Break-ups are tough for both the dumper or the dump-ee, but sometimes they can be fun to watch from afar – especially in a movie, where no real people are hurt. Whether it’s an over-the-top rage reaction to hearing “It’s over” or someone suddenly weeping out of nowhere, the best comedies can highlight what’s funny about these very real and raw emotions. It’s also always comforting to see that others have gone through humiliating moments in their lives and have come out the other side better for it. The lowest moments for fictional characters remind those in the audience that even in hard times, “this, too, shall pass.”
So, for those starting to get over a failed relationship or looking for inspiration on how to end a current one, these funny break-up scenes may give you a much-needed laugh.
‘Big Daddy’ – Vanessa Leaves Sonny For Someone More Mature
Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing
What Happens: After a five-year-old named Julien (Dylan and Cole Sprouse) is left in his care, slacker Sonny (Adam Sandler) goes to introduce the boy to his girlfriend Vanessa (Kristy Swanson). Vanessa, however, has a new friend, too – the much older Sid (Geoffrey Horne), who is more goal-oriented and focused than Sonny ever was. Sonny storms out, ranting about Sid’s “big, white, wrinkly body.”
Funniest Line: “Hey, Old Man River, zip it or I’ll break your hip.”
‘EuroTrip’ – Scotty Didn’t Know About His Girlfriend’s Affair
Photo: DreamWorks Pictures
What Happens: Fiona (Kristin Kreuk) dumps her boyfriend Scotty (Scott Mechlowicz) during his high school graduation. That night, Scotty finds out the reason why in the most embarrassing way possible: through the lyrics of a catchy song.
Matt Damon gives a brief but inspired performance as the lead singer of a band playing at the party. As he sings “Scotty Doesn’t Know,” heartbroken Scotty learns all of the lurid details about Fiona cheating on him – including a hookup on Scotty’s birthday. Ouch.
Funniest Lines:
Fiona: “I just can’t take all the lying and cheating on each other anymore.”
Scotty: “What are you talking about? Sweetie, I never cheated on you.”
Fiona: “I know. That’s what makes this so hard.”
‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ – Sarah Leaves Peter Naked And Alone
Photo: Universal Pictures
What happens: Fresh out of a shower, Peter (Jason Segel) sees his girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), in the living room and flashes her a smile (and more). But when it becomes clear that Sarah’s breaking up with him, the towel drops and Peter begins to cry. Despite Sarah asking him to put on clothes, Peter bares it all throughout the scene, at different points even bending over and hugging her in the nude. (Fun fact: this actually happened to Segel, but in real life, he chose to put on a suitable break-up-worthy outfit while the conversation was ongoing).
Funniest Line: “I’m not going to put clothes on. I know what that means. If I put clothes on, it’s over.”
‘Happy Gilmore’ – Terry Leaves Happy, Making Happy Sad
Photo: Universal Pictures
What Happens: Not even Subway can save Happy (Adam Sandler) from getting his heart broken. When the wannabe hockey player arrives home after another failed try-out, his girlfriend Terry (Nancy Hillis) tells him it’s over. As she’s leaving their apartment building, Happy catches her on the intercom by the front door and tries to win her back. But when the two begin to bicker again, Terry leaves without saying goodbye. Happy, having no idea, sings Exile’s “Kiss You All Over” – only for it to be revealed he’s actually singing to random neighbors.
Funniest Line: “You’re a lousy kindergarten teacher. I’ve seen those finger paintings you bring home, and they suck!”
‘Mallrats’ – T.S. And Brodie Both Get Dumped Then Go To The Mall
Photo: Gramercy Pictures
What Happens: When T.S. (Jeremy London) unintentionally causes the death of a dating show contestant, his girlfriend Brandi (Claire Forlani) volunteers to take her place. This infuriates T.S., which then infuriates Brandi, prompting her to dump him, despite his plans to propose to her on the Jaws ride at Universal Studios (how romantic).
Meanwhile, T.S.’s best friend Brodie (Jason Lee) receives a break-up letter from his girlfriend, Rene (Shannen Doherty), which he quickly frames and hangs on the wall. Despite her writing him a laundry list of complaints, Brodie thinks their breakup was actually because of a badly timed fart. The two friends decide to wallow in their heartbreak together the only way a Jersey boy knows how: by going to the mall.
Funniest Line: “Hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn for Sega.”
