Top 10 Most Emotional Disney Callbacks
#10: “Abre Los Ojos” “Encanto” (2021)
The theme of sight is a running motif throughout “Encanto.” In fact, Alma establishes it right from the first moment of the movie. Though she has no discernible magic gift - like Bruno’s second sight - Mirabel has great insight into her family. She sees them for who they are inside, understanding the deeper layers to each of them. During the moving final song, the Madrigals ask Mirabel to turn her eyes onto herself and recognize her worth. Abuela then sets us up for the emotional gut-punch by repeating her opening line. Seeing Mirabel hear these words once more, as they take on a far deeper meaning, is enough to make anyone emotional.
#9: “I’m Bad & That’s Good” “Wreck-It Ralph” (2012)
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We first meet Ralph at “Bad-Anon,” a meeting where video game bad guys discuss their struggles. Their mantra is one of self-acceptance, but Ralph is tired of being a villain. Over the course of the film however, he meets Vanellope, who becomes his new best friend. He realizes that changing his label is unimportant, as long as there are people who believe in him. When Vanellope and her game are in jeopardy, Ralph risks his life to save them, even though he’s already a hero in her eyes. As he plummets to what he thinks is his death, he recites the villain mantra to himself, finally happy in his own skin. Does anybody else suddenly have something in their eyes?
#8: “I Am Satisfied with My Care” “Big Hero 6” (2014)
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“Big Hero 6” is the story of a boy named Hiro and his healthcare robot Baymax. They first meet through the former’s inventor brother, Tadashi. And we discover that Baymax will not rest until assured that his patient is alright. After Tadashi’s tragic death, Hiro accidentally activates Baymax, and soon comes to rely on him. Toward the end of the film, Baymax puts his existence on the line to protect Hiro. In a brief but moving moment, the robot has to convince his friend and patient to let him go. The scene culminates in one extra poignant assurance from Hiro that the service has indeed been up to par.
#7: “People Always Do Crazy Things When They’re in Love” “Hercules” (1997)
Hercules and Megara are an unconventional Disney couple. He’s smitten from the start, but it takes Meg a little time to fall for him in return. It doesn’t help that she’s also working with his evil uncle Hades, the Lord of the Underworld. Meg had previously bound herself to him in exchange for an old boyfriend’s life. As she’s been hurt before, she’s naturally slow to trust. However, in the movie’s final act, she sacrifices herself to save Hercules. As Hercules dives into the lake of souls, jeopardizing his life to save hers, he earns his true hero status. When she awakens, he echoes her earlier sentiments. They may be a non-traditional pair, but they sure know how to tug at our heartstrings when it counts!
#6: “Ohana Means Family” “Lilo & Stitch” (2002)
Stories about found families are guaranteed to get the waterworks going. But who would’ve thought we could grow so attached to a quirky alien life-form? When we first meet Stitch, his “badness level” is pretty high. But Lilo isn’t prepared to give up on him. When her sister Nani tries to return him, Lilo invokes “ohana.” The family motto has a powerful pull and persuades Nani to keep Stitch around. Toward the end of the movie, Stitch has become a part of their unit. And he proves it after Lilo gets taken by bringing up “ohana.” Needless to say, it shocks the audience almost as much as it does Nani. He’s an alien of few words, but man are they special ones.
#5: “Cross Your Heart” “Up” (2009)
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“Up” has no shortage of emotional moments, many of which center on Carl and the deceased Ellie’s love story. From the time she makes him promise to keep her adventure book a secret, you can tell they’re a special pair. When he discovers that she filled the scrapbook with moments from their life, it’s hard not to shed a tear. But memories of lost loved ones can be triggered when we least expect it, by a small gesture or turn of phrase. This is portrayed movingly in “Up” by a simple line of dialogue. Russell ‘s request takes Carl straight back to his time with Ellie in a moment that is powerful in its simplicity. Needless to say, we lost any composure we were holding on to.
#4: “You Were My New Dream” “Tangled” (2010)
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In an early number from “Tangled,” the characters sing about their dreams. Rapunzel longs to see the floating lanterns, while Flynn’s desires are more material. Things change quickly, as they fall in love while heading to the lantern festival. Later, when Flynn is wounded by Mother Gothel, Rapunzel makes a bargain in exchange for his life. Flynn cuts her hair before she can commit herself, disabling its healing power and securing her freedom instead. As he appears to be dying, the pair exchange a touching expression of love. Everything from the callback itself to the emotion with which the words are spoken hit us right in the feels.
#3: “Remember Me” “Coco” (2017)
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Mamá Coco’s days are spent sitting in her chair, rarely reacting to the world around her as her memory fades. But when she was a little girl, her father would sing her a lullaby called “Remember Me.” One day, though, he left and never returned. When Miguel travels to the Land of the Dead, he discovers that his new friend Héctor was Coco’s dad. He didn’t mean to leave the family behind. Rather, he was poisoned by the evil Ernesto, who stole his guitar and work, including the aforementioned tune, for himself. Back in the Land of the Living, Miguel sings “Remember Me” to Coco, so that she won’t forget. The moment that follows is incredibly touching, amplifying the familial bonds and stories that persist between generations.
#2: “Take Her to the Moon for Me” “Inside Out” (2015)
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“Inside Out” is the story of eleven-year-old Riley. It’s told from inside her head, through her primary emotions of Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust. Along the way we meet her childhood imaginary friend, Bing Bong. He waxes nostalgic about the fun they had together, winning all of us over. Though he knows Riley is growing up, he still has hopes about one more adventure together. In the film’s most poignant moment, Bing Bong sacrifices himself and is left behind in the Memory Dump. He calls out to the others to complete that final mission for him, making his already heart-rending demise all the more emotional. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Dewdrop?”, “Raya and the Last Dragon” (2021) Raya Is Reunited With Her Father, Who Calls Her by Her Childhood Nickname “Pretend It’s a Seed”, “A Bug’s Life” (1998) Dot Reminds Flik of His Earlier Inspirational Speech “Do You Trust Me?”, “Aladdin” (1992) Jasmine Recognizes the Boy From the Marketplace “Sly Fox. Dumb Bunny.”, “Zootopia” (2016) Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde Tease Each Other About Stereotypes “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”, “Frozen II” (2019) Elsa Calls Back to the First Movie as They Reanimate Olaf
#1: “To Infinity & Beyond” “Toy Story 4” (2019)
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Woody and Buzz Lightyear have been on our screens since 1995. And we’ve seen them gradually become best friends. They’ve each given us a slew of memorable lines of dialogue, with Buzz’s slogan consistently standing out as a favorite. In “Toy Story 4,” the two part, as Woody leaves with Bo Peep to become a lost toy. Assured that Bonnie no longer needs him, he says goodbye to his longtime friends. Hearing both characters speak Buzz’s catchphrase as the physical distance between them grows makes it feel like the end of an era. We’d be lying if we said we didn’t bawl. No matter where life takes Buzz and Woody, their bond – and our love for them – will persist:
