Brits list cinema's most tearjerking scenes from Mufasa's death to ET's goodbye

Daily Mirror

14-07-2025

British film fans have revealed cinema's top tearjerking moments with some of the most heart-wrenching scenes in movie history - from Mufasa's death to E.T. finally saying goodbye making the top 20
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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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
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'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)
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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
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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)
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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
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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)
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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
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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)
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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'
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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)
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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
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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)