History TearJerker / TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing

** Not to mention that even though months has passed since the Ring was destroyed (and even more since he parted with it), Bilbo still seems to have withdrawals as he wished he had the Ring again.

* The great Gollum-related TearJerker is when he falls into the fires of [[{{Hell}} Mount Doom]], blissfully unaware that he's falling, clutching his "Precious" to the very end... and the last thing he sees is the Ring, still quite fine, abandoning and betraying him for the very last time.

* The ending at the Grey Havens. If you've somehow gotten through this trilogy without shedding a tear, prepare for full on weeping. The scene really brings home the franchise: We're followed these characters in the good times and the bad, seen them suffer loss and heartbreak, and struggle on when they could have given up many times over. And now it is at an end. If it doesn't bring you to tears, ask your doctor to see if your heart has turned to ice.

* In a sobering way, Middle Earth wasn't saved solely by the humility and determination of man. Frodo would've walked off with the ring if Gollum hadn't tackled him, grabbed the ring and fell into Mt Doom. Middle Earth was saved by the conflict of two broken men clinging to the only thing that seemed worthwhile in their lives anymore.
* Particularly the end, where Frodo has to leave Sam behind to sail with Gandalf and the Elves to the Undying Lands, never to return. And then the song "Into the West" comes on. Damn you, Creator/PeterJackson and Creator/JRRTolkien both.

** It's the music that does it. Music/HowardShore has struck again!

* Gandalf and Pippin's talk waiting for almost certain death during the siege of Minas Tirith did it for me. Gandalf was being very reassuring about how 'this is not the end' but seeing them calmly prepare themselves to facing death during the upcoming restart of the battle was extremely moving. Pippin is afraid to die and Gandalf reassures him that death is the next adventure.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtDxeAZJ9S4 "DEATH!!!"]]

** When Sam has defeated Shelob and thinks Frodo is dead rather than just asleep, then after the orcs talk about how Shelob's sting isn't fatal and he realises the mistake he made. It's even more heart-wrenching when you factor everything that happened prior to and during the entire Shelob's Lair sequence in regards to Frodo's behaviour towards Sam and then feeling remorseful. It also doesn't help that if Sam got there about 5 minutes sooner, Frodo might've been safe from Shelob's sting.

* On a meta-level, as seen in the Extended Edition Special Features, Creator/ElijahWood's final day of filming. All of the actors went through tearful goodbyes when they finished, but Elijah's takes the cake. Creator/PeterJackson kept doing take after take of Frodo saying "There's room for a little more," clearly not wanting the experience to end. When he finally called cut and print, the room erupted with applause, and Jackson broke down crying, hugging Elijah and thanking him repeatedly at the culmination of their epic film journey together.
* Another one that's in the Appendices: The crew had become acquainted with a teenage filmmaker who had a lot of talent -- unfortunately he also had [[LittlestCancerPatient terminal cancer]]. They encouraged him to keep making movies as long as he could, even allowing the use of their high-tech equipment as much as he wanted. During this time they were writing "Into The West" and became inspired by his struggle; after he died the song was played for the first time at his funeral and they included his story and movies in the [=DVDs=].
* On June 19th, 2020, Creator/IanHolm--who lovingly portrayed Bilbo in both trilogies--passed away at the age of 88. His final scene as Bilbo--especially with his famous last line: "I think I'm quite ready for another adventure"--will now hit you on a different level.
** Weeks before he passed away, Creator/JoshGad had reunited a large number of the cast for a Zoom reunion. Ian Holm had been too poorly to attend, but he passed on a letter wishing all the best from his "hobbit Holm."

* Gandalf riding up to and through Minas Tirith. Yes, it's just filler material...but Shore's gorgeous music sweeping along at full tilt while the screen fills with images of this incredible, massive city built into the mountain...beautiful.

