The 50 saddest movie love stories

30. Tristan + Isolde (2006)

The Story: Tristan (James Franco) is second in line for the British throne when he falls in love with Isolde (Sophia Myles), an Irish princess.

Complicating matters, the two nations are currently at war.

Saddest Part: You were right. I don't know if life is greater than death. But love was more than either.

Tristan dies in Isoldes arms after being mortally wounded during a fierce battle.

29. Becoming Jane (2007)

The Story: Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway) encounters young lawyer Thomas Lefroy (James McAvoy).

Despite his dubious reputation, Jane falls in love with him--and he with her. Happily ever after, right?

Saddest Part: Tom gets engaged to somebody else. Jane agrees to marry Mr. Wisley. But then Tom realises his mistake and convinces Jane to elope with him.

Except they cant because Jane knows his family depends on him too much. If our love destroys your family, then it will destroy itself, in a long, slow degradation of guilt and regret and blame

28. Wuthering Heights (2011)

The Story: After loving him as a child, Cathy (Kaya Scodelario) meets Heathcliff (James Howson) again as an adult, and those same feelings are stirred.

Except now shes married, and cant follow her heart to be with Heathcliff.

Saddest Part: Well, that, but also the fact that Cathy becomes deathly ill

27. Moulin Rouge! (2001)

The Story: Writer Christian (Ewan McGregor) falls head over heels for performer Satine (Nicole Kidman).

Somewhat annoyingly, though, her hand is being promised to the Duke of Monroth (Richard Roxburgh).

Saddest Part: After carrying on a secret love affair, Satine dies of tuberculosis.

26. (500) Days Of Summer (2009)

The Story: Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) hooks up with the girl of his dreams when Summer (Zooey Deschanel) starts working at his office.

Saddest Part: This is a story of boy meets girl, but you should know upfront, this is not a love story, warns the narrator.

No kidding. By the end, Toms single and Summers married to somebody else. Dang.

25. Ghost (1990)

The Story: New York lovers Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) and Molly Jensen (Demi Moore) couldnt be happier.

Until Sams murdered in the street by a gun-wielding goon.

Saddest Part: Though Sam comes back as a ghost to protect Molly, theyll never be together again. Sob.

24. A Walk To Remember (2002)

The Story: Popular rebel Landon Carter (Shane West) is forced to join the schools drama club as punishment for acting out.

Which is where he meets quiet Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore) and becomes besotted.

Saddest Part: Turns out Jamie has terminal leukaemia

23. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

The Story: Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) and Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet) are massively different, but surely that cant get in the way of their burning passion for one another?

Saddest Part: Joel and Clementine are unaware that they dated two years ago, but had their memories removed after the relationship ended.

Which means theyre likely to repeat the same mistakes all over again

22. Titanic (1997)

The Story: Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) are both aboard the Titanic for her maiden voyage.

Sadly, their love affair grates with Roses well-to-do family, not least because shes engaged to the moneyed Cal (Billy Zane).

Saddest Part: Ill never let go, Jack.

Yknow, the Titanic sinks, and doomed Jack sinks to a watery grave. Poor Rose.

21. The Wrestler (2008)

The Story: Washed-up wrestler Robin Ramzinski (Mickey Rourke) meets lonely stripper Cassidy (Marisa Tomei) and the two seem perfect for one another.

Saddest Part: Ramzinski screws it all up. Getting drunk and taking drugs, he has sex with a random woman in a bar toilet, which means he misses his date with Cassidy.

He then tells her that the fans are the only ones who really love him, and participates in a suicidal wrestling match that could be his last