Emotional animated movies are little doses of wisdom wrapped in bewitching fantasies that allure the mind. Growing up, many of us were gripped by the wondrous world of cartoons and fairies. As an adult, such touching shows and sad anime movies have become a source of perspective and nostalgia we had missed earlier. Wondering which are the best emotional animated movies of all time? Don’t worry, we have a list for you!

sad animation movies
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Before you proceed into our detailed account of sad animation movies, here’s a table summarising what’s about to come.

Movie NameYearIMDb Rating
Up20098.3
Inside Out20158.2
The Lion King19948.5
Finding Nemo20038.2
The Land Before Time19887.4
Anomalisa20157.2
A Silent Voice20168.1
Waking Life20017.7
Wall-E20088.4
Toy Story 420197.7
Coco20178.4
Spirited Away20018.6
Tarzan19997.3
When Marnie Was There20147.7
Big Hero 620147.8
Frozen20137.4
Bambi19427.3
Princess Mononoke19978.4
Grave of the Fireflies19888.5
The Wind Rises20137.7
When The Wind Blows19867.7
The Monster House20066.6
Only Yesterday19917.6
The Iron Giant19998.1
Tangled20107.7
Watership Down19787.6
Monsters, Inc.20018.1
The Princess and the Frog20097.1
Mary and Max20098.1
Little Mermaid19897.6
The Fox and the Hound19817.2
The Hunchback of Notre Dame19967
My Neighbour Totoro19888.1
The Prince of Egypt19987.2
Soul20208
Frankenweenie20126.9
The Plague Dogs19827.7
All Dogs Go to Heaven19896.7
Barefoot Gen19838
Spirit: Stallion of  the Cimarron20027.2
The Jungle Book19677.6
Charlotte’s Web19736.9
Wolf Children20128.1
Lilo & Stitch20027.3
Onward20207.4
Dumbo19417.2
Millennium Actress20017.8
Moana20167.6
The Good Dinosaur20166.7
Perfect Blue19978

Here you go:

1. Up (2009)

IMDb: 8.3

After debuting at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival on 13th May 2009, Up was released to the general public 16 days later. Produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures, this sad animation movie has Ed Asner, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, and Christopher Plummer in the lead roles. It follows 70-year-old Carl Fredrickson on a journey to fulfil his lifelong dream with eight-year-old Russell, an ‘accidental stowaway’ onboard the floating house. The film collected $735.1 million worldwide. It can be watched in Hindi and English on Disney+ Hotstar.

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2. Inside Out (2015)

IMDb: 8.2

Produced by Pixar Animation Studios, Inside Out was released on 19 June 2015. The film followed 11-year-old Riley as she juggled to acclimatise to life in the new city with five core emotions: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, & Disgust. Kaitlyn Dias, Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, and others have given their voice to the film. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English. It earned $858.8 million worldwide.

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IMDb

3. The Lion King (1994)

IMDb: 8.5

The Lion King was released in 1994. It collected $763 million worldwide and became the highest-grossing film of the year. The film followed Simba and his journey to reclaim the throne, which was wrongfully duped by his uncle after murdering his father, Mufasa, when he was just a cub. James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick, and Jeremy Irons lent their voices to Mufasa, Simba, and Scar, respectively. The film can be watched in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on Disney+ Hotstar.

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Also Read: 100 Animated Movies

4. Finding Nemo (2003)

IMDb: 8.2

This sad anime movie on father-son love was released in 2003. It follows a clownfish dad’s journey, with a forgetful accomplice, to find his abducted son, Nemo. The film earned $871 million worldwide and became the first Pixar film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, and Alexander Gould were the lead voice cast in the movie. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English, Hindi, Tamil, & Telugu.

Finding Nemo sad animated movie
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5. The Land Before Time (1988)

IMDb: 7.4

Released in 1988, The Land Before Time follows the adventures of a group of young and lost dinosaurs. Their journey imparts them several lessons on life and friendship. Judith Barsi, Gabriel Damon, Candace Hutson, Will Ryan, Pat Hingle, and others were the voice cast in the film. It collected $84.5 million worldwide.  The film can be rented on Amazon prime for ₹99.

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Also Read: Best Disney Animated Movies

6. Anomalisa (2015)

IMDb: 7.2

This adult psychological comedy-drama film follows the life of a grumpy customer service expert and motivational speaker Michael Stone. He is exhausted by the monotony of existence when he meets Lisa. The film first premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in 2015 and had a wider release by the beginning of the following year. With David Thewlis, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Tom Noonan as the voice cast, the film earned $5.7 million.

