Many movies made for kids are loud and brightly colored to entice the attention of children. Usually, with other kids or animals as the leads, kids’ movies embrace the chaos and thrill of what it means to be a child and the emotional significance of growing up. However, not every child’s movie includes a happy ending or is as cheerful as one would think for a tale that is meant to be for kids. Instead, these films can be painfully emotional, as they can reach the kids in unexpected ways and still have the teenagers or adults crying as well. These types of films tend to teach children unexpected lessons early on, usually about grief and loss, and how to handle a loved one’s death.
Classic Disney films like Bambi, The Fox and the Hound, and The Lion King are not the bright films that they would have you believe. While The Lion King is known for its beautiful animation, upbeat characters, and delightful songs, the movie is also remembered as including one of the most tragic moments in any Disney film ever made.
Bambi is also one of the hardest movies to rewatch, given the way it handles the gruesome and devastating revelation surrounding Bambi’s mother’s death. Meanwhile, Up has some of the most emotionally troubling scenes as the audience finds themselves going on Carl’s grieving journey alongside him.
10 Bambi (1942)
Bambi
- Release Date
- August 14, 1942
- Director
- David Hand
- Cast
- Hardie Albright , Stan Alexander , Bobette Audrey , Peter Behn , Thelma Boardman , Janet Chapman
- Runtime
- 70
Bambi is one of Disney’s earliest successful films, being released in 1942. The story surrounds Bambi, a young deer who has a close relationship with his mother, who lives in the woods, and is trying to escape the dangers of a hunter, “Man.” After Bambi grows older into a Stag, the film leans slightly harder on romance and fighting against Man and his fellow hunters. The movie earned over two million dollars at the box office.
Bambi’s Mother’s Death Is One of Disney’s Most Devastating Moments
Nothing about Bambi could have truly prepared Bambi or the audience for how horrifying and devastating the death of Bambi’s mother would be. Bambi had been very close to his mother, and the duo’s relationship had been at the heart of the film. Bambi absolutely needed his mother, as he would transform from a child into an adult. But, sadly, things would not work out that way. As Bambi’s mother encouraged Bambi to escape a hunter getting closer, Bambi ran on his mother’s word, not noticing the gunshot and never realizing he had been running alone until he was a great distance away.
When Bambi realizes his mother is not with him, he quickly runs back and is informed by his father of her death. The scene is direct, and all that is missing is seeing Bambi’s mother pass away on impact. Still, even without seeing her moment of death, Bambi makes its intent clear, and not much afterward is left to the imagination. Even after all the Disney films that have been released since 1942, Bambi’s mother’s death still holds a place in everyone’s heart and memory as one of the most emotional demises.
9 My Girl (1991)
In My Girl, 11-year-old Vada gains an obsession with death and hypochondria due to her father running the town’s funeral parlor, which doubles as their home, in 1972. While her father does not understand, Vada begins a friendship with a boy her age, Thomas J., an unpopular child who is allergic to “everything.” While the film’s plot mainly follows Vada’s issues with her father, Harry, and his romance with Shelly, this film is also remembered for its devastating ending.
Thomas J.’s Death Is Unexpected
Thomas J. may be allergic to things, but this is not a film that frames him as being sick from the beginning, where his eventual death comes across as tragic but still anticipated. However, it is Thomas J.’s allergy to bees that brings about his fate. Vada and Thomas J. had knocked down a beehive, which resulted in Vada losing her mood ring.
When Thomas J finds it, the mood ring happens to be feet away from the beehive, and once he kicks the beehive and the bees rush out, tragically, Thomas J. passes away far too young. During his funeral, Vada arrives crying and emotionally claiming that Thomas J. needs his glasses to see. Such a statement made by the grieving child adds depth of tragedy to the scene, as Vada must accept her best friend’s passing.
8 Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
Bridge To Terabithia is a journey of adventure and wonderment for Jess and Leslie, who find camaraderie in a world where neither fits in at school and has trouble connecting at home. But, together, they have a place where they belong. They create a world that entirely belongs to them and, in doing so, make their lives better. For most of the movie, Bridge To Terabithia is a film that broadcasts hope and love in imagination.
