Warning: Potential spoilers ahead.
Ever since I watched Grave of the Fireflies for the first time, I can't get that ending out of my head.
An undoubtedly depressing story about a young boy taking care of his younger sister in the aftermath of the atomic bombings of Japan, the film offers a very stark picture of what society was like for those whose lives were upended only to later succumb to radiation sickness.
Did I mention that it's an anime? The artwork is incredible.
The film is well worth a watch... if you don't mind shedding a tear or two.
People shared their thoughts with us after Redditor bartertownbeer asked the online community:
"What movie ending is horribly depressing?"
Stand by Me (1986)
"Stand by Me. Listening to narrator talk about how friends fade into obscurity and only memories remain becomes more relatable every time I watch it."
RabbitCartman
The ending hits even harder the older you get. Might be time to revisit it.
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
"The Fox and the Hound. It hurts my heart."
Xenovitz
This is one Disney movie that goes for the more mature ending and it's truly so much better for it.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
"No Country for Old Men. Nobody wins, except maybe Anton."
kryotheory
Even that's debatable.
No Country for Old Men is a good commentary on how sometimes, despite effort, motivation, and ethical behavior, good people lose and terrible people face no consequences.
Se7en (1995)
"Se7en. This is the one that popped into my head right away. That was horrible. Definitely no warm and fuzzy feels with that ending."
Cynthus68
The final ten minutes are so disturbing and sad. It's an ending you can never forget.
American History X (1998)
"The ending of American History X hit me pretty hard the first time."
[deleted]
It continues to hit pretty hard. The acting in that film is incredible, especially from Edward Norton and Beverly D'Angelo.
The Mist (2007)
"The Mist. One of the only movies I can remember watching in theater that had me legit mad after walking out, because it was just so good, but so painful."
CamoCoelcanth
I adore this film. It's one of the best horror films to come out in the last 15 years and the ending is even better than the one in the novella, which is truly saying a lot.
Dancer in the Dark (2000)
"Dancer in the Dark. I think it’s not just the ending. The whole movie is just hopeless. Terrible, beautiful, and hopeless."
MeMacarron
This is such a devastating film and Bjork deservedly won the Cannes Best Actress award for her work on it!
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
"Requiem for a Dream. The best movie no one wants to see twice."
justafatgoat
This whole movie is devastating. I've seen it more than once but it's been years since my last watch... should I be brave and see it again?
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
"In the 1990s, my parents found this movie for us because we loved Totoro. They put it on for us and then went out to dinner. They came back to utter chaos. 20+ years later I am still traumatized."
ravravioli
Oh dear.
Nooo! Not surprised you haven't recovered!
The End of Evangelion (1997)
The End of Evangelion. All these traumatized and depressed kids are trying to prevent the apocalypse, and then it just happens anyway. The movie is incredible, but super depressing in an existential way."
FredForeskin
Imagine doing the impossible, escaping the merging of consciousnesses, retaining your ego. Only to be reminded how disgusting (as Asuka said) existence is.
If you're looking for a good cry—or if you're okay with undergoing an existential crisis of some kind—it might be time to watch some of these.
And if you've seen some of these more than once, you are quite brave.
Have some suggestions of your own? Tell us more in the comments below!
@jman42/Bluesky
@SecretaryBurgum/X
@Doug Ellin/X
@evanrachelwood/Instagram