55 Sad Quotes From Movies

Updated March 9, 2023 | Infoplease Staff

Movies have the power to evoke strong emotions in us, and there's nothing quite like a good tear-jerker to bring on the waterworks. Some of the most heart-wrenching moments in cinema history are captured in sad movie quotes that continue to resonate with audiences long after the credits roll.

Whether it's a poignant line about lost love, a devastating realization about life, or a final goodbye, sad movie quotes have a way of staying with us and reminding us of the beauty and fragility of the human experience.

From Pixar to Disney, Netflix to Hollywood blockbusters, these are the saddest movie quotes that bring out emotions and help audiences to understand the world around them better. Beware spoilers ahead, grab your tissues, and dive into the world of cinematic sorrow!

55 Saddest Movie Quotes

"I know. I know it was you. You broke my heart." — "The Godfather Part II”, 1974.

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"I want you to know that you were the last dream of my soul." — "The Last Samurai”, 2003.
"I would have followed you, my brother, my captain, my king." — "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”, 2001.
By calling Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) "my brother", "my captain", and "my king", Boromir (Sean Bean) acknowledges his loyalty, his respect, and his willingness to follow Aragorn's lead as he lays dying, even to the point of sacrificing his own life.
"I can't choose. Please. I can't choose."
"Take both children away."
"Take my little girl. Take my baby." — "Sophie's Choice”, 1982.
"I'm not crying because of you; you're not worth it. I'm crying because my delusion of who you were was shattered by the truth of who you are." — "Love and Other Disasters”, 2006.
This line speaks to the pain of realizing that someone you cared about is not who you thought they were.
"Here's looking at you, kid." — "Casablanca”, 1942.
"Why do I and everyone I love pick people who treat us like we're nothing?" — "Perks of Being a Wallflower”, 2012.
"The heart dies a slow death, shedding each hope like leaves until one day there are none. No hopes. Nothing remains." — "The Little Prince”, 2015.
This haunting expression is about the pain of losing hope and giving up on life. It highlights the importance of holding onto our dreams and aspirations, even in the face of adversity and disappointment.
"I'm not afraid of dying. I'm afraid I haven't been alive enough." — "Meet Joe Black”, 1998.
"I'm finished." — "There Will Be Blood”, 2007.

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"Sometimes I miss you so much I can hardly stand it." — "Brokeback Mountain”, 2005.
Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) utters this line to Ennis (Heath Ledger) in a poignant moment of longing and regret.
"I don't regret the things I've done, but those I did not do." — "Dead Poet's Society”, 1989.
This quote from the movie "Dead Poet's Society" is a powerful statement about the importance of taking risks and seizing opportunities. It suggests that in life, we are more likely to regret the things we didn't do rather than the things we did, and that we should strive to live our lives to the fullest.
"A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." — "The Wizard of Oz”, 1939.
"The worst part of being dead is knowing that you were never alive." — "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, 2008.
"Take her to the moon for me, okay?" — "Inside Out”, 2015.
Imaginary childhood friend Bing Bong (Richard Kind) speaks these words to Joy (Amy Poehler) as he sacrifices himself to save her and Riley. The line is a poignant reminder of the power of selflessness and the sacrifices we make for those we love.
"Thanks for the adventures; now go have a new one! Love, Ellie." — "Up”, 2009.
"I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright." — "The Shawshank Redemption”, 1994.

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“I wish I could apologize, I wish I could tell her that her papá was trying to come home … that he loved her so much. My Coco." — "Coco”, 2017.
"Please, boss, don’t put that thing over my face, don’t put me in the dark. I’s afraid of the dark." — "The Green Mile”, 1999.
John (Michael Clarke Duncan) is about to be executed by electric chair, and the "thing" referred to in the quote is the hood that will be placed over his head before the execution. The quote emphasizes the horror and brutality of the execution process and the psychological toll it takes on both the prisoner and the executioners. It also highlights John’s vulnerability and innocence in the face of the harsh realities of the justice system.
"I have been, and always shall be, your friend." — "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”, 1982.
"Why don't you love me, Jenny? I'm not a smart man, but I know what love is." — "Forrest Gump”, 1994.
Forrest (Tom Hanks) speaks this line to Jenny (Robin Wright) as he confesses his love to her. Despite his lack of formal education, Forrest has an innate understanding of the most important things in life.
"Please let me keep this memory, just this one." — "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”, 2004.
"I'm sorry, Wilson! Wilson, I'm sorry!" — "Cast Away”, 2000.
In this heart-wrenching scene, Chuck (Tom Hanks) mourns the loss of his only companion on the island, a volleyball named Wilson. The scene is a testament to the human need for connection and the depths of grief we can feel when we lose someone we love.
"I don't know how to say goodbye. I can't think of any words." — "The Hours”, 2002.
"I wanna go home." — "Forrest Gump”, 1994.
"I am haunted by humans." — "The Book Thief”, 2013.
This quote from the character of Death is a haunting reflection on the nature of humanity. It suggests that the actions and choices of humans can have a lasting impact on the world around us, both for good and for ill.

