They say breaking up is hard to do, but is it really? In movies, it actually looks pretty easy. Simply walk in on your partner cheating, break out your left hook, or hit them with a line like, "You're not terribly important to me." Have your hearing-impaired brother reveal all via sign language at your wedding. Psych yourself up for a big proposal. Stomp out with some Aretha cued up. Take your pick.Hollywood has hit us with countless breakup scenes, from the tear-jerking to the triumphant to the way harsh. Some of the following clips will make you punch the air, and some will have you reeling like Claire Danes at a wake. Consider yourself warned.
The Parent Trap, 1961
Both versions of The Parent Trap see Daddy's diva girlfriend get her comeuppance in a highly entertaining way. Slapping precocious twin girls, however, is never okay.
Stripes, 1981
In his defense, dumpee Bill Murray does make a really good point about Tito Puente.
Pretty in Pink, 1986
Blane will not be taking any questions about prom today.
Wayne's World, 1992
Anyone else have a sneaking suspicion that Stacy is now head of her local NRA chapter? Wayne seriously dodged a bullet.
Four Weddings and a Funeral, 1994
Tough break, Duck Face.
Sense and Sensibility, 1995
Whatevs. Colonel Brandon is worth 1,000 Willoughbys, anyway.
Jerry Maguire, 1996
In which Kelly Preston goes all Duck Face on Tom Cruise.
Good Will Hunting, 1997
What's worse? Will telling an emotional Skylar that he doesn't love her (LIE), or Matt Damon dumping Minnie Driver in real life on Oprah? Either way, Driver's face perfectly registers her heartbreak.
The Wedding Singer, 1998
Robbie Hart does not take getting dumped at the altar well.
Cruel Intentions, 1999
Sebastian Valmont hits the bottom of the breakup barrel with the ol' "it's not you, it's me" line.
High Fidelity, 2000
Breakups suck. Discovering that your ex hasn't yet slept with his or her new paramour, however, does not.
American Psycho, 2000
Patrick Bateman doesn't beat around the bush: "You're not terribly important to me." Then he ditches to her to "return some videotapes."
Bridget Jones's Diary, 2001
Why can't all breakups/job walkouts be this self-assured and badass? That'll teach him to run off with a snotty, body-shaming American.
Legally Blonde, 2001
"So you're breaking up with me because I'm too blonde?" Oh, Elle. Never let someone try to turn your Marilyn into a Jackie.
Wet Hot American Summer, 2001
When your girlfriend says her priority is having sex...but not with you.
The Royal Tenenbaums, 2001
That awkward moment when you have to end things with your adopted brother.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 2004
Otherwise known as the longest breakup scene of all time.
Closer, 2004
"I don't love you anymore," Natalie Portman's Alice tells her lover Dan, played by Jude Law. She then hits him with a breakup speech so poignant we're not ashamed to admit we've totally quoted it in our own messy situations.
Shaun of the Dead, 2004
Nick Frost is perhaps not the best shoulder to cry on after you've been dumped by your girlfriend.
Hitch, 2005
"Just tell me what I did wrong!""Dude, you're doing it right now!"
The Break-Up, 2006
Every girl likes flowers, Gary.
Sex and the City, 2008
Nobody stands up Carrie Bradshaw on her wedding day and gets away with it. Here's hoping Big was allergic to flowers.
(500) Days of Summer, 2009
When someone compares your relationship to Sid and Nancy, it's time to make tracks.
The Social Network, 2010
But look at Mark Zuckerberg now!
Blue Valentine, 2010
Interlacing a romantic wedding flashback with a heart-wrenching conversation about divorce calls for a giant box of tissues. Ugh, that hug.
Crazy, Stupid, Love, 2011
When Josh Groban gives you the Heisman in a speech involving sound effects, the only thing you can do is get wasted.
Like Crazy, 2011
We weren't the only ones overly invested in the push-pull of this long-distance relationship, right?
Friends With Benefits, 2011
What we really mean when we say we want to stay friends.
The Wolf of Wall Street, 2013
Mean, but effective. Have sex with your spouse, then announce that you "wanna divahce."
Blue is the Warmest Color, 2013
Emma lets her lover have it when she discovers she's been sleeping with a man on the side. Can't say we blame her, even if the later scene in which Adèle tries to win Emma back makes us cry like a baby.
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