15 Most Shocking Buffy The Vampire Slayer Moments
5. Buffy Sacrifices Herself
During season five, Buffy is lumped with a little sister who turns out to be the personification of The Key, a mystical ball of energy which opens up a demon dimension and bring the end of the world.
As Glory, who wants to open said dimension, kidnaps Dawn, Buffy, Willow, Giles, Xander, Anya and Spike lead a full-scale assault on the god and her forces in order to save Dawn from her fate.
Unfortunately, it all proves a futile effort, as the ritual to open the dimension has already begun. Knowing she must die in order to close the dimension, Dawn tries to let herself go, but Buffy stops her and takes her place, killing herself to close the portal.
As the episode comes to an end, a voice over of Buffy’s final words to Dawn is played, and audiences are forced to watch as Willow, Giles, Xander, Anya and Spike react with teary eyes to her death.
Of course, she comes back, but knowing that doesn’t make watching this scene any less cruel and heartbreaking.