History Main / VideoWills

* "Film/Contact": The religious zealot left a video in his hotel explaining his reasons for destroying the portal.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' episode "[[Recap/TheNewBatmanAdventuresE7JokersMillions Joker's Millions]]", the Joker inherits a literal ton of money from "King" Barlowe, an old mob boss and rival. Everyone's shocked since Barlowe notoriously despised the Clown Prince of Crime. The twist comes when Joker finally gets around to this portion of Barlowe's will, only to realize that [[OutGambitted he's walked right into a financial trap]] -- most of the [[CounterfeitCash cash was fake]], he'd already [[AFoolAndHisNewMoneyAreSoonParted spent all the real money]], [[IntimidatingRevenueService the IRS]] has come calling with a tax bill for the full amount, and Barlowe [[BatmanGambit accurately assumed]] that Joker ''can't (and won't) tell anyone about it'' since that means he'd be admitting to the world that he got conned by a dead man.

* Used in an episode of ''Series/WKRPInCincinnati'' when one of Jennifer's elderly gentlemen friends dies and includes her in the execution of his will. He videotapes a message to be played for his various sponging relatives, at one point correctly mimicking one of their replies. As for Jennifer, whom the man's relatives assume is a mere gold digger, he requests she uses the rest of his money for a big parade. The relatives protest this seemingly ridiculous waste of money, but are stunned when Jennifer immediately starts making arrangements to fulfill his wishes without any thought of taking the money for herself.

** "It's a Dog's Life" (which is notable for featuring a scene of a dog killing someone by pushing a button on a security system console that inspired the famous dog ending from ''VideoGame/SilentHill''), a rich man records one just so he can insult his obnoxious family members from beyond the grave before informing him that he's left all his money to the family dog.

* In the ''Series/MurderSheWrote'' episode "To the Last Will I Grapple With Thee", the murder victim left behind a video stating that if he died, he was likely murdered by his old enemy, a criminology professor from Ireland who was a friend of Jessica Fletcher's. At the end of the episode, Jessica proved that her friend was innocent, that there was in fact no murder; the "victim" committed suicide in a last desperate attempt to destroy his old foe by staging his death and pinning it on his enemy.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheCritic'' had a video will prepared by Franklin and Eleanor Sherman, giving Jay their fortune and Margo an antique music box (until she turns 18 and is old enough to inherit half their money). The will is narrated by Creator/OrsonWelles, who keeps going off on tangents about horror stories and ends up promoting Mrs. Pell's Fish Sticks ("They're even better when they're ''raw''!").

* ''Film/{{Flubber}}'': [[RobotBuddy Weebo]] leaves one of these for Professor Brainard, in which she confesses her love for him, and leaves blueprints for a [[ReplacementGoldfisFilm/GrandLarceny'', a woman returns home after the death of her father, an insurance detective. His video will not only asks her to become a detective but claims to have stored answers to any questions she might have during her new career. With the help of her father's will, she solves the first case, possibly discovers who killed her father, and meets a new partner. At the end of the case, she learns the will only has answers for the case she just solved, and the point was for her to meet her new partner, her father's old partner.

* Kate Kane records a message for her father before every patrol as ComicBook/{{Batwoman}}, just in case she's killed.
* In ''ComicBook/CountdownToFinalCrisis'', Bart Allen ''a.k.a.'' Kid Flash II (''a.k.a.'' ComicBook/{{Impulse}} ''a.k.a.'' [[ComicBook/TheFlash The Flash IV]] at the time of his death, though he recorded the will as Kid Flash) is shown to have given his old friend [[ComicBook/{{Robin}} Robin III]] a video will to play at his funeral. The TearJerker comes on extra strong when he repeatedly addresses his other old friend ComicBook/{{Superboy}}, who had predeceased him (at least [[DeathIsCheap at the time]]).
* In an arc from early 2011 on ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'', after the Human Torch sacrificed his life to save his teammates from Annihilus, the team found a holographic recording he made in the event of his death. Among other things, he recommended that the FF should recruit ComicBook/SpiderMan as his replacement (which they did when they renamed the team the Future Foundation). Franklin and Valeria later stumble upon a set of these their family made for them just in case. Ben's turns out to be a confession of his darkest secret: that ''he'' may have been responsible for the accident that ruined Victor Von Doom's face.
* After ComicBook/{{Batman}} apparently dies in ''ComicBook/FinalCrisis'', Alfred goes to the Batcave to activate Bruce's final message in the form of a hologram. Bruce had one last set of orders prepared in case of his death, but before getting down to business, he took the time to say that Alfred was just as much a father to him as Thomas Wayne was, ending with "Goodbye, Dad".
* In ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'', after Harry Osborn is found dead from an overdose on the Green Goblin formula, his video will is found. At first, it seemed normal, leaving most of his wealth and possessions to his wife and a special fund for Flash Thompson's charity. Then, however, he gets to Peter, at which point he puts on his Goblin mask and bequeaths him a box containing something "special" which would "open at the right time". A freaked-out Peter takes the box to a safe place and forces it to open, but all it contains is a paper with the word "[-GOTCHA!-]". He first thinks it's a cruel joke meant to make him think that Harry was still alive, but it may have been a subtle hint at the Goblin's ''real'' plan to make android duplicates of Peter's parents (which wouldn't be revealed until ''much'' later).

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

* In ''Manga/KingOfThorn'', the leader of the Venus Gate cult makes an ApocalypticLog explaining what [[TheCorruption Medusa]] is and how it caused TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. He says that he hopes it will be found by some other survivor who can fix things, but he himself does not have the will to fight on, and he commits suicide.

