Top 10 Heartbreaking Moments from Kids Movies That Break Adults

“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” (2019)
Hiccup and Toothless have been through a lot together. When Hiccup lost his leg, who was there by his side? Toothless, of course! That’s why their farewell in “The Hidden World” is so heartbreaking. After defeating Grimmel, Hiccup realizes dragons aren’t safe in the human world, and humans don’t belong in the Hidden World. So, this isn’t just goodbye for them—it’s goodbye for all dragons and humans. Watching these best friends part is devestating, but when Hiccup sheds a single tear, we’re done for. And just when we think we can put the tissues away, Toothless reunites with his old buddy, who now has a family with Astrid—well, that’s us gone again!

“Toy Story 3” (2010) & “Toy Story 4” (2019)
While the earlier films had their soul-crushing moments, by the third movie, it felt like the filmmakers were out to completely wreck those of us who had now grown up. At the same time, they taught us about moving on—whether it’s Gabby finding peace after Harmony rejects her, Woody leaving the gang for Bo Peep, or Andy saying goodbye to his childhood toys. Those of us who were around Andy’s age during the latter two films were facing our own transitions into adulthood. Seeing Woody and the crew deal with these changes definitely helped us feel less alone, even if those moments still stung like a word we can’t use in front of preschool toys.

“Lilo & Stitch” (2002)
One of the most beautiful things about “Lilo & Stitch” is what it teaches us about “Ohana.” But after a beach incident with Stitch, which wasn’t entirely his fault but could have been fatal, Nani starts to doubt if she’s the guardian Lilo truly needs. On what seems to be their last night together, the sisters sit in a hammock, and since words aren’t cutting it, Nani starts singing softly to Lilo while Stitch watches. They’ve already lost their parents, so the thought of losing each other is just heartbreaking. Then, just when it feels like things can’t get any worse, Stitch leaves, too, because he believes it's his fault and that he doesn’t belong.

“Frozen 2” (2019)
Teaching kids to focus on “The Next Right Thing” when life gets overwhelming is an invaluable lesson. However, they might not really get the weight of Anna’s despair here quite like the adults. The song sends a powerful message about taking small steps when everything feels like too much, which hits home for anyone who's faced depression, anxiety, or tough times. Kristen Bell, who voices Anna, pulled from her own mental health battles, making it feel even more real. It’s a heavy moment for a kids’ movie, but it reminds us all that when life gets rough, sometimes we just need to do “The Next Right Thing.” That’s enough to keep us going.

“My Girl” (1991)
There’s so much about this scene that left us scarred as kids, but it hits even harder now. No child should have to face this kind of grief, and no parent should have to lose their child. As adults, we fully grasp the unfairness of Thomas J.’s death—how sudden, random, and tragically avoidable it is. Kids might feel sad, but they don’t always understand the deeper weight of loss. Then there’s Vada’s reaction, her tearful plea for his glasses—devastating in its rawness. It’s the kind of heartbreak that stays with you, tapping into that universal fear of losing someone too soon. No wonder it remains one of the most gut-wrenching moments in ‘90s cinema.

“Up” (2009)
Pixar really does a number on us in the first ten-ish minutes, doesn’t it? The montage of Carl and Ellie’s life together shows us the beauty of love but also the painful reality of loss. From decorating their nursery to facing the heartache of not having kids, it’s a gut-punch. Watching them grow old together is sweet, but the way life keeps forcing them to give up on their dreams hits hard, reminding us how unpredictable life can be. Then Carl loses Ellie, leaving him with only memories. For adults, this is a reminder that life is a balance of joy and sorrow, and we need to embrace this bittersweet journey, both the joyful and painful experiences.

“Bridge to Terabithia” (2007)
Before Leslie’ came into his life, Jesse’s world was small and lonely. Leslie changes that, opening his imagination and giving him a place where he feels free. Then, in an instant, she’s gone. As kids, we feel the shock, but as adults, we see the deeper tragedy—not just in her death but in what it takes from Jesse. His denial, guilt, and the crushing realization that Terabithia can’t bring her back make it unbearable. Grief forces him to grow up too soon, rewriting his reality. Leslie’s death isn’t just heartbreaking; it’s a cruel ending to childhood itself, a reminder that magic can’t protect you from loss, no matter how much you wish it could.

“The Lion King: (1995)
Why do children’s movies love killing off parents in the most gut-wrenching ways? Some are so brutal we may never forgive the filmmakers. One that scarred (pun not intended) us as kids—and again as adults—is Mufasa’s death in The Lion King. Scar tricks Simba into danger, forcing Mufasa to brave the stampede to save him. He gets Simba to safety, only to realize his own brother is a traitorous murderer. Then comes the moment that wrecks us every time: Simba finds his father and desperately tries to wake him up. That scene shattered us as kids, and somehow, it’s even worse as adults. No matter how many times we rewatch, it still hits just as hard.

“Encanto” (2021)
If you first watched “Encanto” as an adult, you probably realized the real villain in this story is generational trauma. Isabela feels pressured to be perfect, Luisa fears letting everyone down, and Pepa, Bruno, and Mirabel each carry their own wounds. But the moment that truly breaks us is that flashback. Watching the young family flee and Pedro’s sacrifice suddenly puts everything into perspective. Alma isn’t just overbearing—she’s a woman who’s been through unimaginable loss and is scared of losing more. A lot of us see our own family history in this story. “Encanto” reminds us that while we may not start the cycle, we have the power to heal and move forward.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Isn’t She So Real for Feeling Like Life Passed Her By Without Her Dreams Coming True?

The Iron Giant Makes the Ultimate Sacrifice to Save Everyone

How Can Anyone Watch This Without Full-On Ugly Crying & Immediately Rushing to Hug Their Mom (or Baby)?

There Are Probably Fewer Things More Devastating than This

It’s Like They Were Trying to Make Us Feel Bad for Every Time We Snapped at Our Parents When They Just Wanted to Spend Time with Us

“Inside Out 2” (2024)

“Inside Out” taught us that sadness is just as important as joy. But in “Inside Out 2,” Anxiety takes over, forcing Riley to suppress her emotions until the stress builds up too much, and her body finally says, “No more.” For many, it was the first time they saw their own anxiety mirrored so accurately in an animated movie. It wasn’t exaggerated or played for drama; it was raw, unsettling, and deeply relatable. Whether you’ve experienced anxiety or panic attacks yourself or just know what it’s like to be overwhelmed by emotions, the scene makes you feel it. It’s a rare, honest depiction of mental health that left a lot of people feeling seen.


Which kids’ movie moment yanks at your heart? Let us know in the comments