Ever since we first met Woody and Buzz, Pixar has given us all the feels – from air-punching joy to infectious laughter and, of course, a good dose of tear-jerking moments. If you’re looking for a good cathartic sob today, we’re looking back at the Pixar moments GUARANTEED to make you cry.
Mama Coco Remembers (Coco)
“Know that I’m with you, the only way that I can be”
Coco tackles one of Pixar’s most heart-breaking themes: losing a family member. Twice. In Mexican tradition, it’s our memories of those that have passed away that keeps their spirits alive, and when we forget them, they disappear from the afterlife forever. After accidentally meeting his ancestors on the other side, protagonist Miguel soon discovers that an integral part of his family is dangerously close to dying out and his senile great grandmother’s memory is the only chance he has of keeping it alive. When he plays the nostalgia-ridden ‘Remember Me’ to Mama Coco on her deathbed, the power of the music causes her childhood memories to come flooding back, and she recounts stories long buried in bitterness and grief with tender affection. With all the family welling up on screen, it’s impossible not to reach for the tissues.
Bing Bong Says Goodbye (Inside Out)
“Take her to the moon for me. Okay?”
Inside Out quite literally plays with our emotions. Putting us inside the brain of a teenage girl who’s coming to terms with moving away from her home and friends and starting a new, strange life, Pixar masterfully shows how our conflicting emotions work together to overcome difficult times. This is perfectly exemplified when we meet Riley’s forgotten imaginary childhood friend, Bing Bong. After being consoled by Sadness for grieving the loss of the good times he and Riley had together, later in the film he ends up trapped in her abandoned long-term memories – with Joy. Even Joy’s boundless optimism can’t rocket them out of this deep, dark chasm, so Bing Bong makes the ultimate sacrifice – and lets himself fade away. For the first time, we see Joy experience sadness, and it’s so beautifully bittersweet you have to cry.
Carl and Ellie Montage (Up)
“Thanks for the adventure – now go have a new one!”
We defy anyone to get through the first 10 minutes of Up without shedding at least a single tear. Watching Ellie and Carl’s relationship through its joyous ups and devastating downs is made even more moving with Michael Giacchino‘s score moving from soaring jazz, to lilting waltz, to that final delicate piano solo. Whilst we have time to dry our eyes in the middle of the film, the opening and close create the perfect frame to a story which sees an old man discover that the best adventure he could possibly hope for is the love of his family. When he discovers Ellie’s adventure book at the end of the film, chronicling their relationship throughout the years, it gives us the shivers every time.
Queen Elinor’s Curse is Lifted (Brave)
“Mend the bond, torn by pride.”
Brave follows headstrong Highland princess, Merida, in a classic coming-of-age story. However, instead of falling in love with a prince in disguise, Merida’s challenge is getting on with her mother. Following a nasty row which tears them apart, Merida accidentally brings a major curse on her mum – turning her into a bear — and has to “mend their bond, torn by pride” by the second sunrise to reverse it. What follows is a well-observed love story of a mother and daughter learning to trust each other again. Emotional in itself. But here’s the big moment – that second sunrise comes too early and Disney hits us with the ‘parent figure dying’ trope. After watching their journey, the image of Merida clutching hold of her supposedly dead bear-mum, uttering ‘I want you back, Mummy’ is guaranteed to bring the waterworks. Even once they turn to tears of joy, you’ll want to call your mum afterwards.
Dory Finds Her Parents (Finding Dory)
“What if I forgot you? Would you ever forget me?”
Dory was the standout character of Finding Nemo, for her endearing humour, loyalty and sweetness. So when the sequel finally hit screens 13 years later, we were expecting a mixture of laughter and tears. Opening with Dory suddenly remembering she has parents – in a flashback of her impossibly cute baby self — she spends most of the film trying to hunt them down. Eventually, she comes to the conclusion they are dead. First blow. Left alone and inconsolable, Dory meanders through the desolate ocean, not knowing what to do next. However, never one to give up, she follows her instincts, leading her along a path of shells. Seconds later, out of the mist appear her mum and dad. Who have been laying out shells, hoping for her return ever since she got lost all those years ago. Seeing the joy on their faces as they reunite is JUST TOO MUCH. *Cue group hug and happy tears.*
The Gang Faces the End (Toy Story 3)
The first three Toy Story films hold a special place in our hearts (especially millennials’) because we grew up with Woody, Buzz and the gang, along with Andy. Toy Story 3 is a fitting end to this adopted trilogy, focused on the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to childhood and old friends. What follows has to be the most distressing scene in Pixar history. After a thwarted attempt to leave the prison-like Sunnyside Daycare, Woody and the gang end up at the dump and suddenly face a danger they can’t overcome. The characters we have grown to love over 15 years slowly slip towards the hellish flames of the trash incinerator. Their trusty resilience and optimism is replaced with a vision of fear and hopelessness. In an act of acceptance, Buzz takes Woody’s hand. For many, watching our childhood friends united until the very end triggers real heartbreak. When, by some miracle, they escape the flames at the last minute, there is not a dry eye in the house. Thank you, aliens. You have saved our lives. We are eternally grateful.