* In ''Manga/HunterXHunter'', after his death, Netero leaves a tape to be broadcast around the world to signify his "resignation" from his seat as the Chairman of Hunter's Association, and that the next Chairman will be elected by vote. Obviously, this is for keeping the world in its CrapsaccharineWorld state, so his death isn't announced.
* ''Manga/CaseClosed'':
** Ai's mother Elena Miyano left her a series of tapes to be listened to every year on her birthday until she turned 18.
** Used in a case where a very rich old man's will is registered in an audio cassette. It also reveals that said man's brother died, so the brother's son with a foreigner woman would take his place in the succession. The man whom everyone thought of as the brother was his BodyDouble... and the case's SympatheticMurderer.

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* In ''Film/Baghead2023'', Owen records a set of instructions for whoever inherits the pub after he dies; starting by saying that if anyone is watching it, it means that he has failed in his plan to destroy Baghead and the pub. he then goes on to explain the rules regarding Baghead and being her keeper.

* ''Film/{{Flubber}}'': [[RobotBuddy Weebo]] leaves one of these for Professor Brainard, in which she confesses her love for him, and leaves blueprints for a [[ReplacementGoldfish "clone"]] of herself.

* In ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'', Eragon gets a telepathic transfer of memory from Saphira, of Brom's last testament spoken to her well in advance of his death.

* Used in the ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'' novel ''Bred for War'' with a video message recorded by Khan Ulric Kerensky months before his death to address his Clan and reveal that he's basically [[TheChessmaster planned everything that has happened to them since in advance]].
* Creator/IsaacAsimov's ''Literature/FoundationSeries'': Hari Seldon, [[PosthumousCharacter near the end of his life]], recorded several [[{{Hologram}} holographic messages]] to be viewed at specific dates in the future, anniversaries of the [[FoundingDay founding of Terminus]]. Unusually for this trope, these [[DeadManWriting messages]] are not about the distribution of his assets, but rather opportunities for him to [[AllAccordingToPlan comment on current events]].
* In the 1980 short story "All the Lies That Are My Life" by Creator/HarlanEllison, the deceased not only records an extensive video will, but specifies a seating arrangement in the room where the will is to be read, so he can "look" at each person as he addresses them individually.
* Variation in Creator/IainBanks' ''The Algebraist'': a major character explains to another exactly why and how she intends to go after his life, even if she should die before the plan can be completed. The message is never shown, however -- we just witness her ''recording'' it.
* [[CoolOldLady Grace Cahill's]] death and her video will kick off the plot of ''Literature/{{The 39 Clues}}''.
* ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'': This turns out to be the secret behind Dalinar's visions. God, knowing he was going to die, put together a series of interactive visions, along with non-interactive recordings of himself urging the one experiencing the vision to "unite them." He then gave these visions to his son, the Stormfather, to give to whoever he deemed worthy. Dalinar's brother Gavilar was the first, but after Gavilar died, Dalinar began receiving them as well.
* ''Literature/{{Daemon}}'' and its sequel ''Freedom™'' by Daniel Suarez has it as a central plot point, as Matthew Sobol, creator of the titular Daemon, dies just before the first novel begins but leaves a series of recordings, playback of which is triggered by various events like news reports or a person arriving to some pre-set GPS coordinates.
* Nonfatal version in ''Literature/ArtemisFowl'': For all his scheming, Artemis can't figure out a way past the fairy's mesmer and mindwipe tech. He submits willingly to being hypnotized, telling the fairies that he's hidden a copy of everything that's happened so as to jump-start his memory when he reads it (which the fairies find and destroy). He was wearing reflective lenses during the interrogation, so he didn't tell them he'd also left a datadisk with instructions with Mulch Diggums (disguised as a medal) for when Mulch inevitably breaks out of prison. Mulch then gives Butler (in order to convince Butler of being the real deal, the recorded Artemis tells Butler his TrueName) and Artemis their videos to bring back their memories.
* In both the book and film version of ''Literature/ReadyPlayerOne'', when James Halliday died, one such will was posted online and emailed to every user of his [=OASIS=] game, stating that whoever found his EasterEgg, discoverable only through solving complex riddles and completing insanely difficult challenges, many of them rooted in [[TheEighties 80s]] pop culture despite the story being set in [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture the 2040s]], would receive not only his total fortune, but also a controlling interest in the company that owns the [=OASIS=]. The rest of the plot is our heroes trying to find the Easter egg before [[EvilInc Innovative Online Industries]] does.
* ''Literature/TheCatWhoSeries'': Iris Cobb leaves one in book #10 (''The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts''). She leaves most everything to her son or the museum where she worked, with her shares in the new antique store she was starting going to her business partner and Qwill being bequeathed her book of recipes (which actually goes missing, though it's eventually recovered in book 18) and the wardrobe he once gave her as a wedding present.

* In 1980s TV movie ''Grand Larceny'', a woman returns home after the death of her father, an insurance detective. His video will not only asks her to become a detective but claims to have stored answers to any questions she might have during her new career. With the help of her father's will, she solves the first case, possibly discovers who killed her father, and meets a new partner. At the end of the case, she learns the will only has answers for the case she just solved, and the point was for her to meet her new partner, her father's old partner.

* ''Series/WhodunnitUK'': In "No Happy Returns", the VictimOfTheWeek of the makes a film stating that if dies, he will have been murdered by one of the members of his board. The film is not found until 25 years after his murder.

* ''VideoGame/ShadowrunReturns'' begins with the buddy of the player character, Sam, contacting the player with a recorded message to find out who killed Sam, with a hefty money incentive backing the request.
* ''VisualNovel/TearsToTiara'': [[SpoonyBard Taliesin]] is led by a baby dragon into a prison where his anger activates a recording with a nested flashback. Slightly subverted in that the one who left the message has been resurrected by the time it is played.

