Top 20 Disney Moments That Surprised Us Most

“Peter Pan” (1953)
Everything in “Peter Pan” feels like an adventurous dream come to life. From swashbuckling fights against pirates or the many wonders of Neverland, it’s practically designed to enchant audiences. However, the film truly gets viewers in its grasp during the characters’ first flight. Helped by a rousing track, we share the excitement that Wendy and her brothers feel as they let themselves soar through the London skyline. It appeals to the inner child in everyone, as the audience is encouraged to leave their troubles behind just like the protagonists. At this moment, it’s as if we can all fly with just some faith, trust, and a little pixie dust.

“Big Hero 6” (2014)
Tadashi Hamada is killed in an explosion while trying to save his mentor, Robert Callaghan. Tadashi’s brother, Hiro, seeks out a masked man named Yokai who stole his microbots and caused the fire. Just as Hiro confronts the villain, though, everything comes crashing down – we learn that Callaghan was Yokai all along. The antagonist shows zero remorse for what he did, even as a distraught Hiro reminds Callaghan that Tadashi died for him. This major shock flips the film’s entire premise, as it means Hiro lost his sibling, who meant the world to him, for nothing. Although his attempt at eliminating Callaghan is out of character, the impact of the latter’s betrayal makes it easy to empathize with the protagonist’s anger.

“Dumbo” (1941)
There are plenty of tear-jerking moments in “Dumbo” amid the main character’s search for acceptance. But the separation from his mother is among the biggest injustices. She retaliates when he’s mistreated by the circus’ horrid crowd, only to be locked up. The young protagonist later visits his incarcerated mom after being largely ostracized. As the “Baby Mine” lullaby plays, this stolen moment between the two is heart-wrenching to watch. Despite being in a cage, she tries her best to comfort him, displaying the unbreakable bond between mother and child. The combination of the cruelty they’re suffering and the strength of their love can put anyone at a loss for words. We’re glad we at least see their joyous reunion by the film’s conclusion.

“Coco” (2017)
The song “Remember Me” is heard a few times in the film, but the enormity of its importance is felt in its climactic moments. It’s a ballad written by Héctor, who is revealed as the father of protagonist Miguel’s titular great-grandmother. As the elderly Coco fades away, so does Héctor in the Land of the Dead. Since remembering her father is the only way to save him, everything hinges on this song. By this point, we know all about Héctor’s tragic backstory, so hearing the ballad and what it means hits particularly hard. It shows just how moving a piece of music can be, as the return of Coco’s memory unites the family through generations in both the Land of the Living and the Dead.

“Finding Nemo” (2003)
Sadly for protagonist Marlin, his world is shattered in this film’s opening minutes. We’re introduced to the clownfish when he waits excitedly with his wife, Coral, as expectant parents-to-be. However, the dangers of the ocean catch up to them with a savage barracuda attack. The movie leaves a long moment of silence for the horrible realization of what’s happened to sink in. It’s hard to make sense of it due to the suddenness of it all, and we can do nothing but watch Marlin in emotional agony. While one egg does survive, Coral and all the other eggs are gone forever. Disney movies usually pack a punch from the beginning, but it’s rare to see one delivering such utter ruthless distress so soon.

“Pinocchio” (1940)
The titular character’s journey to becoming a real boy tests his mettle as a good person. Unfortunately, Pinocchio finds the wrong kind of influence in Lampwick, a brat who feeds into his worst impulses. Tricked into going to Pleasure Island, the two learn the horrifying consequences of their behavior. As it turns out, unruly boys are transformed into donkeys here, which Lampwick learns the hard way. Even with his bad attitude, being mercilessly transformed with no way out is a terrible fate to be subjected to. The panic and hysteria are more than a little disturbing, especially since the transformed boys are set to meet horrific fates. For how frightening this scene is, it’s easy to forget that it’s in a children’s movie.

