The silver screen has the power to inspire, entertain, and captivate moviegoers with dramatic stories from all across the world, with many of Hollywood’s most unforgettable characters delivering some truly spectacular last words in their final moments. From Marlon Brando’s iconic uttering of “The horror, the horror” in Apocalypse Now to Roy Batty’s beautifully poignant monologue in Blade Runner, there has been no shortage of memorable dying words in film.
Audiences can’t help but become heavily invested in the lives of these famous fictional faces, with some of these characters’ demises being equally celebrated and mourned. Orson Welles opened his directorial debut Citizen Kane with the mysterious word “Rosebud”, causing a domino effect in the film as it explored the phrase’s true meaning. With that said, let’s take a look at the 21 greatest dying words in movie history.
21 “James, earn this. Earn it.” – Captain John H. Miller (Saving Private Ryan)
After spending the course of Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning masterpieceSaving Private Ryan valiantly fighting to locate the eponymous soldier with a motley crew of courageous men, Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) finally achieved his goal and was able to track down the ever-elusive private. Throughout the harrowing quest, many brave soldiers and members of Miller’s team lost their lives as the war raged on around them, yet the Captain remained steadfast in finding Ryan. However, in ferrying Ryan back home, Miller would find himself uttering one of the most memorable quotes in war films to this day.
Moving Final Words to Live By
When Miller and his remaining men come upon Ryan, the soldier refuses to abandon his post and does not believe he deserves to leave more than anyone else. Miller helps the younger man and the soldiers prepare for a German assault, which ultimately results in the Captain being fatally wounded. As reinforcements arrive, Miller shares a truly poignant moment with Ryan and tells the private to earn the sacrifices he and his fellow soldiers made to bring him home, ultimately completing his mission and succumbing to his injury. Stream on Paramount+
Saving Private Ryan
- Release Date
- July 24, 1998
- Tagline
- in the last great invasion of the last great war, the greatest danger for eight men… was saving one
20 “I’ll be damned. Oh, this is funny.” – Doc Holliday (Tombstone)
Val Kilmer delivered an unforgettable performance as notorious gunfighter Doc Holliday in the classic ’90s Western Tombstone, brilliantly portraying Wyatt Earp’s right-hand-man as they face off against a group of outlaws known as the Cowboys who are terrorizing the region. Together, the fearless duo, along with Virgil and Morgan Earp, set out to rid the titular town of the ruthless gang, leading to an epic showdown that would become known as the famous shootout at the O.K. Corral.
A Gunslinger’s Peaceful End
Despite being a highly-skilled gunslinger who tussled with some seriously dangerous adversaries, Holliday did not end up dying in a blaze of glory but rather in a Colorado sanitorium. After participating in the legendary battle and successfully defeating outlaw Johnny Ringo in a duel, Holliday spends his final days in a hospital where he loses his fight with tuberculosis. Holliday can’t help but marvel at his startling fate as he takes his last breath, having assumed a bullet would be what ended him. Instead, he is given a more peaceful send-off. He’ll always be our huckleberry. Stream on Hulu
Tombstone
- Release Date
- December 25, 1993
- Director
- George P. Cosmatos
- Tagline
- Every town has a story. Tombstone has a legend.
19 “The horror. The horror.” – Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Apocalypse Now)
Francis Ford Coppola pulled no punches when he directed the groundbreaking war juggernaut Apocalypse Now, centering on skilled veteran assassin Captain Benjamin L. Willard as he is enlisted to carry out a top-secret mission to assassinate the decorated and once-revered Colonel Walter Kurtz (Marlon Brando). Having disappeared into the wilderness, Kurtz has seemingly gone mad, wreaking havoc in Cambodia during the height of the Vietnam War.