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IMDb

7. A Silent Voice (2016)

IMDb: 8.1

This sad anime movie is among the best sad anime movies to watch. It was released in Japan in 2016 and worldwide the following year. After a grade school student with impaired hearing gets ruthlessly bullied, she takes a transfer. One of her former bullies sets out to seek redemption years later. Saori Hayami, Lexie Marman, Robbie Daymond, Kira Buckland and others are the voice cast for the film. It collected $31.6 million worldwide. It can be watched on Netflix in English, Spanish, and Japanese.

saddest anime movies on crunchyroll
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Also Read: Animated Movies Quotes

8. Waking Life (2001)

IMDb: 7.7

Released in 2001, Waking Life is an adult emotional animated film that delves deep into the world of dreams and profound philosophical questions. It follows a man’s dream and his quest to wake up while trying to determine the difference between real life and the dream world. With Wiley Wiggins as the protagonist, Eamonn Healy, Timothy “Speed” Levitch, Adam Goldberg, and others are also the voice cast in the film. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2001 and got a limited release in the USA later that year. It earned $3.2 million at the box office. 

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9. Wall-E (2008)

IMDb: 8.4

Wall-E is a 2008 animated sci-fi film. It was released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is set 700 years into the future when a lonely waste-collecting robot Wall-E falls in love with another and sets out on an intergalactic space journey that can determine the fate of humankind. The film can be a real tear-jerker; it’s definitely one of the best emotional animated movies to watch. Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, and Jeff Garlin are the lead cast in the film. It earned $521.3 million worldwide. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English & Hindi.

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10. Toy Story 4 (2019)

IMDb: 7.7

The fourth instalment of Pixar’s Toy Story was released in 2019. Grown-up Andy donates his old toys to Bonnie. The toys, especially Woody, find it hard to come to terms with their new life. An adventurous road trip coupled with old friends and new ones form this emotional rollercoaster of a film. With Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, and others as the voice cast, the movie grossed a whopping $1.073 billion worldwide. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

emotional sad animated films
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11. Coco (2017)

IMDb: 8.4

This Pixar film ranks among the top 100 on IMDb. It was released in 2017 by Walt Disney Pictures. Young Miguel aspires to become an accomplished singer but is encountered with his family’s ancestral ban on music. He ends up on an extraordinary journey with a trickster Hector in the ‘Land of the Dead’ to unravel his family’s past secrets. The voice cast includes Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, and Jaime Camil, among others. The film grossed a worldwide total of $807.8 million. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English and Hindi.

emotional animated movies of all time
IMDb

12. Spirited Away (2001)

IMDb: 8.6

This 2001 Japanese Animated film ranks 27th among the top 100 films on IMDb. It’s among the best sad anime movies to watch. While shifting to a small Japanese town, Chihiro’s parents stop at an abandoned amusement park only to be transformed into pigs in a supernatural town. Rumi Hiiragi, Daveigh Chase, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, and others lent their voices to the film. It grossed $395.8 million worldwide. It can be watched on Netflix in English, Hindi, Japanese, Arabic, and 22 other languages.

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13. Tarzan (1999)

IMDb: 7.3

Released in 1999, Tarzan is an animated adventure film about a man raised among apes. After he finds out he’s a human, he must make a choice about where he belongs. Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, Glenn Close, Lance Henriksen, and others lent their voices to the film. It grossed $448.2 million. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in Hindi, English, Tamil, & Telugu.

emotional animated movies of all time
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Also Read: Anime Films To Watch

14. When Marnie Was There (2014)

IMDb: 7.7

When Marnie Was There is a Japanese animated psychological drama film released in 2014. An aloof young Anna Sasaki is sent to live with her relatives for health reasons. There, she befriends a mysterious blonde girl from an abandoned villa. Sara Takatsuki, Kasumi Arimura, Ryoko Moriyama, Hana Sugisaki, and others are the lead voice cast of this sad anime film. It grossed approximately $35.7 million worldwide. It is available on Netflix in English, Japanese, French, and 13 other languages.

