Related
word of advice : spoilers for various child ’ movies .
Mentions of dying and abuse .
Summary
Thomas Kid ' moviesare unremarkably pollyannaish and have an uplifting moral message , but there are many that are actually quite depressing . tiddler ' movies give filmmakers a mess of creative freedom , as there are uncounted fairy story and legends that can be grow into picture show for a young audience , but it ’s also a tricky genre . Making a successful motion-picture show for tike is n’t well-fixed , as there are different ways in which writers and directors can cross bound , add too much capacity for adults , or water down their stories , not intrust that their audience will fully empathise the story and its base .
On many occasions , kids ' movies wrick out to be quite depressing , though not inevitably dark . There are various picture show for child , likeCoraline , that are a compounding of shuddery and sad , but many others are depressing due to the themes addressed in them , the fate of some quality , or the overall story . Although Disney is know for how lamentable its quicken pic are , it ’s not the only studio apartment that has depress kids ' movies , and it ’s not a necessity to be animated , as many live - action movie are also heartbreaking .
There are some directors whose work are aimed at a mature audience , but at some decimal point , they settle to make children ’s motion picture and come through at it .
10Old Yeller
Old Yelleris a Western drama movie unloosen in 1957 and guide by Robert Stevenson . Old Yelleris based on the 1956 novel of the same name by Fred Gipson , and it ’s fix in post - Civil War Texas , where it follow Travis ( Tommy Kirk ) , a teen male child who finds a Black Mouth Cut he names “ Old Yeller ” . Travis and Old Yeller quickly grow a stiff , loving bond , but their friendly relationship takes a tragical turn of events when Old Yeller , while defending Travis and his mother from a Hugo Wolf , is bitten on the neck opening . The masher was rabid , so Old Yeller becomes infected , and Travis has to charge his best acquaintance to cease his suffering and forefend overspread the disease . Old Yeller ’s death is widely reckon as one of the most heartrending panorama in cinema story .
9Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
2022 saw the release of two adaptations of Carlo Collodi’sThe Adventures of Pinocchio , and the big winner was Guillermo del Toro ’s interpretation . Del Toro stick around straight to the essence of the Scripture and told the account ofPinocchio ( voiced by Gregory Mann ) , a wooden puppet create by lonely and grieving woodcarver Geppetto ( David Bradley ) who comes to life thanks to the Wood Sprite ( Tilda Swinton ) . Pinocchio ’s journey is full of disobedience , manipulation , and abuse , but also a lot of sexual love . Unlike the Disney version , Pinocchio does n’t become a human boy but instead is made immortal , have in mind that he lives through the deaths of Sebastian J. Cricket ( Ewan McGregor ) , Spazzatura ( Cate Blanchett ) , and Geppetto .
8The NeverEnding Story
The NeverEnding Storywasdirected by Wolfgang Petersenand release in 1984 , and it ’s based on the 1979 novel of the same name by Michael Ende . After claim a book from a bookstore that he was admonish not to read , Bastian ( Barret Oliver ) is taken to the mythical earth of Fantasia , where the Childlike Empress ( Tami Stronach ) has fallen ominous and a dour force known as “ The Nothing ” is slowly consuming Fantasia . The NeverEnding Storyhas a panorama where the horse of the new warriorAtreyu ( Noah Hathaway)dies in the Swamps of Sadness , but adding the hopelessness of knowing the world is about to end does n’t really help cheer the audience up after such a distressing prospect .
7The Iron Giant
The Iron Giantis an animated sci - fi moving-picture show released in 1999 and target by Brad Bird , base on the 1968 novelThe Iron Manby Ted Hughes . pose in 1957 , during the Cold War , The Iron Gianttells the story of Hogarth Hughes ( voice by Eli Marienthal ) , a young son who discovers a giant alien robot , who becomes his friend – however , a government agent is looking to destroy this extraterrestrial being . The Iron Giant sacrifices himself in society to save Hogarth and his town , declare himself to be “ Superman ” instead of a artillery . It ’s a heartbreaking aspect after watching the friendship between Hogarth and the Giant blossom , but at least the end throw spectator a bit of hope .
The Iron Giant touch edition answer a lot of dubiousness about the claim character while also leaving one dark loose end that could doom humanity .