Throughout the critically-acclaimed drama, Kurtz was on the brink of insanity and reached his breaking point after being dismissed by the U.S. Army, opting to become the “God-King” of the Montagnards deep in the Cambodian jungle. After subjecting Willard to unfathomable cruelty and psychological abuse, Kurtz meets his end at the hand of the Captain’s machete and utters the iconic line. He had become corrupted by absolute power and as he lay dying, Kurtz reflected upon the brutality and horrors of war and the effects it has on humanity, embracing an end to his own madness. Rent/Buy on Prime Video
18 “You cannot win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope)
Silver screen legend Alec Guinness earned an Academy Award nomination when he starred as famous Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi in George Lucas’ ’70s sci-fi juggernaut Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Obi-Wan takes the young Luke Skywalker under his wing and teaches him about the Force, revealing that he is a heroic Jedi and subsequently training him to be a member of the eponymous ancient warriors. However, a dramatic confrontation would ultimately set the stage for the heroic journey of Luke Skywalker.
Obi-Wan’s Prophetic Words
Obi-Wan assists Luke and Han Solo as they set out to rescue Princess Leia from the nefarious clutches of Darth Vader and assist the Rebel Alliance in their fight to keep the galaxy safe. In a truly heroic moment, Obi-Wan sacrifices himself during a dangerous lightsaber duel against Darth Vader, whom he is trying to keep distracted so that the young heroes can escape to the Millennium Falcon. The powerful Jedi leaves Vader with his final parting words, foreshadowing how his death will inspire Luke to take down the Sith, no matter the cost. Stream on Disney+
17 “Bury me in the ocean, with my ancestors that jumped from the ships, because they knew that death was better than bondage.” – Erik “Killmonger” Stevens (Black Panther)
Determined to seize power and control of the wondrous nation of Wakanda and its dazzling technology, lethal black ops mercenary Erik “Killmonger” Stevens (Michael B. Jordan) spends the duration of Black Panther making an enemy out of his cousin and the African land’s superhero king, T’Challa, whom he dethrones and ends up taking control of Wakanda from. T’Challa doesn’t stay down for long and returns to take back both the throne and the nation, resulting in a devastating family showdown.
A Beautifully Poignant Declaration
After duking it out in a violent and brutal battle, Killmonger is fatally wounded after T’Challa disables his suit and stabs him. Instead of opting to be healed, a defeated Killmonger declares to his cousin that he would rather die as a free man than be incarcerated, movingly telling the Marvel hero his final words. T’Challa takes Killmonger to a stunning secluded spot where the pair watches the Wakanda sunset, and he dies peacefully shortly after. It’s a stunning closer to one of the most critically-acclaimed MCU films in history. Stream on Disney+
Black Panther
- Release Date
- February 13, 2018
- Tagline
- Long live the king
16 “A plague on both your houses!” – Mercutio (Romeo + Juliet)
While there have been countless adaptations and iterations of the celebrated Shakespeare tragedy, few can live up to the impact and legacy of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes star as the iconic star-crossed lovers, who fall head-over-heels for one another despite their families being fierce rivals and enemies. Romeo’s best friend Mercutio (Harold Perrineau) is supportive of their growing romance, and he even challenges Juliet’s hot-headed cousin Tybalt to a duel after Romeo refuses to do so.
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Mercutio’s Demise Leads to Tragedy
Just as the incensed Mercutio is about to kill Tybalt, Romeo steps in and pleads with his friend to not go through with the act, inadvertently distracting Mercutio just long enough for Tybalt to strike and mortally injure him. Mercutio curses both the Montagues and Capulets as he lies dying, expressing the infamous final words to a completely devastated Romeo. Mercutio’s death causes a domino effect that propels the story to tragedy, as an enraged Romeo retaliates by shooting Tybalt and avenging his friend’s murder. It’s an already iconic quote brought to life on the big screen by the talented Harold Perrineau. Stream on Hulu
15 “I’m melting! Melting! Ohhhhh… What a world, what a world! Who ever thought a little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness?! Ah, I’m going! Ahhh!” – The Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz)
Undeniably one of the most memorable and instantly recognizable villains in cinema history, the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton) terrified the young Dorothy Gale and the citizens of Oz in the groundbreaking musical fantasy The Wizard of Oz. After promising to get revenge on Dorothy for inadvertently playing a role in the death of her equally nasty sister, the Wicked Witch vowed to get revenge for the crime. Meanwhile, a frightened and alone Dorothy heads to the Emerald City in search of a way home, as the Witch plots her attack.