* Particularly the end, where Frodo has to leave Sam behind to sail with Gandalf and the Elves to the Undying Lands, never to return. And then the song "Into the West" comes on. Damn you, Creator/PeterJackson and Creator/JRRTolkien both.
** Specifically, the way Frodo hugs Pippin and Merry goodbye, before just throwing his arms around Sam and gently kissing his forehead.
** Unless you started crying at Pippin's song, in which case you will just have recovered in time to start crying again at the end.
** Then, as Frodo boards the ship, he looks at the sunset, then turns back to the camera, and delivers a real smile, which we haven't seen him do in a while. You feel like there is hope for him to finally begin healing. On top of that, a combination of makeup and lighting in this moment rather makes it seem he's finally gone back to Frodo at the beginning when we first met him, his lightness and innocence and hopeful idealism returned to him at last.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lehWZEEyu2M Pippin singing for Denethor while Faramir and his soldiers make a futile attempt to retake Osgiliath.]]
-->''Home is behind, the world ahead; and there are many paths to tread. Through shadow, to the edge of night, until the stars are all alight. Mist and shadow, cloud and shade, all shall fade. All shall fade''.
** The civilians' farewell to their doomed soldiers feels more like a funeral procession; they throw flowers on to the road as if coffins are passing by. Everyone in the crowd looks utterly depressed and in mourning.
* During the battle with the Haradrim, we see one of the Oliphants rear up on its hind legs right before toppling over. WordOfGod is that the filmmakers were intentionally trying to bring to mind the mistreatment that real-life circus elephants go through. The victims of Sauron also include those on his side.
* "I can't carry it for you, Mister Frodo -- ''but I can carry you!''" Cue the waterworks. Sean Astin did an awesome job all throughout the movies, though -- seriously, Sam gets possibly the most [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome awesome moments]].
** At that moment, Creator/SeanAstin is no longer acting. He has become a complete physical embodiment of Samwise Gamgee. That blood, sweat, and tears? It's gotta be none other than the real deal.
** When Frodo thinks Sam wants the ring and tells him to leave. Then Sam is climbing down the stairs sobbing and then...then he slips and...
*** Also, when Sam thinks Frodo is dead. ''[[PleaseDontLeaveMe Don't leave me here alone]]. Don't go where I can't follow''.
* Frodo's remorse over accusing Sam and telling him to go home when he's in Shelob's lair. His last words before passing out briefly are an apology to his absent friend, and the quickness with which the apology spills out of his mouth when they're reunited in Cirith Ungol reiterates how sorry he feels over treating Sam that way, [[NotHimself even though probably more of the blame lay with the Ring and Gollum than with him]].
* While Gollum's tragic near-repentance from the books doesn't happen in the movies, there is a scene in Shelob's lair that drives home the same point. When Frodo fights Gollum in Shelob's lair, his Sméagol-persona returns causing Frodo to feel pity towards him and spare him. However, Frodo then admits the purpose of the quest to Gollum, at which he snaps and attacks Frodo again. This is the last time his Sméagol-persona appears in the movies...
-->'''Gollum:''' It wasn't us! It wasn't us! Sméagol wouldn't hurt master! We promised! You must believe us! It was The Precious! The Precious made us do it!\\
'''Frodo:''' I have to destroy it, Sméagol... I have to destroy for both of our sakes...\\
'''Gollum:''' [[BigNo Noooooo!]]
* The GondorCallsForAid scene was also very moving. A famous quote from World War I -- "The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime". (It's worth noting that Tolkien himself lost all but one of his friends during that The First World War, so the scene was especially poignant).

* "For Frodo."
* Shortly beforehand, Legolas and Gimli have a brief exchange that leaves even the cynical Gimli visibly touched:
-->'''Gimli:''' Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an Elf.\\
'''Legolas:''' What about side by side with a friend?\\
'''Gimli:''' Aye. I could do that.
* When Aragorn falls under the attacks of the troll the camera cuts to Legolas ''panicking'' not far away, completely ignoring the battle around him to ''go and help''. He tries to fight through Orcs but is cut off. The sheer horror is heartbreaking because this is the first time he shows emotions this clearly. It's like his mind is just yelling "I can't lose my friend ''again''!"
** Look closely and you'll notice that Legolas is fighting his way through orcs and men with absolutely no regard for his own safety. The helplessness when he's blocked is absolutely heartbreaking. Even more so now that ''Film/TheHobbit'' films have confirmed them to be old friends. Legolas is forced to watch his best friend's apparently inevitable death. ''Ouch''.
* A brief one, but the moment as the remainder of the Fellowship watch Mt. Doom erupt. In the space of a few seconds, they go from triumphant joy to shocked sadness as they realize that Frodo, who has just been proven alive by the destruction of the evil forces, might have lost his life in gaining this unexpected victory. You see the realization on Merry's face, Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, and then it cuts to Pippin openly weeping and saying Frodo's name...
** Not just the realization that Frodo and Sam are most likely dead, either. It's probably only then that Merry and Pippin, at least, fully grasp that the expedition to Mount Doom had ''always been'' a suicide mission.
* How about when everyone bows down to the hobbits ("You bow to no one.") at the end? That's one of the most powerful moments in the trilogy.
** The hobbits standing there shell-shocked, awkward and looking so young in their finery, as first the King, then an ''entire cityful of people'' kneel before them and do them honor. And they're suddenly the tallest people there.

