The ultimate tearjerker! The weepiest scenes in movie history

The Herald Scotland

11-07-2025

Rose and Jack's goodbye was cited by 67% of respondents, ahead of Mufasa's tragic death in Disney's The Lion King which took second spot with 59% of those polled.
John Coffey's (Michael Clarke Duncan) final utterance before his execution in The Green Mile, 'I'm tired boss,' is in third place with 39%.
Rounding out the top five are Forrest Gump's visit to Jenny's grave (36%), and the emotional scene in Schindler's List in which Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) wishes he could have saved more of his Jewish workers from the Nazis (35%).
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Titanic 1997 Credit: 20th Century Fox (Image: IMAGO Images / Cover Images) The survey, commissioned by Samsung, also provided some intriguing insights into our movie-watching habits.
While once we would have wept as Rose and Jack parted forever in the cinema, vast numbers of us are now reduced to tears by films we watch on our phones.
An astonishing seven in ten Brits (71%) have cried at a film or TV show while watching on their devices.
Four in ten say they have been caught crying in public while watching something emotional on their phone, with more than a quarter (26%) saying they tried to cover up their tears.
That's despite 56% of us saying crying at emotional programmes or movies has become more socially acceptable than it used to be.
Annika Bizon, Samsung mobile experience vice president of product and marketing, said: 'These findings show that people are deeply connected to what they watch, no matter where they are. Whether you're on a plane, a train, or anywhere in between, a phone screen can deliver that powerful, emotional entertainment experience.'
The survey also revealed 47% of Brits watch more than five hours of movies on their phone every week.
From this month, Brits can do this on the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, which features a cinematic 8-inch display.
Bizon added: 'The expansive screen of our new Galaxy Z Fold7 promises that immersive viewing experience on the go, whether you are a film fanatic, gamer or a bit of both.'
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Titanic 1997 Credit: 20th Century Fox (Image: IMAGO Images / Cover Images) Top 20 Most Emotional Movie Scenes of All Time
1. Titanic (1997) - 'I'll never let go, Jack' - Rose clings to Jack in their freezing final moments in the Atlantic (67%)
2. The Lion King (1994) – Mufasa's Death - Simba pleads with his father to wake up after the stampede — pure heartbreak for generations (59%)
3. The Green Mile (1999) – John Coffey's Execution - 'I'm tired, boss…' — a gentle giant's final moments leave everyone reeling (39%)
4. Forrest Gump (1994) – Forrest at Jenny's Grave - Forrest shares his love and pride with Jenny, pouring his heart out in a devastating moment (36%)
5. Schindler's List (1993) – 'I could have done more' - Schindler breaks down with guilt, mourning the lives he couldn't save despite saving hundreds (35%)
6. Toy Story 3 (2010) – Andy Gives Away His Toys - The final handover of Woody and Buzz — a farewell to childhood that left adults sobbing (32%)
7. Marley & Me (2008) – Saying Goodbye to Marley: A heart-wrenching vet visit and final farewell to the beloved family dog (29%)
8. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – 'I'll be right here' A glowing finger, a tearful goodbye and the end of a beautiful intergalactic friendship (28%)
9. Love Actually (2003) - Emma Thompson's Joni Mitchell Scene - A mother realises her husband may be unfaithful and her silent breakdown is unforgettable (26%)
10. Up (2009) - Carl and Ellie's Life Montage - A lifetime of love, dreams, and sorrow in just a few minutes (23%)
11. The Notebook (2004) – The Ending Scene: An elderly couple die peacefully, hand-in-hand, reunited in memory and love (20%)
12. Billy Elliot (2000) - Billy's dad watches him dance - The father who had been so against his son learning ballet sees him perform and is overwhelmed by pride (14%)
13. Inside Out (2015) – Bing Bong's Sacrifice: 'Take her to the moon for me' An imaginary friend gives up everything to save Joy (13%)
Recommended reading
14. Philadelphia (1993) – Joe's Final Moments - Family, love, and quiet goodbyes as a life comes to an end far too soon (13%)
15. Good Will Hunting (1997) – 'It's not your fault' - Robin Williams reaches Will with a simple phrase that unlocks years of buried pain (12%)
16. The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – Hazel Reads Augustus's Letter - A dying teen's final words to the girl he loved, honest, funny, and crushingly sad (10%)
17. The Pursuit of Happiness (2006) – Chris Gets the Job: After endless struggle and setbacks, Chris is hired, then breaks down in the street (10%)
18. About Time (2013) – Father and Son's Last Walk - A bittersweet goodbye wrapped in time travel and unconditional love (10%)
19. Atonement (2007) – The Twist Ending - The painful truth: the lovers we rooted for never made it. Fiction was all they had (8%)
20. The Theory of Everything (2014) – Stephen's Speech Flashback - A soaring reflection on life and science, told through memory and quiet triumph (8%)