Everyone Cries At These 9 Stephen King Movie Scenes

One of the most celebrated authors in history, Stephen King, has truly deserved his title as the “Master of Horror” throughout his career. His diverse collection of works has been transformed into movies numerous times, with films derived from Stephen King’s novels frequently gaining renown and becoming iconic in their own right. Notable examples include “Stand By Me,” “The Green Mile,” and “The Shawshank Redemption.” These productions have garnered critical acclaim and numerous award nominations, highlighting the profound impact that this author has made on mainstream culture as a whole.

Stephen King, known as a master of horror, isn’t famous for creating scenes filled with happiness and joy. Instead, his stories are deeply emotional, often leaving viewers in tears. The movies based on his works have an uncanny knack for eliciting tears, thanks to their heavy emotional impact derived from thought-provoking themes. Scenes like the tragic fate of John Coffey or Brooks Hatlen’s heartbreaking end have become notorious for making everyone cry.

9. The Final Twist

The Mist (2007)

2007’s science fiction horror film “The Mist,” based on the 1980 novella with the same title, tells the story of a group of individuals who find themselves trapped inside a supermarket following an unforeseen supernatural fog that blankets Bridgton, Maine. This mysterious mist brings along a horrifying array of bloodthirsty creatures. The movie, directed by Frank Darabont, is well-known for its chilling ending, often causing viewers to weep from the depths of despair due to its sheer terror.

In a dense fog filled with terrifying creatures, Thomas Jane’s character David, who also has his son Billy with him, finds himself stranded in a car that has run out of gas. Desperate and facing no other options, David takes the heart-wrenching decision to euthanize the vehicle’s passengers, including his own son. This tragic act would be devastating on its own, but as the fog lifts, the U.S. military appears, rescuing survivors. This surprising turn of events makes David’s selfless sacrifice, which seemed so significant at the time, completely irrelevant in the end.
In an unexpected twist, the ending of “The Mist” stands out among Stephen King’s most emotionally affecting film adaptations because, although it is based on King’s work, this grim conclusion was actually a creation of Frank Darabont.

8. Georgie’s Murder

It (2017)

Recounting the ordeals of seven adolescents haunted by a malevolent spirit often appearing as a terrifying clown, Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel “It” remains one of his most acclaimed works. Earlier adaptations had been made in a 1990 miniseries, but Andy Muschietti’s dual-part film interpretation was the first time “It” graced the big screen. The initial movie installment from 2017 established a high standard for disturbing content, commencing with what is perhaps its most memorable scene – the heart-wrenching demise of Georgie Denborough.

In simpler terms, Bill’s young brother meets a tragic end at the hands of Pennywise, a terrifying entity, following an encounter in a storm drain. This sequence gradually escalates with an unsettling sense of foreboding, ultimately resulting in a deeply moving and heart-wrenching scene. Despite repeated viewings, the gruesome image of Pennywise tearing off a six-year-old’s arm or the haunting cries of Georgie begging for his brother as he is pulled into the drain never fails to evoke strong emotions. This moment remains one of the saddest in any adaptation of Stephen King’s work.

7. Eddie’s Demise

It Chapter II (2019)

2019’s “It Chapter II” may not have received the same level of acclaim as its forerunner, but it certainly didn’t lack in emotional scenes. Tragic events such as Adrian Mellon’s brutal death at the hands of bigoted teenagers and Stanley Uris’s suicide to protect his friends from Pennywise were heart-wrenching. Yet, none of these moments tugged at our heartstrings quite like the tragic end of beloved character Eddie Kaspbrak, portrayed by James Ransone, who was fatally impaled by Pennywise while heroically trying to save his friend, Bill Hader’s Richie Tozer.

The tragic demise of Eddie is deeply moving on its own, but it becomes even more gut-wrenching when considering the R+E revelation at the end of “It Chapter Two.” By carving their initials onto the town’s kissing bridge, Richie strongly hints at his love for Eddie, amplifying the sorrow surrounding this much-loved character’s passing. To make matters worse, the Losers were unable to provide a decent burial for their dear friend, a scene that often leaves viewers emotionally drained.

6. Ellie Gets Hit By A Truck

Pet Sematary (2019)

Even though viewers understand that what they see in movies isn’t genuine, nothing in cinematic history seems as distressing as the on-screen death of a child. Yet, Stephen King has never shied away from such grim scenarios in his novels, and these dark choices have often been brought to life on screen with chilling outcomes. A prime example is the heartrending death of Ellie Creed in the 2019 adaptation of Pet Sematary. The character of Ellie, daughter of protagonist Louis Creed, met her tragic end when she darted onto the road and was hit by a runaway tanker truck.

This scene powerfully illustrates its heart-wrenching theme, making it one of the film’s most distressing moments. Remarkably, the camera stops just as the impact occurs, yet the scene’s intensity still resonates strongly. The shock value is intensified by the fact that many viewers might have anticipated Louis’ son, Gage, to be the one fatally hit by the truck. This unexpected turn of events adds an astonishing twist to an already heart-rending moment, mirroring the plot deviations from King’s original novel and the 1989 film adaptation.