* The Extended Edition where Éomer catches sight of Éowyn (who wasn't even meant to be in the battle) lying apparently dead on the Pelennor Fields, and this proud, poised warrior throws away his sword, drops everything and ''runs'' to cradle his little sister's body, howling with raw grief. It's even worse when you remember that this was the last thing he expected to see--not only was she not meant to be in the battle, but he thought she was safe and in Rohan.
** Not to mention that Théoden's body can't be far away, so Éomer seems to have lost his ''entire'' family in this one battle. Made even sadder when you recall Théoden's death scene ''(a massive tearjerker as well)'', which starts off with him staring lovingly into Éowyn's eyes, saying, "I know your face...Éowyn," in a {{Meaningful Echo}} of the equally {{Tear Jerker}}-inducing scene in ''Two Towers'' when he is first freed from Wormtongue's influence. She smiles back, in yet another Meaningful Echo, this time to when he was telling her that all he wants her to do for him is smile again and be happy.
--->'''Théoden''': My eyes darken...\\
'''Éowyn''': No. I'm going to save you.\\
'''Théoden''': You already did. Éowyn...my body is broken. You have to let me go...I go to my fathers, in whose mighty company I shall not now be ashamed...Éowyn.
*** The fact that his last word is her name...and her wordless sob as he finally dies...the acting is just amazing. Bernard Hill and Creator/MirandaOtto are too brilliant for words.
** And similarly, when Pippin finds Merry's cloak on the battlefield and realizes that he was in the battle is a tearjerking moment. Especially in the Extended Edition when ''several hours'' are shown to have passed before he finally finds him.
*** Even worse when you learn that Dominic Monaghan re-dubbed Merry's words to Pippin in that scene. In the film he asks "''Are you going to leave me''?" Originally, he said "''Are you going to bury me''?" It was decided that this was far too depressing, so it was re-worded (even though it actually doesn't make much sense for Merry to ask Pippin if he's going to leave him when Pippin never showed an interest in being parted from Merry).
* It is a TearJerker for somewhat different reasons, but the Houses of Healing scene with the gorgeous, haunting song sung by Creator/LivTyler where Éowyn gets up in the middle of the night and walks to her window and then catches Faramir looking at her as if he's just seen an angel...
** And also the scene where Éowyn is standing alone staring desolately into the East and Faramir walks up to her to give her some meaningful words of encouragement while still looking at her like she's the most amazing thing he's ever seen. Then she contently leans into him and they clasp hands. Awwww. Also counts as a SugarWiki/{{Heartwarming Moment|s}}.
* The parting of Merry and Pippin -- Pippin doesn't understand what's happening, and Merry understands it all too well. Merry gives Gandalf a look as if saying "can we please get this over with?" and Pippin, finally realizing that they're going to be separated, cries out his friend's name. Then Merry's AngerBornOfWorry turns to grief and he races up the stairs to the battlements, knocking aside a guard on the way, so as to keep his best friend in sight as long as possible. Not to mention the way Creator/DominicMonaghan's voice utterly ''breaks'' on the "I don't know what's going to happen anymore" line as he steps away.
* The deleted scene from the Extended Edition where the MouthOfSauron tells them Frodo was tortured to death. The look on Pippin's face when he holds Frodo's mithril vest, and Gandalf comforting him. Aragorn's whacking off the head of the Mouth of Sauron is highly cathartic.
* The scene with Frodo and Sam following the destruction of the Ring. First, you have Frodo realizing that his burden is gone ("It's gone...It's done."), then, while trapped on a rock in a sea of lava, Frodo recalls the Shire again, which makes Sam think of Rosie Cotton ("If ever I was to marry someone...It would've been her...It would've been her"). Because let's face it, where else in the trilogy does Sam get the chance to be selfish (and justifiably, too)? And then, to cap it all off, Frodo using the last of his energy to sit up and hug his best friend as they wait to die, and his delivery of the line, "I'm glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee...here at the end of all things."
** Frodo and Sam see that solitary star through the clouds while on the slopes of Mount Doom.
** The goddamn music again! It's so hopeful and happy and for a second there you might think they're going to ''die'' with such happy music playing.

