Death is a part of life we’re all going to deal with sooner or later. And most of us would prefer if it happened later. No matter who you are, the cessation of life both intrigues and frightens.
While death is a serious matter in reality, its depiction on film varies. There, dying can be treated as symbolic, cathartic, and even glamorous. Heartstrings can be yanked, or fear can be instilled. Yet for a lot of people, death in movies can be plain funny. That’s right. Funny. Please forgive us as we laugh at and rank the following cinematic deaths.
Final Destination 5 (2011) — A perfect gore
Death is no stranger in the Final Destination franchise. The characters in every entry have met their maker in the most gruesome ways. The execution sequences got increasingly bizarre with each new installment, too. One of the most memorable deaths is undoubtedly Candice’s (Ellen Wroe) acrobatic demise in Final Destination 5. As per usual, Death itself sets up a chain of events that leads to the target’s expiry. Gymnast Candice suffers a major spill on the uneven bars. As a result, she literally gets bent out of shape. We laugh only because the event is ludicrous from start to finish.
Titanic (1997) — Free fallin'
What happened to everyone aboard the RMS Titanic in 1912 is tragic. No one will argue that. It’s one of the greatest catastrophes in recorded history. James Cameron’s 1997 interpretation of this maritime disaster is fondly remembered for its iconic love story and impressive visual effects. Something else remembered is the deaths. In general, the manner in which everyone dies is awful to watch. One scene, however, caught audiences off-guard. Someone on the poop deck slams into the propeller with a hard thud. It shouldn’t be hilarious. Yet here we are. The behind-the-scenes history on this moment is fascinating, though.
The Other Guys (2010) — Aiming for the bushes
There’s a glorious segment of the human population that subsists on Will Ferrell movies. What a fun way to live. A great way to die, though, is in Ferrell’s buddy cop comedy The Other Guys. The film revolves around two desk-bound cops who are promoted when their idols meet an unfortunate end. The Rock and Samuel L. Jackson play a pair of cocky detectives on the force. And their arrogance causes them to leap from a high rooftop. They “aim for the bushes,” but it’s unclear where these supposed bushes are. Anyway, it’s the best scene in the whole film.
The Mummy Returns (2001) — Imhotep steals the show
The Mummy is an astounding, action-driven fantasy movie. Sadly, the beloved 1999 film was followed by two mediocre sequels. Focusing on special effects, The Mummy Returns leaves both the story and cast high and dry. The CGI alone hasn’t aged well. In fact, the previous movie’s visuals are comparatively better-looking. The first sequel saw the return of Imhotep and the debut of the Scorpion King. In the conclusion, the new villain’s death was overshadowed by Arnold Vosloo. He storms in as Brendan Fraser’s character impales the Scorpion King. And with a sustained shout, Vosloo’s reaction overshadows the Scorpion King’s death.
Deep Blue Sea (1999) — Shark attack!
The only right opinion about Deep Blue Sea is that it’s an awesome shark movie. It’s become a modern creature feature classic. The film revolves around scientists using sharks to help cure Alzheimer’s disease. Things go incredibly wrong, though, when the sharks get loose in the offshore facility. Audiences were stunned by one scene back in 1999. Samuel L. Jackson is giving an inspirational speech to the remaining staff after one of their own is attacked by a shark. Then suddenly, one of the finned fiends takes him by surprise. The CGI is atrocious, but the scene is a riot.
The Happening (2008) — Mowing down the competition
After starting out so strong in his career with films like The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs, M. Night Shyamalan suffered a series of setbacks. He has since regained control with Split. One of his most ridiculed movies, however, is chock full of risible death scenes. It’s nearly impossible to pick just one. In The Happening, a mysterious plague is causing people all around the world to die by suicide. One bloody moment in the film that’s frequently mentioned by viewers is the infamous lawnmower death. It’s ghastly in theory, but seeing it in motion will trigger a giggle fit.
Hard Ticket to Hawaii (1987) — Death by Frisbee
Don’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of Hard Ticket to Hawaii before. It’s one of those action B-movies that has gained a cult following. It’s largely because the film is criminally cheesy and inane. The movie concerns two operatives intercepting a diamond delivery intended for a drug lord. What follows is an elaborate series of violent excerpts strung together by a threadbare plot. It’s amazing. Oh, and there’s a mutant snake — made possible by the most unconvincing puppet ever — thrown in for good measure. One particularly side-splitting scene is when Ronn Moss’s characters kills someone with a lethal Frisbee.
Return of the Jedi (1983) — Boba Fett’s Death
Star Wars is important to so many people of all ages and backgrounds. And when a character as well-liked as Boba Fett is killed off, fans will take notice. In Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi, the bounty hunter dies in the most comical way. During an all-out brawl, Han Solo accidentally breaks Boba Fett’s jetpack. Boba Fett is then launched into the air before becoming a meal for a nearby Sarlacc. This anticlimatic moment has understandably enraged the fandom for years. Alas, the death has apparently been retconned so that Boba Fett actually survived the Sarlacc Pitt.
The Dark Knight Rises (2011) — Talia al Ghul’s death
The followup to Christopher Nolan’s heralded The Dark Knight was met with mixed responses. More or less, though, viewers have come to accept this admittedly imperfect endpiece in an otherwise great trilogy. One glaring problem audiences had with The Dark Knight Rises, however, is how Marion Cotillard’s character Talia al Ghul died. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you know the scene. Well, the Internet went mad after the film’s initial release. Talia al Ghul’s death became a meme that’s still in use today. Thankfully, Cotillard has come to terms with the bad take and fans’ reactions to it.
Meet Joe Black (1998) — Pedestrian collision
Brad Pitt impressive résumé includes 12 Years a Slave, Fight Club, Interview with the Vampire, Seven Years in Tibet, and Snatch. And one of his most celebrated movies is Meet Joe Black. In the fantasy drama, Anthony Hopkins’ character Bill is approached by Death, who is played by Brad Pitt. They make a deal where Bill can live for a few extra days while Death poses as a human named Joe in the meantime. Much to his surprise, Joe falls for Bill’s daughter (Claire Forlani). Recently, one scene went viral for good reason. Try not to laugh at this one.
