Hollywood loves them some death scenes, and for some reason, so do a lot of us. Whether they’re gory, shocking, funny, or sad, death scenes are some of the most memorable parts of the best movies. There are a lot of great ones to choose from, but here are ten that have stuck with me.

It should go without saying that this entire article consists of SPOILERS. If you don’t want to know who dies in a bunch of movies, don’t read this. Consider yourself warned.

Most Dramatic

Braveheart (1995)

There’s nothing like a good public execution. Peasants heckle, refuse gets thrown about, and a life is tossed aside for the purpose of entertainment. In Scottish rebel William Wallace’s public death scene, he gets stretched by being hung from the neck then by having ropes tied to his hands and feet, and he gets disemboweled; yet still he defies his executioner (a true Scotsman would never bow down to a sniveling Englishman). Making the most of his moment, he doesn’t cry out “Mercy” as he was instructed, but “FREEEEEEEEEDDDOOOOOOMMMM!!!” Then he gets beheaded.

Most Disturbing

American History X (1998)

Chilling violence gets taken up a notch in this infamous scene. Few people who have seen American History X can forget the brutal moment where Edward Norton’s character forces a man (Antonio David Lyons) to bite down on the sidewalk before stomping on the back of his head. It doesn’t get much more chilling or disturbing than this one. Anyone who can watch that scene and not feel a bit queasy is seriously disturbed.

Most Violently Orgasmic

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

Doomed outlaws Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway) and Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty) come to a sad but spectacular end when they get ambushed by a group of machine-gun-happy G-men on the side of a quiet country road. The graphic scene lasts a full 30 seconds and has their bullet-riddled carcasses bouncing and gyrating riotously before they finally bite the dust. Sad, sure – but what a way to go.

Goriest

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

It’s no wonder most of us 80s children were afraid to go to sleep. The image of Johnny Depp’s demise at the hand (notice the pun) of Freddy Krueger stayed in our young impressionable minds for a while. Once he finally falls asleep, Freddy’s hand bursts through a hole in the center of the mattress; sucks, swallows and pulls him into the bed; then shoots him back out and all over the room in the form of a bloody geyser. Ew.

Most Unexpected

Layer Cake (2004)

There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing the hero beat the bad guys at their own game, make it all the way to the top, get the girl, and live happily ever after. Sadly this doesn’t happen in Layer Cake. Everything seems to be going ok, until the very last moment. Gentlemen be warned – never steal another guy’s girl.

Biggest Tearjerker

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Sure there was Bambi’s mother, the kid in My Girl, and the Dad in Life is Beautiful, but a more recent movie death that got the waterworks going was the unexpected shooting of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) in Pan’s Labyrinth. All she was trying to do was complete a few tasks to prove she was a princess, save her newborn brother, and live a better life, and that damn Spanish fascist decided to kill her. Alas, in death she was reunited with her mother and was able to fulfill her destiny. I guess that’s ok.

Least Successful

Groundhog Day (1993)

Poor Phil (Bill Murray). Destined to relive the same day over and over again, he starts to go a little bit mad and decides he’s had enough. So he steps in front of a moving truck, swan dives off a bell tower, bathes with a 4-piece toaster – and still he won’t die. It’s kind of sad really.

Best Off-Screen

Fargo (1996)

I shudder to think what a horror movie directed by the Coen brothers would consist of. If the wood chipper scene is any indication… The sudden axe attack on partner Carl (Steve Buscemi) by Gaear Grimsrud (Peter Stormare), and Carl’s disposing-of in a wood-chipper is one of the most disturbing, but bizarrely amusing deaths in screen history (even though it happens off-screen). A classic if you will, it makes it clear that a “chipper” is not always as happy as it sounds.

Most Unintentionally Funny

Meet Joe Black (1998)

Actually seeing someone get hit by a car would be horrific and devastating, but seeing Brad Pitt get hit by numerous cars and tossed through the air is kinda funny. Crossing a busy street is always a little dangerous, and precautions should be taken (look both ways, etc.). Quite frankly, anyone who stands in the middle of a busy street for that amount of time – longingly gazing off-screen – pretty much has it coming. I’m sorry. It’s true.

Most Enduring

Psycho (1960)

The iconic murder of Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) at the hands of Norman Bates’ “mother” remains one of the most terrifying moments ever shown on film. While considered a little tame by today’s audiences, legions of fans who saw this movie when it first came out claim that for many years following their first viewing, they refused to take showers. Thanks to the creation of this phobia, it will always be credited as one of the most terrifying movie death scenes of all time.