If you don't feel anything while watching these animated movie moments, you might just be a robot. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the animated movie moments that capture audiences' attention and never let go, either because they’re profound, intense, and/or moving.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00 "So you were the one who carried me back into shallow water. You saved me!"
00:03 "I knew you were good!"
00:06 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the animated
00:10 movie moments that capture audiences' attention and never let go,
00:14 either because they're profound, intense, and/or moving.
00:18 Beware of spoilers ahead.
00:20 [Music]
00:28 Number 20. Death is Revealed. Puss in Boots – The Last Wish
00:32 For a film that has a humorous montage of the protagonist losing his lives,
00:37 the theme of mortality sure is foreboding. That might be because the personification of
00:42 death itself appears. After meeting a wolf he assumes to be a bounty hunter,
00:47 Puss is shell-shocked when he learns that it's death looking to collect his soul.
00:51 "But you're not laughing now."
00:55 "You are no bounty hunter. You are death."
00:59 The cat's careless way of living has come back to haunt him,
01:03 as there are no do-overs this time. The Shrek series is generally light,
01:08 so it's a surprise how dark things get here. Puss is cornered and surrounded by the reality
01:13 of incoming death. With his reckoning near, all he can do is run and delay the inevitable.
01:19 "Shh, don't tell."
01:21 "Run, Puss in Boots! Man the way!"
01:24 "Go ahead, run!"
01:26 "Firing makes it more fun for me."
01:29 Number 19. Once Upon a December – Anastasia
01:32 The main character's journey is about remembering herself as a lost princess.
01:37 While she doesn't quite realize that yet, we get an extraordinary look into her memories.
01:42 The amnesiac Anya returns to the Winter Palace, where images of the past burst into life.
01:48 "Figures dancing gracefully across my memory."
01:56 Before we know it, the place is back to looking as marvelous as ever,
02:02 with regal people shown in celebration. It's impossible not to be struck by the way the
02:07 song builds to its climax and the gorgeous animation that accompanies it.
02:11 "Far away, long ago, glowing dim as an ember."
02:21 In terms of the narrative, Once Upon a December captures the protagonist's inner world,
02:26 as it's clear her real identity is itching to reach the surface.
02:30 Number 18. Inner Peace Achieved – Kung Fu Panda 2
02:35 Po's perpetually excitable nature means that he never really shuts up,
02:39 but that's exactly why fans love him. "I love you guys."
02:46 Still, he derives real power when he turns his silence into strength.
02:50 The climactic encounter with Lord Shen sees the hero dealing with the defeat of his friends
02:55 and facing his origins. Realizing he needs to accept his past rather than run from it,
03:01 Po finds the inner peace he's looking for. This is further exemplified when he deflects
03:06 the villainous Shen's attacks all on his own. "Kill him! Somebody kill him!"
03:19 It's a dazzling sequence that gives us a peek into Po's renewed mindset.
03:23 The seamless animation and triumphant soundtrack combine wonderfully,
03:27 encouraging viewers to cheer the hero to victory.
03:30 Number 17. Taki and Mitsuha Meet – Your Name
03:35 Few stories are as original as this fantasy romance. Here, Taki and Mitsuha mysteriously
03:42 wake up in each other's bodies. The two live miles apart, yet there's a solid connection
03:47 between them. After Taki realizes that Mitsuha is three years in the past and in danger,
03:53 he tries to ensure her safety from a comet. As their timelines intersect, the two come face to face.
04:00 "Taki-kun… Taki-kun is here! Taki-kun!"
04:08 "I came to see you."
04:10 With the presence of a breathtaking backdrop, it's easy to be wowed instantly. Despite being
04:16 separated by distance, years, and their soon-to-be-forgotten memories, Taki and Mitsuha
04:21 make this moment count. It's a beautifully paced encounter that reflects the wistfulness
04:26 of their love. Although they do later forget each other, this exchange is a perfect point
04:42 in time as long as it lasts. Number 16. Moana is Trusted with the Heart of Te Fiti – Moana
04:49 One of Moana's greatest attributes is her compassion for all living things.
04:54 This is established when the baby protagonist earns the heart of Te Fiti. The young one helps
04:59 a baby turtle make the difficult trek from the beach to the ocean. Even with the simplicity of
05:09 the scene, we can see the essence of a leader that Moana inhabits. The ocean itself acknowledges her
05:14 worth, pulling her in for a playful introduction. Through the eyes of an innocent child, we can
05:19 understand the adventurous spark that lights up Moana's spirit. She carries this to the end of
05:24 the movie, returning the heart to Te Fiti in an equally stunning sequence. Number 15. Final
05:39 Transformation – Akira This dystopian cyberpunk film makes you pause more than a few times with
05:46 gory visuals delivered at a frequent pace. But none of them compare to Tetsuo Shima's
06:00 final transformation, where he shreds all traces of humanity. Consumed by psychic abilities that
06:06 mutate beyond his control, Tetsuo undergoes a grotesque evolution that's as jaw-dropping as it
06:12 gets. The character's screams are in vain as he turns into a massive blob of flesh. Maybe it's
06:19 the shock of seeing a transformation like this in real time, or how eerily lifelike it looks.
