- 9 months ago
Disney has a reputation for tugging at our heartstrings, and these character deaths prove it. Join us as we count down the most heart-wrenching, soul-crushing moments in Disney and Pixar history that left us in tears. From beloved parents to innocent sidekicks, these losses will make you reach for the tissue box!
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00:00Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most heartbreaking deaths
00:18in Disney films. We won't be including characters who died and came back to life. As you can
00:23imagine, these scenes are some of the biggest plot points in their respective films, so
00:27this is your final warning for the spoilers ahead.
00:36Number 20. Leslie Burke, Bridge to Terabithia. Jess Ahrens is a quiet 6th grader, overlooked
00:43by his father and mistreated at school. That all changes when he meets the spirited new kid,
00:48Leslie Burke.
00:49There's drawings you made. You really seen all those things yourself?
00:52Yo, but...
00:56The two form an unlikely bond and escape their troubles in the magic kingdom called Terabithia.
01:03They embark on many adventures until one day changes everything. After seeing her perfectly
01:09happy and carefree, Jess returns home to devastating news. Leslie died while trying to cross into their
01:15imaginary world.
01:17I'm sorry, son.
01:20No, you're lying.
01:21The guilt overwhelms Jess in both realistic and disturbing ways. For a family film, this is a
01:27grim reminder of our mortality, but we expect no less from what's considered one of the saddest
01:31Disney movies of all time.
01:33Number 19. Lilo and Nani's Parents, Lilo and Stitch.
01:37While on-screen deaths can be powerful, seeing how they affect the living can be just as impactful.
01:43By the time the movie begins, some time has passed since the deaths of Lilo and Nani's parents.
01:48We never get to see them, but their absence looms large.
01:51That's us before.
01:55It was rainy and they went for a drive.
01:59What happened to yours?
02:02I hear you cry at night.
02:05Do you dream about them?
02:07Nani is stretched thin, trying to hold down a job while also stepping into the role of parental guardian.
02:12As much as she tries, she's more of a loving sister than a guiding role model.
02:16Lilo, meanwhile, feels isolated and adrift, trying to make sense of her broken family.
02:22Their grief lingers in every scene, and it becomes even more heartbreaking when the sisters face separation.
02:27Until we meet again.
02:36Number 18. Henry, The Good Dinosaur.
02:41While not among Pixar's best, The Good Dinosaur has a surprisingly poignant and emotional blow.
02:46The movie begins with Henry, an Apatosaurus father, trying to teach his timid son Arlo how to be strong.
02:52Although he's a bit harsh, he knows when to be compassionate, and Arlo clearly loves him for it.
03:05Their bond was odd but sincere, which makes Henry's death all the more devastating.
03:10After reassuring his son on a stormy day, the two are caught in the path of a flash flood.
03:14With no time to escape, Henry hurls Arlo to safety, and is swept away in an instant.
03:23The death is shockingly abrupt, but what deepens the sorrow is the affection he showed only moments ago.
03:31Number 17. Hector Barbosa, Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Men Tell No Tales.
03:36This pirate captain remains a favorite among pirates fans.
03:40Once a ruthless villain, he evolved into one of the saga's greatest heroes.
03:44In his final appearance, he allies himself with Jack Sparrow to defeat the vengeful ghost Salazar.
03:59In the process, he learns that the brilliant astronomer Carina is his long-lost daughter.
04:03He later reveals his identity in the final battle, giving his life to save hers.
04:14The arc may be a little cliche, but Geoffrey Rush elevates the moment with warmth and sincerity.
04:27For a pirate who's always chased treasure, his final act, protecting the one thing he truly valued, felt like a perfectly tearful goodbye.
04:36Number 16. King Agnarr and Queen Iduna, Frozen and Frozen 2.
04:41These movies have many hard-hitting moments.
04:44Olaf's death in particular felt sudden and gut-wrenching.
04:47I'm sorry. You're gonna have to do this next part on your own. Okay?
04:54His calm acceptance of impending death is enough to make us cry, even if he comes back.
04:59At its heart, this series is a tale of two sisters shaped by the trauma of losing their parents.