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"Kitty?" — "Monsters, Inc.”, 2001.
"I don't want to survive, I want to live." — "12 Years a Slave”, 2013.
"I'm just scared. I don't want to be alone. I want to be with someone who wants to be with me." — "The Holiday”, 2006.
This quote is a reminder that miscommunications and misunderstandings can cause a lot of pain and confusion in relationships. It suggests that it's important to communicate openly and honestly with the people we care about, even when it's difficult.
"What a beautiful place … to be with friends." — "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1”, 2010.
"It's not your fault." — "Good Will Hunting”, 1997.
In this powerful scene, therapist Sean (Robin Williams) repeats this line over and over to Will (Matt Damon) as he breaks down in tears, finally releasing years of pent-up emotion.
"I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that." — "2001: A Space Odyssey”, 1968.
"I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am." — "On the Waterfront”, 1954.
"You don't forget the face of the person who was your last hope." — "The Hunger Games”, 2012.
Even in times of darkness and despair, hope can be a powerful force.
"I have lost the will to live. Everything I have ever cared about has abandoned me. I have nothing to live for." — "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith”, 2005.

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"I'll never let go, Jack." — "Titanic”, 1997.
In this iconic scene, Rose (Kate Winslet) promises to never let go of Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he freezes to death in the ocean. The line has become one of the most quoted in movie history.
“Do you think our love, can take us away together?"
"I think our love can do anything we want it to."
"I love you."
"I love you, Allie."
"Good night."
"Good night. I'll be seeing you." — "The Notebook”, 2004.
"I'm scared that if I let myself be happy for even one moment that the world's just going to come crashing down." — "The Fault in Our Stars”, 2014.
"I don't know what I want. But I know I want it to be real." — "The Art of Getting By”, 2011.
"I'm scared of what I saw, I'm scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you." — "Dirty Dancing”, 1987.
In this emotional scene, Baby (Jennifer Grey) confesses her fears to Johnny (Patrick Swayze) after their performance at the talent show. The line was almost cut from the movie, but test audiences reacted so strongly to it that it was kept in.
"I'm scared to lose you and you're not even mine." — "The Notebook”, 2004.
“Always." — "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2”, 2011.
"I don't know exactly where we go from here ... but I want you to remember you're a great dog, Marley. You're a great dog." — "Marley & Me”, 2008.
"I want to keep my memories of her as they were. Imperfect. Flawed. Ordinary. And I want to love her for it. To love her for being ordinary." — "About Time”, 2013.

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"The sun is going down." — "Schindler's List”, 1993.
"I don't want to forget. But I don't want to remember it like it is now, all broken up and pieced together. I want to remember it as it was when it was good. When we were good." — "The Vow”, 2012.
"I have to tell you something... I don't think I want to be married anymore." — "Blue Valentine”, 2010.
In this devastating scene, Cindy (Michelle Williams) tells her husband Dean (Ryan Gosling) that she wants a divorce. The scene is raw and emotional, and captures the pain of a relationship falling apart.
"Winning that ticket, Rose, was the best thing that ever happened to me ... it brought me to you. And I'm thankful for that, Rose. I'm thankful." — "Titanic”, 1997.
"I’ll be walking beside you every step of the way." — "Me Before You”, 2016.
"I'm haunted by the kiss that you should never have given me." — "The English Patient”, 1996.
This is a poetic expression of regret and longing. It suggests that sometimes, the things we desire most are the things that are forbidden or unattainable.
"I'm scared to feel. I'm scared not to feel." — "The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, 2012.
"I'm sorry I didn't build you a stronger ladder." — "The Fault in Our Stars”, 2014.
"I'm sorry for not being the person you wanted me to be." — "Atonement”, 2007.
This is a reminder that we can't be everything to everyone. It suggests that it's important to accept ourselves and others for who they are, and recognize that we all have limitations and flaws.

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"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return." — "Moulin Rouge!”, 2001.
“She went to Neverland. And you can visit her any time you like if you just go there yourself." — "Finding Neverland”, 2004.

Sad Movie Quotes to Make You Cry

Whether you were re-watching your favorite animated movies or you wanted to discover a new love story about heartbreak for the first time, these heartfelt movie lines will touch every heart.

Do you have a favorite tear-jerker line from a sad or romantic movie? And, if you want to scare yourself to tears next, try out our Horror Movie Quotes quiz.