* In ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' ''Lonesome Road'', Ulysses leaves a final recording with a message meant only for the Courier. Possibly subverted if the Courier talked down Ulysses and spared him. If the Courier meets Ulysses again after the events of ''Lonesome Road'', he/she can even bring up the "final" message. Ulysses remarks that he didn't think he'd be alive to hear that.
* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2'': If you go back to New Bodhum 700AF [[EndgamePlus after beating the game]], you can find a fragment message from both Serah and Noel. The tone and tense of Serah's message highly implies it was created ''after'' she died, but the message and purpose is much the same. The disturbing part is that ''Serah'' is the one who hears it, but doesn't quite understand what it means.
* ''VideoGame/GothamKnights2022'' opens with the Code Black video left by Bruce Wayne after he's killed by Ra's al Ghul. Later the Bat Family are shown watching an InUniverse blooper video of them interrupting Batman in the midst of creating a whole series of them.
-->'''Tim:''' In the event of my death at the hands of...Crazy Quilt? Seriously?
* In ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyBlackOpsII'', if you assassinate Menendez, a video he made prior to his death will be played on [=YouTube=], and this video is what causes Cordis Die to rise up and cause riots all over the world.

* [[Webcomic/TheNonAdventuresOfWonderella Wonderella]] records hers in [[http://nonadventures.com/2009/08/08/big-will-style/ this]] strip.

* Almost [[http://poisonedminds.com/d/20150806.html used]] in ''Webcomic/{{SSDD}}'' for a more or less normal purpose.

* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'':
** Peter's boss Mr. Weed leaves a video will that alerts his employees that the factory is to be destroyed "right now", a second before a wrecking ball crashes through the building.
** In "[[Recap/FamilyGuyS8E9BusinessGuy Business Guy]]", when Lois' father Carter falls into a coma, it turns out that he left video wills for several situations:
--->'''Carter:''' ''[on video]'' Hello, if you're watching this, [[EroticAsphyxiation it means they didn't cut the rope when I climaxed]]. As a result, I'm now dead.\\
'''Carter's attorney:''' ''[fast-forwarding the tape]'' That's not it.\\
'''Carter:''' If you're watching this one, it means [[Film/BackToTheFuturePartIII the train wasn't able to push the DeLorean up to 88 miles per hour and I'm still stuck in 1885.]]\\
'''Carter's attorney:''' ''[fast-forwarding]'' This could take a while.\\
'''Carter:''' Eaten by sharks while snorkeling... ''[fast-forward and play]'' ...stabbed to death in a Toys 'R Us bathroom... ''[fast-forward and play]'' ...1940s roller skate left in the hall... ''[fast-forward and play]'' ...death by chocolate. No, no, leave it in... ''[fast-forward and play]'' ...had a heart attack and have slipped into a coma.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'':
** "[[Recap/FuturamaS2E10ACloneOfMyOwn A Clone of My Own]]" has Professor Farnsworth leave a recording for after he is taken to the Near Death Star. It includes a TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat when Bender mocks Farnsworth, only for the Professor to reveal that he taped over Bender's soap operas to record the will.
** In "[[Recap/FuturamaS2E16AnthologyOfInterestI Anthology of Interest I]]", Farnsworth leaves a video will where he leaves everything he owns to Leela. The video shows Leela killing him.
** Spoofed in "[[Recap/FuturamaM1BendersBigScore Bender's Big Score]]" when Lars' video will, genuinely sad and touching, ends with an ad for the video will company.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' episode "[[Recap/TheNewBatmanAdventuresE7JokersMillions Joker's Millions]]", the Joker inherits a literal ton of money from "King" Barlowe, an old mob boss and rival. Everyone's shocked since Barlowe notoriously despised the Clown Prince of Crime. The twist comes when Joker finally gets around to this portion of Barlowe's will, only to realize that [[OutGambitted he's walked right into a financial trap]] -- most of the [[CounterfeitCash cash was fake]], he'd already [[AFoolAndHisNewMoneyAreSoonParted spent all the real money]], [[IntimidatingRevenueService the IRS]] has come calling with a tax bill for the full amount, and Barlowe [[BatmanGambit accurately assumed]] that Joker ''can't (and won't) tell anyone about it'' since that means he'd be admitting to the world that he got conned by a dead man.
-->'''Recording of Barlowe:''' The joke's on you, sucker! [[GoOutWithASmile I got the last laugh after all!]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheCritic'' had a video will prepared by Franklin and Eleanor Sherman, giving Jay their fortune and Margo an antique music box (until she turns 18 and is old enough to inherit half their money). The will is narrated by Creator/OrsonWelles, who keeps going off on tangents about horror stories and ends up promoting Mrs. Pell's Fish Sticks ("They're even better when they're ''raw''!").
-->'''Welles:''' Hello, I'm Orson Welles. What follows is a terrifying journey into the world of magic, mystery-\\
'''Suited Man:''' Mr. Welles, this is a video will.\\
'''Welles:''' What? Look, I don't need to do this. I've got a fish stick commercial in an hour! ''[leaves, and immediately returns]'' ...Oh, what the hell, I need the money. What follows is a terrifying journey into the world of probate, beneficiaries, and goblins!\\
'''Suited Man:''' Mr Welles...\\
'''Welles:''' Fine, fine, no goblins. I give you: 'The Living Will'! ''[evil laughter]''
* ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'' has Tony Stark make a video leaving the Avengers' mansion and equipment to the New Avengers. Unlike most examples, Tony did not record this on physical media, and instead has JARVIS broadcast it on the same frequency as Spider-Man's Spider-Trackers.
* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooWhereAreYou'': Colonel Beauregard [[{{Pun}} recorded his will into a record]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheBoondocks'' episode "[[Recap/TheBoondocksS1E13Wingmen Wingmen]]", Robert Freeman's deceased [[WeUsedToBeFriends former friend]] Moe Jackson leaves behind a video will that personally asks Robert to recite a eulogy at Moe's funeral. The scene uses a lot of TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat, with Moe trying to convince Robert to do it.