5. The True Knot Murders Bradley Trevor

Doctor Sleep (2019)

In a follow-up to the iconic horror film from the 1980’s titled The Shining, the movie Doctor Sleep released in 2019 focuses on Danny Torrance, who is now an adult, grappling with the aftermath of his traumatic childhood experiences. The film also introduces a sinister cult called the “True Knot.” This cult, led by Rose the Hat played by Rebecca Ferguson, are psychic predators who feed on a substance known as “steam,” which is released when individuals with the “shining” ability die in pain. One of the most unsettling Stephen King movie moments ever occurs in this storyline: the heart-wrenching death of Jacob Tremblay’s character, Bradley Trevor, or “Baseball Boy.

In the chilling scene from “Doctor Sleep,” Trevor, a talented baseball player who derives strength from an unearthly source, is brutally taken and killed by the True Knot. This harrowing sequence leaves viewers deeply affected. The heart-wrenching cries for mercy from Tremblay and the gruesome visual of a young boy’s slow, torturous demise are unsettling to say the least; one would have to be cold-hearted not to feel moved by it. The filming of this sequence reportedly brought tears to Rebecca Ferguson’s eyes, while Stephen King himself asked director Mike Flanagan to soften some of the intense violence in his original concept.

4. The Reveal Of Chris’ Fate

Stand By Me (1986)

1986’s “Stand By Me,” a classic tale of personal growth within cinema’s coming-of-age stories, might not be the first Stephen King movie that springs to mind when considering its most distressing moments. Interestingly, the film’s beginning itself hints at a tragic end for Chris Chambers, as a newspaper article in the opening scene reveals that River Phoenix’s character met a violent death by being stabbed during a restaurant brawl.

As a true movie enthusiast, I can say that by the end of the emotional rollercoaster we ride alongside the characters in Stand By Me, it’s the realization that Chris met an unjustifiably tragic end that leaves even the most stoic viewers with tears streaming down their faces. Despite being constantly overshadowed by his family’s tarnished reputation and unjustly accused of stealing school milk money, Chris defied the odds and strived to become a lawyer. It’s this heart-wrenching truth that such an exceptional life was cut short in such senseless fashion that consistently resonates with even the coldest hearts.

3. Dick Hallorran’s Undeserved End

The Shining (1980)

As a die-hard movie buff, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of empathy when I reflect upon the tragic demise of Dick Hallorann in Stephen King’s iconic horror masterpiece, “The Shining,” set in the chilling backdrop of the 1980s. A gentle soul with an uncanny affinity for the ‘shine’, much like Danny Torrance, Hallorann was a man who would put aside all his own concerns to lend a helping hand to the troubled young boy, even braving treacherous snowstorms on a cat-like vehicle just to reach the Overlook Hotel during a raging blizzard. His untimely death still leaves a lingering sorrow in my heart.

Sadly, Scatman Crothers’ character found no merit from his kind-heartedness as he was swiftly and brutally slain by a deranged Jack Torrance moments after an ambush in the hotel lobby. Hallorran’s demise is undeniably heartbreaking, leaving one feeling an intense sense of injustice that it could stir tears of anger amidst the flowing rivers of sorrow brought on by such a gruesome end.

2. “Brooks Was Here”

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The 1994 film “The Shawshank Redemption,” acclaimed for its poignant moments despite some departures from Stephen King’s 1982 novella “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption,” notably features a scene that stands out as one of the saddest in cinema history. However, it’s interesting to note that this particular scene was not originally found in the novel. A significant distinction between Stephen King’s book and the movie lies in the character arc of James Whitmore’s Brooks Hatlen, an elderly prisoner who had spent over five decades in Shawshank Penitentiary. In the movie, Brooks takes his own life following his release on parole, a plot point not present in King’s novel.

Sadly, Brooks, who had spent over five decades behind bars, found life outside the prison unbearable. In contrast to his peaceful death in King’s works, the film portrays Brooks taking his own life at a halfway house. He etched “Brooks was here” on an overhead beam before he passed away, leaving a touching and tragic message. This tear-jerking scene is one of the most heart-wrenching movie deaths ever, regardless of its source material or genre.

1. John Coffey’s Execution

The Green Mile (1999)

1999’s “The Green Mile,” adapted from Stephen King’s 1996 novel, stands as one of the most emotionally resonant film adaptations of his work. As a movie lover, I can attest that this story revolves around the life of John Coffey, portrayed by Michael Clarke Duncan, a giant of a man with an extraordinary ability to heal, despite his intellectual limitations. Heartbreakingly, he is wrongly accused and sentenced to death row for the rape and murder of two young girls. Despite his innocence, fate cruelly catches up with him, leading to one of the most poignant and sorrowful scenes ever captured on film.

In the poignant rhythm of Thomas Newman’s timeless melody, this scene from the Stephen King adaptation is an ocean of heartache in its entirety. From Coffey pleading with guards against covering his head with the hood, to Paul clutching him tightly for the last time before giving the command, the finale of The Green Mile ranks among the most emotionally draining movie endings ever made. Indeed, if there’s a Stephen King movie scene that can reliably induce tears, this one certainly fits the bill.

2025-04-19 22:42