“The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
Voodoo practitioner Dr. Facilier uses his “friends on the other side” to do his dirty work. The catch is that these spirits will get fresh souls to feed on. This backfires on the villain after he can’t make good on his promise. Once Tiana destroys Facilier’s talisman, the voodoo spirits arrive to claim their prize: Facilier himself. There’s an unsettling atmosphere throughout his reckoning, as the spirits practically mock him before closing in to collect his soul. The bad guy’s excuses and pleas are for naught, as his “friends” drag him to hell. It’s punctuated by a shot of Facilier’s screaming face etched onto his tombstone, completing what is one of the most nightmare-inducing sequences yet in a Disney movie.

“Tangled” (2010)
A main selling point of “Tangled” is the magic behind Rapunzel’s hair. Her long locks are seen in action during the film, complete with enchanting powers. Because of this, not many would have anticipated seeing her as a brunette by the end. After Mother Gothel has stabbed her love Eugene, the main character tries to heal him. However, Eugene slashes her hair instead, saving her from a lifetime of servitude to Gothel. The freaky end the antagonist meets is chilling enough, but watching Rapunzel’s signature look go away in one quick motion is also a surprise. Fortunately, she has just enough magic left to save Eugene, bringing the two lovers together.

“Fantasia” (1940)
“Fantasia” revolutionized animation by melding storytelling with its soundtrack. Each of the eight segments contains its own unique backdrop. But it’s Mickey Mouse’s “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” that remains alive in memory. It has a simple outline of Mickey using his sorcerer master’s tricks before things fall apart. The usual slapstick fun is accompanied by an intense track that captures the tension the character feels. After initial success, his inability to control the magic comes back to haunt him. While it never gets too dark, the way the music guides viewers from one moment to the next has all the required sense of urgency. With dazzling visuals also in store, the best thing to do is sit back and be amazed.

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)
Among the long line of Disney baddies, Frollo is one who really makes our skin crawl. Along with mistreating Quasimodo, the judge has it out for Esmeralda in a way that goes beyond general antagonism. Overcome by a frantic lust, the villain makes it his mission to have her or eliminate her. The song “Hellfire” makes this strikingly clear, detailing Frollo’s twisted mind. He claims Esmeralda is responsible for his feelings to justify his evil intentions, as his inner demons manifest. The point of view of Disney villains isn’t always depicted so extensively, let alone in such uncomfortable detail. By the end of the number, viewers are left scared and overwhelmed, knowing just how far Frollo will go to get what he wants.

“Toy Story” (1995)
Much of the first “Toy Story” is about the animosity between main characters Woody and Buzz Lightyear. This includes when Woody is unimpressed by Buzz’s supposed flying skills, calling it: [“falling with style”]. But their relationship gradually blossoms as they work together to return to their own owner, Andy. Still, there needs to be one defining moment that seals their bond, which arrives near the end. As Buzz and Woody try to catch up with Andy’s car, the former uses his wings with the latter in tow. The two take to the sky to set up an effective callback, as Buzz reminds Woody what exactly they’re doing. It’s a clever spin on things that stands as a major triumph in what becomes an everlasting friendship.

“Inside Out” (2015)
Everyone wants to be happy, but there’s much to learn from sorrow. As “Inside Out” shows, being in touch with your feelings is important. We get a sense of this when protagonist Riley’s imaginary friend Bing Bong vanishes, sacrificing himself for Joy to reunite with Sadness and the other emotions. But the film really delivers its message as Sadness helps Riley embrace her pain. The latter opens up to her parents about how the move has affected her, allowing the family to finally connect. As Joy learns, letting yourself truly feel sad can be comforting in its own right. It’s an entirely human moment that touches the hearts of viewers worldwide for how relatable it is.

“Mulan” (1998)
“Mulan” does a splendid job of balancing humor with hard-hitting moments. However, one particular scene steers straight into the horrors of war. Right after the light-hearted song “A Girl Worth Fighting For,” a major mood whiplash occurs at the sight of an annihilated village. Mulan and her fellow troops are stunned when surrounded by the destruction left by the Huns. A doll adds further weight to the moment, highlighting the loss of innocent life. Much like the characters on screen, viewers are left speechless by what this scene represents. To top it all off, Shang has to accept the death of his father, General Li, placing more burden on the heroes to protect their people from the Huns’ rampage.

