Top 10 Disney Movies That Always Make Us Cry
#10: “Big Hero 6” (2014)
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Back in 2014, Disney gave us “Big Hero 6”, basing the story on Marvel comics. Since then, our lives just haven’t quite been the same. Indeed, the movie is heartbreakingly beautiful from start to finish. Towards the beginning of the story, our main character Hiro’s older brother Tadashi unexpectedly passes away in an explosion. The rest of the plot largely centers around Hiro’s relationship with Tadashi’s robot creation, Baymax, and his attempts to come to grips with his brother’s death. The gripping tale has beautiful truths to relay about grief, and gets them across with empathy and heart.
#9: “Brother Bear” (2003)
“Brother Bear” received mixed reviews upon release. But we can all agree on what a banger the Phil Collins soundtrack is, and how heart-wrenching the climactic reveal is. The movie is about Kenai, who magically turns into a bear after he tracks down and kills the animal he believes is responsible for his brother’s death. He eventually befriends a young cub named Koda. But then, Kenai learns a horrifying truth. The bear whose life he took earlier was his new pal’s mother, and he has to tell Koda this. It’s gut-wrenching, tying into a wider narrative about actions/consequences, growth, and self-improvement. “Brother Bear” teaches many worthwhile lessons through these themes, and leaves you sobbing as it does so.
#8: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)
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With source material like this, how could this one not make us cry? Victor Hugo, who wrote “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” novel, was not necessarily known for his warm and fuzzy works. While the 1996 version of the story has definitely been Disney-fied, it still features a lot of those dark, melancholy themes. The way Judge Claude Frollo treats Quasimodo is deplorable, and much of the movie has to do with his bigoted hatred of the Romani people. And that’s saying nothing of his disturbing lust for Esmeralda. Plus, while we adore the coupling of Esmeralda and Phoebus, Quasimodo’s love goes unrequited. Things end up the way they should, but not without some tears along the way.
#7: “Lilo & Stitch” (2002)
You might remember “Lilo & Stitch” for the adorable, chaotic duo at its center. But this 2002 Disney classic is about a lot more than one girl’s friendship with her blue alien friend. So much of its heart revolves around Lilo’s relationship with her sister, Nani. Following the death of their parents, Nani has had to raise Lilo, and it’s been no easy task. The themes of “Lilo & Stitch” are things like found family, grief, and loss. The main quote from the film is [SB: “Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”] If someone doesn’t tear up when they hear that, do they even have a heart?
#6: “Dumbo” (1941)
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There’s just something about mothers and their children. It’s always going to get us! From the jump, Dumbo’s life is a hard one. He’s raised in the circus and is teased by everyone, animal and human alike, for the large size of his ears. But he has someone on his side no matter what; his mom. When she gets in trouble for trying to protect him and is locked inside a cage, he loses the figure who has always believed in him. The beautiful lullaby “Baby Mine” cements the importance of their relationship, and the image of their trunks intertwining also makes us cry. It’s a key aspect of the larger story, imbuing Dumbo’s journey with a captivating layer of depth.
#5: “Bridge to Terabithia” (2007)
Our imaginations always have the ability to distract us from the hardships of reality. But inevitably, real life eventually comes crashing back down. Or at least it does in 2007’s “Bridge to Terabithia.” The movie centers on the relationship between Jess and Leslie, who have difficult lives. To get away, the two friends create an imaginary land called Terabithia, located in a desolate treehouse in the woods. One day when Leslie decides to cross visit Terabithia alone, things go horribly wrong and she doesn’t survive. It’s a terrible tragedy that turns the story on its head, casting a harrowing shadow, and we still haven’t recovered.
#4: “The Fox and the Hound” (1981)
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“The Fox and the Hound” starts out as a sweet story about two animals who become best friends despite their differences. But as the film wears on and those creatures grow up, the world comes between them. The saddest thing about it is that there’s no real, big reconciliation. Copper and Tod stop being friends as they age, the prejudices of those around them getting to their heads. Sure, Copper does end up saving Tod from his hunter owner after Tod rescues the duo. But while they don’t end up foes, the former pals are never able to regain the pure, innocent bond they had before. It’s a bittersweet conclusion that has us weeping every time.
#3: “Old Yeller” (1957)
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If dogs are involved, you can bet there will be crying. “Old Yeller” is one of the older movies on this list. But all these years later, it still breaks our hearts. It’s about the relationship between a boy named Travis and his dog, dubbed Yeller for his yellow coat and heck of a bark. The story is fairly sweet as it relays their adventures, but then comes the end. Yeller comes to the rescue amid a wolf attack, but in the process gets bitten. He contracts rabies, and with nothing else he’s able to do, Travis has to say goodbye to his beloved companion. Honestly, we know there’s a message about loss and love, but it really does seem designed to make you sob.
#2: “Bambi” (1942)
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Many films’ big, emotional moments come at the end. But “Bambi” gets you bawling pretty darn early. At the beginning, we watch Bambi’s relationship with his mother grow from when he’s born until he’s just a tiny fawn. Things are great, until man gets involved. During the winter, a hunter invades and kills Bambi’s mother. The protagonist’s father subsequently steps in, but of course there’s no replacing what’s been lost. The death anchors the story in many ways, and the devastation we feel from it lingers throughout the runtime as Bambi gets older and faces more struggle. It’s a deeply poignant movie, offering tough lessons about human interference in nature and the perils of growing up. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Encanto” (2021) A Family Drama That Always Makes Us Cry “Frozen” (2013) There’s Nothing Quite Like Sisterly Love — or Sisterly Strife “Moana” (2016) Your Worst Deeds Do Not Define You “The Princess and the Frog” (2009) Ray Was Beloved & Will Be Missed
#1: “The Lion King” (1994)
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Ah, the original tear-jerker. “The Lion King” might be one of the best Disney movies around, and it’s definitely one of the saddest. Young Simba is being groomed by his dad Mufasa to be the King of the Pride Lands one day. His evil uncle Scar is also vying for the throne, however, and he works to end Mufasa’s life, blaming Simba for the whole thing. Watching the young lion cry over his father’s passing and run away heartbroken is gutting, and sets the tone for the pain, hardship, and eventual growth that follows. Mufasa’s presence even in death, as well as Simba’s grief, are integral to the larger plot, which means we have to weep uncontrollably before we can smile. Did we miss any of your favorite Disney tear-jerkers? Let us know in the comments below.