6Bambi
As mentioned above , Disney has a foresighted list of sad kids ’ movies , and by far one of the tough to observe isBambi . Released in 1942 and based on the novelBambi , A life history in the Woodsby Feliz Salten , Bambitells the story of the title young fawn ( voiced by Donni Dunagan ) , who is think to become the next prince of the timber , like his father . Along with his supporter in the woodland , Bambi larn about friendship , love , and how to protect his loved ones , but he also learns about heartbreak and grief . In one of the most tragical scenes in Disney ’s history , Bambi ’s female parent is kill by a hunting watch while she and Bambi prove to hightail it . The hunter , simply referred to as “ Man ” , is regard as one of the most evil villains in cinema story .
5A Little Princess
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón , A Little Princesswas released in 1995 and is based on the 1905 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson . A Little Princessis arrange during World War I and follow Sara Crewe ( Liesel Matthews ) , a young missy who is post to an all - missy embarkation schoolhouse in New York City after her sire , Captain Richard Crewe ( Liam Cunningham ) , is called to wait on in the Great War . However , when Captain Crewe is consider to be dead , she ’s moved to the attic by the tyrannic Miss Minchin ( Eleanor Bron ) and forced to work as a handmaid . A Little Princessnot only cover the revulsion of war but also abuse and demise .
4The Fox and The Hound
The Fox and The Houndis a Disney inspire play movie released in 1981 and based on the 1967 novel of the same name by Daniel P. Mannix . The Fox and The Houndtells the story of a ruby-red fox named Tod and a hound andiron name Copper , who become best friends . As they grow up , they struggle to keep their friendly relationship given their inherent aptitude and social pressures that ask that they become enemies . The Fox and The Houndhas various deplorable here and now – from Tod being left at a game reserve to his and Copper ’s concluding goodby – but it ’s the content of some friendships not being meant to last forever that makes this animate classic so pitiful .
3Bridge to Terabithia
Bridge to Terabithiais a fantasy drama movie directed by Gábor Csupó and base on the 1977 novel of the same name by Katherine Paterson . It ’s the story of country boy Jess ( Josh Hutcherson ) and city girl Leslie ( AnnaSophia Robb ) , who make the witching world of Terabithia , where they also serve as rulers . Terabithia is Jess and Leslie ’s way of arrest with their tumultuous realism and elude from it , and they before long develop a potent bond . What no one could have set up Jess and the audience for wasLeslie ’s sudden deathafter arrive at her chief in the creek when the roofy she was using bust . Jess not only had to deal with grief but also survivor ’s guilt .
2My Girl
My Girlis a coming - of - age funniness - dramatic play movie send by Howard Zieff . Set in 1972,My Girlfollows Vada Sultenfuss ( Anna Chlumsky ) , an 11 - year - old girl living with her widower Father of the Church , Harry Sultenfuss ( Dan Aykroyd ) , who operates a funeral living-room that is also their home plate . Vada ’s only friend is Thomas ( Macaulay Culkin ) , and her family dynamic take in a turn when Shelly DeVoto ( Jamie Lee Curtis ) is hired as the new makeup artist at the funeral parlor . Vada dealt with a mickle of harm and heartache that led her to develop hypochondria and an obsession with expiry , and it got worse when Thomas pall after unexpectedly stepping on a hive ( and he was allergic to bee ) .
Vada ’s psychic trauma , which her Church Father failed to understand , led her to see for honey and attention from others , which is why she had a infatuation on her teacher , Mr. Bixler ( Griffin Dunne ) , who break her heart on the day of Thomas ’ funeral . Vada ’s struggle to make out with her only friend ’s death and her response at the funeral are some of the most heartbreaking moments inMy Girl .
1Watership Down
Watership Downis an inspire flick direct by Martin Rosen and based on the 1972 novel of the same name by Richard Adams . Watership Downfollows a chemical group of rabbits who leave their home to assay to lay out up a young one where they will be dependable from cruelty and human intervention , but the route to that is full of obstacles and tragedy . The story , animation , and medicine ofWatership Downmix perfectly to get to the deepest emotions of the audience , and it ’s not hard to see why it ’s considered one of the most distressful and depressingkids ' moviesever made , with many TV audience from unlike generations name it as “ traumatizing ” .