* As Elrond is passing Arwen on to Aragorn during the latter's coronation, after he whispers to her, "Go to him", look at Creator/HugoWeaving's eyes. It barely lasts a quarter of a second, but it was enough to turn the triumphant feeling having watched the entire trilogy back to back to one of sadness and empathy. He's so torn between joy that all is well and Arwen is with someone she loves, and grief that she has chosen mortality.
* Frodo (under heavy influence from the Ring and Gollum) selfishly and heartlessly tells Sam to go home. And Sam--loyal, loving, ever-cheerful Sam--just... breaks down. He doesn't even try to fight Frodo's accusations; he simply sits down again and starts sobbing openly into his hands.
* Another one that's in the Appendices: The crew had become acquainted with a teenage filmmaker who had a lot of talent -- unfortunately he also had [[LittlestCancerPatient terminal cancer]]. They encouraged him to keep making movies as long as he could, even allowing the use of their high-tech equipment as much as he wanted. During this time they were writing "Into The West" and became inspired by his struggle; after he died the song was played for the first time at his funeral and they included his story and movies in the [=DVDs=].

** Even better: In the film, that line was said as the Rohirrim were, as far as they knew, making their last stand. In the book, the Rohirrim ride off to a rousing speech and the "DEATH!" line...

* One line from Pippin will always get you: "The strongest man may be slain by one arrow. Boromir was pierced by many."
* The great Gollum-related TearJerker is when he falls into the fires of [[{{Hell}} Mount Doom]], blissfully unaware that he's falling, clutching his "Precious" to the very end... and the last thing he sees is the Ring, still quite fine, abandoning and betraying him for the very last time.
* Arwen's flash of prophecy as she sees Aragorn holding a little boy, wearing the Evenstar, and realizes what it means. She rides hell for leather back to Rivendell, and storms up to her father:
-->'''Elrond:''' I looked into your future and I saw death.\\
'''Arwen:''' But there is also life! You saw there was a child! ''You saw my son!''
** That scene, indeed, is a comfort against Elrond's dire prediction for Arwen: though Aragorn will pass away, he will always be alive in his son's eyes.
* Bilbo after the Ring is destroyed. It's heartbreaking to see someone who used to be so feisty and child-like suddenly become so old and fragile. His conversation with Frodo in the cart- his confusion and the fact that he needs to be rugged up carefully to keep warm.
** And at the Grey Havens, one last glimpse of the old adventurous spirited Bilbo - the gleam in his eyes and the eager tone when he says "I think I'm quite ready for another adventure." Doubly so after seeing him in action in ''The Hobbit'' trilogy.
** Not to mention that even though months has passed since the Ring was destroyed (and even more since he parted with it), Bilbo still seems to have withdrawals as he wished he had the Ring again.
* The ending at the Grey Havens. If you've somehow gotten through this trilogy without shedding a tear, prepare for full on weeping. The scene really brings home the franchise: We're followed these characters in the good times and the bad, seen them suffer loss and heartbreak, and struggle on when they could have given up many times over. And now it is at an end. If it doesn't bring you to tears, ask your doctor to see if your heart has turned to ice.
-->'''Gandalf:''' Well, well. My brave hobbits. Here at last, on the shores of the Sea, comes the end of our Fellowship. I will not say, do not weep: for not all tears are an evil.
** The hobbits finding out that Frodo is leaving. The dialogue plays out as follows:
--->'''Gandalf:''' It is time, Frodo.\\
'''Sam:''' What does he mean?!\\
'''Frodo:''' I set out to save the Shire, Sam. And it has been saved... But not for me.\\
'''Sam:''' You don't mean that... You can't ''leave!''\\
'''Frodo:''' *hands Sam the red leatherbound book* The last pages are for you, Sam.
** After Gandalf says his line, the hobbits all look at Frodo in sorrowful bewilderment, and begin to silently weep. Sam actually starts ''sobbing'' as he begs Frodo to stay, but Frodo wearily accepts his fate. Merry begins to cry, and Frodo hugs him as Merry softly cries into his shoulder. Frodo lets go, and Merry looks at him with the most agonized, contorted tearful grimace. Then, Frodo approaches Pippin, who is holding himself together a little better than Merry, and Frodo hugs Pippin as well. Frodo and Sam exchange a long, loving look, before Frodo wraps his arms around Sam in a warm embrace, gently rocking him as he cries into Frodo's shoulder. Frodo rubs Sam's back to comfort him, then plants a tender kiss on Sam's forehead. Frodo rubs Sam's shoulder, as if to tell him that everything will be all right. As Frodo walks away, hand in hand with Gandalf, Merry and Sam sob quietly as Pippin stares at Frodo in tearful, stunned disbelief. As Frodo boards the boat, he looks back and smiles at his friends, who respond with the saddest, most choked-up smiles. Frodo's smile widens, and then he turns away...
** Watching that scene closely, it almost breaks the Fourth Wall; Frodo give that smile and nod as if to tell the audience, who have at the least soaked in every bit of these movies, and at most have started with the books and have seen them brought to life, "It's all good. No worries, friends."
* In addition to that, there's a FreezeFrameBonus where Gimli suggests going to request more aid from the Dwarves and Legolas informs him that they're very likely already fighting their own battles. The look on Gimli's face when he realizes the truthfulness of that statement and just how much different his home could appear when he returns says it all. It's also really the only time alluded in the entire films that the war is waging across a much larger scale than just in Rohan and Gondor.
** It's the music that does it. Music/HowardShore has struck again!

