Let’s take a walk down memory lane (with a box of tissues handy) as we look back at some of the most heartbreaking deaths in Once Upon a Time.
Neal’s death in Season 3 was one of the show’s most gut-wrenching moments. After all he endured—losing his family, growing up in Neverland, searching for Emma—it seemed only fair he’d get his happy ending. Instead, his sacrifice to save his father and friends reminded us that love sometimes means letting go. Neal’s death shattered not only Emma’s heart, but also ours, as we watched a son finally reunite with his father, only to lose his life in the process.
“You found me. And you came back for me.”
We barely got to know Graham in Season 1, but his death remains one of the most shocking and painful moments in OUAT history. Just as he and Emma were growing closer and truths about Storybrooke were unraveling, Regina crushed his heart—literally. It was a brutal reminder of her power and the stakes of the cursed world they lived in. Graham’s loss left a lingering sadness for what could have been between him and Emma.
Robin’s death in Season 5 left fans divided and devastated. After surviving countless adventures and forming a deep bond with Regina, he died a heroic (but infuriatingly sudden) death to save her. Watching Regina lose her soulmate after fighting so hard to find happiness felt cruel. It was a heartbreaking moment that led to one of Regina’s most powerful character arcs—learning to endure grief without losing herself to darkness again.
“A true hero does what’s right, not what’s easy.”
Belle’s death, though peaceful, was incredibly emotional. After years of struggle, misunderstanding, and brief moments of happiness, Belle and Rumple finally found a life together away from magic and chaos. Belle’s quiet passing from old age, with Rumple by her side, was a rare, tender portrayal of love enduring until the very end. Even in a fantasy world, their mortal love story hit home in the most human way.
Rumple’s journey from villain to redeemed hero was one of the most complex in the series. His ultimate sacrifice—giving up his own life to save everyone else—was a fitting, yet utterly heartbreaking, end. After centuries of scheming, heartbreak, and second chances, Rumple finally chose selflessness. His death was made even more emotional by his reunion with Belle in the afterlife, reminding us that redemption, though costly, is possible.
Though Daniel’s death occurred before the events of Once Upon a Time, its shadow loomed large, shaping Regina’s entire life. Watching the flashbacks where a young, hopeful Regina lost her true love because of her mother’s cruelty was gut-wrenching. It planted the seeds of her transformation into the Evil Queen and made her quest for love and redemption all the more meaningful.
Technically, Hook did come back, but his death in Season 5 was nothing short of devastating. His sacrifice to stop the Dark Ones and save Emma was both epic and intimate. Watching Emma, already a guarded soul, break down as she had to stab the man she loved to save the world tore at every viewer’s heartstrings. Luckily, true love’s bond proved too strong to keep him gone forever.
Once Upon a Time taught us that even in a world of magic, loss is part of the story. These deaths weren’t just shocking twists—they were pivotal moments that shaped the characters we loved. Whether it was through sacrifice, redemption, or heartbreaking circumstances, each loss left a mark on Storybrooke—and on us.
Which Once Upon a Time death hit you the hardest? 💔
Share your thoughts and favorite character moments in the comments below!
