Films with the Most Heartbreaking Use of a Pop Song

Music has a powerful way of making movies more emotionally impactful, turning ordinary scenes into unforgettable moments. Filmmakers frequently use well-known songs to emphasize sadness or create surprising effects. A song we recognize can help us connect with characters and share their feelings, especially when something tragic happens. Here are some films that brilliantly used popular music to create truly heartbreaking scenes.

‘My Girl’ (1991) – “My Girl” by The Temptations

Vada Sultenfuss is heartbroken when her close friend, Thomas J, unexpectedly dies from a bee sting allergy. During his funeral, the song the movie is named after plays as Vada walks up to his coffin. She becomes very upset realizing he isn’t wearing his glasses, and she’s worried he can’t see, even in death. This moment forever links the normally cheerful Motown song with feelings of sadness, childhood loss, and the end of innocence.

‘Toy Story 2’ (1999) – “When She Loved Me” by Sarah McLachlan

Jessie shares a heartbreaking story with Woody, shown through a touching flashback. We see, through a song, how Jessie went from being a cherished toy to being forgotten by her owner, Emily, and eventually placed in a donation box. Pixar uses this scene to explore feelings of being left behind and how time changes things.

‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ (2001) – “Needle in the Hay” by Elliott Smith

Richie Tenenbaum is deeply unhappy and, while looking in a bathroom mirror, begins a desperate act. He carefully shaves off all his hair and beard, and then attempts suicide. The film uses a calm, gentle song to create a stark contrast with the shocking and disturbing images of blood and despair.

‘Donnie Darko’ (2001) – “Mad World” by Gary Jules and Michael Andrews

The ending of this film just completely wrecked me. It shows everyone waking up, but it’s clear they’re still carrying the weight of what almost happened, of the timeline being reset. They’ve been saved, but it doesn’t feel like a happy ending. It’s all set to this incredibly sad version of a Tears for Fears song, and the singer’s voice really highlights how tragic Donnie’s sacrifice was. It all comes together in a way that’s beautiful and heartbreaking, like a quiet, melancholic acceptance of everything that’s happened.

‘Call Me by Your Name’ (2017) – “Visions of Gideon” by Sufjan Stevens

As the movie ends and the credits roll, Elio Perlman is shown alone, gazing into the fire. He’s clearly heartbroken, tears falling silently as he comes to terms with the news that his past love, Oliver, is getting married. The scene beautifully captures his sadness without any need for words or big displays of emotion – it’s a quiet, personal moment of grief.

‘Good Will Hunting’ (1997) – “Miss Misery” by Elliott Smith

Will Hunting chooses to start fresh, leaving Boston to build a life with Skylar in California. As he drives down the highway, the song reflects his journey from a difficult past towards a hopeful, but uncertain, future. The singer received an Oscar nomination for this song, which beautifully captures the feeling of hopeful caution.

‘Trainspotting’ (1996) – “Perfect Day” by Lou Reed

Mark Renton’s overdose is shown visually as he seems to fall through the floor, representing his descent into the depths of addiction. As his drug-dealing friends frantically rush him to the hospital, a calm song plays in the background. This contrast between the peaceful music and the harsh reality of his situation is unsettling. Director Danny Boyle uses the song to highlight how appealing, yet ultimately destructive, Renton’s life has become.

‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (2004) – “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime” by Beck

Beck’s song appears in the final scene of this unusual love story, which centers around lost memories. Even though Joel and Clementine know their relationship will likely end the same way it did before, they decide to try again. The song accompanies a repeating image of them running on a snowy beach, emphasizing how love can be a repeating cycle of happiness and pain.

‘The Graduate’ (1967) – “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel

After a frantic escape from Elaine’s wedding, Benjamin and Elaine find themselves on a public bus. As the initial excitement dies down, the folk duo performs their song, but a sense of awkwardness sets in. The camera focuses on their faces as their smiles fade, while fellow passengers remain oblivious. This iconic ending breaks from typical romantic comedy tropes, offering a more realistic and uncertain conclusion.

‘Stand by Me’ (1986) – “Stand by Me” by Ben E King

As Gordie Lachance finishes writing about his childhood adventure, the screen goes dark. A classic R&B song plays, and we hear from the older Gordie as he remembers his lost friends. The song’s message about loyalty and how quickly childhood friendships can fade perfectly matches the story, leaving viewers with a bittersweet understanding that those intense bonds often don’t survive into adulthood.

