Spoiler Warning: The article contains spoilers for Lightyear.
It’s not necessary to be a kid to be able to enjoy kids’ movies. Everyone loves watching these films, and they are an excellent option to watch accompanied by family. However, anyone who thinks these movies don’t deal with sad and emotional issues is deeply mistaken. The recently premiered Toy Story spin-off, Lightyear, followed the very common formula of killing a character at the beginning of the movie.
Children’s movies can be uplifting and inspiring, but they also include heartbreaking moments. Everyone’s childhood – and sometimes adulthood – has been marked by at least one death scene featured in either a Disney, Pixar, or any other type of kids’ movie. People took it upon themselves to vote in Ranker which of these deaths are the saddest.
Fred Weasley – Harry Potter And The Deadly Hallows Part 2
A lot of characters die in the last two installments of this series, and Fred Weasley’s death is one of the most heartbreaking ones. He dies in the Battle of Hogwarts, fighting against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. When Harry sees Fred’s twin brother, George, hug Ron tightly, sobbing over his shoulder, it’s impossible not to let a tear fall.
One of Molly Weasley’s biggest fears is losing one of the members of her family, and watching her lose one of her sons is harrowing. It’s also difficult for fans to see George lose his brother and best friend in the world. Even though he gave his life to save magical society, Fred’s death is telling of the devastating consequences of war and the way it destroys families.
Artax – The NeverEnding Story
When Atreyu goes to seek advice from Morla the Ancient One, he has to go through the Swamp of Sadness. However, he doesn’t realize until too late that his horse, Artax, has a hard time getting out of the Swamp. Although Atreyu desperately tries to take Artax out, he’s unable to save his beloved horse’s life.
This is one of the hardest moments to witness on television. Atreyu is a lonely orphan kid raised by his village, and Artax is his best friend in the world. Even though Artax comes back eventually when Bastian restores Fantasia, the audience’s hearts break in this scene.
Bambi’s Mother – Bambi
Bambi and his mother had a very close relationship until one winter, while looking for grass to eat, Bambi’s mother senses danger. She tells Bambi to start running, but while they’re escaping, the audience hears a shotgun. Bambi spends hours looking for her until his father arrives and tells him his mother is gone.
Even though this film has been around for around 80 years, it’s one of those Disney movies guaranteed to make you cry, as this movie particularly showcases the destructive powers of human beings. Bambi creates his own family and finds a happy ending for himself, but watching him lose his beloved mother is one of the saddest Disney scenes.
Dobbie – Harry Potter And The Deadly Hallows Part 1
Anyone who’s watched this movie would agree that Dobbie’s is one of the most brutal deaths in Harry Potter. When Dobby rescues Harry and his friends from Malfoy’s manor, Bellatrix throws a knife as a last attempt to hurt The Boy Who Lived. In a heartbreaking turn of events, the knife reaches Dobby in the chest, killing him almost immediately.
As sad as this moment is, Dobby dies with a smile on his face, pleased to save his best friend’s life. Harry, devastated about the elf’s death, works for days to procure him a proper tomb, on which’s gravestone he writes “Here lies Dobby, A Free Elf”. Even though Dobby died horribly, at least he lived life exactly the way he wanted to.
Leslie Burke – Bridge To Terabithia
Jess and Leslie were two very lonely kids’ who become friends after Leslie arrives at Jess’s school. Both of them endured bullying from their classmates but they find solace in each other. They even build a fantasy world together, which they access through the woods. However, one day, when Jess goes to an art museum, Leslie dies in the woods trying to cross a river.
When watching a wholesome story about childhood friendship, no one expects one of the protagonists to suddenly die. Leslie’s death catches the viewer by surprise, just as much as it does Jess. Although this death is incredibly sad, this bittersweet movie focuses on the importance of deep connections to be able to heal and find joy in life.
Marley – Marley & Me
This movie narrates a couple’s journey through life while accompanied by their golden retriever dog, Marley. Even though Marley is far from being a perfect dog, constantly misbehaving and destroying things, he soon becomes a crucial member of their family. His death is the culmination of an era for John and Jenny, and saying goodbye is one of the hardest things they have to do.
It’s nearly impossible not to cry while John is standing beside Marley at the vet when Marley is being euthanized. However, even though his death is incredibly sad, this movie portrays the joy people can find with a dog. Grieving a cherished pet is never easy, but it’s worth it to be able to experience that kind of unconditional love.
Ellie Fredricksen – Up
One of the best kids’ movies from the early 2000s, Up doesn’t hold any emotional punches, especially in the beginning. The first 10 minutes of the film depict Carl and Ellie’s beautiful love story, which only ends due to her dying of old age. Pixar truly had no business reminding its viewers of their mortality in a kid’s film.
Determined to make his wife’s last wish come true, Carl turns his house into an airship using helium balloons. However, Carl fails to notice that Russell, a Wilderness Explorer boy, is traveling with him. Up follows the uncommon but uplifting friendship between these two characters.
Littlefoot’s Mom – The Land Before Time
The Land Before Time is a cute story about friendship. However, the movie opens with Littlefoot’s mom’s death scene. Right after Littlefoot first meets Cera, they are attacked by a Tyrannosaurus. This carnivorous animal kills Littlefoot’s mother, who uses her last breath to tell him: “Littlefoot, let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely.”
These words as well as Littlefoot’s obvious confusion about the situation are simply too heartbreaking. Although the film ends on a hopeful note, with Littlefoot finding his grandparents alongside all his friends, the fact that he becomes an orphan within the first few minutes makes it a bittersweet film to watch.
Thomas J. Sennett – My Girl
The coming-of-age story My Girl follows Vada and Thomas, two kids living their childhoods in Pennsylvania in 1972. The film follows their friendship until Thomas dies due to a tragic accident involving a beehive and the boy’s death becomes a core moment of Vada’s development as a teenager.
Thomas is Vada’s best companion during troublesome times: her best friend, her confidant, and her first love. The two kids share a heartwarming connection that had the potential to last forever. Additionally, he was only a child at the time of his passing. Nothing is as heartbreaking as a life-ending too soon.
Mufasa – The Lion King
To steal the throne, Scar tricks Mufasa into falling from a cliff into an antelope stampede. His son, an eager lion cub named Simba, escapes the pride believing that what happened what his fault. Although Simba manages to live many years as a carefree vagabond, a random encounter forces him to face his destiny and reclaim his place as the rightful king in the Circle of Life.
Mufasa’s early death in The Lion King is enough to ruin anyone’s day. The first minutes of the film greatly focus on Simba’s relationship with his father and his family’s legacy, only to have that beautiful bond wreaked by the evil uncle Scar. Simba’s imploring cries in front of his father’s dead body will have kids and adults weeping tears away.
