7 Romance Films With Tragic Endings

Every once in a while, it’s great to watch a romance film that makes you have a good cry. Sometimes, shedding tears after watching a film is a sign that it is well-made.

This article contains a list of seven romance films, including English, Bollywood, and KDrama that have tragic endings.

1. Romeo and Juliet

An oldie but goodie. Romeo and Juliet is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s book, “Romeo and Juliet.” Released in 1968, the film tells the story of two young people from families who are enemies who eventually fall in love. The heartbreaking climax is when Romeo believes Juliet is dead and takes his own life. Juliet, upon awakening, finds Romeo lying lifeless beside her and she too takes her life.

Additionally, the film has three versions, one in 1936, 1968, and 1996. What’s more, it raked in $145 million over its $14.5 million production budget.

2. Titanic

Another timeless romance film, Titanic is a story of tragedy, love, and loss. The film narrates the story of Jack and Rose, two passengers aboard the RMS Titanic’s first voyage. Although they come from two different social classes, Jack convinces Rose to not jump into the ocean and their love story takes off from there. The film excellently incorporates both real and fictional scenarios. The sinking of the ship is based on a real-life occurrence but the love story of Jack and Rose is fictional.

Furthermore, the film won 11 Academy Awards and became the first ever film to gross over $1 billion.

3. A Walk to Remember

This 2002 film is an adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’s book with the same title. We follow the romance between Landon, a college “bad boy,” and Jamie, a quiet and sweet girl. Jamie tutors Landon which leads them to spend time together and eventually fall in love. But Jamie reveals her terminal illness, leukemia, which ends up taking her life. The film ends with a heartbroken Landon trying to face life without his first love.

4. The English Patient

Another adaptation is based on a novel by Michael Ondaatje, the film is set during World War 2. It tells the story of an injured man named Almásy, who narrates his unfortunate love affair with a married woman, Katharine Clifton. The climax of the film is when Katharine dies in a plane crash, leaving Almásy to deal with the pain and guilt of her death.

5. A Star is Born

Acted by Lady Gaga (Ally) and Bradley Cooper (Jackson Maine), the film tells a story of love, drugs, and addiction. It follows the life of Jackson, a popular musician, who meets and falls in love with Ally, an amateur singer. Upon beginning their relationship, Ally’s musical career takes off while Jackson falls deeper into alcohol addiction and mental health issues.

The film’s heartbreaking point is when Jackson takes his life with the belief that he is a burden to Ally.

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6. Uncontrollably Fond

This 2016 Korean drama presents a love story between two childhood classmates, Noh Eul and Shin Joon-young, who later reconnect as adults. Noh Eul is now a documentary producer, who is tasked to film the life of actor Joon-young. As they work together, the two start to develop a romantic relationship. Their love is ultimately cut short by Joon-young’s death as he suffers an incurable disease.

7. Sanam Teri Kasam

A tear-jerking film, the title translates to “Swear on You, My Beloved” in English. The Bollywood drama tells the story of Saraswati “Saru” who is disowned by her father due to her being rejected by suitors. Her neighbour, Inder, helps her during this period and they fall in love. Right at the brink of happiness, Saru is diagnosed with an illness which she dies of.

Before her passing, Saru had wished to be buried under a beautiful flower tree. The film ends with Inder visiting Saru’s grave in scenery just as she had asked for.