The Saddest Disney Movies You Need to Mentally Prepare For

Disney movies are some of the most beloved and popular. Most Disney films are known for their classic happy ending and sweet love stories that leave audiences feeling happy by the end. But there are many other Disney films so sad that those who’ve seen them warn that people should be mentally prepared before watching them. While most Disney movies deal with coming-of-age stories and idyllic romances with humor and lighthearted scenes, other Disney films include extremely sad moments, or heartbreaking endings.

Many Disney fans know that almost every Disney movie has a sad moment, from a parent’s death to a betrayal or a love story that can’t be. But a few Disney films take the sadness to a whole new level, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Some of the saddest Disney movies end up also becoming some of the most memorable for fans. The depiction of human emotion, grief or loss in these films leaves a mark on viewers, and while many might need to get mentally prepared before watching some of these films, that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth watching.

10

Finding Dory Adds Background to a Beloved Sidekick

Dory from Finding Dory in the reef — Image via Disney

Disney sidekicks are usually some of the funniest Disney characters. And Dory, the regal blue tang first introduced in Finding Nemo, is no different. Dory is a hilarious fish with short-term memory loss, which creates some of the funniest and most chaotic moments in Finding Nemo. But Finding Dory brings Dory to the center, and explores Dory’s past and her family, as well as how she ended up finding Marlin and, eventually, Nemo.

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The sequel to Finding Nemo adds a heartbreaking backstory to a beloved character. The flashbacks to Dory’s past might make more than one viewer cry, especially as they know how hard it is for Dory to remember. Dory’s family, how she lost them, and how she found them again deliver an emotional roller coaster. Finding Dory still has Disney’s characteristic happy ending, but not without some sad moments that not everyone was mentally prepared for.

Finding Dory

Release Date: June 17, 2016
Runtime: 97 Minutes
Director: Angus MacLane, Andrew Stanton
Writers: Andrew Stanton, Victoria Strouse

9

Up Has One of the Saddest First Minutes

Carl and Ellie on a picnic blanket in Up. — Image via Disney

While the beloved animated movie Up is known to be a sad movie, many were not prepared for the emotional journey of the first few minutes of the movie. Up is still remembered for the opening sequence detailing Carl’s childhood and early years as he meets Ellie. Carl and Ellie fall in love and get married, but sadly, not everything is perfect in their life. The first few minutes of Up show Carl and Ellie’s happiness and struggles until Ellie eventually dies, leaving Carl heartbroken and alone, and many viewers crying non-stop.

Viewers who were not ready for the heartbreaking opening sequence might have a hard time recovering. Luckily, Up then picks up and delivers a sweet story as Carl, now in his seventies, meets Russell, who helps him remember his dreams of adventures. Up still delivers some sad moments besides the first few minutes. Carl realizes that he stopped living and enjoying life after losing Ellie, while Russell reveals bits and pieces about his complicated life at home. Up is still a heartwarming film, but with many sad moments that not everyone was ready for.

8

Coco Is an Emotional Story About Loss and Family

Miguel plays his great grandfather's guitar in Coco. — Image via Disney

Coco is one of the most critically acclaimed Disney films. The beloved animated movie follows Miguel, a young boy who loves music but can’t play because music is banned in his family. Many years ago, Miguel’s great-great-grandfather left his wife Imelda, and their daughter Coco, to pursue music. Since then, Imelda has banned music from her family, something that is still upheld many years later. But Miguel isn’t willing to just accept the ban, and especially not after he finds a photo that, Miguel believes, proves that the late singer and his biggest idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, was related to him.

Coco is a story about family, old grudges, and forgiveness. It’s also a story about loss and redemption, especially after Miguel finds his great-great-grandfather. The animated film explores many emotions throughout Miguel’s journey, from grief and loss to hope and love. Miguel’s great-great-grandfather story is sad and heartbreaking, and even though it has a happy ending, many might still have to prepare themselves before watching Coco.