06:24 Whatever it is, there's something fascinating about Tetsuo's metamorphosis that has us glued
06:29 to the screen. Number 14. Transformation for the Royal Ball – Cinderella
06:38 Cinderella's dress is easily among the most recognizable looks in cinematic history.
06:43 The scene showing her transformation is just as iconic as the main character's fairy tale
06:48 comes to life. After her initial ensemble is ripped apart by her jealous stepsisters,
07:04 the heartbroken Cinderella is visited by the fairy godmother. And just like that,
07:09 we have ourselves a scene that remains awe-inspiring. Right before her eyes,
07:14 the protagonist is granted a breathtakingly gorgeous gown, a pair of glass slippers,
07:19 and her own carriage. The moment captures the movie's sentiment of dreams coming true,
07:33 as she gets to attend the Royal Ball. With much of the film showing Cinderella's struggles,
07:38 it's heartwarming to see things go perfectly right for once.
07:42 Number 13. First Flight – How to Train Your Dragon
07:46 This series knocks it out of the park when it comes to heart-stopping visuals and a banging
07:51 soundtrack. Fans got the full blast of it with Hiccup and Toothless's first flight.
07:56 The pair tests out Toothless's makeshift tail fin that Hiccup has constructed. As you'd expect,
08:02 things are far from smooth throughout. But the film has us in its grasp as soon as it
08:19 takes us to the clouds with the protagonists. Sure, there are a few mishaps, but there's no
08:24 beating the feeling of success when the duo gets it right. We can relate to the sense of elation
08:29 they have exploring the skies, and it remains for the rest of the series thanks to this scene.
08:34 Number 12. Falling With Style – Toy Story
08:42 Much of the first Toy Story is about the animosity between main characters Woody and
08:47 Buzz Lightyear. This includes when Woody is unimpressed by Buzz's supposed flying skills,
08:53 calling it "falling with style." But their relationship gradually blossoms as they
08:58 work together to return to their own owner, Andy. Still, there needs to be one defining moment that
09:04 seals their bond, which arrives near the end. As Buzz and Woody try to catch up with Andy's car,
09:10 the former uses his wings with the latter in tow. The two take to the sky to set up
09:15 an effective callback, as Buzz reminds Woody what exactly they're doing.
09:27 It's a clever spin on things that stands as a major triumph in what becomes an everlasting
09:32 friendship. Number 11. Marlon Loses His Family – Finding Nemo
09:37 Sadly for protagonist Marlon, his world is shattered in this film's opening minutes.
09:43 We're introduced to the clownfish when he waits excitedly with his wife Coral
09:47 as expectant parents-to-be.
09:50 "I like Nemo."
09:51 "Nemo? Well, name one Nemo, but I'd like most of them to be Marlon Jr."
09:57 "Just think, in a couple of days, we're gonna be parents!"
09:59 "Yeah."
10:00 However, the dangers of the ocean catch up to them with a savage barracuda attack.
10:06 The movie leaves a long moment of silence for the horrible realization of what's happened to
10:11 sink in. It's hard to make sense of it due to the suddenness of it all, and we can do nothing but
10:16 watch Marlon in emotional agony. While one egg does survive, Coral and all the other eggs are
10:22 gone forever. Disney movies usually pack a punch from the beginning, but it's rare to see one
10:27 delivering such utter ruthless distress so soon. "Daddy's got you. I promise I will never let
10:38 anything happen to you. Nemo."
10:42 Number 10. Coco Remembers.
10:45 Coco. The song "Remember Me" is heard a few times in the film, but the enormity of its importance
10:50 is felt in its climactic moments. It's a ballad written by Hector, who is revealed as the father
10:56 of protagonist Miguel's titular great-grandmother. "Remember me, don't let it make you cry,
11:06 for even if I'm far away, I hold you in my heart." As the elderly Coco fades away,
11:13 so does Hector in the Land of the Dead. Since remembering her father is the only way to save
11:18 him, everything hinges on this song. By this point, we know all about Hector's tragic backstory,
11:25 so hearing the ballad and what it means hits particularly hard. "Each time you hear a sad
11:32 guitar, know that I'm with you the only way that I can be." It shows just how moving a piece of
11:43 music can be, as the return of Coco's memory unites the family through generations in both
11:48 the Land of the Living and the Dead. Number 9. The Giant's Sacrifice.
11:54 The Iron Giant. Despite being designed as a living weapon, the titular character evolves
11:59 into much more. Influenced by his young friend Hogarth, the Giant chooses to be a savior when
12:05 a nuclear missile threatens the town of Rockwell. "I call no following." Aided by emotionally
12:19 stirring music, the movie sets up the protagonist's sacrifice as we watch him fly towards
12:24 certain death. Completing the scene's excellent execution is the Giant's last word. "Superman."
12:33 He goes out like a true hero, calling back to the most defining moment in his short life.
12:38 It's not every day that a single word can make people cry. And yet, the Iron Giant does just
12:44 that, encouraging viewers to keep striving to be better. Number 8. The Parting of the Sea.
