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The best-case scenario in movies is usually that the couple gets together and receives their happy ending. But just like in real life, it doesn't always work that way. While some couples are ill-matched right from the start, others break up despite the fact that they could have been good for each other.
That's hard both on them and on the viewers watching the movie who started to cheer for the couple. Love isn't all-powerful and some movie break-ups end up being truly devastating for everybody involved which makes, on the other hand, these films even more memorable.
7 The Notebook (2004)
Ryan Gosling's heroes have experienced more than one devastating break-up in movies. In this romance legend, Gosling plays opposite Rachel McAdams. Gosling's hero Noah falls for McAdams' Allie and despite their initial problems finding their way to each other, they start dating. However, Allie's family doesn't approve because Noah is poor.
The pressure eventually proves to be too much and the couple breaks up. Subsequently, they don't see each other for years but neither of them moves on, as they get back together once again. Based on Nicholas Sparks' novel, The Notebook is a real tear-jerker and the chemistry between McAdams and Gosling is strong in the movie.
6 Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Sometimes people break up even when they love each other because their love is forbidden. Ennis (Heath Ledger) and Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) are in love but in the USA of the 20th century, society isn't open to the idea of a relationship between two men. Ennis and Jack realize that by continuing their romance in secret, they will hurt other people they care about, so they break up.
This step is as difficult for them as it is devastating for the viewers to watch since they realize that under different circumstances, Ennis and Jack could have been perfectly happy together. Unlike other couples who get another chance, Jack and Ennis don't get their happily ever after since Jack later dies, which makes the movie even sadder.
5 The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
Even when a break-up hurts, it's still possible to separate on friendly, civil terms. That's not the case for Anne Boleyn and her royal husband, King Henry VIII. Henry falls for a new woman and because his love for Anne turned into bitterness, he decides to have her executed. Not even her sister, Mary who was once Henry's mistress, can sway the king's mind.
While it's difficult to feel sympathy for Henry in this scenario, Anne's fear at the realization she is about to die is something that hits the audience hard, partially also thanks to Natalie Portman's performance as Anne, including her convincing British accent.
4 Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Whoever said that superhero movies can't contain devastating breakups should think again. While the MCU has multiple romances that don't go so well, one of the most tragic is the love story of Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter.
The two spend a better part of the first Captain America movie dancing around each other, and just when they show their feelings and share a kiss, Steve is torn out of his own time and ends up 70 years in the future. Fortunately, he and Peggy get their happy ending in the end, but the years of separation and sadness for what could have been are still there.
3 Carol (2015)
Another forbidden romance happens between Cate Blanchett's Carol and Rooney Mara's Therese. The problem is that just like Jack and Ennis. Carol and Therese live in times when society deems the love between two women as unacceptable. What makes matters even worse is that Carol's married.
Despite all the obstacles they face, Carol and Therese get together and are happy. In the end, though, they're forced to break up as Carol wouldn't have gotten custody of her daughter. As a result, Carol is ultimately a story of giving up love for a family, which, however, doesn't make it any easier for the couple.
2 La La Land (2016)
When it comes to devastating break-ups in musical movies, La La Land is right there at the top. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone have played side by side multiple times, but their third cooperation is also the saddest one. Gosling stars as the talented musician Sebastian and Stone plays a young actress, Mia. Both of them are ambitious and in love with each other.
However, as their careers develop, their relationship falls apart at the same time. In the end, they both achieve their professional dreams but the bond they once shared is gone. More sensitive viewers will shed tears during the movie's finale, especially once it portrays what could have been had Mia and Sebastian stayed together.
1 Marriage Story (2019)
Both Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver are highly versatile actors, so when they joined forces in this movie about the break-up of a marriage, the result is impressive. Charlie and Nicole were once happily married, but something went wrong, and now they're waging a custody battle for their son.
Unlike some other romance movies, Marriage Story is painfully realistic as it shows that sometimes people can treat each other terribly despite the fact that they used to be in love. Marriage Story isn't always easy to watch, let alone optimistic, but it leaves a strong impression, and it's no surprise it was nominated for six Academy Awards.