As readers and viewers, we often become deeply invested in the lives of fictional characters. We follow their stories, rooting for their success, and feeling their pain. So it’s no surprise that we’re sobbing over their death, too.
In a recent Reddit thread, users were asked to share the saddest fictional character death they had experienced, and the responses are like a testament to one of the biggest signs of being human — empathy. So grab a tissue and continue scrolling to relive some powerful emotions.
Also, don’t miss the conversation we had on the topic with game writer and published author from Seattle, WA, Pierre Demery. You’ll find it in between the entries.
Read More: 40 Fictional Characters Whose Deaths Were So Devastating, People Can’t Get Over Them
#1
John Coffey in the Green Mile.
There’s a passage in the book (around the time Paul and Brutal and Harry take John to see Melinda Moores) when they pass through the room that houses the electric chair and John remarks about Old Sparky and how he can hear voices coming from it, screaming.
colddeaddrummer replied:
After religiously watching the film and reading the book a handful of times, it hurts so much to know John has to ride the lightning in that same chair, despite being a being of pure light and magic. He’s one of King’s all-time great characters: a simple, unassuming creature of mythical power, tender wisdom, and infinite generosity.
Image credits: Admirable_Dream_
#2
The dog in I Am Legend.
Image credits: FindingBeemo
#3
Fry’s dog Seymour from Futurama.
xfalinex replied:
“I will wait for you, ‘till you’re back beside me.”
rocks back and forth in a pool of tears
Image credits: Possible_Industry816
#4
Mufasa’s death gets me every time
Image credits: thatbitch8008
#5
Tadashi Hamada from Big Hero 6. Dude was working on a robot to help others and died in an attempt to help others. What a guy
Image credits: DietCokeDude13
#6
Sirius Black from Harry Potter. He was my favorite character.
Image credits: Dragon_Queen79
#7
Daisy, John Wick’s dog.
Image credits: Fluid-Nail
#8
Bing Bong :((( the whole “take her to the moon for me” got me in SHAMBLES
Image credits: crooksndragons
#9
Dobby the house elf. I sobbed reading it and watching it.
primeprover replied:
“Such a beautiful place, to be with friends. Dobby is happy to be with his friend, Harry Potter.”
Image credits: dietrich94
#10
Hedwig. Such a small death, but it really helped to show the pointlessness of war
Image credits: Honest-Ad-2169
#11
So cliché, but Severus Snape
Image credits: QuitComplaing
#12
Thomas J. Sennett in My Girl.
“He can’t see without his glasses”
BCouto replied:
I totally forgot about that movie. That was traumatic for a child.
Image credits: peeshermanfortytwo
#13
Eddie in Stranger Things
Image credits: ozinou
#14
Boromir! My brother, my captain, my king.
TheLonelySnail replied:
They took the little ones!
Image credits: bananafish_8
#15
Glen from the walking dead. Him looking over at Maggie as he was dying, destroyed me.
Image credits: ThrowRagoo
#16
Stoick the Vast
How to train your dragon
Dude literally just reunited with his wife after over 15 years of being gone and spends a total of about 15 minutes with her.
Cause of death: basically took a bullet in the chest to protect his son.
ThePurpleMister replied:
I saw it in theatres and a bunch of kids started to cry. Not like sniffing but out loud wailing. It added to the atmosphere.
Image credits: 24Nitro-gamer
#17
Leslie Burke, Bridge to Terabithia
I didn’t expect it at all, It said Family/Fantasy and was made by Disney.
Image credits: SuvenPan
#18
Wilson from cast away
Image credits: Smurfeyyy
#19
Honestly I was really invested in GoT (up to a point) and Hodor’s whole story and death were so depressing. Just one of those characters that deserved so much better
Image credits: bgb8987
#20
Saving Private Ryan has two of the saddest, most brutally gut wrenching deaths I’ve ever seen on screen in Wade and Mellish. Wade trying to talk the guys through his injury that goes from panic and terror to acceptance of his own death as he cries out for his mother and says “I want to go home”? Jesus Christ. Mellish is brutal for all the more uncomfortable and raw reasons you’d imagine. War is horrific. Young men are sent off to die and their lives are cut short for no reason. It’s tragic and heartbreaking and this is one of the only movies to really nail that feeling
Image credits: Tuna-No-Crust
#21
Uncle Iroh singing to his dead son, dam now that was sad.
Image credits: Klickyknees
#22
Pops from Regular Show
He was the literal embodiment of good and he died saving the universe from and with his brother. He was such an innocent and friendly guy who was kind to everyone he met. I still tear up seeing the finale to this day.
Edit: His last words to Mordecai and Rigby especially hurt.
“I know you’re sad, but I promise this is a good ending. Take care of each other. Goodbye.”
Image credits: __BigBoi__