When it comes to movies, there are heartbreakers and there are heartwarmers. And sometimes, there are those movies that end up somewhere in between, offering audiences moments of sadness that ultimately turn into a pleasant feeling of overall satisfaction.
The balance is rare to find in movies, but there are plenty of films that can bring a tear to the eyes of audiences while still providing them with a reason to smile by the time that the credits roll. Sometimes characters make an honorable sacrifice that gives way to the “happy-sad” sensation. Or they finally achieve their dreams, despite these achievements conflicting with what the audience or the movie’s characters expected, or even wanted to see.
10 Logan Bid An Emotional Farewell To A Legendary Character
For many, Hugh Jackman is the perfect Wolverine. Despite being a relative unknown at the time of his casting in X-Men (2001), Jackman is now looked at as an exemplar of comic book character casting. As the adamantium-aided member of the X-Men, Jackman etched himself into superhero cinema history over the better part of 17 years playing the iconic hero.
Though Jackman may not be entirely done with the character, Logan (2017) featured a closing of the curtain on a fantastic era in the Australian actor’s career. James Mangold crafted a hugely satisfying send-off for Weapon X in Logan, so much so that many fans hope that it will remain as the finale for Jackman as the mean-mouthed, yet lovable mutant.
9 For Free Willy’s Famous Orca To Be Free, He Had To Leave His Best Friend Behind
The ending to Free Willy (1993) is a real tearjerker thanks to young Jesse Greenwood having to say goodbye to his oversized ocean-dwelling best friend. The satisfying side of course comes from the fact that Willy’s leaving means that he can return to his rightful place in the sea with his family.
The real-life ending to Free Willy’s awesome orca was far more tragic. After Keiko stoles the hearts of animal lovers everywhere with his performance in the movie, people campaigned for his release from captivity. Keiko failed to adapt to life in the wild and died shortly after his release.
8 La La Land Isn’t The Perfect L.A. Love Story Fans Expected
With wonderful dance choreography, commanding performances from Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, and expert writing and direction from Damien Chazelle, La La Land managed a record-tying fourteen Academy Award nominations in 2016.
The tale of two lovers chasing each other and their dreams in Los Angeles is a romance with few equals, though it doesn’t quite go the way many audience members might have wanted or predicted. La La Land does feature a happy ending for its two leads, yet that doesn’t mean they experience that happiness together.
7 E.T. Went Home And Left Fans Happy For Him And Sad For Elliott
Steven Spielberg’s magical masterpiece is undoubtedly the kind of feel-good adventure that the American director is famous for. Family and a sense of belonging are themes central to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’s (1982) story, but this sadly means that the titular adorable alien has to go back where he belongs by the movie’s end.
E.T. and Elliott’s friendship is one of cinema’s most beautiful bonds, so watching the Reese’s Pieces aficionado hop up on his spaceship and fly home was heartbreaking for audiences. E.T. got to go back to his family though, which is more than a good enough reason for fans to feel happy for the little guy.
6 Crime Doesn’t Pay For Al Pacino’s Carlito In Carlito’s Way
If there can be said to be an overarching message in Brian De Palma’s Carlito’s Way (1993), it’s that crime doesn’t pay. Much like the director’s other Al Pacino-starring gangster classic Scarface (1983), the main mafioso in the movie doesn’t get to ride off into the sunset with his riches (or his life, for that matter) intact.
Carlito’s Way is a far more touching picture than most fans of the genre might expect. Pacino’s Carlito Brigante may miss out on a happy ending, but he learns his share of lessons throughout the hard-hitting mob movie. Viewers won’t find themselves cheering Carlito’s demise, but they may feel that he got what he ultimately deserved.
5 Fans Had To Watch A Sad Separation In Toy Story 3
The toys of Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story franchise are some of the most beloved characters in all of cinema. A generation of audiences grew to love the plastic personas through their unbreakable bond with their owner Andy. When the time came to finally say goodbye, it meant lots of tears.
With Andy passing Woody and the gang on, it meant that another child would experience all the joy and wonder that they had brought to so many in the years prior. Of course, Tom Hanks’ charismatic cowboy would be back, along with his friends, so in the end, Toy Story 3 (2010) wasn’t the heartbreaker it first appeared to be.
4 Avengers: Endgame Features The Ultimate Heroic Sacrifice From Tony Stark
Tony Stark’s story came to a stunning end with Avengers: Endgame (2019). After over ten years of box office dominance as the centerpiece of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Robert Downey Jr. finally bowed out as the iconic Iron Man.
While the character is undeniably one of the most popular to make the jump from comic book page to the movie screen, Iron Man’s sacrifice saved more than enough lives in Endgame to make his death seem a necessary one. “Selfless” had never been a word closely associated with Stark before this memorable moment, but after Avengers: Endgame, Tony Stark arguably fits the textbook definition of a hero.
3 All Dogs Go To Heaven Deals With Death In A Most Magical Way
Movies featuring pet pals can always inspire dread in animal lovers thanks to the possibility that they might not make it out of the film alive. With Don Bluth’s classic animation having the title of All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989), this dread is understandably amplified.
The musical fantasy is far from a tragedy though. Lead pooch Charlie B. Barkin (voiced by screen legend Burt Reynolds) finds his redemption throughout the film and manages to establish himself as one of cinema’s most heroic dogs in the process.
2 Patrick Swayze’s Sam Has To Pass On At The End Of Ghost
Jerry Zucker’s Ghost (1990) sees Patrick Swayze’s Sam Wheat murdered and left lost in purgatory while he attempts to make contact with his girlfriend Molly (played by Demi Moore). The romantic thriller takes a semi-realistic stance (as far as the content allows for), so the film’s ending was always going to go the way of Swayze’s character leaving Molly for good.
As bittersweet as it is to watch Sam finally find peace, the ending to Ghost may be too upsetting for some fans to witness after the tragic real-life death of Patrick Swayze from pancreatic cancer in 2009.
1 The Terminator Gives His Thumbs Up As He Sacrifices Himself For Humanity In T2
James Cameron’s classic action sci-fi is considered one of the greatest movies of the 90s. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) features everything you’d expect from the genre and more, with thrilling set-pieces, jaw-dropping special effects, a mind-bending time travel plot, and a gripping, emotional climax.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s cyborg making his final descent into lava is upsetting enough to make a grown man cry. Though sequels would taint the poignance of this moment, the T-800’s sacrifice is a necessary one that ensures the prevention of the dreaded Judgment Day and ensures the survival of John Connor along with the rest of mankind.
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