Coco

Release Date: October 27, 2017
Runtime: 105 minutes
Director: Adrian Molina, Lee Unkrich
Writers: Lee Unkrich, Jason Katz, Matthew Aldrich

7

Brother Bear Makes Its Main Character Face the Consequences of His Actions

Brother Bear's Koda is shocked upon learning of his mother's demise — Image via Disney

Brother Bear didn’t get the best reviews when it was first released. However, the film has since become a beloved and classic Disney animated movie, one that makes audiences shed more than a few tears. The story follows Kenai, the youngest of three brothers living in a tribe in Alaska. Kenai is a bit arrogant and too full of himself, and doesn’t like or have any respect for bears. So, when a bear kills Kenai’s eldest brother, he takes it upon himself to seek revenge, even if his brother’s death was mostly his fault.

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Brother Bear is a story that makes its main character walk a mile in someone else’s shoes to realize the consequences of his actions. Only in his case, Kenai must become a bear to learn his lesson after killing the bear that took the life of his brother. That bear left a son behind, Koda, a bear cub who doesn’t know his mother is dead and is looking for her. Kenai and Koda bond before Kenai realizes that the bear he killed was Koda’s mother. The heartbreaking moment when Koda finds out what happened to his mother might still bring tears to many fans just by remembering the scene. Brother Bear has its fair share of hilarious moments, but Kenai and Koda’s bond and journey make it a film that many might have to prepare for before watching it.

Brother Bear

Release Date: October 23, 2003
Runtime: 85 minutes
Director: Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker

6

Big Hero 6 Themes of Grief and Loss Add a Bittersweet Tone to the Film

Hiro gazes at his brother Tadashi's image in Disney's Big Hero 6 — Image via Disney

Big Hero 6 starts as Hiro’s older brother, Tadashi, takes him to the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, where Tadashi studies. Tadashi wants to help Hiro use his intelligence for the better, instead of spending his days in underground robot fights. Hiro eventually accepts and decides to enroll in the Institute, and he is accepted. But things take a turn when an explosion kills Hiro’s brother, Tadashi.

Big Hero 6 then shifts into a story about grief and loss through Hiro’s eyes. Hiro’s sadness and isolation strikes a chord with many viewers. Tadashi’s last invention, a healthcare robot named Baymax, stays with Hiro, who accidentally activates it. Hiro and Baymax’s bond helps Hiro come to terms with losing his brother. Big Hero 6 also has fun moments and adventure, as Hiro eventually finds himself fighting a masked villain alongside Tadashi’s friends. However, it’s the story about grief and loss, and how Big Hero 6 depicts this, that might need some preparation before watching the film.

Big Hero 6

Release Date: October 24, 2014
Runtime: 1h 42m
Director: Don Hall, Chris Williams
Writers: Don Hall, Jordan Roberts, Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson, Duncan Rouleau, Steven T. Seagle

5

Lilo & Stitch Is a Heartfelt Story About Found Families

Lilo on the bed and Nani by her side in Lilo & Stitch. — Image via Disney

Lilo & Stitch is a hilarious Disney animated movie. However, it is also a sad story about grief, struggle and found families. Lilo & Stitch sees Lilo and her big sister Nani living together after losing their parents. Nani is Lilo’s legal guardian, even though she’s barely an adult herself. Nani struggles to keep her job and take care of Lilo, while at the same time trying to impress the social worker, who will decide whether Nani is fit to take care of Lilo.

Lilo soon meets Stitch, a genetic experiment from an alien planet that accidentally landed on Earth. Lilo adopts him, but Stitch causes more harm than good, even if he doesn’t mean to. Stitch is designed to create chaos, which eventually leads to Nani losing custody of Lilo. While Lilo and Stitch’s moments are without a doubt hilarious, Nani struggles to stay as Lilo’s guardian, adding a sad undertone to Lilo & Stitch’s story. Some of the most heartbreaking scenes include Stitch realizing that he’s causing too much trouble, and Nani trying to explain to Lilo that they won’t be living together anymore. Luckily, the Disney animated movie has a happy ending, but Lilo & Stitch still has many sad and emotional moments that many were not ready for.

Lilo & Stitch

Release Date: June 21, 2002
Runtime: 85 minutes
Director: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois
Writers: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois

4

Old Yeller Has One of the Saddest Endings in a Disney Movie

Old Yeller and Travis look towards their home in Old Yeller. — Image via Disney

Many might already know the story of Old Yeller. But for those who watch the movie without knowing the ending, it might take a while to recover. Old Yeller is the story of Travis, a young boy who meets a stray dog that he eventually befriends as his family adopts him. Travis names the dog Old Yeller, and the two develop a strong bond. But sadly, the story takes a dark turn once Old Yeller gets rabies.