05:04That loss is first felt in Frozen's Do You Wanna Build a Snowman, where we see just how much Anna and Elsa depended on them.
05:14The gloves will help. See? Conceal it.
05:19Don't fear it.
05:21Then the tragedy deepens in Frozen 2 when the sisters find their shipwreck.
05:25The way to fix your heart is you!
05:27Elsa!
05:28They learned that Agnarr and Iduna died searching for a way to help Elsa control her powers.
05:39What's even sadder is that Anna and Elsa see a haunting vision of their final embrace before they drowned.
05:44Number 15. Pedro Madrigal, Encanto
05:47At the start of the film, Mirabel's grandmother, Alma, tells the story of how the Madrigal family came to be.
05:53She recalls how she and her husband, Pedro, were forced to flee their home.
05:57And your abuelo was lost.
06:03The magical Encanto was born to protect them, blessing their family with extraordinary gifts.
06:08But we learn that there's a more painful truth behind the story.
06:12In a later, far more emotional flashback, we see young Alma's raw reaction to Pedro's death.
06:17Though his murder isn't shown, her grief is overwhelming.
06:21So profound that she barely notices the miracle forming around her.
06:24The scene's emotional honesty caught many viewers off guard, refusing to sanitize Alma's pain.
06:39It's powerful enough to move anyone to tears.
06:42Number 14. The Supers, The Incredibles
06:45This moment is unique in that it doesn't focus on one death, but many.
06:50When Mr. Incredible breaks into Syndrome's lair,
06:52he uncovers an evil plan 15 years in the making.
06:56We learn that a robot has been secretly eliminating dozens of superheroes.
07:00Based on Bob's reaction, he seemed to personally know many of the victims.
07:15We don't get to meet these characters, but the revelation, underscored by Michael Giacchino's music, haunts us nonetheless.
07:21What began as a fun homage to the superhero golden age suddenly turns dark and tragic,
07:27as the implication of a mass murder hits us with an unexpected weight.
07:39Number 13. Hector Rivera, Coco
07:42This Pixar film is a heartfelt tribute to Mexico's Day of the Dead.
07:46While it celebrates the beauty of the afterlife, death still plays a part in the film's most heartbreaking moments.
07:52The revelation that Hector was murdered, rather than having abandoned his family, is the film's emotional peak.
07:58You walked me to the train station, but I felt a pain in my stomach.
08:03I thought it must have been something I ate.
08:05For most of the story, Miguel's family believed that Hector left them and died forgotten.
08:16In truth, he was poisoned by Ernesto de la Cruz, who stole Hector's music to become famous.
08:22This shattered Hector's family, leaving him to spend decades trying to reunite with his wife and daughter Coco.
08:27While Coco's eventual death was bittersweet, the implications of her father's loss are much more impactful.
08:40Number 12. Wilden Lightfoot, Onward
08:44While this fantasy film is full of magical spells and dragons,
08:47at its core, it's a road trip about two sons who want to spend time with their dad.
08:51When we first meet Ian and Barley Lightfoot, their father Wilden has long since passed.
08:56His absence is a sore subject among their family, and the tragedy only gets sadder.
09:01By the third act, Ian is able to recast a spell that resurrects Wilden for only a few moments.
09:15Although he hoped to meet his father for the first time, he lets his brother have that honor.
09:19It's a deeply moving scene, especially for those who have wished for one last conversation with someone they've lost.
09:33Number 11. General Lee's Troops and the Villagers, Mulan
09:38In a film that doesn't have main character deaths, Mulan finds emotional weight in the horrors of war.
09:44During the upbeat A Girl Worth Fighting For number,
09:46the tone suddenly shifts when Mulan and her unit come across a burned village.
09:51There, they find that the Imperial Army has been wiped out,
09:54along with the entire village population.
09:56Among the dead is Shang's father, General Lee.
09:59The General?
10:06Although he had little screen time,
10:08it's clear Shang admired him and sought to earn his pride.
10:11This jarring scene is a harsh turning point for both Shang and the audience.