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15. Big Hero 6 (2014)

IMDb: 7.8

Released in 2014 by Walt Disney Pictures, Big Hero 6 follows a 14-year-old robotics prodigy. He finds himself in the middle of a perilous plot. So, he entails the help of a robot and group of his unwilling nerdy friends to save the city of San Fransokyo. The voice cast includes Scott Adsit, Ryan Potter, Daniel Henney, T. J. Miller, and others. The film collected $657.8 million worldwide. It was the highest-grossing animated film of the year. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English and Hindi.

emotional animated movies
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16. Frozen (2013)

IMDb: 7.4

This Disney musical fantasy is an animated film for both kids and adults alike. It follows the tale of two sisters, Elsa and Anna. Elsa has the magical power to convert anything or anybody into ice. After she runs away, Anna sets forth on an adventurous journey with an iceman and his reindeer to find her sister. Before its world release, it first premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, and Josh Gad are the lead voice cast of the film. Its box-office collection was $1.280 billion. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English and Hindi.

best emotional animated movie of all time
IMDb

17. Bambi (1942)

IMDb: 7.3

Bambi is a 1942 classic animated film produced by Walt Disney. Young fawn Bambi will become the Great Prince of the forest after his father one day. The film follows his journey into adulthood along with his friends, a rabbit and a skunk, and the lessons he learns growing up. After its original release during the World War II, the film got multiple re-releases in the United States. Its voice cast includes Donnie Dunagan, Sterling Holloway, Peter Behn, and others. It collected $267.4 million globally. Moreoever, it can be watched in English, Hindi, and Tamil on Disney+ Hotstar.

saddest animated movies
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Also Read: Emotional Animated Movies

18. Princess Mononoke (1997)

IMDb: 8.4

In this Japanese animated fantasy film, the protagonist Ashitaka is in search of a cure when he sees humans sabotaging the forest, thereby invoking the wrath of the wolf god and his companion Princess Mononoke. Yōji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yūko Tanaka and others are the original voice cast of the film. It grossed $194.3 million. This sad anime movie can be watched on Netflix in English, Hindi, Japanese and many other languages.

saddest anime movies of all time
IMDb

19. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

IMDb: 8.5

Grave of the Fireflies is a Japanese animated war tragedy film. It is a heart-rendering survival story of two siblings who separated from their parents following the American bombings in World War II. Ayano Shiraishi, Tsutomu Tatsumi, Crispin Freeman, and others have lent their voices to the film. It collected approximately $517 million at the box office. It can be watched on YouTube in English.

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Also Read: DC Animated Movies

20. The Wind Rises (2013)

IMDb: 7.7

Jiro loves planes. He aspires to become the topmost plane designer one day. The film follows his story steeped in the context of some of the key historical events. The voice cast includes Hideaki Anno, Miori Takimoto, Hidetoshi Nishijima and others. The film grossed $113 million at the Japanese box office. It can be watched on Netflix in English, Japanese, French and other languages.

saddest anime movies of all time
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21. When The Wind Blows (1986)

IMDb: 7.7

When The Wind Blows is a war drama animated film. It was released in the UK in 1986 and in Japan and the US in the following two years. The plot follows an elderly couple. Their life changes when they come into the vicinity of an impending nuclear attack. John Mills, Peggy Ashcroft, Harry S, and others lent their voices to this sad animated movie. It collected $5,274 at the box office.

sad animated movies
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22. Monster House (2006)

IMDb: 6.6

Monster House is a 2006 animated haunted house film. It follows the story of three teenagers discovering their neighbour’s house is actually haunted. In fact, the house is a monster. Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke, and Steve Buscemi are the voice cast of the film. It collected $142 million worldwide. It can be watched on Netflix in Hindi, English, and Spanish.

sad animation movies
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23. Only Yesterday (1991)

IMDb: 7.6

Only Yesterday is a 1991 Anime movie. It follows single and career-driven Taeko Okajima on her first trip to the countryside, daydreaming about her childhood. She wonders whether her younger self would like the adult life she is leading. Yōko Honna, Miki Imai, and Toshirō Yanagiba lent their voices to the film. It earned approximately $545 million worldwide. It can be watched on Netflix in English, Japanese, Spanish and 10 other languages.

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24.  The Iron Giant (1999)

IMDb: 8.1

This American animated sci-fi film follows the friendship between a nine-year-old boy and a ‘wanted’ alien giant. It was released in 1999, and it earned $31.3 million worldwide. Vin Diesel, Eli Marienthal, Jennifer Anniston, and Harry Connick Jr. are the lead voice cast of the film.

sad animations movies
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25. Tangled (2010)

IMDb: 7.7

Tangled is a 2010 animated fantasy film following the adventures of Princess Rapunzel. The long-lost princess grew up in an isolated tower after being abducted by an old hag wishing to exploit her magical hair. Overwhelmed with her desire to see the floating lights in person, she runs away from the tower with a thief. The voice cast of the film includes Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, Nathan Greno, and others. The film earned $592.5 million worldwide. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English and Hindi.

