Buzz
Certain TV series are notorious for consistently delivering emotional gut punches to their viewers (yes, Grey’s Anatomy, we’re pointing at you). Others maintain their typical comedic or dramatic tone, only to suddenly deliver an episode so emotionally charged that it leaves audiences in tears long after the credits roll (think of Futurama’s infamous Jurassic Bark episode).
This list highlights some of the most tear-jerking moments from popular TV (or Netflix) series that have left fans reaching for tissues more than once. Be warned: spoilers may follow.
10. The Quarterback
Glee is a polarizing show, largely due to its frequent musical performances. While the first season garnered critical acclaim, earning 19 Emmy nominations and 4 Golden Globe nods, its popularity waned after Season 3. The tragic passing of Cory Monteith shocked fans, and when a tribute episode was announced, viewers braced themselves for an emotional journey.
Monteith portrayed the endearing character Finn Hudson, and the tribute episode was filled with deeply emotional moments. Highlights included Naya Rivera’s poignant performance of “If I Die Young” and Lea Michele’s heartfelt rendition of “Make You Feel My Love.”
The most gut-wrenching moment, however, is a brief yet powerful scene where Hudson’s mother shares how she occasionally forgets her son’s passing, only to relive the pain of that devastating phone call repeatedly. Watching her grieve for her son is guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes.
9. “He was eleven!”
From the very beginning, Broadchurch set the stage for an emotionally charged narrative in its Season 1 murder mystery. The heartbreak is palpable when Beth Latimer, a young mother, discovers that the body on the beach is her missing son, Danny. This scene is just one of many tear-inducing moments throughout the series.
For many viewers, the most chilling moment occurs when DI Ellie Miller learns that Danny’s killer is someone she never expected: her own husband. Olivia Colman’s raw and emotional performance, especially during her confrontation with her husband, cements this as one of the most unforgettable scenes in television history.
8. “How come he don’t want me, man?”
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air launched the career of the timeless superstar, Will Smith. Over its six-season run, the sitcom delivered countless hilarious and iconic moments, such as the famous dance move known as ‘the Carlton.’
However, the tone shifted dramatically in the episode “Papa’s Got a Brand New Excuse,” featuring a scene that remains emotionally impactful even decades later. Will’s father, Lou, reappears after a 14-year absence, only to vanish from his son’s life once again almost immediately.
A heated argument erupts between Lou and Uncle Phil when Lou plans to leave without even saying goodbye to Will. The ensuing conversations—first between Will and Lou, and then between Will and Uncle Phil—create one of the most heart-wrenching moments in television history.
7. “Mommy?”
Buffy the Vampire Slayer was marketed as a supernatural drama and earned widespread critical praise over its seven-season tenure. The Joss Whedon masterpiece concluded in 2003, and since then, countless books and articles have delved into the profound themes the series explored.
One such theme was grief, and the episode addressing this was not only one of the most emotionally taxing but also a stark reminder of how abruptly death can shatter lives.
Buffy’s reaction upon discovering her mother’s lifeless body on the couch, and her whispered “Mommy” as the grim reality sinks in, is utterly heart-wrenching. In that moment, she isn’t the fearless slayer of supernatural foes—she’s as vulnerable and human as the audience watching her.
6. “Where do you think we are?”
Scrubs is another series primarily known for its humor. After all, it’s the show that brought us hilarious moments like a fire extinguisher battle, a spirited hospital church choir, and Turk’s unforgettable performance of “Safety Dance,” all while driving home meaningful points.
Scrubs also delivers some of the most emotionally devastating moments in television. Who could forget the episode “My Screw Up,” where Dr. Cox grapples with the death of his best friend and brother-in-law, Ben Sullivan? The episode’s final moments reveal Ben’s passing as Dr. Cox, who has been conversing with an imaginary Ben, walks into a cemetery with J.D. for Ben’s funeral, fighting back tears.
5. The Hero of Riverdale
If you ask anyone about the most absurd show on TV right now, Riverdale is sure to come up repeatedly. This series features teenagers assisting the FBI in solving murders, only to discover that the FBI agent is not only related to multiple characters but is also a serial killer. Add to that a serial killer father, the Black Hood, a high school girl running a speakeasy, and Archie Andrews defeating a bear in a fight.
However, the cast and crew faced a real-life tragedy when Luke Perry, who played Archie’s father Fred, passed away at 51 after suffering two strokes. The tribute episode begins with Archie learning that Fred died after stopping to help a stranded motorist on the side of the road.
The motorist was portrayed by guest star Shannen Doherty, who paid homage to her friend and former Beverly Hills 90210 co-star. Her heartfelt and tearful speech to Archie is both poignant and heartbreaking.
4. The Reunion That Never Happened
Betty Suarez’s awkwardness provided countless hilarious moments in Ugly Betty. While the first season was charming, the show’s appeal waned, leading to its cancellation after the fourth season in 2010. Betty appeared to have finally found her soulmate in Daniel, while her sister Hilda endured a series of relationships, none as painful as her romance with Santos. Santos, the father of Hilda’s son Justin, was largely absent until he returned, committing to Hilda and Justin—only to be shot during a convenience store robbery in the Season 1 finale.
When Season 2 began, it seemed Santos had survived, with Hilda refusing to let him out of her sight. However, the episode’s conclusion revealed that Santos had actually died, and the entire episode’s interactions between him and Hilda were merely her imagination as she coped with her grief.
3. Fleeting Joy
(This is a new Netflix series, so avoid reading further if you haven’t watched it or completed it.)
In another adaptation of a book to a Netflix series, Firefly Lane delves into the profound bond between two teenage girls whose friendship deepens as they grow older. The show is filled with predictable, humorous, and emotional moments. However, one particularly dark scene stands out when Tully, one of the main characters, suffers the loss of a baby she didn’t realize she desperately wanted—on her wedding night, no less.
This tragedy strikes just as Tully decides to embrace happiness, leaving her utterly devastated. On her show, The Girlfriend Hour with Tully Hart, she struggles to maintain composure but eventually breaks down, asking her audience how many have experienced a miscarriage. Fans praised this scene for its raw honesty and refusal to romanticize the pain of miscarriage.
2. Wasted Potential
13 Reasons Why is arguably the most controversial series on this list, known for its unflinching portrayal of heavy themes across its four seasons. The graphic depiction of suicide in Season 1 sparked widespread backlash, with many fearing it might encourage teens to imitate the act. Two years later, Netflix edited the scene and worked to curb the circulation of pirated clips.
The series is packed with shocking moments, including rape, bullying, drug abuse, a near school shooting, and death. The emotional climax of Season 4, featuring the tragic death of beloved character Justin Foley, left fans heartbroken. Foley, who battled substance abuse, endured physical violence, and homelessness, had finally begun to turn his life around before his untimely demise.
During the prom in the finale, Foley collapses and is rushed to the hospital, where he learns he is HIV positive and that the disease has advanced to AIDS. Soon after, he succumbs to AIDS-related pneumonia and fungal meningitis.
1. “Goodbye”
John Ritter, 54, was filming his popular sitcom “8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter” when he fell ill on September 11, 2003—coincidentally his daughter’s 5th birthday. He was taken to the hospital for emergency surgery due to a torn aorta but passed away later that night.
In 8 Simple Rules, Ritter played Paul Hennessy, a sportswriter who meets a similar fate in the episode “Goodbye.” He collapses while buying milk and dies. Each family member processes their grief in their own way before uniting to hear Cate Hennessy read Paul’s final article.