Leslie’s Death Is Jarring
Absolutely nothing leads up to Leslie’s unexpected and tragic passing. Everything is going well leading up to that point in the story, but things change on the day that Jess is invited to spend the day at a museum with his music teacher. Jess returns from his fun day out to the tragic news that Leslie’s trip to Terabithia had been cut short when the rope snapped, and she had drowned in the creek.
Horrified, devastated, and confused, Jess spends the rest of the film undergoing stages of grief, trying to accept how the girl who had become his best friend was no longer there. Her death comes about quickly on an average, ordinary day, and Jess’ emotional state has him struggling to figure out what comes next in his life and how to carry on now that Leslie is not there anymore. Jess’ breakdown in the woods when he finally lets his grief overcome him is one of the most emotional points in the movie.
7 Toy Story 3 (2010)
Woody, Buzz, and the gang are wondering what happens next for them as Andy prepares for college. Andy has not played with his toys in years, and the question hangs in the air of whether the toys will go into the attic, be thrown out, or be given away. Ultimately, the toys grow to understand a potentially different lifestyle when they are brought to a daycare center. But, the right next step for them comes when Andy decides to hand over his beloved toys to another young child, Bonnie, who will play with them rather than appreciating the nostalgia that comes with them.
Andy’s Goodbye Is Heartbreakingly Honest
While kids may shed a tear a bit at the ending of Toy Story 3, this is really a sad conclusion for the older teenagers and adults watching the film. Andy recognizes that he has not played with his favorite childhood toys in years, and while he could hold on to them as keepsakes forever, he knows the joys of imagination and playing with toys all too well. So, rather than keeping his perfectly good toys in a box for the undetermined future, Andy decides to do what makes more sense and hand them off to Bonnie, someone excited to play with them in the present.
But, Andy does not just give them away and leave. Instead, Toy Story 3 makes the decision to allow Andy one last playtime when he introduces Bonnie to all the toys, and lets him embrace his inner child one final time to say goodbye to his childhood before going off to college. It is a decision that can resonate deeply with people who know what it means to leave their childhood behind and what those final moments of saying goodbye to that phase of life are like.
6 Up (2009)
Up
- Release Date
- May 28, 2009
- Runtime
- 96
On the surface, Up is an adventure movie about a cranky and bitter older man, Carl, being accidentally accompanied by an excited and youthful Wilderness Explorer scout, Russell. Their journey, led by Carl’s lifting his house up with many balloons and a giant steering wheel, is meant to be a way for Carl to gain closure from the adventure he never got to have with his late wife, Ellie.
Carl’s Journey Is All About the Grieving Process
Up tricks the audience early in the movie, as it encourages the viewers to love the sweet and fun dynamic between Carl and Ellie. They bring out the best in each other and encourage each other’s love of adventure. The first ten minutes of the film show a captivating and caring tale of two people falling in love and going on a great adventure together. But, then it all comes crashing down when Up reveals that Carl is devastated in the aftermath of her death and has not regained his upbeat personality. While learning that Ellie is dead is certainly a tear-jerking moment, it is the big reveal for Carl at the movie’s end that really sells this as one of Disney and Pixar’s most heartbreaking ventures.
When Carl sees that Ellie had declared their marriage and life together to be a fantastic adventure, even if they did not achieve everything they wished to, Carl realizes that he did not need to go to such extremes and that Ellie had loved their life as it was. Carl’s moment of realization is beautifully tragic, offers him the closure he desperately needs, and lets him finally open up his heart to new people, like accepting Russell as family.
5 Charlotte’s Web (2006)
Charlotte’s Web tells the story of Wilbur, a young pig who would go on to become friends with Charlotte, a farm spider. Although Wilbur is warned he will be prepared for dinner by Christmas, Charlotte hatches a plan to help save Wilbur’s life. The film, which was released in 2006, was based on the novel of the same name.
Charlotte’s Conclusion Gives Hope for the Following Generation
Seeing as Charlotte was Wilbur’s main friend on the farm, it was definitely an upsetting hit when she passed away. Charlotte had been responsible for the plan that saved Wilbur’s life, and while he could not save her, Wilbur still helped her get her egg sac home, knowing that she would not live to return as well. In the end, while many of Charlotte’s children would go off on their own journey, three would remain as Wilbur’s friends. The family-friendly film grossed around 150 million dollars and received 79% on Rotten Tomatoes.
