It is always sad when an animal character dies. These animals often become integral parts of the cast, and are usually to thank for the heartwarming or heartbreaking scenes. While some of the saddest animal deaths occur in movies made for adults, the most heartbreaking animal deaths occur in children's movies. It seems to be a common theme in Disney films.
Frankly, too many dogs die in family movies. These devastating scenes make parents and children cry, and cause people to hold on closer to their pets. However, there are several other animals whose deaths are no less than tragic.
10 Littlefoot's Mother Being Killed By Sharptooth
The Land Before Time is a 1988 children's adventure film that focuses on the life of an Apatosaurus named Littlefoot. Littlefoot lives in the Prehistoric era with his mother and several other dinosaur friends. One day, Littlefoot's mom has to protect him and his Triceratops friend, Cera, from an evil Tyrannosaurus Rex named Sharptooth.
Littlefoot's mom is fatally injured and spends her last breaths telling Littlefoot how much she loves him. Another tragic story in regards to The Land Before Time is the death of Ducky's young voice actress, Judith Barsi, after a murder-suicide committed by her father.
9 Bambi's Mom Dying From A Gunshot Wound
The first sad animal death occurs in the classic 1942 Disney film, Bambi. Bambi is based on the 1923 book Bambi, A Life In The Woods by Austrian author Felix Salten. Ironically but unfortunately, Salten was also an avid hunter.
Bambi focuses on the life of a young white-tailed deer named Bambi and his friendship with several animals in the forest, like the rabbit named Thumper. On a journey to find food with his mother, she gets shot and dies because of her injuries.
8 Hedwig Taking A Killing Curse Meant For Harry Or Hagrid
Hedwig is the longtime owl companion in Harry Potter, who was purchased by Hagrid for Harry's 11th birthday. Hedwig was the first birthday present Harry had ever received. She keeps Harry company at the Dursley's, since none of Harry's adoptive family cares for him.
Hedwig is responsible for sending many of Harry's letters until her demise in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1. Hedwig intercepts a killing curse during the Battle of the Seven Potters and falls to the bottom of her cage. If this wasn't enough grief for Harry, he has to destroy the sidecar that houses Hedwig's body to slow down the Death Eaters.
7 Simba Trying To Wake Up Mufasa Is A Tear-Jerking Scene
The Lion King is a 1994 Disney film. The Lion King's popularity created several film sequels and even a successful Broadway musical in 1997. The Lion King focuses on the life of a young lion cub named Simba, the son of the King of Pride Rock, Mufasa.
Mufasa's younger brother, Scar, is incredibly jealous of Mufasa's position. Scar convinces Simba to travel to a gorge and start a stampede. Mufasa attempts to save his son, but Scar doesn't help him back up. Simba claws at his dad to try to wake him up. However, Mufasa has already passed away.
6 Marley Lived A Long Life With His Family
Marley & Me is a 2008 comedy-drama film based on the eponymous 2005 memoir by John Grogan. Marley & Me features Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, a recently married couple who adopt a yellow Labrador Retriever puppy. Owen Wilson's character, John, decides to name him Marley, after Bob Marley.
Marley proves to be quite the troublemaker, and is the inspiration behind John's future articles. The couple, who would have three children together, almost get rid of Marley. They decide to keep him because he's part of the family. Marley lives a long life, but has to be euthanized from intestinal complications.
5 When They Couldn't Return For The Eight Below Dogs
Eight Below is a 2006 survival drama film, which is a remake of the 1983 Japanese film titled Antarctica. Eight Below is set in early 1990s Antarctica at a research site for the National Science Foundation. Eight Below stars Paul Walker and Bruce Greenwood, who take off on an expedition only explorable by dog sled to discover a meteorite from Mercury.
A storm comes, and while the humans are evacuated, the dogs are left to fend for themselves. The humans are unable to return because of dangerous conditions. The eight sled-dogs face various obstacles to survive. Two of the dogs perish in the film based on the events of a 1958 Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition.
4 Hooch Saves Turner From A Fatal Gunshot Wound
Turner & Hooch is a 1989 buddy cop film, which stars Tom Hanks and Beasley respectively. Turner & Hooch was highly praised by the critics and resulted in a television movie sequel and a recent Disney+ series. In a shootout, which acts as the climax for Turner & Hooch, a stray bullet strikes Hooch. His act of bravery saves Turner, who rushes Hooch to a clinic. Unfortunately, it is too late. Hooch tragically from blood loss in a death that many think shouldn't have happened.
3 When Travis Has To Shoot Old Yeller
Old Yeller is a classic 1957 Disney film based on the eponymous 1956 novel by Fred Gipson. Old Yeller is set in Texas shortly after the end of the Civil War. Old Yeller stars a young boy named Travis, who encounters a Black Mouth Cur dog and names it Old Yeller.
When Old Yeller gets bit in the neck by a rabid wolf, he contracts rabies. The dog starts growling at Travis and his sibling. Travis' mom forces Travis to shoot and kill Old Yeller.
2 Will Smith Singing Three Little Birds To A Dying Dog
I Am Legend is a 2007 post-apocalyptic film, partly based on the Richard Matheson's 1954 novel with the same title. I Am Legend stars Will Smith as Dr. Robert Neville, a former virologist with the U.S. Army. A virus originally made to cure cancer is now ravaging society.
Robert lives in the wasteland with his only companion, a German Shepherd named Samantha. Samantha contracts the virus after getting bitten by an infected dog. Robert to strangles her to death because she becomes rabid and tries to bite him.
1 Fight The Sadness, Artax
The saddest animal death in film history is during the 1984 film The NeverEnding Story, based on Michael Ende's 1979 eponymous novel. The NeverEnding Story only covers the first half of Ende's novel, with the sequel based on the second half. The NeverEnding Story details the journey of Atreyu and his life in the fable world of Fantasia.
Atreyu is tasked with finding a cure for the sick empress, but faces various obstacles along the way. Atreyu's horse, Artax, sinks to the bottom of a swamp. The swamp only causes people to sink if they are sad. The scene shows Atreyu yelling at Artax to fight against the sadness, but he fails to do so.