* An episode of ''Series/MadAboutYou'' involved Jamie's ex dying from a bee-sting allergy and leaving a video will in which he confessed that he was still in love with her. Jamie is flattered (if unnerved), and Paul finds himself frustrated by a romantic gesture from an ex that he can't hope to top until he's on his own deathbed. TheStinger shows the ex as he was finishing recording the will, [[IncrediblyLamePun as a bee starts buzzing]] around his head and [[ForegoneConclusion he tries to swat at it]].

* Done quite humorously in an episode of ''Series/TheGeorgeLopezShow'', in which the deceased leaves all of her money to her daughter Veronica, to be managed by a trustee. She manages to get in one last jab at her father-in-law before naming George as the trustee:

''[Vic steps forward]''\\
'''Claudia:''' Okay, [[TakeThat now bend over and kiss George Lopez's ass]], because I pick him.

* Creator/IsaacAsimov's ''Literature/{{Foundation}}'' trilogy: Hari Seldon, [[PosthumousCharacter near the end of his life]], recorded several [[{{Hologram}} holographic messages]] to be viewed at specific dates in the future, anniversaries of the [[FoundingDay founding of Terminus]]. Unusually for this trope, these [[DeadManWriting messages]] are not about the distribution of his assets, but rather opportunities for him to [[AllAccordingToPlan comment on current events]].

* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooWhereAreYou'': Colonel Beauregard [[JustForPun recorded his will into a record]].

* The tragic Creator/MichaelKeaton film ''My Life'' is about a father with terminal cancer leaving messages for his newborn son, to be played at regular intervals after his death.

* The 1970 comedy film ''Some Will, Some Won't'' features a video will. The tasks that Henry Russell assigns his heirs in order to inherit are what drives the plot.

** Parodied in "Selma's Choice":
--->'''Great-Aunt Gladys''': Now, let's get down to business...\\
'''Lionel Hutz''': ''(dubbed in)'' To my executor, Lionel Hutz, I leave $50,000.\\

'''Hutz:''' ''(cheerfully)'' You'd be surprised how often that works. You really would.
** Played somewhat straighter with Grandma Simpson's video will. It's all part of a MyDeathIsJustTheBeginning, but that's beside the point.

** In "One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish", Homer thinks he's been poisoned from eating Fugu and only has 24 hours to live. He leaves a recorded message for Maggie, hoping to show her what her father had been like. He ends up inadvertently showing ''exactly'' what he's like; he gets interrupted by Milhouse calling Bart, scratches his butt on camera, and bellows like a walrus for Bart to come to the phone.
** In "Half Decent Proposal", Homer thinks Marge will leave him for Artie Ziff, so he decides to leave to work in an oil field. He figures he'll be killed doing the job and leaves a goodbye message, starting with a statement that if Marge was watching this, it meant he'd learned how to use the camera. He ends up getting into a fight with Bart, who's filming, and strangles him while tearfully saying goodbye to Marge.
** {{Zigzagged}} in [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsonsMovie The Movie]]. Marge provides a goodbye message for Homer after she and the kids leave him to help save Springfield, as she was certain, in the moment, that they would never see each other again. Whether she actually felt that either one of them was going to die, however, is unclear.

'''Homer:''' ''(chuckling)'' ''Way'' back. \\

'''Marge:''' [[TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat Well, that's the thing.]] [[WhamLine I-I just don't know how to finish that sentence anymore.]] So I'm leaving with the kids to help Springfield, and we're never coming back. And to prove to myself that this is the end... [[TapedOverTurmoil I taped this over our wedding video.]] Goodbye, Homie. ''*Marge sheds a tear just before the video cuts out*''

** In "Business Guy", when Lois' father Carter falls into a coma, it turns out that he left video wills for several situations:
--->'''Carter:''' ''(on video)'' Hello, if you're watching this, [[EroticAsphyxiation it means they didn't cut the rope when I climaxed.]] As a result, I'm now dead.\\
'''Carter's attorney:''' ''(fast forwarding the tape)'' That's not it.\\

'''Carter's attorney:''' ''(fast forwarding)'' This could take a while.\\
'''Carter:''' Eaten by sharks while snorkeling... ''(fast forward and play)'' ...stabbed to death in a Toys R Us bathroom... ''(fast forward and play)'' ...1940s roller skate left in the hall... ''(fast forward and play)'' ...death by chocolate. No, no, leave it in... ''(fast forward and play)'' ...had a heart attack and have slipped into a coma.

** "A Clone of My Own" has Professor Farnsworth leave a recording for after he is taken to the Near Death Star. It includes a TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat when Bender mocks Farnsworth, only for the Professor to reveal that he taped over Bender's soap operas to record the will.
** In one of the "What If" episodes, Farnsworth leaves a video will where he leaves everything he owns to Leela. The video shows Leela killing him.
** Spoofed when Lars' video will, genuinely sad and touching, ends with an ad for the video will company.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' episode "Joker's Millions", the Joker inherits a literal ton of money from "King" Barlowe, an old mob boss and rival. Everyone's shocked since Barlowe notoriously despised the Clown Prince of Crime. The twist comes when Joker finally gets around to this portion of Barlowe's will, only to realize that [[OutGambitted he's walked right into a financial trap]] -- most of the [[CounterfeitCash cash was fake]], he'd already [[AFoolAndHisNewMoneyAreSoonParted spent all the real money]], [[IntimidatingRevenueService the IRS]] has come calling with a tax bill for the full amount, and Barlowe [[BatmanGambit accurately assumed]] that Joker ''can't (and won't) tell anyone about it'' since that means he'd be admitting to the world that he got conned by a dead man.
-->'''Recording of Barlowe:''' "The joke's on you, sucker! [[GoOutWithASmile I got the last laugh after all!]]"