The Wicked Witch’s Unforgettable Demise
Along her journey, Dorothy meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, and together the group must steal the Wicked Witch’s broomstick in order to get help from the mystical wizard. After being kidnapped by flying monkeys, Dorothy battles against the Witch and ends up splashing her with water, causing her to slowly melt. The legendary antagonist is aghast that a mere human girl like Dorothy put an end to her terrifying reign, as she iconically melts away into nothing. While it may not have much thematic depth, the delivery of the line by Margaret Hamilton is etched into our minds forever. Stream on Max
The Wizard of Oz
- Release Date
- August 15, 1939
- Director
- Victor Fleming , Mervyn LeRoy , Richard Thorpe , King Vidor
- Cast
- Judy Garland , Frank Morgan , Ray Bolger , Bert Lahr , Jack Haley , Billie Burke
- Tagline
- Gaiety! Glory! Glamour!
14 “I have been, and always shall be, your friend. Live long and prosper.” – Spock (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
Since the inception of the beloved sci-fi franchise Star Trek, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) were one of Hollywood’s most recognizable duos, as they helped balance one another and were close as brothers. In the second installment of the film series, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, the crew of the USS Enterprise squared off against the genetically engineered oppressor Khan Noonien Singh, who vowed to get revenge on Kirk after being exiled for 15 years. What follows shortly after, however, is one of the most heartbreaking and memorable moments in the entire Star Trek franchise.
Spock’s Ultimate Sacrifice
The friendship and unbreakable bond between Captain Kirk and Spock is one of the many reasons the franchise became a massive sensation all across the world, and the death of the half-human/half-Vulcan in Wrath of Khan devastated diehard fans. Spock goes out a true hero, sacrificing himself at the end of the film in order to restore warp power after Khan activates the terraforming device Genesis. A heartbroken Kirk is forced to watch as his best friend dies from radiation poisoning, but not before Spock sagely urges him to not grieve and leaves him with his famous catchphrase. Stream on Max
13 “I would have followed you. My brother, my captain, my king.” – Boromir (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring)
No stranger to dramatically dying on-screen, Sean Bean once again went out in a blaze of glory when he portrayed Boromir, son of the Stewards of Gondor in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Boromir embarks upon a dangerous journey along with the other Fellowship members and Bilbo Baggins to destroy the almighty ring and save Middle Earth, yet he felt that its power could help Gondor’s defense and ultimately couldn’t fight the temptation of the ring.
Boromir’s Final Act of Redemption
Just when it looks like Boromir is ready to betray his fellow allies and has become corrupted by the magic of the ring, he is given the ultimate redemption and manages to break free of its pull to protect Pippin and Merry. Boromir is mortally wounded in a bloody battle, as he lay dying he is comforted by his comrade Aragorn, whom he acknowledges as the rightful and true king. He is given a peaceful, final moment and movingly proclaims this excellent quote to Aragorn with his final breath. Stream on Max
12 “Rosebud.” – Charles Foster Kane (Citizen Kane)
Orson Welles made his spectacular directorial debut when he helmed and starred in the silver screen masterpiece Citizen Kane, an influential drama that is widely regarded as the greatest film ever created. In the undisputed ’40s classic, the life of prominent newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane is explored from his youth to his tragic death. The acclaimed picture opens with an elderly Kane on his deathbed, murmuring the word “Rosebud.”
