Top 10 Most Terrifying Moments in Pixar Movies

“Up” (2009)
You know what they say - never meet your heroes … As a boy, Carl idolized famed explorer Charles Muntz and dreamt of meeting him some day. But when an older Carl finally does so, he’s faced with a terrifying reality. His childhood hero is now a shadow of himself, driven to dangerous extremes by his obsessive hunt for an elusive flightless bird. Carl’s disillusionment deepens as Muntz admits to eliminating innocent travellers who crossed his path. That chilling, unrepentant smile as he confesses his crimes reveals a man devoid of remorse. Although Pixar’s bold choice to create such a dark villain is effective, Muntz feels pretty extreme for a children’s film!

“Brave” (2012)
Following a heated argument, Merida inadvertently transforms her mother into a bear using an enchanted cake. From that moment, things spiral into chaos, but the true horror unfolds when Queen Elinor faces off against the menacing Mor’du in a heart-pounding battle. With Merida trapped under the demon beast, Elinor’s maternal instincts kick in, and she fights with unmatched ferocity to protect her child. At that moment, “Brave” stopped feeling like a fairy tale and edged into horror! It’s a good thing mama bear won or we would’ve been scarred for life.

“The Incredibles” (2004)
The world of the Incredible might be stylish and exciting, but it can also be pretty grim. On the island of supervillain Syndrome, Mr. Incredible stumbles upon a devastating discovery: a database of superheroes who died testing the Omnidroid. The eerie silence of Syndrome’s lair is haunting enough. But it’s Mr. Incredible’s horror as he realizes that these are his old friends, systematically hunted and killed, that truly sent shivers down our spines. It isn’t the only scene that gives us chills. The moment the family comes home to find Syndrome holding little Jack-Jack is also pretty scary!

“Cars 2” (2011)
When did a franchise about fun races and goofy moments become so brutally real? While the first film had an innocent charm, “Cars 2” dives into darker territory, with Rod “Torque” Redline’s torture and death marking its most chilling turn. Captured by enemies, the secret agent is blasted with a heat ray meant to fry his engines. Sure, they’re cars, but you feel the tension. After Redline unwittingly reveals the truth, the camera cuts away just as his explosion and death are reflected on a TV screen. Seriously, is this still a kids’ movie?

“Coco” (2017)
In this heartwarming adventure, little Miguel is determined to prove he’s a great musician, and believes that famous singer Ernesto de la Cruz is his great-great-grandfather. His quest takes him to the Land of the Dead, where he learns the bitter truth about Ernesto. When Miguel confronts the pretentious villain, Ernesto throws him off a building to silence him. His casual demeanor and Miguel’s scream make the scene all the more terrifying. This is another reason why you should never meet your heroes - although it’s a pretty extreme example!

“Ratatouille” (2007)
Imagine living in a world dominated by large, intelligent creatures who despise and hunt us when we venture into their territory! Sounds terrifying, right? Well, that’s the harsh reality of our lovable rat protagonist and his kind in “Ratatouille”. Remy dreams of becoming a chef, but to show him the dangers of his aspiration, his father, Django, forces him to witness a haunting sight - a store window full of lifeless rats. The scene’s eerie visual of hanging bodies and Remy’s distraught look contrast with the film’s generally light-hearted tone. It’s even more unsettling when you realize some of them could well be related to Remy.

“Monsters, Inc.” (2001)
In this whimsical yet unsettling world, children’s screams are used to power monster civilization. The process takes a dark turn when CEO Henry J. Waternoose III and professional scarer Randall Boggs devise a plan to abduct children and forcibly extract their screams. It’s the stuff a child’s nightmare is made of, especially when little Boo becomes Randall’s target. Imagine a toddler trapped with creatures who fear and misunderstand her. Although Boo is quickly rescued, the idea of anyone - let alone a child - trapped in such a machine is nightmare-fuel.

“A Bug’s Life” (1998)
Hopper should be the last person we feel sorry for, considering all he does to the poor protagonists of this tale. Yet, we can’t forget his shocking fate in “A Bug’s Life”. The leader of an oppressive grasshopper gang, Hopper thinks he’s untouchable, but the ants he terrorizes eventually turn on him. As the ants rise up, Hopper abducts plucky inventor ant Flik. Thinking fast, Flik lures Hopper into a bird’s nest. At first, Hopper thinks the bird is fake, but then he’s picked up and fed to the bird’s chicks - screaming all the while. Man, no wonder we had nightmares after this!

“Finding Nemo” (2003)
Here’s more proof that Pixar doesn’t shy away from darker material, even in movies made for kids! “Finding Nemo” begins on a cheerful note with Marlin and his wife, Coral, living happily in the Great Barrier Reef. It’s all sunshine until a barracuda attacks. Coral tries to protect her eggs after the vicious fish knocks Marlin unconscious. When Marlin wakes up, he’s met with the crushing reality of his family gone, except for Nemo. After such a traumatic loss, we can’t blame Marlin for being a fiercely protective parent.

“Toy Story 3” (2010)
After Andy heads off for college, his toys face one horrifying ordeal after another. But nothing compares to their near-death experience in the incinerator. Trapped with no way out, Woody, Buzz and the gang slowly slide toward fiery doom. With no rescue in sight, they clasp hands together and accept their fate. Even Sid’s room of terror didn’t terrify us this much. For a moment, it felt like Pixar might actually let these beloved characters meet a gruesome fate. Thankfully, the last-second rescue saves the day - but not our ruined nerves!

What is the saddest scene you’ve ever seen in a kid’s movie? Share your thoughts in the comment section.