Via Stragrab

Animated movies can be just as emotional as real movies. It's easy to dismiss animation as kid's stuff, but as an adult who enjoys watching animated movies, there are some that will let your tears flow. Be honest! I know that most of us cried ourselves while watching some silly cartoon movies. Who couldn’t?

So I have narrowed down a list of movies that I can think will make you cry when watching. Get your tissues ready! From a sad account of a dinosaur’s demise to siblings stuck in the war, here is a list of 5 heartbreaking animated movies you should watch.

1. THE LAND BEFORE TIME (1988)

Via WP

The Land Before Time is a story of a young dinosaur named Littlefootwho is orphaned when his mother was taken out by a Tyrannosaurus. Eventually, the movie goes as the orphaned dinosaur teams up with other young dinosaurs in an adventure, facing challenges and fear before in order to reunite with their families in a valley.

This movie could teach children grief and hardships that may come their way while growing up and the idea of eventually losing one’s parents.

2. WOLF CHILDREN (2012)

Via Telegraph UK

The Wolf Children is a story of the love of a single mother doing their best raising wild children. The movie begins with a fairy tale-like romance between college student Hana and a werewolf. Eventually, the two fell in love and Hana gave birth to two half-wolf/half-human children. However, the father dies in a hunting accident.

With the authorities questioning Hana’s parental choices, she and the children moved to the countryside for a safer life. The children’s paths wander as they grow older, with the older daughter choosing a normal life and the younger son embracing his half-wolf nature. Eventually, Hana has to let both of his children go to follow the path they choose.

This movie greatly depicts a mother’s love for her children, taking care of them despite the challenges they faced. Eventually, it teaches parents to let go of their children so they could follow their own chosen paths.

3. BAMBI (1942)

Via Britannica

The Disney classic Bambi follows the life of young deer in his adventure in learning about the beauty and danger of the world around him. At the early start of the film, Bambi peacefully explores the forest. But the movie took a dark turn when his mother was killed by a nameless hunter. In the film, Bambi’s mother urges him to run away from the forest as a nearby hunter approaches them.

After running away, a gunshot was heard in the movie and the poor fawn continues to run. When he finally makes it to safety and goes to look for his mother, the poor fawn has no idea that she's been killed.

This Walt Disney movie really broke the hearts of many viewers, teaching us about the harsh world the animals live in.

4. UP (2009)

Via Reddit

The Pixar movie UP tells us of a sad and touching story about love, loneliness, and old age. The film started showing us of the lives of Carl and Ellie from their youth, falling in love, marriage, failures, and death parts them.  This four-minute scene took the viewers on a big emotional journey, despite the short time. Eventually, Carl remembers the adventures they used to dream of together as kids. Carl then decided to travel by himself in his flying house, but a funny boy scout brings some changes to his plans.

This film tells us that we should live and follow our dreams, even at old age. This film also teaches us to never give up even when the whole world looks dull.

5. Graves of the Fireflies (1988)

Via Wallpaperaccess

The Graves of the Fireflies follows the story of Seita and Setsuko, two young Japanese siblings living in the days of World War II. In the film, an American firebombing killed their mother. Only having each other, the two siblings must rely on one another while they struggle to survive the war.

Despite their circumstances, the siblings remain in high spirits. Their struggle to survive eventually took a heartbreaking turn during the movie. Having no income and food rations, Seita turns to steal food from the local farms. He was caught by the farms and got beaten over a handful of radishes. Setsuko also succumbs to death by the end of the movie. Over the course of the film, Setsuko becomes ill due to malnourishment. Eventually, the lack of food and nutrition catches up with her, and she loses her life. Her final moments can make anyone burst into tears.

Grave of the Fireflies is a gut-wrenching anti-war film that can teach us of the direct effects of war to civilians. This movie also shows the love of an older brother to his younger sister, protecting her at all costs during the war.