Powerful & Impactful Final Words
Kane’s whispered final word kicks off a chain of fascinating events that sets up the premise of the drama, with savvy newspaper reporter Jerry Thompson being tasked with discovering what the true meaning of “Rosebud” is. Citizen Kane depicts the legacy and origins of Kane as Thompson delves into his colorful past, and while the reporter never learns the true meaning of the magnate’s final word, audiences discover the phrase has something to do with his troubled childhood. Rent/Buy on Apple TV+
Citizen Kane
- Release Date
- April 17, 1941
- Cast
- Orson Welles , Joseph Cotten , Dorothy Comingore , Agnes Moorehead , Ruth Warrick , Ray Collins
- Tagline
- Everybody’s talking about it!
11 “Stay gold, Ponyboy.” – Johnny (The Outsiders)
Based on the S.E. Hinton novel of the same name, Francis Ford Coppola’s lauded coming-of-age dramaThe Outsiders touted a dazzling cast of then up-and-comers including Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, and Rob Lowe, all while detailing the rivalry and mounting conflicts between two young rival gangs in 1965 Oklahoma. C. Thomas Howell memorably starred as Ponyboy Curtis, with Karate Kid star Ralph Macchio appearing as his best friend Johnny Cade. The duo become swept up in gang violence during the flick.
Hold on Tight to Innocence
After going on the run following a deadly confrontation with some gang members from the “Socs”, Ponyboy and Johnny debate turning themselves in for the murder and end up rescuing a group of children trapped in a burning church. When part of the structure collapses, Johnny breaks his back and is taken to the hospital in critical condition. Despite Ponyboy’s excitement over the greasers winning a rumble, Johnny urges his friend to remain innocent and optimistic, and tells him to “stay gold” before passing away from his injuries. It’s a memorable scene from an already memorable movie, one made all the more powerful by the screen presence of C. Thomas Howell and Ralph Macchio. Rent/Buy on Prime Video
10 “I know now why you cry. But it’s something I can never do. Goodbye.” – T-800 (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)
True to his iconic words, Arnold Schwarzenegger was back and stronger than ever when he returned as the fearless T-800 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. This time, he is sent back to 1995 to help protect future human resistance leader John Connor and his mother Sarah as he is targeted by the lethal Skynet terminator T-1000. The powerful and determined cyborg ends up developing a surprising bond with the young boy, as he learns more about what it means to be human as his fondness for Connor grows.
T-800 Discovers the Meaning of Life
A hero of T-800’s caliber deserves to have a seriously epic sendoff, and the legendary character was willing to sacrifice himself for humanity after learning the value of life. Though an emotional John begged and pleaded with T-800 to not destroy himself after defeating T-1000, the cyborg wanted to protect the future of the planet and knew that his death would ensure the existence of humanity. He understood what it means to feel and care despite being a machine, and shared a powerful moment with the boy before being incinerated. Stream on Paramount+
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
- Release Date
- July 3, 1991
9 “You think you can kill me with bullets? I take your f***in’ bullets! Go ahead!” – Tony Montana (Scarface)
Defiant and headstrong until the bitter end, notorious Miami drug lord Tony Montana (Al Pacino) refused to accept his defeat even as his empire came crumbling down all around him in Brian De Palma’s crime classic Scarface. The Cuban refugee went from rags-to-riches and built up a lucrative and powerful drug business that made him a respected and feared man, yet his reign as the King of Miami ultimately came to a bloody end by the final act of the celebrated gangster juggernaut.
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Death scenes are a powerful storytelling tool. They can make the audience laugh, cry or, scream. Here are some of the best cinematic death scenes.
