The 7 Saddest Moments in Pixar Films, Ranked From Wistful To Traumatizing

More so than most other mainstream entertainment studios, Pixar has regularly put out some of the most fundamentally saddest films ever released to the general public.

No matter the underlying premise of their movies’ narratives, it’s next to impossible for the average viewer to make it through the entirety of a Pixar film without shedding a tear, thanks in large part to the studio’s unrelenting propensity for emotionally charged subject matter.

Whether focusing on existential toys, grieving clownfish, or sentient human emotions, Pixar’s films engage viewers’ interest on an almost cellular level, allowing audiences the chance to laugh together and – more often than not – relentlessly cry together. From the company’s earliest work up to their later releases, here are some of the absolute saddest moments in Pixar’s history, ranked in order from the least to most devastating.

7. Toy Story 2 (1999)

More so than most of the studios’ franchises, Toy Story routinely gravitates towards existential and/or hard-hitting subject matters, especially when it comes to the inevitable end of a relationship between a child and their favorite toys. Focusing on this idea with tear-jerking sentimentality, Toy Story 2 features a small segment detailing Jessie’s former relationship with Emily, a young girl who eventually abandons Jessie as she grows into adulthood. Backed by Sarah McLachlan’s meditative “When She Loved Me,” it’s among the most emotionally raw sequences in the Toy Story franchise thus far, hitting us each right in the feels every time we’re forced to sit through it.

6. Inside Out (2015)

Deep down, everyone fears the idea of forgetting an important aspect of their lives, be it an informative memory from childhood or the imaginary best friend that once remained faithfully by our side. Exploring the latter subject with unflinching sensitivity, Inside Out finds Joy and Riley’s imaginary companion Bing Bong struggling to escape the Memory Dump before Riley forgets both of their existences. 

Sacrificing himself so that Riley will be able to experience happiness again, Bing Bong tearfully chooses to remain behind in the Memory Dump, allowing Joy a chance to escape and for Riley to overcome her temporary depression. A jarring sequence all the more hard-hitting for viewers whose childhood memories of their own imaginary friends have long since faded away, it’s a scene capable of making the most hard-hearted audience members sob uncontrollably.

5. Soul (2020)

Certain physical achievements remain borderline impossible for a reason, whether it’s running a mile in under three minutes or making it through the entirety of Soul without shedding a tear. Far and away one of the most memorable Pixar films of the last 10 years, Soul also delivers a stirring exploration of life, death, happiness, and philosophical meaning in our everyday lives. Though at times ruminant and emotionally overwhelming, Soul’s real strength lies in its meditative illustration of existence itself, encouraging every audience member to use the time they have to enjoy life – or, as Joe Gardner says at the very end of the film, to simply “live every minute of it.” A bittersweet ending, indeed.

4. Finding Nemo (2003)

Certain Pixar movies start on a sobering note and only seem to grow more depressing over time. Case in point with 2003’s Finding Nemo, which features one of the most harrowing opening sequences of all time. Looking ahead to the start of their future together, Marlin instead sees his hopes for a peaceful family life ripped out of his fins when a vicious barracuda attacks, devouring Coral and most of the couple’s eggs. Narrowly surviving the attack, all Marlin can do is cradle the sole remaining egg, promising to look after the soon-to-be infant clownfish. It’s a disquieting moment in an otherwise genial family film, taking us completely by surprise every time we see it. 

3. Coco (2017)

If Coco teaches us anything, it’s that loss is an inevitable part of life, as healthy and unavoidable as the sun rising in the morning and setting in the late afternoon. And yet, while death itself is inescapable, how we choose to remember our loved ones after their passing remains an integral aspect of grief, providing us each a healthy outlet to fondly recall those who shaped our lives during their time on Earth. Seizing upon this idea for its main narrative, Coco also shows the potential joys that can come from reliving our memories with the departed, as seen with the elderly Coco’s own heartwarming recollections about her father near the climax of the film.

2. Toy Story 3 (2010)

Nobody likes growing up, forcing us each to say goodbye to the carefree days of childhood while grappling with the uncertainty of our future. Eloquently portraying this idea in its closing moments, Toy Story 3 sees the formal farewell between Andy and his most treasured toys from boyhood. A bittersweet moment in the franchise, watching Andy say goodbye to Buzz, Jesse, and Woody thoughtfully captures the growing pains we all experience when reaching adulthood, not to mention the end of a relationship we once held near and dear to our hearts. But as Toy Story 3 shows us, don’t cry because you’re saying goodbye – smile because you were lucky enough to meet in the first place.

1. Up (2009)

Most people tend to double over in tears by the time a Pixar movie reaches its end credits. With that being said, it’s something of an achievement to see how quickly Up is to trigger water-works through its emotionally devastating opening sequence. Within the span of its first 10 minutes, audiences witness the bittersweet evolution of Carl and Ellie’s marriage, from their initial interactions as children up to their eventual growth into old age. 

Through its in-depth insight into the couple’s relationship, audiences are able to better understand Carl’s pain as Ellie’s health slowly deteriorates. It’s the kind of resonating scene that allows viewers to reflect on their own interpersonal connections with friends and family members, encouraging us to seize the day and spend as much time as possible with the people we care about.