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26. Watership Down (1978)

IMDb: 7.6

This 1978 animated adventure drama film follows a group of rabbits. One of the rabbits named Fiver has a prophetic vision about the danger to their home. The film follows their quest to find a new home. The film was a box office success, making 10 times its original investment. John Hurt, Richard Briers, Michael Graham Cox, John Bennett, Ralph Richardson, and others are the voice cast of the film. It can be watched on YouTube in English.

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27. Monsters, Inc. (2001)

IMDb: 8.1

This 2001 animated monster film follows two best friends working in the largest scare factory of the monster world. A tiny human girl named Boo enters their world and they must protect her. The film earned $577 million worldwide. It stars Billy Crystal, Marry Gibbs, and John Goodman as the leading voice cast. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu.

emotional animated films
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28. The Princess and the Frog (2009)

IMDb: 7.1

This 2009 animated musical fantasy film follows the life of a hardworking waitress who aspires to own a restaurant. Her life changes when she encounters Prince Naveen, who has been transformed into a frog. The film stars Anika Noni Rose, John Musker, Bruno Campos, and Jennifer Cody as the lead voice cast. It collected approximately $271 million worldwide. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English and Hindi.

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29. Mary and Max (2009)

IMDb: 8.1

Set in the 1970s, the film follows a long-distance friendship that strikes between eight-year-old Mary and forty-four-year-old Max over a series of letters. The film was released in 2009 and earned approximately $1,444 at the Australian box office. It did not get a general theatrical release in the US. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Toni Collette, and Eric Bana have lent their voices to the film.

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30. The Little Mermaid (1989)

IMDb: 7.6

Released in 1989, The Little Mermaid is an animated musical fantasy film by Walt Disney Pictures. It follows the tale of an adolescent mermaid who strikes a perilous deal with a sea witch to unite with her human love. Jodi Benson, Christopher Daniel Barnes, and Pat Carroll lent their voices to the film. It earned $222 million worldwide. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English, Hindi, and Tamil. 

sad animation movies
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31. The Fox and the Hound (1981)

IMDb: 7.2

The Fox and the Hound is a 1981 American animated buddy drama film by Walt Disney Productions. After an orphaned fox is taken in by a Widow, he strikes up a friendship with the neighbour’s dog. But their masters keep them separate since they are natural enemies. As a result, they grow distanced. Mickey Rooney, Kurt Russell, Pearl Bailey and others lent their voices to the film. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in Hindi and English. It earned $63.5 million worldwide in its lifetime.

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32. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

IMDb: 7

This 1996 American animated musical drama was produced by Walt Disney Pictures. It follows a deformed bell ringer who stands up to a dictator to help his friend. Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Tony Jay, Kevin Kline, and others gave their voices to the animated characters in the film. It earned $325.3 million worldwide. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English.

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33. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

IMDb: 8.1

My Neighbor Totoro is a 1988 anime film that follows the tale of two sisters, Satsuki and Mei. They settle in a new house to wait for their ailing mother to recover. While trying to acclimatise to the new surroundings, they meet candid spirits of the house, particularly a high-spirited giant rabbit. The film earned approximately $41 million at the global box office. Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, Shigesato Itoi, Sumi Shimamoto, and others are the original voice cast of the film. It can be watched on Netflix in English, Japanese, Hindi, and many other languages, including Spanish and Thai.

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34. The Prince of Egypt (1998)

IMDb: 7.2

This 1998 animated musical drama follows the tale of two brothers. Their friendship turns awry when one of them becomes a king, and the other decides to live for his people. The film is an animated depiction of the Book of Exodus.  Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, and others gave their voices to the film. It earned $218.6 million worldwide. It can be watched in English after being rented at Amazon Prime for ₹99.

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35. Soul (2020)

IMDb: 8

Soul is a 2020 animated comedy-drama film by Pixar Animation Studios. It follows the story of a pianist who lands a career-changing break when he finds himself in another realm. Richard Ayoade, Daveed Diggs, Tina Fey, Jamie Foxx, and others have lent their voices to the film. Originally scheduled for a theatrical release, the film shifted to a Disney+ release owing to the pandemic. It got a theatrical release in countries like China, Singapore, Taiwan, and others. It earned around $118.7 million at the global box office. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English.