Montana’s Fierce and Fiery Demise
Pacino delivered an unforgettably fiery monologue in his final moments as Montana, who has effectively lost everything: his empire has collapsed, assassins are swarming him, and he has lost the respect of his once-loyal sister Gina (who even ends up shooting him in a rage). Montana goes on a profanity-riddled rant as his enemies close in on him, using an explosive machine gun to take out many of the assassins. A fighter through and through, Montana refuses to accept defeat and ultimately dies from the onslaught of bullets. It’s easily one of Al Pacino’s most over-the-top performances, but instead of detracting from the scene, it ultimately makes it all the more memorable. Stream on Hulu
8 “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist.” – Dr. King Schultz (Django Unchained)
Christoph Waltz took home an Academy Award for his spirited performance as German bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz in Quentin Tarntino’s revisionist Western Django Unchained. In the fan-favorite flick, the eponymous former slave is granted his freedom after helping the eccentric Schultz track down and capture the Brittle brothers, with the pair hunting down more notorious criminals together. Schultz then assists Django in rescuing his long-lost wife from the clutches of the cruel plantation owner Calvin J. Candie.
Schultz Reaches His Breaking Point
Waltz completely steals every scene he’s in as the brilliant dentist-turned-bounty hunter, and his overwhelming disdain and hatred for the kind of man Candie is leads him to make a bold choice with instant repercussions. After Schultz sets up a deal to purchase Broomhilda and therefore reunite her with Django, Candie demands that the bounty hunter shake his hand in order to seal the deal. A fed-up Schultz impulsively decides he’s had enough of Candie’s antics and despite knowing he will be killed, shoots the evil Candie dead before also being gunned down in retaliation. Rent/Buy on Prime Video
7 “This is from Mathilda.” – Léon (Léon: The Professional)
From the genius mind of Luc Besson comes the gripping action thriller Léon: The Professional, which marks Natalie Portman’s feature film debut. It tells the story of the titular professional hitman (Jean Reno) as he ends up taking in the orphaned 12-year-old Mathilda after her family is brutally murdered by a crooked DEA agent. Léon ends up teaching the young girl the tricks of his violent trade and trains her to become his protégée, all the while plotting their revenge against the corrupt agent.
Léon’s Explosive Grand Finale
The unlikely pair form a unique and unusual bond as they hunt for the people responsible for her family’s murders. Léon teaches Mathilda how to master different weapons while she, in return, teaches him how to read. After Mathilda is kidnapped, Léon rescues the girl from an ESU team threatening to blow up his apartment and he helps get her to safety before telling the child he loves her. After being shot and wounded in the back, he uses grenades to blow himself up along with his assailant after boldly declaring, “This is from Mathilda.” It gives the audience plenty of closure, along with a particularly violent demise for the film’s villain, who was played by an over-the-top Gary Oldman. Rent/Buy on Apple TV+
6 “Mein Führer! I can walk!” – Dr. Strangelove (Dr. Strangelove)
Hollywood greats Stanley Kubrick and Peter Sellers joined forces to create the satiric black comedy Dr. Strangelove, in which the decorated funnyman takes on three sidesplitting roles, including the titular former Nazi and nuclear expert. The lauded flick parodies the Cold War and chronicles the chaotic events that transpire after a paranoid United States Air Force General decides to order a nuclear attack against the Soviet Union, with Dr. Strangelove being brought in to advise on the high-stakes situation.
A Cheeky Eulogy for Humanity
The deranged scientist spends the duration of this uproarious comedy in a wheelchair, as he also suffers from alien hand syndrome and thus has no control over his own limbs. As the dangerous mission escalates, and it appears that the United States will be targeted by a doomsday device, the not-so-good doctor abruptly stands up out of his wheelchair and hilariously declares, “Mein Führer, I can walk!“, just as the device detonates and effectively destroys all of humanity. It’s a morbid, but hilarious scene to conclude the film with. Stream on Max
5 “All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.” – Roy Batty (Blade Runner)
Ridley Scott’s ’80s sci-fi extravaganza Blade Runner takes place in a dystopian future in Los Angeles where synthetic humans (aka replicants) are being created by a dangerous company to work on space colonies. It stars Harrison Ford as a weary cop and bounty hunter named Rick Deckard. In the trailblazing cult classic, Rick is tasked with hunting down a group of replicants who have escaped and returned to Earth, and are led by their renegade leader, Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer).
