It is a misconception that animated films are only for children. This has become less pronounced in recent decades, but in some parts of the world there is still a certain stigma surrounding adults who watch animated films. This can be quite confusing because many animated films are more than capable of emotionally impacting adults, as the following examples show.
And, of course, many of the films below are family-friendly, and their content makes them suitable for young and adult viewers alike. However, it’s undeniable that these films tackle some heavy themes through animation, whether or not they’re ultimately aimed at a younger audience. So audiences of all ages are likely to be moved by these films, and they are all among the most tear-jerker animated films of all time.
1 “Marseille Shell in Shoes” (2021)
Seamless combination of frame-by-frame animation with live frames, Marseille Shell in shoes is one of the most charming and heartfelt animated films of the last few years. It is made as a mockumentary about a one inch tall seashell who lives with her grandmother and searches for the rest of her family, seeing that they are all missing.
It’s not easy to put into words what it does Marseille Shell in shoes special, but it’s all about the unique presentation of the film and the skillful balance of humor and sadness. It’s an extremely bittersweet film about coming to terms with loss and coping with grief, but it never goes so far as to become too depressing or heavy for younger viewers, even though it may end up being more appealing to older viewers. .
2 ‘Toy Story 2’ (1999)
There are many Pixar films that can be described as exceptionally sad animated works, but few are as devastating as Toy Story 2. It’s also notable for being the first Pixar film to truly become infamous for its emotional gut punches, especially when it comes to a flashback around the middle of the movie about Jessie’s backstory, where the audience learns about how her owner eventually forgot about her and left. .
It’s also a film that asks surprisingly profound questions about existence, the concept of immortality, and whether it’s better to live a risky but rewarding life, or a long, boring life. It’s pretty intense for a family animated movie, but luckily it balances out the more serious scenes with plenty of comedic and funny bits.
3 “It’s Such a Beautiful Day” (2012)
It’s such a beautiful day it is a minimalist, somewhat experimental animated film divided into three distinct parts. It follows a seemingly ordinary man named Bill, whose life is thrown into chaos when his tragic past begins to haunt him, and finds his mind unraveled by the stresses of life and a newly diagnosed (and potentially fatal) neurological disease. .
It’s definitely not meant for kids considering it’s filled with suspenseful themes and has a very dark sense of humor. However, for adults, it turns out to be an extremely impressive, gripping film, and manages to explore so many things in a surprisingly devastating manner with its simple animation and premise.
4 “The Lion King” (1994)
Forget 2019 Remake: 1994s The Lion King is still the definitive version of this story, which can (only half-jokingly) be described as Hamlet but with lions. It follows Simba, who starts the film as a lion cub but ends as an adult who needs to reclaim his land from the clutches of his evil Uncle Scar.
It is known for being one of the saddest films in the Disney canon, mainly due to scenes involving the loss of a parent. It has very little punch for a children’s film and manages to confront the theme of death in a way that will impact audiences of all ages. It’s still a powerful film almost three decades after its release, and deservedly considered a classic.
5 ‘Coco’ (2017)
Coco This is a movie that is mostly set in the afterlife, and from the very beginning, it prepares the audience for the fact that death will be an important part of the film. After all, the protagonist accidentally finds himself transported to the Land of the Dead, where he makes amazing discoveries about the history of his family, and meets various members of his family who are no longer in the land of the living.
Most of the movie feels like a fun, light-hearted enough adventure, but things get a little more serious as the movie gets past the middle. It’s not that he ends unhappily, but he really knows how to get his audience emotionally invested and maybe even burst into tears. Coco conclusion.
6 ‘Inside Out’ (2015)
A Pixar movie about emotion has always been meant to be emotional, so it’s no surprise that it is. Inside out considered one of their biggest teardrops. It takes place in the mind of a young girl who follows her anthropomorphic emotions trying to regulate her mood as she goes through a particularly difficult period of her teenage life.
Like Coco, released two years later, is a fun fantasy land adventure but manages to find time to also emotionally drain its viewers along the way. The sequel is slated for 2024, so time will tell if the studio can strike a double whammy when it comes to making emotional films about literal emotion.
7 Pinocchio by Guillermo del Toro (2022)
There is no lack of Pinocchio there are movies, but Pinocchio Guillermo del Toro manages to stand out for several reasons. First, it’s all done with amazing stop-motion animation. Still, it’s at least partly a musical. Finally, another reason could be that it is very, very dark in places and also ends the story on a surprisingly bittersweet note.
And of course, there’s usually some darkness and sadness in this story of a wooden doll that comes to life, but it’s heightened in how del Toro perceives the famous character. There is an added element of tragedy in why Pinocchio himself was created, and the ending can also be quite impressive given its realistic take on death and moving through life without someone you once relied on.
8 ‘Toy Story 3’ (2010)
Toy Story 2 could be the first toy story movie to really make the audience cry, but it can be argued that Toy Story 3 took things to another level. Even with the existence of the fourth film, there is still a powerful sense of completion inside. Toy Story 3given that it ended the franchise’s original story of Andy and his relationship with his trusty toys.
There are two scenes near the end that are particularly notorious for inducing tears, and the film’s ending is arguably Pixar’s most bittersweet. If someone who grew up on the show wasn’t touched by the closing scenes Toy Story 3they may well need to check their pulse (or heart).
9 “Tuxedo and Fanny” (2019)
An unusual and little-known animated film about two people who live in a strange, lonely world. Tax and Fanny it is most likely an acquired taste. It’s divided into dozens of short parodies, running roughly 80 minutes in total, and they sort of tell a common story, yet feel fragmented and constantly unpredictable.
It is usually whimsical and comedic, although it can sometimes be unnerving and even rather sad. It has a unique tone that is very difficult to describe, but it certainly helps viewers experience a wide range of emotions in a very short amount of time. This is surreal web animation at its best and without a doubt it is unlike any other animated film.
10 ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ (1988)
Grave of the Fireflies considered one of the most heartbreaking anti-war films of all time. The fact that it’s animated does little to detract from its reality and poignancy, given that its story revolves around two siblings forced to survive for themselves in the final days of World War II after an air raid orphaned them.
This is one of the most famous Japanese animated films of all time, and it’s not hard to see why. This is a film that has been seen once and is sure to leave an impression on all who watch it with its powerful and unforgettable condemnation of war as well as its unwillingness to shy away from the damage that conflict causes. on the civilian population of the country.
Source: Collider
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