‘Philadelphia’ (1993) – “Streets of Philadelphia” by Bruce Springsteen

This award-winning song, written by the artist, begins the film—a powerful drama about the AIDS epidemic. We see Andrew Beckett’s journey through the city as he struggles with both the physical effects of his illness and the prejudice he faces. The song’s sad melody and tired vocals instantly create a heavy, emotional atmosphere. It’s a mournful and solitary theme for a man confronting discrimination and his own mortality.

‘Aftersun’ (2022) – “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie

Sophie remembers a cherished holiday moment watching her father dance to a beloved rock song. Years later, as an adult, she hears a remixed, slowed-down version of the same song at a rave while searching for a connection to him. This reimagining of the music subtly reveals the sadness her father kept hidden, creating a heartbreaking comparison between the joyful memory and the pain of his absence.

‘Lost in Translation’ (2003) – “Just Like Honey” by The Jesus and Mary Chain

As Bob and Charlotte say goodbye on a busy Tokyo street, Bob quietly shares a final, unspoken message with her. The music builds as Bob walks away and gets into a taxi for the airport, perfectly capturing the brief, meaningful connection they shared. The dreamy, emotional sound reflects a relationship that, while powerful, was always going to be temporary.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ (2017) – “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens

The Ravagers honor Yondu with a funeral held in the vastness of space. As Peter Quill listens to a song on his Zune, he finally understands that Yondu was the father he needed. The song’s lyrics, about a father’s guidance, highlight how heartbreaking it is that they didn’t reconnect before it was too late. This poignant music choice adds surprising emotional depth to what is usually a lighthearted, action-packed movie.

‘Blue Valentine’ (2010) – “You Always Hurt the One You Love” by Ryan Gosling

I always find it so heartbreakingly beautiful when Dean serenades Cindy with his ukulele as they stroll through the neighborhood at night. She even tries to tap dance along, though she’s a little unsure of herself. It’s such a sweet, hopeful scene, but knowing their marriage eventually falls apart just completely changes how you see it. That little song, which is a bit rough around the edges, becomes this incredibly sad foreshadowing of everything going wrong – a promise of how their love will slowly turn into bitterness. It really gets to me, honestly.

‘A Star Is Born’ (2018) – “I’ll Never Love Again” by Lady Gaga

At the film’s conclusion, Ally Maine honors her late husband, Jackson, with a song. As she sings, we see flashbacks of Jackson composing the song for her. The scene shifts from a grand concert to an intimate memory of Jackson playing it on his piano, creating a powerful goodbye that feels both public and deeply personal.

‘Romeo + Juliet’ (1996) – “Exit Music (For a Film)” by Radiohead

I was completely blown away by this song! The band actually wrote it just for the end of this new take on a Shakespeare story. It starts playing right after the heartbreaking moment when the two main characters pass away. Thom Yorke’s voice is so incredibly haunting, and it really swells with emotion as the movie ends. It just makes the whole tragedy of their needless deaths feel even more powerful, knowing their families’ old feud caused everything.

‘Moulin Rouge!’ (2001) – “Come What May” by Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman

Throughout the movie, Christian and Satine express their secret love through a recurring song. This song plays again at the very end, as Satine tragically dies in Christian’s arms after the show concludes. What begins as a hopeful promise of a future together becomes a heartbreaking farewell. Director Baz Luhrmann uses the familiar structure of a pop ballad to create a powerfully emotional and devastating final scene.

‘Jojo Rabbit’ (2019) – “Heroes” by David Bowie

As the war comes to an end and American soldiers arrive, Jojo and Elsa share a dance to a German version of a popular rock song. The song symbolizes both the newfound freedom and the resilience of people after the devastation of World War II. It’s a poignant moment, recognizing the loss of childhood while celebrating the hope of liberation.

‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ (2012) – “Asleep” by The Smiths

Charlie waves goodbye to Sam and Patrick as they head off to college. The song playing is from a mixtape Charlie made for Patrick earlier in the movie. Its lyrics, which describe singing someone to sleep, hint at Charlie’s feelings of sadness and isolation. It highlights how much it hurts to watch his friends move on while he feels stuck.

Tell us which film song moment made you cry the most in the comments.

2025-11-29 18:22