20 Movies With Sad Endings

There are more than 20 movies with sad endings, but many people don’t want to contemplate the unending heartache. Seriously, some movies get extremely sad.

Se7en

This ending isn’t just sad, it’s insane in a way that makes people wonder what they would do. But when thinking of what’s lost it’s unbearably tragic.

Pay It Forward

The fact that the kid in the movie did so much for so many is inspiring, but as sad endings go the victory feels bittersweet. The kid is still gone after all.

Leon: The Professional

Seriously violent movies make it tough to linger over the sad endings. But this movie makes it clear that the sad ending gives way to something more positive.

Gangs of New York

Speaking of violent movies… Despite that overwhelming feeling of unending hatred, the idea that history would not remember such a struggle is insanely sad.

Alien

Ripley is the final survivor, and yes, it’s sad. Imagine being turned into an expendable asset by a company you trusted.

The People vs. Larry Flynt

How many people really felt sorry for Larry Flynt? It’s a moot point, but the final part of this movie qualifies as sad.

The Green Mile

This movie’s ending is sad for another reason since it begs the question of how long Paul would still have to live. Now that’s kind of depressing.

Dolores Claiborne

With everything this woman went through, one has to wonder why karma couldn’t reach out and deliver a better ending. That’s not how the typical Stephen King story works though.

Suicide Kings

A lot of people might not know about this movie. But Christopher Walken and Denis Leary put in a great performance, even though they’re responsible for the sad ending.

Hoodlum

Based on true events, this story is unbearably sad considering that Harlem was nearly torn apart by the gang activity it suffered through. Not only that, but Bumpy Johnson didn’t have an easy life, for several reasons.

Jacob’s Ladder

This was an odd movie, but a tragic one. Too many Vietnam-based movies had sad endings, but we won’t delve into why.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

The ending of this movie became a little cheesy with the thumbs up. But it was sad since the idea of being rudderless in an unknown future was kind of terrifying.

The Island of Dr. Moreau

Movies that deal with humanity often become sad. But when pitted against our animal natures, this ending was even sadder considering that it revealed that we’re not that far removed from the other animals.

Very Bad Things

Tragic would probably be a better explanation of this movie rather than sad since it’s messed up the entire way through. Still, one can’t help but be sorry for everyone involved.

47 Ronin

Some might have had an issue with Keanu Reeves in this movie, but he played a great part. Unfortunately, his character and the other Ronin had no choice but to create an unbearably sad ending.

American History X

The lesson that hatred is pointless and destructive is a poignant one. But the fallout, as it’s noted, reaches further than many realize.

Sabotage

This strange but compelling film with Arnold Schwarzenegger is, essentially, a revenge flick. But the way he goes about it is sad in a big way.

A Bronx Tale

This is a recommended movie that people should watch if they want to understand gangster movies. Well, it’s one of them anyway, since it shows a raw version of the life of a gangster and how it doesn’t end well.

Jarhead

Too many soldiers know the feelings that are inspired by this movie. Some still feel the impact of their time in the desert.

Legends of the Fall

Is there such a thing as a triumphant sad ending? If there is, this movie definitely qualifies.