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Article created by: Ieva Pečiulytė

As readers and viewers, we often become deeply invested in the lives of fictional characters. We follow their stories, rooting for their success, and feeling their pain. So it's no surprise that we're sobbing over their death, too.

In a recent Reddit thread, users were asked to share the saddest fictional character death they had experienced, and the responses are like a testament to one of the biggest signs of being human — empathy. So grab a tissue and continue scrolling to relive some powerful emotions.

Also, don't miss the conversation we had on the topic with game writer and published author from Seattle, WA, Pierre Demery. You'll find it in between the entries.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Man in torn overalls standing behind prison bars while police officers confront him in a prison setting, fictional characters death impact. John Coffey in the Green Mile. There's a passage in the book (around the time Paul and Brutal and Harry take John to see Melinda Moores) when they pass through the room that houses the electric chair and John remarks about Old Sparky and how he can hear voices coming from it, screaming. colddeaddrummer replied: After religiously watching the film and reading the book a handful of times, it hurts so much to know John has to ride the lightning in that same chair, despite being a being of pure light and magic. He's one of King's all-time great characters: a simple, unassuming creature of mythical power, tender wisdom, and infinite generosity.

Admirable_Dream_ , John Coffey - The Green Mile Report

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    #2

    Man sitting on city street with a German shepherd, amid wrecked cars and fallen streetlight, from fictional character scene. The dog in I Am Legend.

    FindingBeemo , sinemabed Report

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    #3

    Animated brown dog character with expressive eyes in a scene representing fictional characters with devastating deaths. Fry’s dog Seymour from Futurama. xfalinex replied: “I will wait for you, ‘till you’re back beside me.” rocks back and forth in a pool of tears

    Possible_Industry816 , Solid-Technician-301 Report

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    #4

    Animated scene showing two lions sitting on a cliff at sunset, symbolizing fictional characters with devastating deaths. Mufasa's death gets me every time

    thatbitch8008 , R. Kurmann Report

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    #5

    Man holding a small dog indoors, capturing an emotional moment related to fictional characters' devastating deaths. Daisy, John Wick's dog.

    Fluid-Nail , David Lee/Summit Entertainment) Report

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    #6

    A distressed fictional character experiencing a devastating moment, representing fictional character deaths that impact viewers deeply. Glen from the walking dead. Him looking over at Maggie as he was dying, destroyed me.

    ThrowRagoo , Kekker Report

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    #7

    White volleyball with a red bloody handprint, symbolizing fictional characters’ deaths that were devastating and unforgettable. Wilson from cast away

    Smurfeyyy , Wilson from Cast Away Report

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    #8

    Two soldiers in a war-torn battlefield scene, depicting fictional characters whose deaths were devastating. Saving Private Ryan has two of the saddest, most brutally gut wrenching deaths I’ve ever seen on screen in Wade and Mellish. Wade trying to talk the guys through his injury that goes from panic and terror to acceptance of his own death as he cries out for his mother and says “I want to go home”? Jesus Christ. Mellish is brutal for all the more uncomfortable and raw reasons you’d imagine. War is horrific. Young men are sent off to die and their lives are cut short for no reason. It’s tragic and heartbreaking and this is one of the only movies to really nail that feeling

    Tuna-No-Crust , Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers Report

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    #9

    Young animated fictional character carrying another on his shoulders, capturing emotional impact of character deaths. Tadashi Hamada from Big Hero 6. Dude was working on a robot to help others and died in an attempt to help others. What a guy

    DietCokeDude13 , Tadashi Hamada Report

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    #10

    A fictional character in a dark, distressed setting representing devastating deaths that people can't get over. Sirius Black from Harry Potter. He was my favorite character.

    Dragon_Queen79 Report

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    #11

    Sad fictional characters from Inside Out in colorful memory storage, highlighting emotional impact of fictional character deaths. Bing Bong :((( the whole “take her to the moon for me” got me in SHAMBLES

    crooksndragons , Shumy miles Report

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    #12

    Dobby the house elf from Harry Potter, a fictional character whose death was devastating to many fans. Dobby the house elf. I sobbed reading it and watching it. primeprover replied: "Such a beautiful place, to be with friends. Dobby is happy to be with his friend, Harry Potter."

    dietrich94 , Harry Potter Fans Report

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    #13

    Harry Potter wearing round glasses and a Gryffindor scarf beside a snowy owl, iconic fictional characters in literature and film. Hedwig. Such a small death, but it really helped to show the pointlessness of war

    Honest-Ad-2169 , Harry Potter World Report

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    #14

    Severus Snape from a fictional story, showing a devastated expression tied to iconic fictional character deaths. So cliché, but Severus Snape

    QuitComplaing , Professor Severus Snape Report

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    #15

    Young boy with glasses sitting outdoors by the water, representing fictional characters whose deaths were devastating. Thomas J. Sennett in My Girl. “He can’t see without his glasses” BCouto replied: I totally forgot about that movie. That was traumatic for a child.

    peeshermanfortytwo Report

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    #16

    Young man with long dark hair and denim jacket, holding a Honeycomb cereal box, representing fictional characters with devastating deaths. Eddie in Stranger Things

    ozinou , WeCanTry Report

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    #17

    Fictional character delivering an intense speech, highlighting one of the most devastating deaths fans can't forget. Boromir! My brother, my captain, my king. TheLonelySnail replied: They took the little ones!

    bananafish_8 , imgflip.com Report

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    bencurrey avatar
    Ben Currey
    Ben Currey
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One does not simply get over the death of Boromir

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    #18

    Two animated fictional characters showing sadness, highlighting devastating fictional character deaths many can't get over. Stoick the Vast How to train your dragon Dude literally just reunited with his wife after over 15 years of being gone and spends a total of about 15 minutes with her. Cause of death: basically took a bullet in the chest to protect his son. ThePurpleMister replied: I saw it in theatres and a bunch of kids started to cry. Not like sniffing but out loud wailing. It added to the atmosphere.

    24Nitro-gamer , xAndrzej42 Report

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    #19

    Young girl gripping a rope in a dark setting, representing fictional characters whose deaths impacted readers deeply. Leslie Burke, Bridge to Terabithia I didn't expect it at all, It said Family/Fantasy and was made by Disney.

    SuvenPan , FilmTeaser Report

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    #20

    Hodor from a fantasy series standing in a snowy forest, representing fictional characters with devastating deaths. Honestly I was really invested in GoT (up to a point) and Hodor's whole story and death were so depressing. Just one of those characters that deserved so much better

    bgb8987 , crizzl Report

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    #21

    Elderly fictional character sitting outdoors at sunset, highlighting fictional characters whose deaths were devastating. Uncle Iroh singing to his dead son, dam now that was sad.

    Klickyknees , Konietzko, Bryan & DiMartino, Michael Report

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    #22

    Animated character with a large round pink head and mustache wearing a top hat near a butterfly, fictional characters death theme. Pops from Regular Show He was the literal embodiment of good and he died saving the universe from and with his brother. He was such an innocent and friendly guy who was kind to everyone he met. I still tear up seeing the finale to this day. Edit: His last words to Mordecai and Rigby especially hurt. "I know you're sad, but I promise this is a good ending. Take care of each other. Goodbye."

    __BigBoi__ , eazyone83 Report

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