’50 First Dates’ – Henry Lets Lisa/Linda Go For Good
Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing
What Happens: Living in a vacation destination is a big plus for commitment-fearing Henry Roth (Adam Sandler), who lies to all the tourists he has romantic flings with. Some go home to tell their friends he doesn’t believe in phones; others say he’s entering priesthood. For Linda (Lynn Collins), Henry is a secret agent heading to Peru. When she won’t take the hint that things are over, Roth hops on the back of a stranger’s jet ski speeding by, offering the man $20 not to stop.
Funniest Line: Henry (speaking nonsense into his watch): “That’s a 1-8-7 Code Blue. We got the wolf sleeping at night. He’s slipping his right arm in the drawer and out comes the cookie jar. All clear. Cling, blang, walla, walla, bing, bang.”
‘Friends with Benefits’ – Jamie And Dylan Get Double Dumped
Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing
What Happens: After Dylan (Justin Timberlake) arrives late to a John Mayer concert, his girlfriend Kayla (Emma Stone) decides to end their relationship. Dylan considers this a win (“Best break-up ever.”) since he now won’t have to pretend to enjoy the music. “He is the Sheryl Crowe of our generation!” Kayla quips, before telling Dylan, “It’s not you…. it’s me. I don’t like you anymore.”
Meanwhile, Quincy (Andy Samberg) tells Jamie (Mila Kunis) that they should “chill awhile.” Jamie asks for specifics why, but doesn’t love all of his reasons.
Funniest Line: “You want someone to sweep you off your feet, but you’re more interested in getting swept off your feet than the someone who’s doing the sweeping. You seem like you’ve got it totally together, but you’re actually really emotionally damaged. Also, you have, like, really big eyes, and that freaks me out sometimes.”
‘Legally Blonde’ – Warner Wants To ‘Marry A Jackie, Not A Marilyn’
Photo: MGM Distribution Co.
What Happens: Dressed up for a fancy restaurant date, Elle (Reese Witherspoon) thinks her boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis) is going to propose to her. He has other plans, however. Claiming he needs to get serious if he wants to be a senator one day, he breaks up with Elle, sending her into a hilarious and understandable public freak-out.
Funniest Line: “You’re breaking up with me because I’m too… blonde?”
‘Wet Hot American Summer’ – Katie Crushes Coop By Choosing Andy
Photo: USA Films
What Happens: As Coop (Michael Showalter) tries planning a meet-up in the city with Katie (Marguerite Moreau) for the week after camp, Katie breaks it to him that she has her eyes set on another guy: Andy (Paul Rudd), who she says has a more beautiful face and incredible body. She then proceeds to go into graphic detail about what she wants to do to Andy, even if he is kind of lame and cheats on her. (Honestly, it’s understandable – it’s Paul Rudd, after all.)
Funniest Line: “So that’s where my priorities are right now. Sex. Specifically with Andy and not with you.”
‘Trainwreck’ – Amy Refuses To Be Steven’s CrossFit Queen
Photo: Universal Pictures
What Happens: Steven (John Cena) realizes too late that his girlfriend (Amy Schumer) doesn’t think their relationship is exclusive. Whoops. Dashed are the gym rat’s dreams of the two getting married, having a family of boys, and running CrossFit together. After he confides in her, Amy puts a hand on his back as if to comfort him – but asks him to leave instead, saying, “I just kind of need this interaction to be over.”
Funniest Line: “And I’ll develop a CrossFit program and patent it. And I’ll rule the CrossFit world with you by myself. My CrossFit queen. That’s my dream.”
‘Happiness’ – Andy Thinks His Ex Is ‘Sh*t’ And He’s ‘Champagne’
Photo: Good Machine Releasing
What Happens: After she breaks up with Andy (Jon Lovitz) during a dinner out, Joy (Jane Adams) tries comforting her now-ex with casual conversation. Things get heated, however, when he shows her a present he was planning on giving her: an ashtray. “This is for the girl who loves me,” he tells her, then angrily lists all the things she must hate about him before finally concluding she’s the shallow one. Lovitz absolutely kills it in this scene, perfectly balancing Andy being pathetic and petty.
Funniest Line: “You think I’m sh*t. Well, you’re wrong. ‘Cause I’m champagne. And you’re sh*t. And ’til the day you die, you, not me, will always be sh*t.”
