Brits list cinema's most tearjerking scenes from Mufasa's death to ET's goodbye
Titanic's tearjerking ending has topped a poll of the most emotional movie scenes of all time.
The moment in which Rose (Kate Winslet) has to let lover Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) slip beneath the waves was the number one choice in a survey of 2,000 Brits. Rose and Jack's goodbye was cited by 67 per cent of respondents, ahead of Mufasa's tragic death in Disney's The Lion King which took second spot with 59 per cent 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 per cent. Rounding out the top five are Forrest Gump's visit to Jenny's grave (36 per cent), 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 per cent).
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 per cent) have cried at a film or TV show while watching on their devices. Four in 10 say they have been caught crying in public while watching something emotional on their phone, with more than a quarter (26 per cent) saying they tried to cover up their tears. That's despite 56 per cent 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 per cent 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.'
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 per cent)
2. The Lion King (1994) – Mufasa's Death
Simba pleads with his father to wake up after the stampede — pure heartbreak for generations (59 per cent)
3. The Green Mile (1999) – John Coffey's Execution
'I'm tired, boss…' — a gentle giant's final moments leave everyone reeling (39 per cent)
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 per cent)
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 per cent)
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 per cent)
7. Marley & Me (2008) – Saying Goodbye to Marley:
A heart-wrenching vet visit and final farewell to the beloved family dog (29 per cent)
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 per cent)
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 per cent)
10. Up (2009) - Carl and Ellie's Life Montage
A lifetime of love, dreams, and sorrow in just a few minutes (23 per cent)
11. The Notebook (2004) – The Ending Scene:
An elderly couple die peacefully, hand-in-hand, reunited in memory and love (20 per cent)
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 per cent)
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 per cent)
14. Philadelphia (1993) – Joe's Final Moments
Family, love, and quiet goodbyes as a life comes to an end far too soon (13 per cent)
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 per cent)
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 per cent)
17. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) – Chris Gets the Job:
After endless struggle and setbacks, Chris is hired, then breaks down in the street (10 per cent)
18. About Time (2013) – Father and Son's Last Walk
A bittersweet goodbye wrapped in time travel and unconditional love (10 per cent)
19. Atonement (2007) – The Twist Ending
The painful truth: the lovers we rooted for never made it. Fiction was all they had (8 per cent)
20. The Theory of Everything (2014) – Stephen's Speech Flashback
A soaring reflection on life and science, told through memory and quiet triumph (8 per cent)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Jazz legend sets the tone to mark launch of Stirling's newest live music venue
Dom Pipkin, described by Blues in Britain as "one of the world's greatest exponents of New Orleans piano", entertained guests at the Golden Lion Hotel's Cronies bar. Stirling's flourishing cultural and musical landscape continues to expand with the unveiling of a new piano lounge within the historic Golden Lion Hotel. Patrons and special invitees were treated to a performance by one of the world's most celebrated jazz and blues artists, Dom Pipkin, on Wednesday evening (July 9) at the hotel's Cronies bar. The renowned pianist and composer drew a diverse crowd, including local musicians and creative talents from the area. Pipkin, hailed by Blues in Britain as "one of the world's greatest exponents of New Orleans piano", has established himself as a fixture in the US city's music scene, gracing stages at events including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival and the prestigious 'Piano Night'. Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, said: "I lived in New Orleans for a time and I'm a huge fan of Dom and his music. It was incredible to see him play in Stirling and it's yet another milestone in the city's growing reputation for arts, music and culture. "The evening at the Golden Lion set the bar for our fantastic hospitality industry and will hopefully spark more innovation and attractions across the sector to boost our appeal to both residents and visitors. "We've got so much going on in Stirling and we're committed to working with our communities, local organisations and businesses to unleash the area's full cultural potential and maximise the benefits of a vibrant night-time economy." Hotel owners, Gary and Ros Atkinson, first encountered Dom's musical talent years ago at Ronnie Scott's in London. Ros recalled: "The moment he started to play it took our breath away and we immediately booked him for our Scottish hotel. "Since then, we have been lucky to become good friends and watch him perform may times, including in Europe with his band Morcheeba. "We have created our Cronies Piano Lounge as a stylish and relaxed venue for cool music and classic cocktails and were thrilled when he immediately agreed to play and launch our series of lounge music piano nights. It was great to see the audience appreciate the art of a true British jazz legend." The hotel is recruiting a line-up of top pianists to perform Friday nights, Saturday afternoons and evenings, and Sunday Jazz Lunch. A full schedule will be released shortly. The Golden Lion, a 66-bedroom establishment and the oldest building on King Street, boasts notable ties to Rabbie Burns. As part of the Bloody Scotland crime-writing festival in September, it will host The Whisky Night – an evening of spirited conversation and music. The event will feature appearances from Rebus creator Sir Ian Rankin, singer-songwriter James Yorkston, Colin MacIntyre of Mull Historical Society, and author Natalie Jayne Clark. Mr Atkinson, a business ambassador for the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and a member of their Scottish Business Advisory Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the city's potential. He said: "This is a great city with a great hospitality offering and we are working closely with local tourism, businesses and the council to promote Stirling. There are exciting times ahead and it's great to have so much local support." Councillor McGarvey further emphasised the importance of collaboration, saying: "Having dynamic partnerships with creative entrepreneurs like Gary and the local hospitality and tourism trade is at the heart of our strategy to build our offering to local residents and UK and international visitors." Ewan Duncan, the owner of Europa Music in Stirling's Friars Street, Scotland's largest vinyl record shop, shared his delight at the return of live music events. He said: "It was great to see live music with a world-class jazz pianist in a hotel back on the up and up and to have such an appreciative audience there to enjoy it." Dom said: "I'm just lucky they want to listen to me as an artist doing what I do. I was delighted to support the new venture by Gary and Ros and spread my alternative blues gospel. I will be back later in the year and wish them and every artist performing here every success."
