5 Movie Scenes that Make Me Cry Like a Baby

The posts have been hard and heavy lately. What can I do? These aren’t the easiest of times. And they are times that inspire strong emotions.

So to take my mind off the craziness, I thought I’d spend the next few posts talking about entertainment topics.

But we’re not quite out of the woods just yet. As a transition from the pain and misery of the world to everyone’s favorite way to escape, I wanted to gather a few movie scenes that are absolutely unforgettable.

These five scenes, in no particular order, will always make me cry. I can watch the movie 100 times, and every single time when I get to these scenes, I’ll have tears streaming down my face.

Yeah, sure, I’ll try and pretend like I’m not crying. I might turn my head to the side, or rub my eyes like I got something in one of them. But I’m not fooling anyone. When it comes to the big screen, and these intense moments, the emotions run high. And there’s nothing I can do about it.

Warning: Spoilers are definitely coming… and make sure a tissue box is nearby!

Cry Like a Baby: I Am Legend (2007): Bye Pooch

I’m going to admit that I didn’t love this movie. But this scene was super memorable.

Who doesn’t love Will Smith? I’ve been enjoying his art since he was a lowly rapper hanging out with DJ Jazzy Jeff. His acting is certainly not the reason I didn’t love the film. It’s just a little slow for my taste.

But what could possibly be sadder than this moment?

You have a man with literally nothing left, wandering around by himself trying to save the world. The only companion he has in the entire world is his trusted pooch, Sam.

And not only does he lose his pet to the terrible illness that surrounds him, but he has to take care of business himself.

I can’t even imagine what it feels like to be in that position! I’m choking up just writing about it.

Cry Like a Baby: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): Everyone Says Goodbye

E.T. is still one of the greatest movies ever created.

Granted by modern standards it’s special effects are probably considered mediocre at best. But trust me, it still holds up! The last time I watched E.T. was at an outdoor showing in a park in Kansas.

It doesn’t matter how many times I see the movie. I’ll always love it. And the ending will always make me cry like a small child.

Only two types of people in this world. Those who cry at the end of E.T., and those who lie about crying at the end of E.T.

If you watch this and tears aren’t streaming down your face, you are heartless.

In order to write this post, I’m rewatching all these scenes. And yeah, the tissues in my home are all magically disappearing.

I’m not much of a crier… but when Elliot starts tearing up gets me every single time!

Cry Like a Baby: The Lion King (1994): Mufasa Dies

Yes, they figured out how to make me cry… with animation. That’s next level!

As a father, I know in my heart that I would do anything for my children. And that’s up to and including plunging myself into the most dangerous and lethal of situations. So it’s bone-chilling to watch as Musafa races fearlessly into a stampede of wildebeests to keep his child safe.

You feel his love emanating through the screen!

And if you aren’t bawling watching that adorable little guy try and wake his father up, you should be checked to make sure you’re not a sociopath. Something is most certainly loose.

Yes, I know it’s a cartoon lion and it’s all quite the fictional in a silly, happy-go-lucky film. But come on! That little guy crawls under his dead father’s paw. I’m getting emotional just writing about it.

Cry Like a Baby: Top Gun (1986): Goose Dies

Yes, Tom Cruise is an absolute fruitcake. But man was he in some good movies!

On a side note, I cannot believe that this film came out when I was nine. Or that Tom Cruise is still starring in action films. Or that he looks exactly the same…

I can’t imagine the action scenes still hold up 34 (!) years later, but this movie was packed with adrenaline and every minute was super exciting.

And in the midst of all the intensity, they created one character who we couldn’t help but love. He had such charisma and was so much fun, you felt like you wanted to hang out with him and drink a beer.

So when they took him from us in such dramatic fashion, it was jarring. But they then proceeded to drag out the death for, I don’t know, another half hour, replete with survivor’s guilt and a grieving widow and child.

Without fail, this scene leaves me standing in a puddle of my own tears.

Cry Like a Baby: The NeverEnding Story (1984): Artax Dies

They might be just as old as The NeverEnding Story, but I feel like everyone remembers E.T. and Top Gun. Whereas, The NeverEnding Story lies in relative and undeserved obscurity.

It’s a super-sweet film, and if you haven’t yet shown it to your children, you’re doing them a disservice. What are you waiting for? Show it to them. Now!

But the bigger they are, the harder they fall. And despite being a little on the outdated side, The NeverEnding Story contains an unforgettably sad scene. Possibly the saddest I’ve ever experienced.

Like the others, I just rewatched the scene and I still have chills running up and down my spine from the way he screams “Artax”. But it’s OK. Who doesn’t need a good cry every now and then?

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I noticed something funny when compiling this list. I only included five clips. Of those clips, three of them involved the death of animals. One of them involved saying goodbye to an alien. Geez, even the only one that involved a human’s death, the guy’s name was Goose!

I’m not exactly sure what this says about me. Perhaps I am the constant misanthrope I claim to be… but at least animals are precious and cute.

It’s no wonder I got myself a dog!

What movie scenes made you cry like a baby? Find any interesting patterns?