10 So-Called Sad Movie Endings That Are Happier Than You Think

This particular adaptation is one of the most famous and widely-viewed Shakespeare films, and on its own terms it is, of course, one hell of a sad watch. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes might've ostensibly bristled against each other in real life, but they were a lovely, sympathetic couple on-screen and their deaths are difficult to take, especially as it was all so avoidable. 

If only Romeo had looked down and see Juliet stirring. If only. 

Nevertheless, the original story of Romeo and Juliet is, while still a tragedy, more of a bittersweet work than this movie suggests. Out of the screen adaptations of Romeo and Juliet, this one is quite possibly the best and it's certainly a fascinating, brilliantly inventive take on the material. Having said that, it does make a huge error by leaving out one of the play's most important scenes - the reconciliation of the families. 

In the play, once Romeo and Juliet die, the Montagues and Capulets have learned the hard way the cost of their hatred and they vow never to fight again, so something good does come out of these sad events. In many ways, this is the whole point of the story, and omitting this was a strange decision for what is otherwise a well-crafted adaptation.