10:15It wouldn't have worked nearly as well if it didn't contrast with the film's light-hearted first half.
10:31Number 10. Sitka, Brother Bear
10:34This may not be one of the most beloved Disney films,
10:46but that doesn't mean it doesn't pack an emotional punch.
10:49Kenai, Danahi, and Sitka are three brothers living in a post-Ice Age world who have to work hard for survival.
10:55Never try to milk a caribou.
10:57At the beginning of the film,
10:58the siblings hunt down a bear that steals food from them,
11:02and during the combat that ensues,
11:04Sitka gives his life in order to protect his siblings.
11:12It's only the fact that Sitka's spirit lives on in Brother Bear
11:15that makes this death one of the more manageable.
11:19Number 9. Kerchak, Tarzan
11:21At the beginning of Tarzan,
11:23the character of Kerchak actually seems more poised to be an antagonist than anything else.
11:28It's not our kind.
11:31No.
11:32You have to take it back.
11:34He doesn't take to Tarzan like his mate Kala does,
11:36and is reluctant to give him his respect.
11:39You can't learn to be one of us.
11:40Because you never give him a chance.
11:42Give him a chance.
11:43Kala, look at him.
11:45He will never be one of us.
11:47Until the very end,
11:48there is conflict between these two.
11:50But when Kerchak is mortally shot by Clayton,
11:52it's clear that he and Tarzan have always been family.
11:56He calls Tarzan his son in his final moments,
11:58and honors him by calling him the king of the gorillas.
12:01Take care of them.
12:05My son.
12:07Wipe those tears away.
12:08This is only going to get worse.
12:15Number 8. Tala, Moana
12:18Moana's grandmother is one of the most important people in her life,
12:30and she gives her granddaughter much inspiration in the beginning of the film.
12:34It soon becomes clear that Grandma Tala is very sick,
12:37and despite the villagers trying everything in their power,
12:40it doesn't look like they're going to save her.
12:42I can't believe you.
12:44There is no way you could go that I won't be with you.
12:50Despite the fact that this death doesn't even take place on screen,
12:53it's still very emotional.
12:55Like Sitka, though,
12:56Tala continues to be present throughout the film
12:58as her soul takes on a different form.
13:01I know a girl from an island.
13:04She stands apart from the crowd.
13:07She loves the sea and her people.
13:10She makes her whole family proud.
13:13Number 7. Coral, Finding Nemo
13:16Shhh, you're going to wake the kids.
13:19This opening scene is totally underrated
13:21as one of the bleakest to ever take place in a Disney film.
13:24I like Nemo.
13:26Nemo?
13:27Well, name one Nemo,
13:28but I'd like most of them to be Marlon Jr.
13:31Just think in a couple of days, we're going to be parents.
13:34Clownfish Marlon and Coral are horsing around in their reef
13:36when all of a sudden danger strikes in the form of a barracuda.
13:40Choosing to attempt to protect her eggs rather than save herself,
13:44Coral ultimately meets a grim end
13:46alongside all of her unborn children,
13:48except one.
13:49This intro serves to show how important Nemo is to his father
13:59as the only egg to survive the attack.
14:02I promise I will never let anything happen to you, Nemo.
14:07Pretty dark stuff for a family movie.
14:10Number 6. Tadashi Hamada, Big Hero 6
14:13Thanks for not giving up on me.
14:17As one of Disney's more modern animated films,
14:20older fans may not be familiar with the story of Big Hero 6.
14:24Hiro and Tadashi Hamada lost both of their parents when they were young.
14:27Oh, what would mom and dad say?
14:29I don't know.
14:30They're gone.
14:32They died when I was three, remember?
14:34That's what makes it even more devastating when Tadashi,
14:37the elder of the two brothers,
14:38is suddenly killed when he runs into a burning building
14:41to save his mentor, Professor Callahan.
14:43Someone has to help.
14:57While his death is sudden and shocking,
15:00the even more heart-wrenching scene
15:01is when Baymax later shows hero footage of Tadashi
15:04in an attempt to cheer him up.
15:05Oh, man.
15:06Wait till my brother sees you.
