Animated moviesmay typically be aimed at younger audiences, but that doesn’t mean they can’t pack an emotional punch. Animated movies have existed for nearly as long as moving images. And one of the first companies to gain widespread recognition and praise for their animated features was Disney.
And with that, Disney has grown, adapted, and evolved their offerings over time, shifting away from simple cartoons, to more complex, mature, and emotional projects. Likewise, many otheranimated films from other studioshave taken animation and imbued this style of storytelling with deeper, emotional, and mature themes that can stir up intense emotion in audiences.
Dumbo
Cast
One in a series of live-action remakes for classic animated Disney films, Tim Burton’s Dumbo premiered in 2019 with a cast that included Danny DeVito, Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, and Eva Green. Farrell and DeVito star as the proprietors of a failing circus, who get an unexpected windfall in the form of Dumbo, a baby elephant with unusually large ears who has the ability to fly. When Keaton’s corrupt businessman V. A. Vandevere attempts to use Dumbo and his mother for his own personal gain, the elephants' allies must concoct a plan to get them to safety.
Early on in Disney’s run, the studio focused a lot on inserting deeper emotional messages into films starring animals.In this way, the animals experience challenging emotions, and it anthropomorphizes these creatures, while also resonating with the audience. And this can be seen plainly in movies likeDumbo, which came out in 1941.
Dumbois about an elephant who was born with abnormally large ears.Due to his apparent difference, other animals made fun of Dumbo, causing him to feel isolated, lonely, and rejected. However, over the course of the film, Dumbo learns how to take his unique attributes, and make them into something to be proud of and excited to share. Which makes the movie heartwarming and instructive for viewers who feel different and alone.
The Land Before Time
The Land Before Time is an animated adventure following an orphaned brontosaurus named Littlefoot, who embarks on a journey to find the fabled Great Valley. Alongside four young dinosaur companions from different species, they navigate challenges and cultivate teamwork in their quest for survival. Released on June 03, 2025.
Much later, in 1988, Universal Pictures developed another anthropomorphic animated feature which starred the ancient dinosaur inThe Land Before Time.While dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years, this movie brings these magnificent creatures back to life, with a deeply emotional exploration of a world before humans. The film follows a group of young dinosaurs, who are tragically all orphans.
Despite their age and their lack of adult guidance and support, these young dinos group together, form a tight-knit bond, and create a new family together.The idea of a found family and pushing through adversity comes through powerfully in the film. And beyond that, the ending is incredibly emotional, leading to a whole franchise of touching dinosaur movies.
Bambi
Bambi is one of Disney’s most iconic animated films that debuted in 1942. The movie follows a young deer named Bambi who grows up in a forest with his friend Thumper after his mother is killed. The film was directed by James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, and David Hand and was nominated for three Oscars.
Returning to Disney, just a year afterDumbowas released,Bambioriginally came out in 1942.This film also stars a young animal who finds themselves alone, this time due to their parents tragically being killed by a hunter. Similar to the plot ofThe Land Before Time, the story follows these creatures struggling to survive and thrive against all odds.
Bambi stands out as one of the most memorable and infamous films due to the fact that the movie almost immediately sees this young fawn separated from their mother, who is swiftly killed.The rest of the movie addresses this grief, mourning, and Bambi’s efforts to move on and make their mother proud. It’s extremely emotional, and despite the age of the film, it continues to resonate with audiences of all ages today.
All Dogs Go to Heaven
All Dogs Go to Heaven is an animated film directed by Don Bluth. Released in 1989, it follows the story of Charlie B. Barkin, a German Shepherd who returns to Earth from Heaven and embarks on a journey marked by redemption and friendship. The movie features the voices of Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, and Judith Barsi, delivering a poignant tale set against the backdrop of 1930s New Orleans.
In 1989,All Dogs go to Heavenonce again put the concept of death front and center.When a dog is betrayed by his old business partner, he finds himself at first imprisoned, and then killed. However, the film appeals to the idea that all dogs automatically go to heaven. Despite getting a free ride to happily ever after, Charles returns to his life, in an effort to confront his business partner, and right some wrongs.
It’s at this point that he meets a young woman who was kidnapped by his ex-partner. The film deals with challenging concepts, such as death, betrayal, and kidnapping. However, the movie manages to inject humor and positivity throughout in a way that does not belittle the subject matter, but enhances it. It’s powerful, and the ending is once again a beautiful payoff to the story.
Brother Bear
Brother Bear is an animated adventure from Walt Disney Pictures, released in 2003. The film follows Kenai, a young Inuit who is transformed into a bear as punishment for killing one. To regain his human form, Kenai must learn valuable lessons about nature and brotherhood. The voice cast includes Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Suarez, and Rick Moranis, with the film featuring music by Phil Collins.
Brother Bearis the first entry on this list that focuses on human characters, though a short time into the story, the primary character is transformed into a bear.When Kenai witnesses his brother’s death at the hands of a terrifying grizzly bear, he lashes out and kills the bear in retaliation.However, the spirits that guide his tribe transform him into a bear in an effort to teach him a lesson.
