There’s a reason why Disney films are frequently regarded as masterpieces. Even while many of us also had a lot of hidden trauma growing up, many of us grew up on them. In actuality, contemporary Disney films are as guilty of having painful moments. Despite the fact that we frequently make fun of those earlier films for having them. The likelihood is that at least one scene in the last Disney movie you saw in theaters made you cry. We were crying too, so don’t worry, we’re not here to pass judgment. Although it can occasionally be unexpected that movie ratings don’t take this aspect of the plot into account. There is nothing wrong with emotionally complex films.
Ten Contemporary Disney Films That Are Completely Traumatizing
Since Disney movies have influenced countless generations. Each generation may name a collection of Disney movies that served as their formative education. Considering Disney’s past, it seems likely that at least one movie will feature parental death. In all likelihood, that is only the beginning. Since contemporary films have incorporated fresh creatives, and with those fresh viewpoints come fresh methods to hit us in the heart.
Up (2009)
Many films, particularly Disney productions, begin with a more depressing or tragic scene. That being said, I think we can all agree that Up is the saddest opener ever. As Carl and Ellie first meet, fall in love, get married, and age together. The movie opens with a sweet montage. You can probably still guess how the montage ends if you haven’t seen the movie. The death of Ellie brought everything to a head, and Carl’s grief was evident without the need for words.
This served as Up’s fundamental basis. Carl had lost everything, even Ellie. He lost himself in the process of losing himself in the world. It is far too simple to imagine ourselves in his position and experience that suffering. The majority of viewers are likely to start crying just thinking about it.
The 2015 film Inside Out
Let’s face it, Inside Out needed to hit hard in order to portray a young girl’s (read: a realistic person’s) feelings. As a result, the film was a huge emotional roller coaster, which contributed to its widespread popularity. With feelings like joy, disgust, sadness, anger, and fear sweeping across the screen. The story struck a chord with viewers of all ages.
Joy’s realization that sadness has always played a significant role. In the emotional spectrum is the most significant lesson to be learned from Inside Out. As life is supposed to be, viewers and Riley both learn this lesson along the way, and yes. It is both beautiful and depressing in equal parts.
Discovering Nemo (2003)
Despite its humorous moments, the start of Finding Nemo is incredibly sad and distressing. The film is advertised as a comedy-drama and adventure. Everyone enjoys repeating Dory after the fact, but what about when we’re really watching the movie? The waterworks start at that point. Beginning with Marlin and his wife settling into a contented little coral home. The opening ten minutes of the film are genuinely horrific. After that, viewers witness a ravenous barracuda consuming the majority of the eggs along with their mother.
Little Nemo is the only one still alive. Even without taking into account how Marlin must have felt while looking for his missing son, the opening is gloomy. Yes, the opening sequences lay the groundwork for a memorable movie.
(2010) Toy Story 3
Sadder parts of stories have always been depicted in Toy Story without fear. The best stories combine a variety of elements. The authors are aware that life has both good and unpleasant aspects. We were mistaken to believe that Jessie’s backstory in Toy Story 2 was the pinnacle of the melancholy. Andy’s painful decision to part with all of his toys is the first of many heartbreaking moments in Toy Story 3.
Since we’ve all had to make decisions about keeping or giving up valuables, it’s simple to connect with the scene. Similarly, we had grown close to the cast over the years. So it was easy to be interested in what would happen next. After then, the film would intensify with the iconic scene in the incinerator.
Coco (2017)
Alright, it was probably obvious that Coco would make the audience cry. With a plot centered around the Day of the Dead. The trailer didn’t even attempt to conceal that from us. To be honest, this film does a fantastic job of addressing such a complicated topic as death, but it doesn’t mean it wasn’t painful. We are taken on a journey through the film’s numerous tragic events, which the characters are free to experience and explore.
It’s interesting to note that not all of the tragic events are directly related to death. Miguel’s family suppressed his hidden love of music throughout. His childhood for a variety of reasons, which aren’t revealed until much later.
2014’s Big Hero 6
One of Disney’s earliest animated superhero movies, Big Hero 6, was a huge success. The heart and adventure of this team won over fans right away. It was always unexpected that there wasn’t a follow-up movie (although there was a TV show). There were many high points and joyful moments in Big Hero 6. But those would not have been possible without a few distressing passages.
Hiro and Tadashi Hamada are two of the key characters introduced in Big Hero 6’s opening sequences. While the latter sadly sacrifices his life very early in the movie, the former rises to prominence as the group’s main hero. Tadashi’s deed of kindness running back into a burning building to save others caused his death. We naturally cried with Hiro and agreed with his choice to become a hero in remembrance of his sibling.
Bear Brother (2003)
One of the many movies marketed as a comedy-drama that starts with melancholy is Brother Bear. Three brothers Kenai, Denahi, and Sitka are the focus of the narrative. In order to save his younger brothers, Sitka voluntarily accepts his death early in the movie. But after he died, Kenai became so distraught and angry that he hunted and killed a bear. Whom he held responsible for his brother’s passing. One catastrophe after another.
Since they clarify how and why Kenai is changed into a bear, these sequences are crucial to Brother Bear. It’s an honest and poignant movie that doesn’t hold back from presenting harsher realities about cruelty and loss.
Terabithia Bridge (2007)
Despite being based on Katherine Paterson’s book of the same name. Bridge to Terabithia shocked a new generation of viewers. To put it gently, the ending caught many who hadn’t read the book off guard. With Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb bringing the story to life in such a stunning fashion. Even those who knew what to anticipate were probably not emotionally ready to watch it unfold on the big screen.
Most people would agree that the ending of Bridge to Terabithia is among the saddest in history. It may attempt to provide us with a hopeful ending. But Leslie’s passing cannot be undone. The purpose of the book and movie was to teach kids that life may be challenging and full of unforeseen circumstances. It also serves as a reminder that things aren’t always fair in life and that. We can’t always take back the things we say or do.
2015’s The Good Dinosaur
Children’s movies and dinosaurs seem to be screaming for trauma, don’t they? Many people have strong memories of Little Foot’s sadness. Since they grew up watching shows like The Land Before Time. The Good Dinosaur, a 2015 Disney Pixar movie, features a similar scenario. Even worse because The Good Dinosaur offered a story in which the notorious asteroid missed Earth. Fans may have entered it with high expectations. It might have been logical to believe that the movie wouldn’t feature any deaths.
False. A flash flood is where it all starts. These may be dangerous, as we all know, and The Good Dinosaur didn’t sugarcoat that truth. One of the movie’s two main characters, Timid Arlo, must watch his father perish in the floodwaters. As if that weren’t enough, the second main character, Spot, also lost his parents. So the two kids must work through their sadness together.
(2014) Maleficent
No matter how you feel about Disney’s incessant remakes, sometimes they produce something truly remarkable. Let’s move on to the Disney series of villain origin tales, which includes Maleficent. Maleficent presents a more sinister version of Sleeping Beauty’s strong fairy.
Maleficent has a particularly memorable scene that even people who haven’t seen the movie are probably familiar with. During one scene in the film, Maleficent awakens to discover that her wings had been severed. After she fell asleep next to someone she trusted. The scene was a complete gut punch, and the symbolic anguish made the argument very clear. It’s one of those scenes that had several meanings; older viewers were able to decipher the deeper meaning. While younger viewers perceived it as the terror of Maleficent losing her wings.
