Top 10 Most Horribly Depressing Movies Ever Made

Why do we do it to ourselves? What is it in us that seeks out these horribly depressing movies? I don't know, but guilty. One of my favorite corners of the internet provided the answers to, “What movie ending is horribly depressing?” Here are their top choices.

1. Stand By Me (1986)

Image Credit: Act III Productions

Based on Stephen King's novella, The Body, this drama is FULL of tragedy. Four friends decide to search for the corpse of a boy who was hit by a train while plucking blueberries. The cast is terrific, and they play their characters to a tee. 

But River Phoenix plays one of the four friends and goes on to become a lawyer to try to make something of his life, only to be stabbed in a fight. Then, Wil Wheaton's character's brother dies, and his parents ignore him. One noted, “That's pretty depressing.”

2. The Fox And The Hound (1981)

Image Credit: Walt Disney Productions

Unlike most Disney movies, Fox and the Hound delivers a mature and realistic ending that many agreed “will require tissues.” Tod, the fox, befriends a hound dog named Copper when a kindly woman takes him in after his mother is killed. They become fast friends, but the world's reality sets in that Tod is a fox, and Copper is a fox-hunting hound. 

3. No Country For Old Men (2007)

Image Credit: Miramax Films

A hunter finds two million dollars in cash when he comes across dead guys whose drug deal went sour. Then a psychopathic killer pursues him because he wants the money. In a typical movie, the hunter would somehow defeat the psycho and live happily ever after with the loot. Still, we are talking about depressing movies here. No Country for Old Men is classic and worth the watch. 

4. Se7en (1995)

Image Credit: New Line Cinema

Se7en is a well-known film for having one of the most shocking plot twists in cinematic history. “What's in the BOX?” According to one, “It's the absolute daddy of twists. It's brutal and tragic. And you will be like, NO!” Several people agreed that Se7en is a masterpiece in the truest sense. It is a movie on many top ten lists, and it is no surprise it made its way onto this one. 

5. American History X (1998)

Image Credit: New Line Cinema

Edward Norton plays the role of a neo-nazi who commits a hate crime and spends three years in prison. After getting out, he tries to convince his brother not to do the same thing. One user noted, “The ending is brutal, and you won't expect it. Also, they rejected the director's ending and released Norton's ending as the final cut.”

6. Pay It Forward (2000)

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Haley Joel Osment plays an innocent child who wants to improve the lives of three people around him: his alcoholic mother, his teacher with severe burn scars, and a homeless man. One user warned, “The ending will leave you depressed.”

7. My Girl (1991)

Image Credit: Columbia Pictures

My Girl is a 90s classic with one of the most brutal scenes in cinematic history. One Redditor shared that they'd gone to watch this movie in a theatre. Their most significant memory is walking up the aisle and seeing Kleenex on the ground from people wiping their tears.

8. The Mist (2007)

Image Credit: MGM

The Mist is a gloomy and depressing tale of fear vs. hope. It follows David, a man trapped in a supermarket with his son, who is in a moral quandary, trying to escape from the deadly creatures eating everyone.

Someone stated, “They made a different ending for the movie because the first one was too dark. It will leave you feeling so much pain but also have you thinking, dang, that was a good movie!” 

9. Memento (2000)

Image Credit: New Market

Guy Pearce gives a stellar performance as an insurance investigator who has amnesia. The last thing he remembers is that his wife was killed, and he uses tattoos and notes to find the killer. Viewers agreed, “it is one of those brilliant movies you never want to watch again.”

Popular Reading: From Fame to Recluse: 10 Celebs Who Said Goodbye to Society

10. Dancer In The Dark (2000)

Image Credit: New Line Cinema

Dancer In The Dark follows a Czech immigrant who finds salvation in her passion for classic Hollywood musicals and is going blind. Unfortunately, her son is also going blind. She must somehow secure enough money to treat her son. One stated The movie is grim, hopeless, and challenging to watch.”

We hope you enjoyed this Reddit recommendations list of ridiculously depressing films. This article was inspired by the internet and did not necessarily reflect the views of Finance Quick Fix.

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