4 The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)
Cindy and Jim Green’s desire for a child leads them to Timothy, a young boy who has appeared in the place of a box of wishes Cindy and Jim had made of how they imagined their child after discovering they were unable to conceive. Quickly embracing Timothy into their family, Cindy and Jim watch Timothy play in little league games and help him fight bullies in school.
Timothy’s Demise Is Not a Surprise to Him
Ultimately, Timothy knows his days are numbered. Every time Timothy fulfills an item on Cindy and Jim’s list, one of the leaves attached to his body falls off. Deciding not to blindside them entirely, Timothy informs his parents that his time on Earth will be short-lived and that he will eventually disappear. But, that does not mean that losing a child is any easier. Timothy’s disappearance is still tragic and devastating to Cindy and Jim. But, Timothy did not leave them without hope. Before disappearing, he had written a letter in support of them to an adoption agency. Eventually, Cindy and Jim are given the chance to be parents to a little girl, Lily.
3 Raise Your Voice (2004)
Raise Your Voice
- Release Date
- August 10, 2004
- Director
- Sean McNamara
- Runtime
- 103
Hilary Duff stars as Terri, a girl wishing to become a professional singer. After her older brother Paul’s death, Terri is still encouraged by her mother, Francis, to attend the music program. Terri and Francis come up with a scheme to trick Terri’s father after he makes it clear that he does not support Terri’s dream.
Paul’s Influence Is Key to Terri’s Journey
Even though Paul dies early in the movie, Terri spends the entire film trying to handle the aftermath of losing her older brother, and the grief, along with the trauma of the bright headlight that shined in her eyes right before the car accident that killed him, constantly haunt Terri as she tries to prove herself as a musician. When Terri finally sees the video that Paul submitted on her behalf, she breaks down.
Terri’s song at the film’s conclusion is dedicated to Paul. Raise Your Voice understands Terri’s grief as she tries to move forward with her aspirations, but can not quite do that until she has gained some sense of closure from Paul’s passing.
2 The Fox and the Hound (1981)
The Fox and the Hound
- Release Date
- July 10, 1981
- Director
- Ted Berman , Richard Rich , Art Stevens
- Runtime
- 83
Tod and Copper’s childhood friendship is at the heart of the early part of the movie. Their friendship is lighthearted and genuine. But, when Copper starts being trained as a hunting dog for his human hunter, Amos, it means the beginning of the end of the childhood friendship between Copper and Tod.
Not All Friendships Last Forever
Sadly, The Fox and the Hound is a devastating look into the reality that not all childhood friendships will last. Tod and Copper have a star-crossed friendship dynamic, as Tod wishes to keep his friendship with Copper, while it appears to be more unlikely as time goes on. Unfortunately, there is no saving this duo from the reality they are forced to face. But, there is something to be said about how they still value each other. In the end, Copper is still able to save Tod’s life from Amos. But, the duo’s separation acknowledges that they still hold a significant connection, even if their circumstances may separate them forever. There is nothing easy about saying goodbye to a childhood friend.
1 The Lion King (1994)
Young Simba can’t wait to be King and finally not have to listen to others anymore. As the future leader of the Pride Lands, he is already anticipating greatness. But, his hopes for his future are dashed when Scar finally secures his revenge. Now, years after running from his home, Simba must return with the help of his friends Timon and Pumba to save everyone from Scar’s ruthless dictatorship.
Mufasa’s Death Is an Integral Part of Disney History
To force Simba out of his home, Scar has convinced the young lion that he, not Scar, was responsible for Mufasa’s death. Everything surrounding Mufasa’s fate is horrific; starting with that, it was all a plot carefully crafted by Scar. Scar knew that Mufasa would arrive to save his young son from a stampede. Mufasa could have survived the encounter, too, had Scar not shoved him off the edge of a cliff.
Simba’s horror at witnessing his father’s death, as well as his rush to be beside Mufasa only to realize he is not waking up, is all emotional. Mufasa’s death is one of the saddest moments in Disney’s history, and it is one of the deaths that viewers never get over.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
