Top 10 Unexpectedly Dark Moments in Heartwarming Movies

Wide-eyed Haley Joel Osment stars as Trevor, a seventh grader on a mission to start a chain reaction of kindness. “Pay It Forward” plays out pretty much like you expect it to. However, the movie isn’t content to wring tears out of you with random acts of compassion and generosity. The climax kills off its young star via knife wound during a fight with some middle school bullies. Imagine sitting down to watch this, expecting a lighthearted story about kindness, and seeing the kid from “The Sixth Sense” get stabbed. Traumatizing doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Pixar’s ragtag group of toys became like members of the family for a lot of 90s kids. The third movie sent them on their wildest adventure yet. After they’ve made their great escape from the Sunnyside Daycare, they are betrayed by the deranged Lotso, and trapped in a landfill incinerator. At one point, realizing that hope is lost, the toys stop fighting and join hands as they slide toward the blazing fire. They’re rescued, but the shock of watching a group of beloved animated characters accept death was not exactly on our “Toy Story 3” bingo cards.

Under the tutelage of the brilliant but unorthodox John Keating, young Neil Perry is inspired to defy his father’s wishes and audition for a local play. However, his oppressive father sees any attempt to be an individual as a threat, and once again berates him for his choices. Neil, spiritually and emotionally broken down by his mistreatment, takes his own life. It’s a shocking and sobering scene, especially when you consider how much of the movie is the boys living out Keating’s philosophies about admiring beauty and art. After all the poetry and lectures, there are no wise words to be found. Neil’s friends are left reeling from his premature death, and it sets in motion the end of Keating’s tenure at the prestigious school.

Based on the sought-after handbook by Heidi Murkoff, this movie follows a fictional group of women all expecting their first child. Most of the interconnected storylines are lighthearted in nature, presenting couples with the standard struggles that come with pregnancy and child-rearing. That changes when Rosie, an expectant mother played by Anna Kendrick, experiences a devastating miscarriage in the middle of the night. Played mostly without dialogue, the scene marks a noted tone shift from the awkward humor in the rest of the movie, and is probably its most lasting and hard-hitting moment.

Most of this movie felt more in line with “Beethoven” than “Old Yeller.” It starts out innocently enough, with a couple adopting a young puppy. The title dog’s misbehavior is charming, but by the end, it becomes clear we’re going to get the entire story whether we want it or not. Cue the sad music. We follow Marley from puppyhood all the way to the end of his life, as he and his human, John, share their last moments together in the vet’s office. Unfortunately, most pet owners can relate to the enormity of that situation.

Vada’s father works as an undertaker, leading the young girl to develop a fascination with death. Despite this, “My Girl” manages to keep things light, if not a little quirky, for the first hour or so. Then, the unthinkable happens. Her best friend, Thomas J., is killed after an allergic reaction to bee stings. Few movies are willing to go there, but such a tragedy is especially unusual in a family-friendly coming-of-age movie. The moment when Vada breaks down beside her friend’s open casket is one of those scenes that any child of the 90s won’t forget.

Author Roald Dahl is famous for his macabre approach to children’s storytelling. But we can’t imagine this is what he had in mind when he wrote the book. During the now-infamous boat ride scene, the musical comedy gives way to an incredibly sinister sequence. Gene Wilder’s maniacal Wonka delights in scaring his guests as surreal and violent imagery plays on the tunnel walls. Up to now, Wonka has seemed whimsical and maybe a tad unfeeling. This makes him look like a sadist. Everything turns out okay in the end, but instead of chocolate, these kids are probably going to need a lifetime supply of therapy just to cope.

The good folks at Pixar Animation Studios have been finding ways to emotionally destroy young people for decades now. Even a premise as silly as “what if a little girl’s emotions were characters?” is infused with enough drama and grief to put a soap opera to shame. In 2015’s “Inside Out,” Joy and a lovable imaginary friend, Bing Bong, must save themselves from the dreaded Memory Dump, where thoughts and ideas go to be forgotten. Bing Bong realizes that only one of them can make it out. He literally sacrifices himself so the little girl, Riley, can feel joy again. It’s a brilliant and crushing metaphor for a young person’s emotional development, and what gets left behind as we grow up.

Jess and Leslie are two children who build a fantasy world together to escape from their troubled and lonely lives. The pair spend their days in their fantasy world, broadening each other’s horizons and becoming increasingly close. Late in the movie, Jess learns that Leslie died in an accident at their meeting spot. With his best friend ripped away from him, Jess’s fantasy world comes crashing down and he has to learn to deal with his grief. It’s a powerful and depressing plot twist, especially given that Jess doesn’t have many friends. Although it’s based on a bestselling book, it’s still a pretty heavy thing to lay on a bunch of kids.

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

The Swamp of Sadness, “The NeverEnding Story” (1984)
Atreyu Loses Artax to the Swamp

The Gold Necklace, “Love Actually” (2003)
Karen Realizes the Necklace Her Husband Bought Is for Another Woman

Ellie’s Miscarriage, “Up” (2009)
That Opening Montage Still Gets Us

Emma’s Death, “One Day” (2011)
A Romantic Drama Ends with a Sudden Dark Twist

Kids all over the world remember the first time they saw King Mufasa thrown from a cliff by his brother, Scar. “The Lion King” begins with the lion prince Simba itching to grow up and rule his kingdom. That is until he watches his father die in a stampede. The death of a parent is something no young child should have to endure, but the movie confronts that possibility head-on. Left alone, young Simba finds his father lying in the dust and is unable to wake him. He is alone, helpless, and terrified. He’ll eventually find his place as king, but it won’t be an easy road.

Which of these dark turns took you by surprise? Be sure to leave a comment.