The characters who died and left us shattered
Here are 20 of the most devastating character deaths in movies and TV, ranked by the ones that still hurt the most!
There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a character, watching them grow, fight, love, and survive… only for them to get ripped away in the most brutal way possible.
Some of those deaths hit so hard, they leave you sitting in stunned silence, staring at the credits like, “Wait… what just happened?”
These are the deaths we’ll never recover from (in no particular order).
So, grab some tissues (and maybe a therapy appointment) because we’re about to relive the pain together.
TV character deaths that broke us
1. ‘Tokyo’ - Money Heist
The heart, soul, and wild card of the Money Heist gang. After surviving countless heists, betrayals, and heartbreak, Tokyo sacrifices herself in Season 5 to save her team.
After being gunned down by the army, she dies with a grenade in hand, taking the soldiers out with her.
That final smile, that narration from beyond the grave… it ruined us.
2. ‘Nairobi’ - Money Heist
If Tokyo was the fire, Nairobi was the warmth. She was a loving, protective, badass mother figure who just wanted to see her son again.
When Gandía executes her in cold blood, it wasn’t just a death; it was a betrayal to the fandom.
“For Nairobi” still stings.
3. ‘Glenn Rhee’ - The Walking Dead
Glenn was the everyman hero - brave, funny and super loyal. He dodged death countless times… until Negan.
That baseball bat scene? TV trauma. Watching him say “I’ll find you” to Maggie as his head caved in was a moment so devastating, even diehard fans considered quitting the show.
Admit it, you’ve never really forgiven this show.
4. ‘Ned Stark’ - Game of Thrones
This was the man who believed in honour, justice, and doing what’s right. Unfortunately, Westeros rewards none of those things.
His public execution in Season 1 changed TV forever, proving anyone can die, no matter how noble.
That single sword swing ended the idea of ‘main character armour’ for good.
5. ‘Walter White’ - Breaking Bad
Walt’s journey was epic, growing from a mild-mannered chemistry teacher to ruthless drug kingpin.
His final moments, where he bleeds out in a compound as sirens approached, was a fittingly tragic end for a man who lost everything chasing power.
6. ‘Joel Miller’ - The Last of Us
As the fiercely protective father figure in a world gone to hell; Joel’s brutal death at the hands of Abby was raw and shocking.
It sparked one of the most debated storylines in modern gaming and TV.
7. ‘George O’Malley’ - Grey’s Anatomy
George was the ultimate underdog - aka, good ol’ 007. George sacrifices himself to save a stranger, dying unrecognizable in the hospital he once called home.
When Meredith figures out who he is, it’s one of the show’s most devastating reveals.
He was truly selfless to the very end.
8. 'Logan Roy' - Succession
This ruthless media tycoon whose sudden death off-screen was as cold and transactional as the man himself.
There was no grand send-off. Not even a monologue.
Just a call from a plane and a legacy in tatters - somehow perfect for a man like Logan.
9. 'Captain Bobby Nash' - 9-1-1
As the heart and soul of the 118, Bobby’s death during a daring rescue mission in Season 7 left fans shattered.
Athena’s grief and the station’s stunned silence made it one of the show’s most powerful moments.
10. 'George Cooper' - Young Sheldon
George Cooper was the steady, loving dad we all knew wouldn’t make it to Sheldon’s adulthood.
However, when it finally happened, it was every bit as gut-wrenching as The Big Bang Theory fans dreaded.
A gentle giant, gone too soon.
Movie character deaths that destroyed us
1. 'Tony Stark' - Avengers: Endgame
The snarky genius-billionaire-playboy-philanthropist who went from selfish to selfless. Tony’s ultimate sacrifice, snapping Thanos and his army to dust, cost him his life.
“I am Iron Man”. The line that started it all became the line that ended it, and we weren’t ready.
We’re still recovering.
2. 'Jack Dawson' - Titanic
The charming free-spirited artist who taught Rose how to live and stole both her heart and ours.
Jack’s icy death in the freezing Atlantic remains one of the most debated (and tearjerking) movie moments of all time.
Could he have fit on that door? Maybe. Did it ruin us anyway? Absolutely.
3. 'Marley' - Marley & Me
It’s one thing to lose a person, but losing a good dog? Unbearable.
This mischievous, lovable dog’s death reminded every pet owner why goodbyes hurt so much.
Watching Marley drift away on the vet’s table was a masterclass in emotional devastation.
4. 'Mufasa' - The Lion King
This was a defining childhood trauma and our first taste of cinematic grief.
Scar’s betrayal, Mufasa’s fall, and Simba’s desperate cries still reduce grown adults to tears.
Admit it, you still get choked up.
5. 'Carlisle Cullen' - Twilight: Breaking Dawn (Part 2)
In what was revealed to be a vision, watching the noble, kind-hearted Carlisle get beheaded in battle had audiences gasping.
Even though it wasn’t ‘real’, that moment of shock and grief left a mark on every Twilight fan’s heart.
6. 'John Coffey' - The Green Mile
The gentle giant, gifted with healing powers, who was wrongfully executed.
His death wasn’t just tragic, it was a commentary on injustice, prejudice, and the cruelty of mankind.
Watching those guards cry as they carried out the execution said it all. “I’m tired, boss,” and so were we.
7. 'Rue' - The Hunger Games
A Sweet, clever Rue who was killed by Marvel in the arena.
Her death wasn’t just the loss of a child. It symbolized the senseless cruelty of the Capitol’s Games.
Katniss’ tribute, the flower-laden goodbye, and that rebel whistle? It’s haunting to this day.
8. 'Dobby' - Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows (Part 1)
The house-elf who stole our hearts. Dobby spent years enduring cruelty and servitude before finding freedom with the help of his beloved Harry Potter.
In a heroic act, he saves Harry and his friends from Malfoy Manor, only to be struck by Bellatrix Lestrange’s thrown knife as they escape.
His last words, “Such a beautiful place to be with friends,” left Potterheads absolutely shattered.
9. 'Thomas J. Sennett' - My Girl
The boy who was allergic to everything, stung by bees, and gone too soon.
Vada’s desperate cries of “He can’t see without his glasses!” at his funeral is one of the saddest movie scenes of the ‘90s.
Fact. There’s no doubt about that.
10. 'Augustus Waters’ - The Fault In Our Stars
The witty, charming cancer survivor who made us believe in forever, even if it was numbered.
Just when you thought it would be Hazel’s tragedy, Gus’s sudden relapse hit us like a freight train.
His pre-funeral eulogy scene, his final letter, and Hazel’s heartbreak turned this teen romance into one of the most quietly devastating movie deaths in years.
These aren’t just character deaths, they’re pop culture trauma.
Whether they taught us about sacrifice, injustice, or the cruelty of life (or just how much a dog movie can wreck you), these moments stick with us.
Judging by your calls, WhatsApps, and social media comments, we’re all clearly still in mourning together.
Don’t worry, KZN. We’re in this together.
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