Scientific Study Reveals the Saddest Movie of All Time
In 1995, researchers identified the saddest movie ever, which brings audiences to tears more than any other. Discover which film holds this title and why.
What is the saddest movie ever made? This question was answered in 1995 by two researchers who identified a film that reportedly brings audiences to tears more than any other. The film in question is a sports drama featuring the child star from "The Little Lord."
Which film scene consistently makes you cry? Is it the heartbreaking moment when Bambi's mother dies, traumatizing countless children by introducing them to loss and mortality? Or perhaps it's the chilling descent of Jack Dawson (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) into the icy waters of "Titanic"?
Interestingly, the film deemed the saddest by scientists is "The Champ," directed by Italian filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli and released in 1979. The story centers on Billy Flynn (Jon Voight, known for his role in "Coming Home"), a once-successful boxer who now struggles to make ends meet while working at a horse racing track to support himself and his eight-year-old son, T.J. (Ricky "The Little Lord" Schroder). As financial pressures mount, Billy decides to make a comeback in boxing.
If you haven't seen the film, it is available for rent on Amazon Prime Video.
...but be warned: Keep tissues handy! In 1995, the findings from a study conducted by psychologists James J. Gross and Robert W. Levenson from the University of California, Berkeley, were published, declaring "The Champ" as the saddest film of all time (via Smithsonian Magazine).
Gross and Levenson showed 494 participants a total of 250 films to gauge their emotional responses across eight categories: amusement, anger, satisfaction, disgust, fear, neutrality, sadness, and surprise. For instance, films like "The Silence of the Lambs" and "The Shining" elicited strong feelings of fear among viewers, while the iconic "orgasm scene" from the romantic comedy classic "When Harry Met Sally" was rated the funniest.
In the sadness category, no film could surpass "The Champ"—a fact attributed to a particular scene (spoilers ahead!). The film's emotional climax occurs when T.J. cheers on his father during a boxing match, only to witness Billy suffer severe injuries and ultimately die in the ring. The heart-wrenching moment unfolds as T.J. rushes to his dying father, pleading, "Champ, wake up!" According to Gross and Levenson, there is "nothing more heartbreaking for most people than a grieving child," making this scene a reliable trigger for tears.
If you're in need of a good laugh afterward, check out the article that reveals the funniest movie of all time:
Study Proves: This is the Funniest Movie Ever!
This is an updated re-release of an article previously published on FILMSTARTS.
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