When it comes to movies, the expectation is that the heroes will come out on top anytime there’s a battle of good vs. evil. Anything different creates a major shock amongst people due to how unusual it is to see. But sometimes, stories make it necessary for one of the heroes to fall. It adds stakes, helps draw out further emotions, and, when done right, can add a lot to a story. Warning: Spoilers ahead.
The Lion King
One of the classic examples of a hero dying in a movie comes from The Lion King. Disney movies might be created for the entire family, but the company has never shied away from pushing people’s emotions with some upsetting scenes. Mufasa’s death certainly proves that as Scar ends up betraying his brother to set up the main story arc for Simba.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings franchise is a classic example of good vs. evil, with the entire trilogy being about the Fellowship banding together with the rest of Middle Earth in a quest to stop Sauron and destroy the One Ring. Of course, to make three movies like this compelling, the story has to have stakes, and that’s made clear at the end of the first film. Boromir might be a conflicted character at times, but he’s ultimately a hero and one who falls brutally.
James Bond: No Time to Die
James Bond is one of the ultimate movie heroes, with the British spy always seemingly managing to escape a tricky situation no matter how difficult the odds are. That wasn’t the case at the end of No Time to Die, as Bond found himself in an unwinnable situation, which led to his death to wrap up Daniel Craig’s time in that role.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Throughout the Harry Potter franchise, many heroes fall, with the likes of Sirius Black, Dobby, and Fred Weasley not making it until the end. But Albus Dumbledore is such a pivotal character throughout the franchise that seeing him die was a big shock to many. He’s a beloved character and is positioned as the most powerful wizard alive, which makes it even more surprising when he is defeated, mainly due to the circumstances surrounding it.
Titanic
Audiences understand what they’re getting themselves in for when watching Titanic because it’s a real-life story about countless people losing their lives. The movie doesn’t shy away from that, but by focusing on two fictional characters, Jack and Rose, some people might’ve thought they’d both survive. That’s not the case with the iconic scene after the boat sinks, where Jack can’t hang on and ultimately passes away.
Les Misérables
Les Misérables is one of the most iconic musicals of all time, so seeing it turned into a movie was something many people were excited about. But that only heightened the emotional blow when not just one but countless of the movie’s heroes passed away. For some, it was due to their fight in the French Revolution; for others, it was due to more harrowing circumstances.
Gladiator
Russell Crowe’s performance in Gladiator is career-defining and helps make Maximus a terrific hero. He’s intense in battle and gives as good as he gets, but ultimately, he falls, which is fitting for this particular movie.
The Green Mile
The Green Mile is a very emotional and powerful movie, and John Coffey’s death is a true tearjerker. With him on death row, it is expected that he’ll pass, but when audiences learn more about his kindness and the powers that he has, the hope begins to increase that he could survive, which ultimately isn’t possible.
Inside Out
Bing Bong might not be one of the leading characters in Inside Out, but the death scene is sad because he brings so much joy during his involvement. Bing Bong ultimately chooses to sacrifice himself, and in a movie that’s all about emotions, this scene sums it up perfectly.
Saving Private Ryan
Saving Private Ryan is one of the greatest World War II movies ever created. Steven Spielberg captures the scope of the action but also focuses on several key characters, allowing audiences to invest in them emotionally. Ultimately, Captain John Miller can’t make it until the end, showcasing people’s sacrifices.
Bridge to Terabithia
Typically, in movies, the younger people are, the less likely the odds are that they will die. Few stories tackle that, but Disney had no problem doing it regarding Bridge to Terabithia as Leslie died. Ultimately, the swing that worked as the bridge snapped, creating an emotional moment for younger audiences to tackle.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
While this is just a spinoff, it’s one of the strongest movies in the Star Wars franchise. However, it also has a devastating ending due to the blast from the Death Star, ultimately taking out the rebels that people have become attached to throughout the film.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars fans were excited about having the original three main characters back in action in the latest trilogy in the franchise. But they weren’t prepared for the emotional endings all of them suffered. Han Solo was by far the most tragic, as his son killed him.
Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Infinity War brings Marvel’s biggest heroes together to try to stop Thanos from doing the unthinkable. But unlike the majority of films, they fail. As one of the biggest superhero movies in history, it’s a huge surprise when the snap happens, and countless major characters turn into dust.
The Last Samurai
The character of Katsumoto is a powerful one in this movie, being someone who exemplifies precisely the type of traits expected in a soldier from this world. But his death is an emotional part of the movie, and having the other characters showcase their respect for him only helps that.
300
The Spartans are outnumbered from the start in this movie, hence the title. But audiences can’t help but buy into the idea that Leonidas will be able to inspire something impossible to create an unforgettable movie story. That’s not the case here, though, due to this being based on a legitimate story, as 300 warriors cannot achieve the impossible.
The Mist
The Mist features one of the most emotional and difficult scenes in movie history. In it, Thomas Jane is forced to make an incredibly tough choice. Ultimately, he makes it just too early, as safety would’ve been guaranteed only moments later, making this even more heartbreaking.
Braveheart
It doesn’t matter how many rallying cries Mel Gibson’s William Wallace gives throughout Braveheart; he ultimately falls short. He fights bravely, as the name suggests, but it doesn’t work out for him, highlighting how brutal war can be, no matter the spirit.
Avengers: Endgame
The entire Marvel Cinematic Universe before this is all built to the ultimate battle between good and evil in this movie. Thanos is in a true position of power, and it takes a genuine sacrifice for The Avengers to defeat him. Despite all the abilities that the characters can combine, it takes Iron Man to die, in one of the most emotional superhero scenes in history, for good to finally reign supreme.
Logan
Logan is one of the most unique and impressive superhero movies ever made. Focusing on Wolverine when he’s slowed down in life and mutants are almost extinct, an older, weaker version of the X-Men hero is shown. It brings out a vulnerability that doesn’t usually exist in a character with healing power. But seeing him much slower and less powerful is fascinating as he battles the difficulties that come with that, ultimately falling short in an emotional scene.