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheBoondocks'' episode "Wingmen", Robert Freeman's deceased [[WeUsedToBeFriends former friend]] Moe Jackson leaves behind a video will that personally asks Robert to recite a eulogy at Moe's funeral. The scene uses a lot of TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat, with Moe trying to convince Robert to do it.

'''Claudia:''' Good. [[TakeThat Now bend over and kiss George Lopez's ass]], because I choose him.

!!As a DeathTrope, all spoilers will be unmarked ahead. Beware!

* In the DCU, Bart Allen ''a.k.a.'' Kid Flash II (''a.k.a.'' Impulse ''a.k.a.'' [[Franchise/TheFlash The Flash IV]] at the time of his death, though he recorded the will as Kid Flash) gave his old friend [[ComicBook/RobinSeries Robin III]] a video will to play at his funeral, seen in ''ComicBook/{{Countdown|ToFinalCrisis}}''. The TearJerker came on extra strong when he repeatedly addresses his other old friend ComicBook/{{Superboy}}, who had predeceased him (at least [[DeathIsCheap at the time]]).
* After Franchise/{{Batman}} apparently died in ''ComicBook/FinalCrisis'', Alfred goes to the Batcave to activate Bruce's final message in the form of a hologram. Bruce had one last set of orders prepared in case of his death, but before getting down to business, he took the time to say that Alfred was just as much a father to him as Thomas Wayne was, ending with "Goodbye, Dad".

* Kate Kane records a message for her father before every patrol as ComicBook/{{Batwoman}}, just in case she's killed.

[[folder:Films - Animated]]

[[folder:Films - Live-Action]]

* In 1979 version of ''Film/TheCatAndTheCanary'', Cyrus West had himself filmed and a simultaneous sound recording made in the days before sound film was common, and arranged that it would be played at one last family dinner years after his death -- so that he could tell everybody present what he thought of them one last time.

* In ''Film/BASEketball'', Ted Denslow leaves his team to Coop this way. He also uses the opportunity to sing "I'm Too Sexy".
* ''Film/PartingGlances'' features a tragi-comic example: Nick, among other things, takes the opportunity to come out to his parents and tell them he has (or by the time they see it, ''had'') AIDS, and also leaves his [[LoveTriangle ex's new boyfriend]] a giant comedy dildo.

* ''Film/{{Scream 3}}'' shows one by Randy, who was killed in the previous film.

* OlderThanTelevision: In the 1932 comedy ''Film/TheGreeksHadAWordForThem'', a character leaves a will (complete with TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat) recorded on a ''phonograph record''.
* Subverted in ''Film/{{Cthulhu}}'' (2007): The protagonist is told his dead mother left a videotape for him hidden in her house. He instead finds it in plain sight on top of the TV. On the tape his mother starts to warn him that his life is in danger from the mysterious cult run by his father; she then hears a noise and quickly turns the camera off. The camera is then turned on again by his father, who implores the protagonist to take his rightful place as the leader of his cult. The protagonist is shocked to see his father has blood on his face and hands, implying that he murdered his mother moments before.

* One of the few bright spots in ''Film/DeepBlueSea'' features the station's cook making a tape for rescue crews to find in case he doesn't survive. After a somber introduction explaining that, he immediately brightens up and starts giving his recipe for the perfect omelette.
* ''Film/{{Flubber}}'' has [[RobotBuddy Weebo]] doing something like this.
* In ''Film/TheEdgeOfDarkness'', Emma leaves a DVD explaining that she's dead and has left behind evidence against [=NorthMoor=].
* ''Film/{{Blade}}'': Deacon Frost leaves a tape for Blade that starts off with "By the time you watch this, Whistler is dead..."
* ''Franchise/{{Saw}}'':
** Upon his death, Jigsaw leaves a tape to his ex-wife Jill in ''Film/SawV'', where he explains the importance of [[ChekhovsGun the box their executor Bernie Feldman gave her]]. This sets the gears in motion for Jigsaw's posthumous plans that affect the plot of the series up to ''Film/Saw3D''.
** Another tape Jigsaw left for Dr. Gordon (part of said box's contents), in which he instructs about the final task he gives to the latter, is first seen in ''Film/SawVI'', then explicitly shown in a flashback in ''Film/Saw3D''.
* The 1970 comedy film ''Some Will, Some Won't'' features a video will. The tasks that Henry Russell assigns his heirs in order to inherit are what drives the plot.
* The tragic Michael Keaton film ''My Life'' is about a father with terminal cancer leaving messages for his newborn son, to be played at regular intervals after his death.

* ''Film/SupermanTheMovie'': When Superman enters the Fortress of Solitude and uses the green crystal to activate the crystal technology therein, a HugeHolographicHead of his father Jor-El appears and gives him a recorded message from thousands of years in the past, before the destruction of the planet Krypton in which he died.
* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'':
** In ''Film/IronMan2'', Tony's father Howard leaves a filmed message in which he tells his son about the information he encoded into the model of his future city.
** In the beginning of ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', Tony records a video will to Pepper in the Iron Man helmet as he's drifting through space expecting to die. He survives that, but thanks to his HeroicSacrifice at the end, the cast gets to see another one he made, this one addressed to his wife and daughter.
* In ''Film/Thir13enGhosts'', Cyrus leaves his mansion to his nephew in this way, even though he isn't really dead.
* ''Film/{{Spectre}}'': M, who died in the previous film, has left a video recording to be delivered to Bond upon her death. It contains a request to kill an assassin that will provide Bond his first lead to SPECTRE.
* In ''Film/ScavengerHunt1979'', Milton Parker leaves behind an audio will, recorded on a cassette tape. It seems he could not resist the urge to taunt his heirs one last time.
* An inadvertent version occurs in ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague''. Bitter over having been turned into ComicBook/{{Cyborg}}, Victor Stone refuses to speak to his father, who leaves a tape player for him instead. Victor listens to the first part of the tape where his father asks him to JustThinkOfThePotential of his new powers, but when Silas Stone tries to speak to him "as a father", Victor crushes the tape in anger. After Silas dies in a HeroicSacrifice, Victor uses his powers to reassemble the tape and play the rest of the message.
* The 1971 horror film ''Film/LegacyOfBlood'' (also known as ''Bloody Legacy'' and ''Will To Die'') has a variation in an audio will of deceased family patriarch Christopher Dean. The legality of this holds as the [[HandWave family attorney explains]] the recording was made with witnesses present and their law firm was powerful enough to crush any legal challenges to the audio will.
* ''Film/{{Flubber}}'': Weebo leaves one of these for Professor Brainard, in which she confesses her love for him, and leaves blueprints for a [[ReplacementGoldfish "clone"]] of herself.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