A Heartfelt Death Soliloquy
Hauer delivered arguably one of the finest performances of his career when he starred as the highly-intelligent and formidable fighter Roy Batty, who possesses superhuman strength and agility and wants to figure out a way to prolong his lifespan. Roy and Deckard engage in a cat-and-mouse pursuit throughout the cinema hit, and the antagonist ends up showing audiences his human side when he rescues his adversary from falling to his death. He then delivers a poignant and poetically beautiful monologue about life and his memories, before dying as his lifespan runs out. Rent/Buy on Prime Video
4 “You have your mother’s eyes.” – Severus Snape (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2)
Ever since Harry Potter began his first year at the magical school of Hogwarts, Professor Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) has demonstrated a profound hostility towards the young boy, coming off extremely disapproving and cold. With each entry in the beloved film series, Snape’s tough exterior is slowly broken down as his devastating past and connection with Harry’s mother Lily comes to light. These revelations boil over in the franchise’s final installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
Snape’s Double-Meaning Declaration
In the blockbuster finale, Harry discovers that Snape isn’t the villain he believed him to be all these years and had actually been secretly protecting him, tricking Voldermort into believing he was in allegiance with the Dark Lord and his cause. After Voldemort orders Nagini to kill Snape so that he can use the power of the Elder Wand, Harry compassionately goes to his side in his final moments. Snape touchingly tells him, “You have your mother’s eyes.” Lily was the only person to ever truly show kindness to Snape, and he realizes that her son also possessed the same empathy. Stream on Max
3 “Never go against a Sicilian, when death is on the line!” – Vizzini (The Princess Bride)
Rob Reiner created one of Hollywood’s most cherished and universally adored fantasy flicks when he directed the ’80s classic The Princess Bride, following the charismatic and swashbuckling Westley as he sets out to rescue his lady love Buttercup from the revolting Prince Humperdinck. After she is kidnapped by a trio of quirky bandits including the Italian outlaw Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), Westley is able to disarm the men and is reunited with his long-lost Buttercup.
Vizzini Speaks Too Soon
The small but confident crime lord engages in a battle of wits with Westley’s alter-ego Dread Pirate Roberts, and ends up being tricked into drinking a poisonous brew. Vizzini initially believes he has the upper-hand and proceeds to make a hilarious and arrogant speech about where Westley went wrong and the fateful error he made, revealing that one should never go against a Sicilian, only to drop dead from the poison in an entertaining turn of events. Not only is it an iconic sequence from start to finish, but it marks a memorable end for one of The Princess Bride‘s most popular characters. Stream on Disney+
2 “Clever girl.” – Robert Muldoon (Jurassic Park)
In the groundbreaking sci-fi filmJurassic Park, Steven Spielberg transported enchanted moviegoers all across the world to the island of Isla Nublar, where a wealthy and eccentric businessman had created a wildlife park filled with dinosaurs brought back to life. Robert Muldoon (Bob Peck) is the wondrous park’s game warden and is a highly-capable hunter who is tasked with helping search for survivors after the dinosaurs wreak havoc on the island and its inhabitants.
Muldoon Gets Fatally Outwitted
Unlike his fellow comrades, Muldoon is fearless in his pursuit of the dinosaurs and relies heavily on his extensive hunting knowledge and expertise, yet that isn’t enough after he ventures deeper into the jungle. While attempting to locate a group of Velociraptors, Muldoon tries to distract two of them but ends up being tricked and outsmarted by the dinosaurs when a third one attacks him out of nowhere. In awe of the prehistoric creatures’ intelligence and hunting skills, Muldoon famously mutters “Clever girl” before he is mauled to death by the Velociraptor. Stream on Peacock