3. Million Dollar Baby
As a director, Clint Eastwood isn't exactly known for churning out movies that have audiences leaving the theater with a smile on their face. After all, Gran Torino and Mystic River could have easily made this list as well. But Million Dollar Baby's third act delivers a gutpunch that Hillary Swank's Maggie would be proud of. It is the story of a young waitress who shows up at the gym run by boxing trainer Frankie (Eastwood) looking to be trained. At first he refuses, but she eventually wins him over through her hard work and determination. The two develop a close bond, with Frankie taking on a paternal role in her life despite being estranged from his own daughter, and Maggie having little relationship with her own blood. She fights her way up through the rankings, earning a title shot against the world champion. But the champ fights dirty, and Maggie is paralyzed thanks to a sucker punch after the bell which causes her to land on the wooden stool in the corner. Unable to ever regain anything resembling a normal life, Maggie begs Frankie to euthanize her, and he finally relents, but not after revealing the translation of the nickname he had bestowed upon her. The entire movie is spent taking this difficult journey with Maggie, admiring her resolve and perseverance, and just when it seems she has reached the apex of her dreams, it's all taken away from her. And rather than embracing her situation as one more fight she has to overcome, she just gives up. It's a brutally bleak end to an inspiring story.