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36. Frankenweenie (2012)

IMDb: 6.9

Frankenweenie is a 2012 animated sci-fi film. It is a parody of Frankenstein (1931) based on Mary Shelly’s classic. It follows Victor Frankenstein, who resurrects his pet using electricity, prompting others to do the same. Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan, and others have lent their voices to the film. It grossed approximately $81 million worldwide. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English.

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37. The Plague Dogs (1982)

IMDb: 7.7

This 1982 adult animated adventure film is a remake of a 1977 novel by Richard Adams. It is a tale of two dogs named Rowf and Snitter. They run away from their research laboratory and try to survive with the help of a fox. The lead voice cast of the film includes John Hurt, Christopher Benjamin, and James Bolam. It earned $423,281 at the box office. It can be watched for free in English on MX Player.

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38. All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)

IMDb: 6.7

This animated musical fantasy film follows the afterlife of a german shepherd, Charlie B. Barkin. After he gets killed by a friend, he goes to heaven only to return to Earth to reunite with his best friend and take revenge. Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Judith Barsi and Vic Tayback lent their voices to the film. The film earned around $27.1 million at the box office. It can be watched on YouTube in English.

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IMDb

39. Barefoot Gen (1983)

IMDb: 8

Barefoot Gen is an anime war drama film. It shows the impact of atomic bombings on the Japanese survivors. Issei Miyazaki, Yoshie Shimamura, Takao Inoue, including many others are the voice cast of the film. It can be watched on YouTube with English subtitles.

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40. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)

IMDb: 7.2

This 2002 animated film follows the adventures of a stallion, the leader of the Cimarron herd, who develops a friendship with a human and falls in love with a mare. Matt Damon, James Cromwell, Daniel Studi, Chopper Bernet, and others lent their voices to the film. It earned $122 million at the box office. To watch this sad animated movie, you can rent it in English on Amazon Prime at ₹99.

sad animations movies
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41. The Jungle Book (1967)

IMDb: 7.6

Based on Rudyard Kipling’s book, The Jungle Book is an animated musical comedy film by Walt Disney Productions. Mowgli grew up in the laps of wolves. When a man-eating tiger poses danger to his life, his family yearns for him to live among humans. Bruce Reitherman, Sebastian Cabot, Phil Harris, and Sterling Holloway were the original voice cast of the film. It earned over $23.8 million globally during its initial leg of release. Post that, the movie got multiple re-releases throughout the 1970s and the 1980s. It can now be watched at Disney+ Hotstar in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

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42. Charlotte’s Web (1973)

IMDb: 6.9

Based on E.B. White’s children’s book, Charlotte’s Web follows the tale of Wilbur, the pig and how he tries to save himself from the slaughterhouse with the help of a spider friend named Charlotte. Henry Gibson, Debbie Reynolds, Paul Lynde, Agnes Moorehead, and many others lent their voices to the film. It earned $144 million worldwide.

best emotional animated movies
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43. Wolf Children (2012)

IMDb: 8.1

This 2012 anime drama film follows a single mother trying to raise her children after her werewolf lover dies. Aoi Miyazaki, Takao Osawa, Haru Kuroki, and Yukito Nishii are the original voice cast of the film. It earned $5.5 million at the box office.

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Also Read: Amazing Animated TV Shows for Adults

44. Lilo & Stitch (2002)

IMDb: 7.3

Lilo & Stitch is a 2002 American sci-fi film produced by Walt Disney Pictures. The film follows the tale of a Hawaiian girl Lilo and her adopted dog, Stich. Her dog is also an extraterrestrial creature called Experiment 626. Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, Tia Carrere, Kevin McDonald, and many others lent their voices to the film. It earned $273.1 million globally. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English & Hindi.

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45. Onward (2020)

IMDb: 7.4

Onward is a fantasy film by Pixar Animated Studios that follows the tale of two brothers on an adventurous and magical journey to spend one last day with their dead father. Popular actors like Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Octavia Spencer are the voice cast in the film. It grossed a worldwide total of $142 million. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English.