* Frodo (under heavy influence from the Ring and Gollum) selfishly tells Sam to go home. And Sam--loyal, loving, ever-cheerful Sam--just... breaks down. He doesn't even try to fight Frodo's accusations; he simply sits down again and starts sobbing openly into his hands.

** Then, as Frodo boards the ship, he looks at the sunset, then turns back to the camera, and delivers a real smile, which he haven't seen him do in a while. You feel like there is hope for him to finally begin healing. On top of that, a combination of makeup and lighting in this moment rather makes it seem he's finally gone back to Frodo at the beginning when we first met him, his lightness and innocence and hopeful idealism returned to him at last.

* Frodo's remorse over accusing Sam and telling him to go home when he's in Shelob's lair. His last words before passing out briefly are an apology to his absent friend, and the quickness with which the apology spills out of his mouth when they're reunited in Cirith Ungol reiterates how sorry he feels over treating Sam that way, [[NotHimself even though probably more of the blame lay with the Ring than with him]].

* How about when everyone bows down to the hobbits ("You bow to no one!") at the end? That's one of the most powerful moments in the trilogy.
** The hobbits standing there shell-shocked, awkward and looking so young in their finery, as first the King, then an ''entire cityful of people'' kneel before them and do them honour. And they're suddenly the tallest people there.

** Not to mention that Théoden's body can't be far away, so Éomer seems to have lost his ''entire'' family in this one battle. Made even sadder when you recall Théoden's death scene ''(a massive tearjerker as well)'', which starts off with him staring lovingly into Éowyn's eyes, saying, "I know your face...Éowyn," in a {{Meaningful Echo}} of the equally {{Tear Jerker}}-inducing scene in Two Towers when he is first freed from Wormtongue's influence. She smiles back, in yet another Meaningful Echo, this time to when he was telling her that all he wants her to do for him is smile again and be happy.

* Frodo (under heavy influence from the Ring and Gollum) angrily tells Sam to go home. And Sam--loyal, loving, ever-cheerful Sam--just ... breaks down. He doesn't even try to fight Frodo's accusations; he simply sits down again and starts sobbing openly into his hands.

* Bilbo after the ring is destroyed. It's heartbreaking to see someone who used to be so feisty and child-like suddenly become so old and fragile. His conversation with Frodo in the cart- his confusion and the fact that he needs to be rugged up carefully to keep warm.
** And at the Grey Havens, one last glimpse of the old adventurous spirited Bilbo- the gleam in his eyes and the eager tone when he says "I think I'm quite ready for another adventure." Doubly so after seeing him in action in ''The Hobbit'' trilogy.