“Tarzan” (1999)
The reveal of Clayton’s villainy arguably isn’t a big surprise considering his obsession with the gorillas. Instead, it’s the way he goes out that surely makes fans flinch. In the climactic fight, the bad guy loses after Tarzan uses the jungle’s environment to corner him. He lets his enemy go, only for Clayton to take advantage of his mercy. This murderous intent blinds the antagonist to the danger he’s in, and he slashes away at the vines holding him in place. Just like Tarzan, we can see what’s about to happen before it does, as Clayton plunges to his own end. Decades later, it still stands as one of the most haunting ends for a Disney villain.

“Cinderella” (1950)
Cinderella’s dress is easily among the most recognizable looks in cinematic history. The scene showing her transformation is just as iconic, as the main character’s fairytale comes to life. After her initial ensemble is ripped apart by her jealous stepsisters, the heartbroken Cinderella is visited by the Fairy Godmother. And just like that, we have ourselves a scene that remains awe-inspiring. Right before her eyes, the protagonist is granted a breathtakingly gorgeous gown, a pair of glass slippers, and her own carriage. The moment captures the movie’s sentiment of dreams coming true, as she gets to attend the royal ball. With much of the film showing Cinderella’s struggles, it’s heartwarming to see things go perfectly right for once.

“Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
You know the whole movie has been building up to this moment as soon as the scene begins. The Beast and Belle start out at odds before her positive influence eases his heart. Nothing shows his change better than their dance. The title song best represents what’s happening on screen, where the duo’s growing love shines through. Complementing the soothing quality of the track are Angela Lansbury’s vocals, as the characters shut out the noise from the outside world. Thanks to clever direction and camera movement, Belle and Beast’s dance has a sense of realism that’s as impressive as it is captivating.

“Bambi” (1942)
The benchmark for how heartbreaking an animated movie can be comes from the death of Bambi’s mother. What starts out as a fun story about a fawn’s upbringing takes a violent turn when a hunter targets Bambi and his mom. No matter how optimistic one might be, this definitely feels like the prelude to a tragedy. The film places viewers right into the terror the pair experience, as their lives hang in the balance with each gunshot. But it’s the aftermath that leaves the most silence in its wake, as Bambi searches for his mother. We never see what becomes of her, but it’s enough to make us feel as devastated and alone as Bambi does in that moment.

“Up” (2009)
It’s still remarkable how a relatively short sequence with no dialogue can have viewers so invested. But that’s how it is in the opening of “Up,” which takes us along the entire marriage of Carl and Ellie. From hopeful newlyweds to elderly retirees, it’s a sprawling segment that sums up the twists and turns of life. Within its short runtime, the intro tells us about the couple’s inability to conceive, their dream of making it to Paradise Falls, and Ellie’s passing. It goes to show how fleeting time is, as Carl is ultimately left alone despite his and Ellie’s long and happy marriage. Just like that, we empathize with the protagonist and his sadness – all before the main plot of the film even begins.

“Toy Story 3” (2010)
The toys’ final adventure before leaving Andy’s care has more than a few standout moments. The first is in the incinerator, where the heroes nearly meet their end after holding hands in solidarity. Still, the one that hits hardest is the last farewell with Andy. The latter realizes that growing up also means moving on, and entrusts young Bonnie with his toys. Meanwhile, Woody has to accept letting go of his beloved owner, completing the story arc he had since the first movie. Even so, the cowboy’s parting words are as emotional as they get, closing this chapter with a final (“So long, Partner”). For many, it’s not just Woody and Andy saying goodbye, it’s the audience leaving their own childhood behind.

“The Lion King” (1994)
Yes, Scar causing Mufasa’s death is an unforgettably disturbing moment. But “The Lion King”’s intro remains the most spellbinding part of the movie. It all begins with a call summoning every animal to see the next king, a newborn Simba. There’s a sense of peace and calm as the sun rises in the Pride Lands, and the stirring soundtrack excites us for what’s to come. Bolstered by beautiful color palettes that make the segment seem right out of a storybook, it commands attention from the get-go. It’s fitting, then, that the same track is used to bookend the film. We’re similarly entranced, watching the animals gathered to greet Simba’s child and seeing the premise of the lyrics fulfilled.