Original series
- Small Talk (1929): A tearful Farina thinks that no one wants to adopt him.
- Teacher's Pet (1930): Jackie Cooper shows genuine shame after his plans backfire and Miss Crabtree kicks him out of the classroom.
- Helping Grandma and Fly My Kite (both 1931): The Rascals' adopted grandma (Margaret Mann) is pushed around by a mean-spirited adult in both films. Seeing the kids with tears in their eyes as they witness Grandma getting bullied by her own son-in-law is enough to break anyone's heart.
- Dogs Is Dogs (1931): The overall premise is rather sad. The most heartbreaking moment is when Wheezer cries after being abused by his stepmother – while Pete the Pup looks on with tears in his eyes!
- The Pooch (1932): Stymie begins to cry when he is told that Petey is dead.
- For Pete's Sake! (1934): The kids are forced to give up Pete the Pup in order to pay for a doll.Wally: "No matter what happens, Pete, you're still our dog."
- The Civil War-themed General Spanky (1936): A tearful Buckwheat is left alone after his slave group is forced to depart without him. What's more, he fears being shot as a runaway slave!
- Dad For A Day (1939): The gang all talk about the father-son picnic coming up and while chanting and cheering for their dads, Mickey starts getting upset and starts crying due to having no father of his own.
1994 movie
- The scene following Alfalfa and Spanky break up their friendship, where the rest of the gang are depressed. Accompanied by Rosanne Cash's cover of Linda Ronstadt's "Love Has No Pride".