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Here's why this new prize platform is unlike anything you've seen before
Brits love the ease and convenience of online shopping. We also love winning - particularly when great prizes are on offer! So what if it was possible to combine the joy of shopping AND the thrill of winning... all in one place? That's exactly what you get with Winnrz, a new arrival on our shores that's offering the UK's only interactive, 'shop and win' experience. Winnrz (available to download on App Store or Google Play) is unlike any other prize platform you've seen before. Here's how it works... Stylish clothing - and massive prizes If you're not familiar with the 'shop and win' concept, that's understandable - as it's totally new to us Brits. Fortunately, it's easy to get your head around. The launch of Winnz coincides with the debut of WellPlaid, a premium clothing store that boasts a curated range of stylish athleisure wear and accessories. The idea is simple. Head to the Winnrz app and buy WellPlaid Credit, available in a range of amounts starting from as low as £1. With every purchase of WellPlaid Credit, you receive a ticket to an exciting prize draw. Once the countdown ends, a live draw is held, and a winner is announced. But the fun doesn't end there! WellPlaid Credits are fully redeemable at the WellPlaid online store, which offers a carefully selected range of high-quality men and women's clothes. Remember - this isn't something you can do anywhere else in the UK. Winnrz is the ONLY place where every purchase comes with a shot at a big win. We won big - here's what it feels like! Is there anything better than finding out you've won a prize? There's the initial excitement when your name is called out. Then the disbelief (is it really true?). And, finally, the joy when the reality finally sinks in. Winnrz is part of Idealz Holding, the parent company with presence in 4 continents and a proven track record of success in the shop and win space, having made more than 10,000 winners worldwide who have claimed more than £85 million in prizes. One man who knows what it feels like to win big is David Conway, who bagged a cheque worth £25,000 after his ticket was picked in a live draw. He was absolutely delighted, and says he'd now recommend Winnrz to 'all my friends and family'. Asharntay Greaves came away with £1,000 after coming across Winnrz on Instagram. 'You've got to be in it to win it!' she says. Meanwhile, lucky Londoner Joshua Johnson bagged £1,000 when he picked up a leaflet during his daily commute. He says: 'I found out about Winnrz on my way home from work. I took one of the flyers being given out. Then I got the phone call. And here we go. Thank you Winnrz!' How to get your chance to win £10,000 - totally free The UK is finally getting its first shop and win platform, and to mark the launch, Winnrz is giving MailOnline readers aged 18 and over a free entry into its £10,000 cash prize draw! That's right! As Winnrz kicks things off, one lucky reader will walk away with £10,000 in cash. And if you're reading this, it could be you. Entries are now open until August 10, 2025, with the winner announced on August 19, 2025. Getting involved is quick and easy: just head to and claim your free ticket. Good luck and Reach For the Smile! T&Cs - Promoted by Winnrz Ltd and the promotion partner is DMG Media Limited. This competition is open to UK residents aged 18 and over, excluding employees of Winnrz, DMG, their immediate families, or anyone professionally connected to the promotion. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this promotion. Multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified, unless obtained through the official 'Refer a Friend' mechanic. Entries submitted outside of July 14 and August 10, 2025 will not be counted. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
BBC University Challenge viewers witness 'best comeback ever' in show's history
The new series of University Challenge kicked off with a dramatic showdown between students from Sheffield and Warwick - and viewers were left stunned by the result The latest series of University Challenge launched with a thrilling face-off between Sheffield and Warwick students, leaving viewers gobsmacked by what's being hailed as the most remarkable comeback in the programme's history. Monday's episode (July 14) saw Sheffield take an early lead, racking up a formidable 170 points to Warwick's 120. However, in a breathtaking final few minutes, Warwick rallied to clinch victory with a decisive 210 points, completely flipping the match. BBC presenter Amol Rajan was visibly taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, labelling it a "brilliant comeback". He said: "That is an absolutely perfect example of how momentum is everything, because you (Sheffield) began in the first 10 minutes by soaring and taking it away and then just disappeared at the last five minutes. I'm so sorry, bad luck, but you lost to a fantastic team." He went on to praise Warwick as "inspirational", saying: "You guys are going to be an eternal inspiration for teams that are quite far behind with five minutes to go. "But in the end you won by a comfortable margin. It was a brilliant comeback, we shall definitely see you again. Well done." Amol also hinted that this might not be the last we see of Sheffield, adding: "170 might well be enough to come back again, so we might well see you again." Viewers were quick to take to social media to share their reaction to the gripping match, celebrating it as an exhilarating kick-off to the new season, reports the Express. One commented: "What a great start to the new series, and what an excellent recovery from Warwick! Well done them, and best of luck to them and Sheffield who will surely be back too, in your next matches!" Another chimed in, stating: "Excellent start to the new series. This bodes well for the coming weeks..." Amol's return as quizmaster also garnered praise among fans. A delighted viewer remarked: "Monday nights are made for this! Two really likeable teams and what a comeback from Warwick. Quizmaster looking very sharp as ever. Welcome back @amolrajan." "Wow what a comeback from Warwick," another fan said. "They stayed in the game when all seemed beyond them. No wonder that show was picked for episode one." "That was by far the best comeback I've ever seen on this show," another avid fan said. The 42-year-old quizmaster reprised his role on the show after viewers recently watched him embark on an emotional journey to the Ganges in search of healing following his father's death. The British-Indian presenter has openly discussed his struggles with bereavement, revealing how grief "can really screw you up". His pilgrimage to India's largest religious festival, the Kumbh Mela, served as a significant step in confronting his loss. On The One Show, he shared how the profound experience had "made a big difference" in coping with his sadness.