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IMDb

46. Dumbo (1941)

IMDb: 7.2

Dumbo is a 1941 fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Productions. It follows the tale of a young elephant with extraordinarily large ears. He is cruelly nicknamed Dumbo. When he discovers he can fly, his mouse friend motivates him to reach his full potential. Edward Brophy, Verna Felton, Cliff Edwards, Herman Bing and others were the voice cast in the film. It earned over $1.3 million, equivalent to $29.4 million in 2021, from its first release. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English and Hindi.

sad animation movies
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47. Millennium Actress (2001)

IMDb: 7.8

Millennium Actress is a 2001 anime drama film that largely follows the life of two documentary filmmakers. They are drawn in the life story of a former actress as she retrospects her life and career. Miyoko Shoji, Fumiko Orikasa, Mami Koyama, Shōko Tsuda, and others lent their voices to the film. According to Box Office Mojo, this emotional anime movie earned $262,891 worldwide.

sad animation movies
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48. Moana (2016)

IMDb: 7.6

Moana is a musical fantasy picture by Walt Disney Pictures. It follows the adventurous tale of young Moana, who aspires to save her people by uniting a relic with a Goddess. Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, and Temuera Morrison are among the voice cast in the film. It grossed $690.8 million worldwide. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English, Hindi, and Tamil.

emotional animated  movies of all time
IMDb

49. The Good Dinosaur (2015)

IMDb: 6.7

This 2015 adventure animated film was produced by Pixar Animation Studios. A vulnerable young dinosaur named Arlo is separated from his family after being washed away by a rainstorm. He finds an unusual friend in a neanderthal boy who helps him reunite with his family. Raymond Ochoa, Sam Elliott, and Jack Bright are among the voice cast in the film. It grossed a worldwide total of $332.2 million. It can be watched on Disney+ Hotstar in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

emotional animated movies
IMDb

50. Perfect Blue (1997)

IMDb: 8

Perfect Blue is a psychological thriller anime film. It follows the life of pop singer Mima Kirigoe. When she decides to pursue full-time acting, she becomes a victim of stalking that stimulates her perception of reality in the backdrop of gruesome murders. The film earned $768,050 in US and UK. Junko Iwao, Rica Matsumoto, and Shinpachi Tsuji are some of the Japanese voices cast in the film. It was also dubbed in English.

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IMDb

But wait, we also have some FAQs for you with some cool trivia.

1. Which is the most-viewed animated movie of all time?

Movieweb notes the 2019 remake of The Lion King is the highest-grossing film of all time as of 2022. Apparently, the live-action format appealed to the masses as the film grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide.

2. Fan of anime? Do you know which are the top 5 anime films of all time?

1. Spirited Away (2001): Rated 8.6 on IMDb, the film follows 10-year-old Chihiro, whose parents are magically transformed into pigs at an abandoned amusement park.

2. Grave of the Fireflies (1988): Rated 8.5 on IMDb, the film is a gut-wrenching survival story of siblings who get separated from their parents after American firebombings.

3. Your Name (2016): Rated 8.4 on IMDb, the film follows two teenagers who find themselves linked to one another via a peculiar magical connection.

4. Princess Mononoke (1997): Rated 8.4 on IMDb, the film follows Ashitaka, who is searching for a cure to his perilous curse. On his journey, he finds unease between forest gods and humans.

5. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004): Rated 8.2 on IMDb, the film follows a love story between Sophie and a wizard, Howl. After a jealous witch transforms Sophie into an aged woman, the couple must find a way to break the curse.

3. Before we go on, do you know which was the first animated movie in the world?

Fantasmagorie (1908). French Artist Émile Cohl, also referred to as the father of the animated cartoon, created the first-ever animated film with a visionary use of stop-motion techniques. 

4. Which Disney movie will make you cry?

1. Bambi (1942): Rated 7.3 on IMDb, the film follows Bambi, who will become the Great Prince of the Forest. His journey to adulthood is full of lessons learned along with his two friends.

2. Up (2009): Rated 8.3 on IMDb, the film follows an uncanny companionship between 70-year-old Carl Fredrickson and eight-8-year-old Russell.

3. Inside Out (2015): Rated 8.2 on IMDb, the film 11-year-old Riley as she tries to adjust to a new life with her five core emotions – Fear, Joy, Anger, Disgust and Sadness.

4. The Lion King (1994): Rated 8.5 on IMDb, the film follows Simba’s journey to avenge his father Mustafa’s death by his notorious uncle and his quest to reclaim the throne.

5. Coco (2017): Rated 8.4 on IMDb, the film follows Miguel, an aspiring musician, on an enchanting journey with a trickster to discover the reality behind his family’s ancestral ban on music.

5. Do you know which was the first animated movie in India?

The Pea Brothers (1934). The film was directed by Gunamoy Banerjee. It was a 3-4 minute long, and it employed black and white drawn images.

So, which one of these sad animated movies are you watching?

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