10 Emotional Movie Scenes That Will Make You Cry

Here it is: the one movie scene that even the gruffest of men should begrudgingly admit brings tears to their eyes.

Sylvester Stallone's signature role of down-and-out boxer Rocky Balboa might have wound up becoming a bit of a self-parody in the sequels that followed, but in the 1976 original it's a true triumph of the underdog story that echoes with the broken dreams and missed chances that all of us have had.

The real power of the original film's ending, of course, is that Rocky does not in fact win his once-in-a-lifetime fight with Carl Weathers' Apollo Creed, but manages to stay on his feet for the full 15 rounds, which is all he needs to keep his self-respect.

The final moments are a masterclass in how music and editing can create an emotional crescendo. The bell sounds, the exhausted fighters quietly agree there will be no rematch (ironic, considering Rocky II), the press rush the ring, Bill Conti's music surges; instant well-up.

And then, when Rocky's famed cry of "ADRIAN!" rings out, his beloved (Talia Shire) comes to his side, and they declare their love for one another... ahem. Excuse me, I'm fine, just got something in my eye.