest "your life can completely change in a split second and sometimes there is no happy ending."
Laura Noemi Diaz 2 days ago
Oh no, I've forgotten about this one. Not going to watch this one ever again. Brilliant but disturbing
#12
The Fox and the Hound.
arothmanmusic:
I saw that in the theatre as a birthday party. You know what ruins a birthday party? A bunch of crying children. That ruins a birthday party.
Vanessa Steis 2 days ago
I watch it every few years 'cause it's one of my favorites, but I cry every time.
"It can depend on genre too," John continued. "Going into a war or horror film, a viewer has certain expectations and is probably more prepared for a potential sad ending than they might be if watching another genre. This is one of the reasons Grave of the Fireflies hits so hard."
"As with many things in movies, to say which 'works better' is totally subjective," the cinephile added. "Most viewers probably want to have expectations subverted. There are some, though, who might find a shock, sad ending genuinely upsetting. Cinema is all about storytelling so it is - or should be - the filmmaker's call on how the story is told. If they think the tale works best with a sad ending - surprise or not - they are the ones to make that creative decision."
#13
The Land Before Time.
That's a tragedy for those poor dino kids. Heck. That movie even reminds me of my dead pets. To top it off, the melancholic tone of "If We Hold On Together" by Diana Ross as its main theme. It gets me everytime.
Big Bear Buchko 1 day ago
The fact that one of the principal child actresses was murdered by her father shortly after it came out is what haunts me during re-watch.
#14
Requiem for a Dream.
connorlukebyrne:
Best movie no one ever wants to watch twice.
Johnnynatfan 1 day ago
Ive seen it a few times only because I watched it with people who had never seen it before. It does not get any easier to watch. Its such a sad movie
#15
Pan's Labyrinth.
Kuhneel:
Between the bottle scene and the ending, I don't think I could sit through it again.
Amazing, but emotionally exhausting.
Rachelle 1 day ago
Okay, not a popular opinion, but for me the ending WAS happy. Whether it was her fantasy or not, Ofelia found the family she was searching for and was reunited with the idealized version of her mother and father in a world that radiates joy and love. The world she left was one of hurt, betrayal, famine and depression. I think a lot of people would love that after a life of misery.
#16
Se7en
Cynthus68:
This is the one that popped into my head right away. That was horrible. Definitely no warm and fuzzy feels with that ending.
"What's in the boooox?"
Jayne Gilbert 1 day ago
First movie I saw where nobody in the theatre got up during the credits!
#17
Bridge to Terabithia, I saw that movie as a kid and rewatched it last year and again I cried like a b***h.
Kotekan:
I was NOT prepared for that in the slightest, me and my best friend sat in shock.
#18
Donnie Darko. That rendition of the song Mad World further makes the ending more depressing and full of dread.
#19
The Lovely Bones.
Sammie2Dope:
I cannot finish this movie without getting anxiety and stressing out. This is one of the saddest movies.
#20
One who flew over the cuckoo's nest.
#21
The road.
Cloaked42m:
I read the book. Once.
I'm never reading it again or watching the movie. They should have a warning on that thing.
#22
Forrest Gump!
I cry every single time I watch the scene where he visits Jenny's grave. Tom Hanks’ talent is extraordinary!
Surly Scot 1 day ago
When he starts crying saying "He's so smart, Jenny, he's so smart" about their son....floodgates open.
#23
The Mist. I think it's why they made an alternate ending.
Anon:
One of the only movies I can remember watching in theater that had me legit mad after walking out, because it was just so good, but so painful.
I didn't even realize until seeing it pointed out later down the line that it was even worse because, as I recall, a woman who left early in the movie to save her kids, crying that nobody would come out to accompany her, was part of the group of people being escorted by the military.
F**king hell, that movie is a good one.
#24
Atonement.
pinkleaf8:
I had no idea what the movie was about & was blown away by it & then have never been able to stop thinking about what happened - the injustice, the separation before their love even got started, the sadness, the deaths.
#25
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father.
beamer4:
Yes. Worst part is this isn’t fan fiction, it’s a real life nightmare that no family ever deserved. One of the few times I have felt physically gutted regarding people I’ve never met.
#26
Leaving Las Vegas.
moinatx:
This one wrecked me for some time. When people hate on Nic Cage as an actor I think about how affecting he was in this film.
Emma Stowe 1 day ago
The book is incredibly sad, especially as it's semi autobiographical and it's author, John O'Brien, struggled with alcoholism for years and killed himself not long after selling the rights to the book. Being a recovery alcoholic myself I related to so much of it.
#27
Memento is a singular movie to me where I thought it was brilliant and I never want to watch it ever again.
YariAttano:
The ending lines are forever burned into my mind:
“I have to believe in a world outside my own mind. I have to believe that my actions still have meaning, even if I can’t remember them. I have to believe that when my eyes are closed, the world’s still there. Do I believe the world’s still there? Is it still out there?... Yeah. We all need mirrors to remind ourselves who we are. I’m no different.”
#28
No Country for Old Men. Nobody wins, except maybe Anton.
Research_Liborian:
This...x 10.
Only movie that ever left me hungover, despite my watching it completely sober.
#29
The Butterfly Effect.
hellsbelle51:
I actually watched it with the Directors cut playing. didnt know. felt so f**king empty inside after that.
#30
Brokeback Mountain.
Anon:
I put off watching this for so many years because I knew it was sad. I watched it this year, a few months after my relationship didn't work out. I think I had to carry the movie sadness with me for months. I don't know if I can watch it ever again.
T'Mar of Vulcan 1 day ago
I found this movie so boring, but maybe that was because I read the short story and didn't like the author's writing style. Mainly, though, it took me about 20 minutes to read the story and the movie went on for two hours with the same amount of material. The actors all did good jobs, but having been spoiled by amazing slash fanfic for a number of great shows, this just didn't compare.
Note: this post originally had 62images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
What do you think ?
Tiny Dancer 1 day ago
To HELL with your censors, BP. Right now, today, in current times, please don't erase the word H*O*L*O*C*A*U*S*T. Damn. 80th anniversary just yesterday and it's being censored. Wow.
Justanotherpanda 1 day ago
Watership down (1978), NOT your average kids cartoon. Beautiful movie though.
Surly Scot 1 day ago
Every child's brain should be warped and destroyed by this movie. It does it in the 'right' way. I know that sounds strange.
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Tiny Dancer 1 day ago
To HELL with your censors, BP. Right now, today, in current times, please don't erase the word H*O*L*O*C*A*U*S*T. Damn. 80th anniversary just yesterday and it's being censored. Wow.
Justanotherpanda 1 day ago
Watership down (1978), NOT your average kids cartoon. Beautiful movie though.
Surly Scot 1 day ago
Every child's brain should be warped and destroyed by this movie. It does it in the 'right' way. I know that sounds strange.
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