WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Disney's Christopher Robin, in theaters now.


The beginning of Disney's Christopher Robin may reopen old wounds for fans of Pixar's Toy Story 3. That 2010 film famously ended with Andy saying goodbye to Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of his beloved toys, and transitioning from childhood into adulthood. The scene  left most everyone who grew up with the franchise in tears, as Andy played with his toys for a final time. But just like Toy Story, Winnie-the-Pooh is near and dear to the hearts of millions, only reaching back generations.

Those who ever fantasized about heading into the Hundred Acre Wood on adventure witnessed the end of that care-free fantasy world in the opening of Christopher Robin, as the boy heads off to boarding school, leaving Pooh, Tigger and Piglet behind. That of course takes a toll on his childhood friends; it's absolutely heart-wrenching, and made all the worse by the film's brilliant CG effects.

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But where Toy Story 3 was about letting go and moving on, Christopher Robin uses those themes merely as a springboard. The film is brimming with emotions, but for very different reasons.

Christopher Robin trailer Winnie the Pooh

For Disney's live-action Winnie-the-Pooh movie, saying goodbye is only the beginning. That doesn't make it any easier seeing Pooh all alone, however. There's a feeling of loss and nostalgia as the stuffed bear walks around his little woods all by himself. The other side of that coin is Ewan McGregor's Christopher Robin, who grows up into adulthood. Early on, he goes through the motions of life, going to school, becoming a soldier, falling in love, having a child, getting a job. But it doesn't take long for us to realize that, as he grows up, Christopher loses a part of himself along the way. His work takes precedence over his family, and he loses the joy that made him, well, Christopher Robin.

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Christopher Robin is about the differences between childhood and adulthood. Through its title character, the film shows what we abandon along the way. But thanks to a certain silly old bear and his colorful friends, it also depicts what can be rediscovered. When Pooh finds himself in Christopher's world, he brings with him a muted magic, like the faded colors of his fur. Pooh may be old and weary, but he's still the same old bear who's waited for his friend to return. The relationship between the two characters is what drives the film, and it helps to deliver some of its most emotional scenes.

When the two characters are finally reunited, Christopher Robin gives us one of the most beautiful scenes of the film, which will leave viewers sobbing. Christopher realizes he has lost himself, and Pooh reminds him, ever so cheerfully, that he isn't really lost, because he has found him. The hug they share is so honest, so pure, and so magical that it will leave you emotionally wrecked.

christopher robin

Christopher Robin is sad because it starts by saying goodbye. But along the way, it becomes a film about saying hello once again, and about reconnecting with the magic of friendship and family. It's quintessential Disney. Yes, it's a movie that will make you cry, from beginning to end, but not because of its sadness but because of its beauty.


Directed by Marc Forster, Christopher Robin stars Ewan McGregor as the title character and Hayley Atwell as his wife Evelyn Robin, with Bronte Carmichael as their daughter Madeline Robin, and Mark Gatiss as Christopher’s employer Giles Winslow Jr., along with the voices of Jim Cummings as Pooh and Tigger, Nick Mohammed as Piglet, Brad Garrett as Eeyore, Toby Jones as Owl, Sophie Okonedo as Kanga, and Peter Capaldi as Rabbit. The film opens Friday nationwide.