* On ''Series/TheFlash2014'', the "late" (actually [[RetGone erased from time]]) Harrison Wells ''a.k.a.'' Eobard Thawne leaves one of these behind, as a final taunt and also to confess his murder of Nora Allen.

* On ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'', Barney's video will is on a porn tape and states he wants Ted to recreate ''Film/WeekendAtBernies'' for [[OfCorpseHesAlive his corpse]] (hopefully his corpse will be in good condition for his ''au naturel'' funeral), brags to Marshall that he's Ted's best friend while somehow predicting where Marshall will sit, and includes some homemade porn for Ted.

* On an episode of ''Series/TheJeffersons'', George shows everyone a copy of the video will he made. He does joke around a little ("Close your eyes. What do you see? Nothing? That's what I'm leaving you."), but was pretty generous to all he mentioned in it.

* On ''Series/TheMiddleman'', the Middleman makes a video for Wendy in the event of his death for every episode, even when they're stuck in a small quarantine chamber together and she can hear what he's saying as he records it. He doesn't ever die, but she does get to watch the ones made for the first half of the season.

* Series/{{Monk}} had two such messages; one by Kevin Dorfman, and the other by Trudy Monk.

* On ''Series/MyNameIsEarl'', Earl had created one (sort of) when he and Joy were still married. It was rather a SillyWill (recorded on a stolen camera, over a tape of an elderly woman's birthday party), consisting of Earl drunkenly stating how much he loved Joy and how if anything should happen to him, everything would be hers, and then the couple having drunk sex on the couch. Joy, feeling miffed that she won't get any of his lottery earnings because he claimed the money ''after'' she divorced him for Darnell, decides to try and kill him to get the money. While she waits for a background check for a handgun to go through, Earl gets a new (legitimate, sober) will drawn up that says she won't get anything.

* ''Series/QueerAsFolk'': Emmet's rich older boyfriend leaves him one.

** In the 1st season episode ''Letters from Pegasus'', the characters send back video messages to the SGC before taking on the Wraith, assuming they might die. Most of them said goodbye.
** In the pilot, Weir leaves behind a tape for Simon, letting him know that she'll have left the galaxy by the time he watches the tape.

** Kirk leaves a set of "last orders" for Spock and Bones in the original ''Series/{{Star Trek|The Original Series}}''.

*** Tasha Yar had a recorded message ready for her friends when she died in "Skin of Evil". She didn't ''expect'' to die on that mission, but like O'Brien and Dax below, probably recorded them just in case.
*** The episode ''Family'' has a subversion. Wesley is bequeathed a message addressed to him from his father shortly before his death, but it's the first of many he planned to record for his newborn son -- and not once does he consider that he might be dead when it's seen.
** Dax and Chief O'Brien on ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' record one every time they're sent on dangerous missions. Both of them are veterans and know how randomly people can die.
** Neelix in the ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' episode "Mortal Coil" presumably records one for the crew before [[DrivenToSuicide he attempts to transport himself into the nebula]].
* ''{{Series/Supernatural}}'': The Archangel Gabriel does this is his [[TheHedonist own unique style]], in the form of a [[TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat porn DVD he leaves with the Winchesters]]. They admit it's a good one.
* In the episode of ''Series/TooCloseForComfort'' "Where There's a Will", after a nightmare where Henry imagines his family is destitute after his death because he didn't make out a will, [[PapaWolf Henry]] takes [[CloudCuckooLander Monroe's]] suggestion to do a videotaped will. His wife Muriel, daughters Jackie and Sara, and niece April arrive just as he is about to tape it and watch the reading live. Henry ultimately starts to regret making a will when during the reading Jackie, Sara, and April continually interrupt him, either balking at his statements in the will or discussing how to spend their inheritance should Henry die; HilarityEnsues when their actions lead him to snap at them for their greediness.
-->'''Henry:''' "I, Henry Rush, being of sound mind and body, refuse to die!"
::Then he suffers chest pains and is hospitalised, but it [[GassyScare turns out to be gas]].
* Toshiko Sato did one in ''Series/{{Torchwood}}''. She also includes a goodbye message for Owen, not knowing that he would also die (again) within minutes of her.
* Steve Jinks does this in ''Series/{{Warehouse 13}}'' when he goes undercover, leaving a message for the others in case he gets killed (he gets better).