15:10You're gonna help so many people, buddy.
15:12So many.
15:14Number 5. Bing Bong, Inside Out
15:16Anyone with the nostalgia for the wonder of childhood
15:19will surely be affected by this scene from Inside Out.
15:22We were best friends.
15:25Yeah, it's sad.
15:30Considering Bing Bong is merely a figment of Riley's imagination,
15:34it's really saying something about how terribly sad this scene is
15:37that it makes it this high on our list.
15:39Come on, Joy, one more time.
15:41I've got a feeling about this one.
15:43Bing Bong has to sacrifice himself by remaining in the memory dump,
15:47eventually fading from Riley's mind forever.
15:49Sing to our now!
15:50Sing to our now!
15:52Sing to our now!
15:53Sing to our now!
15:54Sing to our now!
15:54Sing to our now!
15:55Sing to our now!
15:55Sing to our now!
15:56Bing Bong's final words to Joy are,
15:58Take her to the moon for me.
15:59And we can't even watch this scene without getting choked up.
16:02Take her to the moon for me.
16:04Okay.
16:10Number 4.
16:11Rey, the princess and the frog.
16:14There is a reason why Disney pretty much never kills off
16:16the animal sidekicks in their animated films.
16:18It's just way too hard to bear witness to.
16:21Rey is a scrappy yet romantic firefly
16:24who helps Tiana and Prince Naveen along on their happily ever after.
16:28The scene in which he is crushed by Dr. Facilier
16:30is both totally shocking and completely devastating.
16:33You imagine that this tough little bug will bounce right back.
16:41But sadly, he does not.
16:43Evangeline, like that too.
16:54His funeral is possibly even worse.
16:56Though at least he finally gets to be with his one true love.
17:00Number 3.
17:05Bambi's mother, Bambi.
17:07Bambi, quick!
17:09The thicket!
17:10Disney definitely has a thing with killing off the protagonist's parents.
17:13And 1942's Bambi may just be the originator of this trope.
17:18The entire plot of the film is based on the death of Bambi's mom,
17:21which takes place early in the story.
17:23Bambi!
17:24You might remember how upsetting this was to watch as a kid,
17:32because you weren't quite used to the harsh facts of life yet.
17:36This death takes place off screen,
17:38so it's not the moment itself that is truly awful,
17:41but rather Bambi's reaction
17:42when he realizes that his mom isn't right behind him.
17:45Your mother can't be with you anymore.
17:51Number 2.
17:52Mufasa, the Lion King.
17:54We're pals, right?
17:56Right.
17:57And we'll always be together, right?
18:00You knew this one was coming.
18:03What's the worst part about this death scene?
18:05Is it Mufasa desperately trying to save Simba?
18:07Is it the look in Mufasa's eyes
18:09as he sees his own brother throw him to his death?
18:12Long live the king.
18:17Is it Simba trying to wake his dad up
18:20after the king has fallen and crawling under his paw?
18:28Or is it Scar making Simba believe
18:30that his father's death was actually his fault?
18:33But the king is dead.
18:36And if it weren't for you, he'd still be alive.
18:39All of this comes together to create a scene
18:42that imprinted on our childhoods
18:44and is still just as difficult to watch today.
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19:03Number 1.
19:04Ellie.
19:05Up.
19:06You and me?
19:07We're in a club now.
19:08If you saw the trailers for Up
19:10before it came out in 2009,
19:12you probably went into the theater
19:14expecting a whimsical romp
19:15featuring a crotchety old man,
19:17an obnoxious kid,
19:18and a cute dog.
19:19So when this movie opened
19:20with one of the most heartbreaking montages
19:22in all of film history,
19:24you may not have been emotionally prepared.
19:26Carl and Ellie's melancholic love story
19:35and Ellie's subsequent death
19:37are hard to handle for adults
19:38even more than for children.
19:44So we totally forgive you
19:45if you fast forward this one when re-watching.
19:48Would any of these movies improve
19:49if they deleted their saddest character death?
19:52Give us your take in the comments below.
19:54Do you want to build a snowman?
19:58Do you want to build a snowman?
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