22 TV Shows with the Best Use of Montage for Emotional Impact

Montages are a common and effective way to tell stories on TV. They can quickly show the passage of time or link ideas together using images. Often, these sequences combine striking visuals with music to make a scene more emotionally impactful. Directors and editors use them to communicate complex ideas without relying on characters to explain things. This can create iconic moments that viewers remember long after the show is over.

‘Six Feet Under’ (2001–2005)

As a huge fan, I still get chills thinking about the final moments of ‘Six Feet Under.’ It’s just… perfect. Claire driving away felt like saying goodbye to all of us, and then seeing glimpses of everyone’s future, knowing how their stories eventually ended, was incredibly powerful. The use of Sia’s ‘Breathe Me’ just hit different – it really emphasized how precious and fleeting life is. It wasn’t just an ending; it was a beautiful, complete farewell to the Fisher family and a truly cathartic experience.

‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)

Each season of ‘The Wire’ ends with a sweeping montage that shows life continuing in Baltimore. These sequences use music to set the tone and highlight how the characters’ lives are changing. The show visually demonstrates that the problems it portrays are deeply rooted in systems that remain constant, even as the people involved change.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

Vince Gilligan often used montages in ‘Breaking Bad’ to show time passing and how the drug trade worked. A famous example shows Walter White and Todd Alquist cooking meth in different locations, set to the song “Crystal Blue Persuasion.” These scenes quickly summarize months of criminal work in a visually appealing and rhythmic way. The contrast between the cheerful music and the illegal acts emphasizes how Walter and his partners became accustomed to their criminal lifestyle.

‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)

‘Better Call Saul’ powerfully shows how Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler grow apart using split-screen scenes. A montage set to the song “Something Stupid” illustrates their increasing emotional distance, even while living together. The split screen displays their separate daily lives, highlighting a growing gap between them. This visual technique lets viewers feel the unspoken tension and drift between the characters without any dialogue.

‘Lost’ (2004–2010)

The TV show ‘Lost’ often used music-filled scenes to show what the characters were feeling. The end of the first season is a great example: as some survivors sail away on a raft, others remain on the island. The powerful music by Michael Giacchino, combined with shots of the actors’ hopeful and worried expressions, highlighted the show’s focus on real human feelings and the bonds between the characters, even amidst the strange events happening around them.

‘Mad Men’ (2007–2015)

In a memorable scene from ‘Mad Men,’ Don Draper presents a pitch for the Kodak Carousel, but the slideshow unexpectedly becomes a reflection of his own past family life. As images of happier times appear, Draper speaks about the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia. This moment exposes the sadness hidden beneath his confident facade and his yearning for a past he can’t get back. The scene is deeply moving, impacting both those in the meeting and viewers who witness his personal pain.

‘Scrubs’ (2001–2010)

As a huge ‘Scrubs’ fan, I always appreciated how the show wasn’t afraid to get really emotional. They’d often switch from funny to surprisingly serious, and they did it so well with music. There’s one episode that always sticks with me – Dr. Cox loses three patients back-to-back, and it’s all set to The Fray’s “How to Save a Life.” It completely drops the comedy and just shows the raw, heartbreaking side of being a doctor, and how much it can affect them. It’s a really powerful moment and perfectly shows how ‘Scrubs’ could handle tough subjects like grief with such sensitivity.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

The season six finale of ‘Game of Thrones’ begins with a tense montage set to piano music in King’s Landing. As Cersei Lannister gets ready for her trial and characters prepare for the ceremony at the Great Sept of Baelor, the music swells. This culminates in a devastating explosion of green wildfire that destroys her rivals, signaling a major change in the power dynamics and overall mood of the show for the rest of the series.

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–Present)

In ‘Stranger Things,’ a particularly impactful scene shows Max Mayfield trying to escape the villain Vecna. As she runs, Kate Bush’s song “Running Up That Hill” plays, and Max remembers joyful moments with her friends, giving her the strength to fight back. The quick cuts in the editing mirror both the song’s energy and Max’s desperate struggle to survive. The scene connected with audiences worldwide, serving as a powerful symbol of how positive memories can help overcome difficult experiences.

‘The Bear’ (2022–Present)

‘The Bear’ brilliantly captures the intense, fast-paced atmosphere of a professional kitchen through quick cuts and stressful scenes. One memorable sequence shows the exhausting work needed to get the restaurant ready, highlighting the toll it takes on the staff both financially and emotionally. The show’s editing style mirrors the constant pressure of the culinary world, making viewers feel the same sense of confinement and chaos that the chefs experience every day.

‘Succession’ (2018–2023)

The show ‘Succession’ powerfully uses music and quiet scenes to emphasize how alone each member of the Roy family truly is. The final episodes frequently switch between the siblings as they react to setbacks and triumphs, often placing them in lavish but desolate environments. The evocative music by Nicholas Britell amplifies the sadness of their fractured family and relentless drive for power, revealing the emptiness that lies beneath their wealth.

‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014–2020)

‘BoJack Horseman’ is an animated show that uses creative visuals to show the main character’s struggles with depression and addiction. For example, a montage featuring a planetarium connects characters across time and different mental states. The show’s animation style also changes to reflect how BoJack sees the world when he’s at his worst. These visual moments offer a deeper understanding of his inner thoughts and feelings than words could.

‘The West Wing’ (1999–2006)

The TV show ‘The West Wing’ is well-known for a powerful scene following the death of a Secret Service agent. Set to Jeff Buckley’s version of “Hallelujah,” the scene shows Mark Harmon’s character being remembered as the other characters deal with a difficult and urgent situation. The slow-motion shots highlight both the seriousness of their work and the emotional toll it takes. This scene is considered one of the most impactful uses of music in the entire series.

‘The Americans’ (2013–2018)

The final scenes of ‘The Americans’ show Philip and Elizabeth Jennings fleeing back to Russia on a train, accompanied by U2’s “With or Without You.” They watch their daughter standing on the platform, highlighting the painful and irreversible choice they’ve made to leave her for her own protection. The scene is powerfully silent, emphasizing the growing physical and emotional distance between them.

‘Halt and Catch Fire’ (2014–2017)

The show ‘Halt and Catch Fire’ uses Peter Gabriel’s song “Solsbury Hill” to show how time passes and the tech world changes. A montage set to the music depicts the characters starting a new business and rediscovering their passion after facing many challenges. It perfectly captures the hopeful feeling of the internet’s early days and the team’s strong working relationship. This sequence effectively moves the story forward and strengthens the connections between the characters.

‘This Is Us’ (2016–2022)

As a big fan of storytelling in film and TV, I’ve always been struck by how ‘This Is Us’ is put together. They use these beautiful montages that jump between the past and present, and it’s not just random – they expertly show how one little thing, like a family tradition or an object, can tie generations of the Pearsons together. The editing really emphasizes that life comes full circle, and that family love lasts through everything, even decades. It gives you this complete picture of their history, and it’s all about how emotions connect them over time.

‘Friday Night Lights’ (2006–2011)

The TV show ‘Friday Night Lights’ frequently concludes episodes with beautiful, slow-motion scenes of the town of Dillon at night. These montages focus on the reactions of players and locals after each football game, set to the emotional music of the band Explosions in the Sky. These scenes effectively contrast the intensity of the games with the everyday lives of people in a small town.

‘Mr. Robot’ (2015–2019)

In ‘Mr. Robot,’ Sam Esmail uses fast-paced, confusing scenes to help viewers experience the world as the main character, Elliot, does – a world that feels broken and scattered. The show portrays Elliot’s hacking with quick cuts and voiceovers, making it hard to tell what’s real and what’s happening inside his mind. These scenes contrast the boring parts of his everyday job with the excitement of being a hacker fighting for justice. This visual approach emphasizes the show’s main ideas about feeling alone and being controlled by others.

‘Fleabag’ (2016–2019)

The second season of ‘Fleabag’ ends with the main character walking away, leaving behind the statue that symbolized her guilt and offering a final wave to the viewers. This direct address to the audience—breaking the ‘fourth wall’—shows her journey towards healing. She’s no longer relying on connecting with the audience to feel better, because she’s finally learned to accept and love herself.

‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2004–2009)

Watching ‘Battlestar Galactica,’ I was completely blown away by how they revealed the final Cylons. It happened during this incredible montage, set to a haunting cover of ‘All Along the Watchtower.’ The song just worked – it felt like it was triggering something within the characters, pulling them all together. It was so surreal seeing that classic song in a spaceship, creating this really ominous mood. Honestly, it completely shifted everything about the show and made the conflict feel so much more intense. It was a masterful reveal!

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)

Okay, so ‘Once More, with Feeling’ – the musical episode of ‘Buffy’ – is just brilliant. It’s not just a fun detour; it’s like the show suddenly gives everyone a voice for all the stuff they’ve been keeping bottled up. Seeing the characters burst into song isn’t random; it actually shows us what they’re really thinking and feeling. What’s really clever is how the editing weaves all these individual emotional moments together – you see everyone struggling, but in a way that connects them. And it doesn’t just reveal feelings, it actually moves the story forward, forcing Buffy and the gang to deal with some serious truths they’ve been avoiding. Honestly, what could have been a silly gimmick ends up being a surprisingly deep dive into what makes these characters tick.

‘Ted Lasso’ (2020–2023)

The show ‘Ted Lasso’ cleverly references classic romantic comedies with a charming scene of Roy Kent looking for Keeley Jones. Set to the song “She’s a Rainbow,” the montage includes familiar romantic comedy moments, like a fast-paced run through the city. It perfectly blends the show’s lighthearted humor with real feelings and helps the characters develop. The scene ends with a heartwarming reunion that emphasizes the show’s emotional heart.

Tell us which TV montage made you the most emotional in the comments.

2025-11-27 01:17