* Used in an episode of ''Series/WKRPInCincinnati,'' when one of Jennifer's elderly gentlemen friends dies and includes her in the execution of his will. He videotapes a message to be played for his various sponging relatives, at one point correctly mimicking one of their replies. As for Jennifer, whom the man's relatives assume is a mere gold digger, he requests she uses the rest of his money for a big parade. The relatives protest this seemingly ridiculous waste of money, but are stunned when Jennifer immediately starts making arrangements to fulfill his wishes without any thought of taking the money for herself.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' episode "Joker's Millions", the Joker inherits a literal ton of money and jewelry from "King" Barlow, an old mob boss enemy, the twist being that he only sees the ''video'' portion of the will after [[OutGambitted he's walked right into the enemy's financial trap]] -- most of the [[CounterfeitCash cash was fake]], he'd already [[AFoolAndHisNewMoneyAreSoonParted spent all the real money]], he'd gotten a tax bill for the full amount, and he ''can't tell anyone about it'' or he'd be admitting to the world that he'd been played.
-->''"The joke's on you, sucker! [[GoOutWithASmile I got the last laugh after all!]]"''

* On an episode of ''Series/TheJeffersons'', George shows everyone a copy of the video will he made. He does joke around a little ("Close your eyes. What do you see? Nothing? That's what I'm leaving you."), but was pretty generous to all he mentioned in it.
* ''Series/NewsRadio'' had one made by Jimmy James, but he wasn't quite dead, and it veered off to him talking about the Harlem Globetrotters.

* Used in an episode of ''Series/WKRPInCincinnati,'' when one of Jennifer's elderly gentlemen friends dies and includes her in the execution of his will. He videotapes a message to be played for his various sponging relatives, at one point correctly mimicking one of their replies. As for Jennifer, whom the man's relatives assume is a mere gold digger, he requests she uses the rest of his money for a big parade. The relatives protest this seemingly ridiculous waste of money, but are stunned when Jennifer immediately starts making arrangements to fulfill his wishes without any thought of taking the money for herself.
* Toshiko Sato did one in ''Series/{{Torchwood}}''. She also includes a goodbye message for Owen, not knowing that he would also die (again) within minutes of her.

* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** Kirk leaves a set of "last orders" for Spock and Bones in the original ''Series/{{Star Trek|The Original Series}}''.
** ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'':
*** Tasha Yar had a recorded message ready for her friends when she died in "Skin of Evil". She didn't ''expect'' to die on that mission, but like O'Brien and Dax below, probably recorded them just in case.
*** The episode ''Family'' has a subversion. Wesley is bequeathed a message addressed to him from his father shortly before his death, but it's the first of many he planned to record for his newborn son -- and not once does he consider that he might be dead when it's seen.
** Dax and Chief O'Brien on ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' record one every time they're sent on dangerous missions. Both of them are veterans and know how randomly people can die.
** Neelix in the ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' episode "Mortal Coil" presumably records one for the crew before [[DrivenToSuicide he attempts to transport himself into the nebula]].
* ''Series/QueerAsFolk'': Emmet's rich older boyfriend leaves him one.

* ''Series/StargateAtlantis'':
** In the 1st season episode ''Letters from Pegasus'', the characters send back video messages to the SGC before taking on the Wraith, assuming they might die. Most of them said goodbye.
** In the pilot, Weir leaves behind a tape for Simon, letting him know that she'll have left the galaxy by the time he watches the tape.

* ''Series/BabylonFive'' has a few of them, most poignantly when John Sheridan records a birthday message for the child that he knows he will never see reach adulthood.
* In ''Series/DoctorWho'', the Doctor makes a holo-recording of himself in case an emergency program is activated. The message is meant for Rose. Strangely, the hologram appears to know where Rose is standing during playback, as the Hologram turns its head and looks straight at her before shutting off.
* Done quite humorously in an episode of ''Series/TheGeorgeLopezShow'', in which the deceased leaves all of her money to her daughter Veronica, to be managed by a trustee. She manages to get in one last jab at her father-in-law before naming George as the trustee:
-->'''Claudia:''' Will Victor Palmero please step forward.\\
''[Vic steps forward]''\\
'''Claudia:''' Good. [[TakeThat Now bend over and kiss George Lopez's ass]], because I choose him.
* ''Series/DoogieHowserMD'': After Wanda's mother's sudden death, Vinnie, afraid that he could also die at any moment, creates one for himself.
* In the episode of ''Series/TooCloseForComfort'' "Where There's a Will", after a nightmare where Henry imagines his family is destitute after his death because he didn't make out a will, [[PapaWolf Henry]] takes [[CloudCuckooLander Monroe's]] suggestion to do a videotaped will. His wife Muriel, daughters Jackie and Sara, and niece April arrive just as he is about to tape it and watch the reading live. Henry ultimately starts to regret making a will when during the reading Jackie, Sara, and April continually interrupt him, either balking at his statements in the will or discussing how to spend their inheritance should Henry die; HilarityEnsues when their actions lead him to snap at them for their greediness.
-->'''Henry:''' "I, Henry Rush, being of sound mind and body, refuse to die!"
::Then he suffers chest pains and is hospitalised, but it [[GassyScare turns out to be gas]].
* An episode of ''Series/{{Airwolf}}'' reveals that the eponymous chopper's evil creator had coded in a software dead man's switch that activates after a certain amount of time to take revenge on whoever was now in possession of the vehicle. And start WorldWarIII in the process.
* Subverted in an episode of ''Series/LawAndOrder'' which featured a man killed by a hit-man. His wife and her lover are implicated in putting out a contract on him. The investigation ends when the victim's lawyer reveals a tape not containing his will, but a confession that he hired the hit-man to facilitate his suicide, and he hoped the appearance of murder would be a hassle for his unfaithful wife. The tape was revealed to exonerate the victim's best friend, who was the next suspect after the wife/lover angle was exhausted by police.
* In ''Series/{{Community}}'', Pierce's mom leaves one for him in the episode where she dies, begging Pierce (who, as a member of a cult, believes that her essence is in a lava lamp and she will someday be resurrected) to acknowledge that she's dead and gone and that he needs to move on with his life. Pierce ignores it and instead chooses to believe his mother went insane towards the end. Pierce's father went one step further and made a video ''game'' will.