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Old Yeller is a film that delivers an emotional gut punch at the end as Travis realizes he has to sacrifice Old Yeller. For viewers who’ve never heard of the story, or who’ve never read the original book Old Yeller is based on, the ending of this Disney movie might come as a shock. The heartbreaking ending is one that many will probably remember for a long time after watching the film. And even those who already know what happens will probably need to mentally prepare themselves before re-watching Old Yeller.

Old Yeller

Release Date: July 10, 1959
Runtime: 83 minutes
Director: Robert Stevenson
Writers: Fred Gipson, William Tunberg

3

Bambi Still Has One of the Saddest Disney Deaths

Bambi rests with his mother in Bambi — Image via Disney

A classic Disney animated film, Bambi tells the story of a white-tailed deer named Bambi. The film is a coming-of-age story as it follows Bambi through his birth and early childhood, all the way until he becomes an adult himself. But what many remember about this film is the death of Bambi’s mother. Bambi’s mother’s death was a shock to many first-time viewers, and is a moment that remains one of the most heartbreaking in Disney films.

Bambi soon finds himself alone and grieving his mother, with whom he shared a close bond. Luckily, Bambi’s father and his friends stay with him into adulthood, when Bambi meets and falls in love with Faline. But Bambi and Faline’s story isn’t easy, as once again the hunter returns and almost kills Faline. Bambi saves her but is shot, though he survives. Bambi is a sad tale of the dangers animals go through in the forest as men continue to hunt them. And even though Bambi eventually finds love and has his own babies, he remains on guard and always looking out for the hunter, knowing he could return at any moment.

Bambi

Release Date: August 14, 1942
Runtime: 70 minutes
Director: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, David Hand
Writers: Felix Salten, Perce Pearce, Larry Morey, Vernon Stallings, Melvin Shaw, Carl Fallberg

2

The Fox and the Hound Has a Bittersweet Ending

Tod and Copper play in The Fox and the Hound — Image via Disney

The Fox and the Hound is still one of the saddest Disney movies of all time. The story of a young fox and dog becoming best friends only to end up as enemies is one that will pull on viewers’ heartstrings. The Fox and the Hound is an exploration of nature versus nurture, of whether becoming enemies was always destined to be, or if their environment pushed them in that direction.

The Fox and the Hound takes viewers on a journey. The movie first shows the titular fox, Tod, becoming orphaned, only to later be adopted by a loving woman. At the same time, a hunter brings a new hound puppy home, named Copper. Tod and Copper meet and become best friends, but everyone around them fears that one day they’ll become enemies. The hound is destined to hunt the fox, or so everyone believes. Tod and Copper’s journey from their early ages into adulthood, and the struggles they face to remain friends, deliver some of the saddest moments in The Fox and the Hound. The story doesn’t exactly have a happy ending either, which might leave audiences with a bittersweet feeling by the end.

The Fox and the Hound

Release Date: July 10, 1981
Runtime: 83 Minutes
Director: Ted Berman, Richard Rich, Art Stevens
Writers: Daniel P. Mannix, Larry Clemmons, Ted Berman, David Michener, Peter Young, Burny Mattinson

1

Bridge to Terabithia Is Not Your Ordinary Children’s Movie

For those who are unfamiliar with the book or with the first adaptation of Bridge to Terabithia, the 2007 Disney movie might seem like just another children’s movie. Some might expect Bridge to Terabithia to be a fun fantasy movie for children. But this Disney movie is anything but. Bridge to Terabithia is about Jess and Leslie, two young teens who go to the same school and who are neighbors. They soon become friends and spend their free time playing in the forest behind their houses, losing themselves in their imagination. They create the kingdom of Terabithia, and imagine the creatures and places there.

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Bridge to Terabithia quickly shows that it’s more than a simple children’s movie. The movie depicts Jess’ struggles at home and school, and how things get better for him once he meets Leslie. Sadly, this Disney movie doesn’t have a happy ending, and those unprepared might have a hard time with the film’s darkest twist. Bridge to Terabithia deals with mature themes such as bullying, Jess’ family’s financial troubles, and grief and loss. Those who wish to see Bridge to Terabithia should mentally prepare themselves for a whirlwind of emotions, but one that makes the film even better.