As a bear, Kenai meets a young cub, who guides and helps him to try and find the spirits and restore him to his old life. However, it becomes clear before long that this cub is the child of the bear he killed. In the most unlikely place, and with the most unlikely company, Kenai begins to understand that his family persists in the animal kingdom, and his rash actions cause irreparable damage. However, the pair of grieving boys find comfort together.
While the other entries in this list come from studios in the United States,Grave of the Firefliesis a beautiful exampleof how animation in the East has been handling more mature messages for decades.The film came out in 1988, and unlike many of the others, it uses two human protagonists as the central characters.In this way, there is less of a barrier to the grief of the story, though it manages to convey outstanding beauty, hope, and love.
When two orphans are left alone in the final months of the Pacific War, they cling to each other in an effort to stay safe and survive the struggles ahead.This Japanese feature film is stunning, thought-provoking, and more intensely emotional than many non-animated stories.And the medium adds to the intrigue and impact of the film.
Toy Story 2
Toy Story 2, released in 1999, is the sequel to the beloved original, where Woody is kidnapped by toy collector Al McWhiggen, prompting a rescue mission by Andy’s toys. As the toys embark on this adventure, Buzz Lightyear encounters a formidable counterpart, and Woody faces decisions about his true place in the world.
Toy Storyis an incredible series that opened the door for Pixar to become the giant production company it is today.However, while the first movie introduces the idea of toys that come to life when the kids aren’t looking, the second film starts to address the idea of growing up and letting go of those childhood toys.
In this environment, the toys are given a voice, and they grieve as the children who always loved them begin to lose interest.While Andy, the owner of the central characters like Buzz and Woody, continues to enjoy his toys, the story reveals several new characters, like Jessie, who have been discarded by their owners. This leads to one of the most emotionally charged scenes in the entire series.
The Iron Giant
Set in 1957 Maine against the backdrop of the Cold War, The Iron Giant follows Hogarth Hughes, a young boy who finds an alien robot crashlanded in the woods outside his hometown. Determining that the robot is friendly, Hogarth quickly becomes its protector against forces in the US Army who wish to use the robot for their own means. Eli Marienthal voices Hogarth, with a further cast that includes Vin Diesel, Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., and Christopher McDonald.
The Iron Giantis a powerful filmfrom Warner Bros.which is set in an alternate version of the Earth during the 1957 Cold War. Amid the turmoil and uncertainty of war, mothers work hard to care for children after the loss of fathers, communities are fractured, and young people feel isolated in an unfamiliar and dangerous world.
It’s this setting that Hogarth Hughes finds himself in when he makes an unusual friend.The Iron Giant who Hogarth befriends may not be a local to Earth, but despite their gaping differences, Hogarth and the Giant become friends.The movie explores grief, isolation, and family struggles, and it has several intense emotional scenes throughout.
Big Hero 6
In Walt Disney Animation Studios' Big Hero 6, the child genius Hiro Hamada works with his brother Tadashi’s inflatable robot, Baymax, to assemble a superhero team in the fictional city of San Fransokyo. The titular group of geeky heroes, composed of Honey Lemon, Go Go Tomago, Wasabi, and Fred, help Hiro and Baymax take down a masked villain powered by nanobots.
Big Hero 6stands out as the most modern entry on this list, having been released in 2014, but the film is also one of the most intense and deep emotional explorations in modern animated films.At the outset of the movie, Hiro Hamada has already lost his parents.However, with the shining light that is his brother still around, he finds a way to hope, dream, and achieve. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes, and Tadashi is killed soon after the opening credits.
After the loss of Tadashi, Hiro slumps into a deep depression, and his guardian struggles to find ways to bring him out of his grief.However, Hiro eventually makes a connection with his brother’s last and greatest creation, Baymax. Through this connection, Hiro finds a way to honor and remember his brother, while also tracking down the person responsible for his death.
The Lion King
The Lion King is an animated film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Released in 1994, it tells the story of Simba, a young lion cub who faces the responsibilities of adulthood and reclaiming his birthright as king of the Pride Lands. Featuring an iconic voice cast that includes Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, and Jeremy Irons, the film explores themes of family, duty, and the circle of life.
Finally, returning to Disney and the films starring talking animals,The Lion Kinghas to take the top spotdue to the intense way in which it displays a pivotal moment in which Simba loses his father. Simba, a boisterous young lion, is anxious to grow up and be like his father Mufasa. However, when Simba gets himself into trouble, Mufasa heroically rescues his son, before getting caught up in a stampede that results in his own death.
The film displays this moment of grief in agonizing depth, as Simba screams for his father to be ok, only to lose him forever. Throughout the rest of the film, Simba struggles to move on, until he learns from some friends how he can live more at the moment. The film then reveals some dark twists, but altogether, it’s a deeply emotional and intense film that never fails to bring the tears.