* In ''Series/{{Eureka}}'', Nathan Stark leaves a holographic one for Allison Blake in a piece of jewelry. His plan was to give it to Allison himself as a give to express his love, but it doesn't work out that way. She doesn't realize all this, and when the thing activates randomly, she begins to think she's losing it.
* On ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'', Barney's video will is on a porn tape and states he wants Ted to recreate ''Film/WeekendAtBernies'' for [[OfCorpseHesAlive his corpse]] (hopefully his corpse will be in good condition for his ''au naturel'' funeral), brags to Marshall that he's Ted's best friend while somehow predicting where Marshall will sit, and includes some homemade porn for Ted.
* Steve Jinks does this in ''Series/{{Warehouse 13}}'' when he goes undercover, leaving a message for the others in case he gets killed (he gets better).
-->''"Hey guys. Bad news is that if you're watching this, I'm probably screwed, so I'll keep it short."''
* In the LiveActionAdaptation of ''ComicBook/LargoWinch'', Largo receives one from his billionaire adoptive father, warning him of his enemies.
* In a ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' sketch, Jan Hooks plays Bette Davis giving a video will, most of which has nothing at all to do with her estate and is just her recounting showbiz stories. Whole chunks of it are fast-forwarded and ''still'' get nowhere. It spans more than one tape, and at one point she appears to have disappeared, only to pop up and announce, "[-I FELL OUT OF MY CHAIR!-]". In the end, she announces that her son will get everything and her daughter will get nothing, because she wrote the tell-all book ''My Mother's Keeper'', before descending into [[LaughingMad maniacal laughter]].
* An episode of ''Series/MadAboutYou'' involved Jamie's ex dying from a bee-sting allergy and leaving a video will in which he confessed that he was still in love with her. Jamie is flattered (if unnerved), and Paul finds himself frustrated by a romantic gesture from an ex that he can't hope to top until he's on his own deathbed. TheStinger shows the ex as he was finishing recording the will, [[IncrediblyLamePun as a bee starts buzzing]] around his head and [[ForegoneConclusion he tries to swat at it]].

* ''{{Series/Supernatural}}'': The Archangel Gabriel does this is his [[TheHedonist own unique style]], in the form of a [[TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat porn DVD he leaves with the Winchesters]]. They admit it's a good one.
* Subverted in the ''Series/MagnumPI'' episode "Of Sound Mind": Eccentric millionaire Wilson [=MacLeish=] is presumed dead after his plane explodes in mid-air, and in his videotaped will, he leaves the bulk of his fortune to Magnum, much to Magnum's surprise. It later emerges that [=MacLeish=] faked his death so that Magnum could find out which of [=MacLeish's=] relatives was plotting to kill him, and it turns out all of them are innocent. Further subverted and parodied, when [=MacLeish's=] butler points a gun at him during an argument at the end of the episode, only for the butler to be playing a prank on [=MacLeish=] when the gun turns out to be a water pistol, sharing much laughter with Magnum.

* On ''Series/TheFlash2014'', the "late" (actually [[RetGone erased from time]]) Harrison Wells ''a.k.a.'' Eobard Thawne leaves one of these behind, as a final taunt and also to confess his murder of Nora Allen.
* In ''Series/{{iZombie}}'', Blaine's father Angus [=McDonough=] is presumed to be one of the Chaos Killer's victims, Blaine and his father's maid are brought in to watch Angus's video will. Angus leaves a sizable fortune to the maid and most of the property to Blaine... except in case his death isn't natural, at which point everything goes to the maid. After Blaine's people manage to capture the Chaos Killer (''a.k.a.'' Major Lilywhite), Major reveals that he didn't kill Angus, merely froze him (zombies can survive becoming a HumanPopsicle). Blaine has Major bring his father to him. After Angus thaws, Blaine then has him tortured until he's willing to record another video will.
* The first Season 4 episode of ''Series/{{Sherlock}}'', "[[Recap/SherlockS04E01TheSixThatchers The Six Thatchers]]", has Sherlock find one from Mary Watson, where she tells him to take care of John, since if he's "watching the tape", she's very likely dead and John will be very broken up over it.
* ''Series/WhodunnitUK'': In "No Happy Returns", the VictimOfTheWeek of the makes a film stating that if dies, he will have been murdered by one of the members of his board. The film is not found until 25 years after his murder.

* The setup for the 1982 sitcom ''Filthy Rich'' (not [[Series/FilthyRich that one]], or [[Series/FilthyRichAndCatflap that one either]]) involves a video will from a rich patriarch (played by Slim Pickens) that requires the fancy branch of his family to live under the same roof as the redneck branch in order for everyone to inherit.
* ''Series/AfterLife2019'': Lisa, who is dying of breast cancer, leaves a series of video messages for her husband Tony which are designed to inspire him to keep on living after her death. [[spoiler:Tragically, at the end of Season 2, [[DrivenToSuicide it almost has the opposite effect]].]]
* ''Series/Runaways2017'': Molly's parents left a recording on a VHS tape before their deaths. Unfortunately, by the time she receives it, Molly [[WhatAreRecords has no idea what a VHS tape even is]], so it takes a while for her friends to help her play it.
* In ''Series/RebornRich'', Do-Joon, Yang-Cheol's youngest grandson, receives a USB containing a recording of Yang-Cheol's old will after his grandpa's death. Do-Joon watches the footage and learns that he revised his will where he initially would've given Soonyang Group to him. He says in the video that Do-Joon won't get a penny out of him because he has to do it himself without help and because he knows Do-Joon would "do anything to survive." When the cameraman asks him "What is Do-Joon to you?" he takes a long pause and answers with "Do-Joon is my grandson. The one who takes after me the most. My grandson" with a very happy laugh. Do-Joon is reduced to tears at this.