Top 10 Saddest Disney Deaths

#10: Sitka

“Brother Bear” (2003)

This may not be one of the most beloved Disney films, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t pack an emotional punch. Kenai, Denahi, and Sitka are three brothers living in a post ice-age world who have to work hard for survival. At the beginning of the film, the siblings hunt down a bear that steals food from them, and during the combat that ensues, Sitka gives his life in order to protect his siblings. It’s only the fact that Sitka’s spirit lives on in “Brother Bear” that makes this death one of the more manageable.

#9: Kerchak

“Tarzan” (1999)

At the beginning of “Tarzan,” the character of Kerchak actually seems more poised to be an antagonist than anything else. He doesn’t take to Tarzan like his mate Kala does and is reluctant to give him his respect. Until the very end, there is conflict between these two. But when Kerchak is mortally shot by Clayton, it’s clear that he and Tarzan have always been family. He calls Tarzan his son in his final moments and honors him by calling him the king of the gorillas. Wipe those tears away, this is only going to get worse!

#8: Tala

“Moana” (2016)

Moana’s grandmother is one of the most important people in her life, and she gives her granddaughter much inspiration in the beginning of the film. It soon becomes clear that Gramma Tala is very sick, and despite the villagers trying everything in their power, it doesn’t look like they’re going to save her. Despite the fact that this death doesn’t even take place on screen, it’s still very emotional. Like Sitka, though, Tala continues to be present throughout the film as her soul takes on a different form.

#7: Coral

“Finding Nemo” (2003)

This opening scene is totally underrated as one of the bleakest to ever take place in a Disney film. Clownfish Marlin and Coral are horsing around in their reef when all of a sudden danger strikes in the form of a barracuda. Choosing to attempt to protect her eggs rather than save herself, Coral ultimately meets a grim end alongside all of her unborn children - except one. This intro serves to show how important Nemo is to his father as the only egg to survive the attack. Pretty dark stuff for a family movie!

#6: Tadashi Hamada

“Big Hero 6” (2014)

As one of Disney’s more modern animated films, older fans may not be familiar with the story of “Big Hero 6.” Hiro and Tadashi Hamada lost both of their parents when they were young. That’s what makes it even more devastating when Tadashi, the elder of the two brothers, is suddenly killed when he runs into a burning building to save his mentor, Professor Callaghan. While his death is sudden and shocking, the even more heart-wrenching scene is when Baymax later shows Hiro footage of Tadashi in an attempt to cheer him up.

#5: Bing Bong

“Inside Out” (2015)

Anyone with a nostalgia for the wonder of childhood will surely be affected by this scene from “Inside Out.” Considering Bing Bong is merely a figment of Riley’s imagination, it’s really saying something about how terribly sad this scene is that it makes it this high on our list. Bing Bong has to sacrifice himself by remaining in the memory dump, eventually fading from Riley’s mind forever. Bing Bong’s final words to Joy are “take her to the moon for me,” and we can’t even watch this scene without getting choked up.

#4: Ray

“The Princess and the Frog” (2009)

There’s a reason why Disney pretty much never kills off the animal sidekicks in their animated films - it’s just way too hard to bear witness to. Ray is a scrappy yet romantic firefly who helps Tiana and Prince Naveen along on their happily ever after. The scene in which he is crushed by Doctor Facilier is both totally shocking and completely devastating. You imagine that this tough little bug will bounce right back, but sadly he does not. His funeral is possibly even worse, though at least he finally gets to be with his one true love.

#3: Bambi's Mother

“Bambi” (1942)

Disney definitely has a thing with killing off the protagonist’s parents, and 1942’s “Bambi” may just be the originator of this trope. The entire plot of the film is based on the death of Bambi’s mom, which takes place early in the story. You might remember how upsetting this was to watch as a kid, because you weren’t quite used to the harsh facts of life yet. This death takes place off-screen, so it’s not the moment itself that is truly awful, but rather Bambi’s reaction when he realizes that his mom isn’t right behind him.

#2: Mufasa

“The Lion King” (1994)

You knew this one was coming. What’s the worst part of this death scene? Is it Mufasa desperately trying to save Simba? Is it the look in Mufasa’s eyes as he sees his own brother throw him to his death? Is it Simba trying to wake his dad up after the King has fallen and crawling under his paw? Or it is Scar making Simba believe that his father’s death was actually his fault? All of this comes together to create a scene that imprinted on our childhoods and is still just as difficult to watch today.

#1: Ellie

“Up” (2009)

If you saw the trailers for “Up” before it came out in 2009, you probably went into the theatre expecting a whimsical romp featuring a crotchety old man, an obnoxious kid, and a cute dog. So when this movie opened with one of the most heartbreaking montages in all of film history, you may not have been emotionally prepared. Carl and Ellie’s melancholic love story and Ellie’s subsequent death are hard to handle for adults even more than for children. So we totally forgive you if you fast forward this one when rewatching.