12:50 The Prince of Egypt. There's no shortage of astonishing moments in this animated epic.
12:56 Viewers marvel at scenes like the plagues of Egypt and the magnificent intro sequence,
13:01 "Deliver us." "Baby brother, come back someday. Come and deliver us too."
13:14 However, it's the climactic escape that is best kept alive in memory. With no way around the Red
13:20 Sea and an angry Ramesses in pursuit, the hero unleashes the might of God. Everything from the
13:26 sea's parting, to the water rising to the sky, to Moses' calm assurance is wondrous to behold.
13:33 It's a surprisingly realistic depiction of a miracle coming to pass, as the pathway to a safe
13:38 future is delivered to the protagonists. Even with all the advances in animation since The
13:43 Prince of Egypt's release, this scene hasn't aged a day. "Goodbye, brother."
13:55 Number 7. The Village. Mulan. Mulan does a splendid job of balancing humor with
14:02 hard-hitting moments. "I'm a girl back home who's unlike any other.
14:08 Yet the only girl who'd love him is his mother." However, one particular scene steers straight
14:15 into the horrors of war. Right after the light-hearted song "A Girl Worth Fighting For,"
14:20 a major mood whiplash occurs at the site of an annihilated village. Mulan and her fellow
14:26 troops are stunned when surrounded by the destruction left by the Huns. A doll adds
14:31 further weight to the moment, highlighting the loss of innocent life. Much like the characters
14:36 on screen, viewers are left speechless by what this scene represents. To top it all off, Shang
14:42 has to accept the death of his father, General Li, placing more burden on the heroes to protect
14:47 their people from the Huns' rampage. "The Huns are moving quickly. We'll make better time to
14:53 the Imperial City through the Tung Chau Pass. We're the only hope for the Emperor now. Move out!"
15:00 Number 6. Fate of Bambi's Mom. Bambi. The benchmark for how heartbreaking an animated movie
15:06 can be comes from the death of Bambi's mother. What starts out as a fun story about a faun's
15:12 upbringing takes a violent turn when a hunter targets Bambi and his mom. No matter how
15:17 optimistic one might be, this definitely feels like the prelude to a tragedy.
15:25 "Faster! Faster, Bambi! Don't look back! Keep running!" The film places viewers right into
15:33 the terror the pair experience, as their lives hang in the balance with each gunshot. But it's
15:38 the aftermath that leaves the most silence in its wake, as Bambi searches for his mother.
15:53 We never see what becomes of her, but it's enough to make us feel as devastated and alone
15:58 as Bambi does in that moment. Number 5. Chihiro Saves Haku. Spirited Away.
16:05 Spirited Away wraps viewers up in its expansive world, although most of the film carries oblique
16:10 energy. Haku, who's trapped in the spirit world with no memory of his former life,
16:15 is part of setting the tone. "I've tried everything to remember mine."
16:20 "You can't remember your name?" "No, but for some reason I remember yours."
16:24 He and protagonist, Chihiro, forge a wholesome dynamic that pays off near the climax.
16:30 While traveling with Haku in dragon form, Chihiro remembers when he'd saved her as the spirit of the
16:36 Kohaku River. With the curse broken, the duo fall through the sky. All that matters right then is
16:42 their collective happiness. "You did it, Chihiro! I remember I was the spirit of the Kohaku River!"
16:49 "A river spirit?" "My name is the Kohaku River."
16:52 Just like the heroes, viewers will be overcome by emotion as the power of the pair's bond
16:57 wins them their freedom. After so much struggle, it's lovely to see them experience pure joy.
17:03 Number 4. Married Life. Up. It's still remarkable how a relatively short sequence with no dialogue
17:10 can have viewers so invested. But that's how it is in the opening of Up, which takes us along
17:16 the entire marriage of Carl and Ellie. From hopeful newlyweds to elderly retirees,
17:22 it's a sprawling segment that sums up the twists and turns of life.
17:26 Within its short runtime, the intro tells us about the couple's inability to conceive,
17:41 their dream of making it to Paradise Falls, and Ellie's passing. It goes to show how fleeting
17:47 time is, as Carl is ultimately left alone despite his and Ellie's long and happy marriage.
17:52 Just like that, we empathize with the protagonist and his sadness,
18:06 all before the mean plot of the film even begins.
18:10 Number 3. What's Up Danger? Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse. Although Miles Morales is
18:16 the protagonist, the theme of Into the Spider-Verse is that anyone can be a hero. Nothing depicts this
18:22 better than the "What's Up Danger?" sequence when he comes into his own. In the lead-up to the moment,
18:27 the down-and-out character listens to his father emphasize how he believes in his son.
18:31 "I see this spark in you. It's amazing. It's why I push you, but it's yours.
18:39 Whatever you choose to do with it, you'll be great."
18:41 It's here that he gets the strength to do what's right, and takes a literal leap of faith.
18:47 Embracing being Spider-Man doesn't come from his powers, but knowing that anything is possible if
18:52 he believes in himself. As he swings through the city's skyline, Miles' empowered energy
18:57 radiates through the screen, allowing everyone watching to see themselves in him.
19:09 Number 2. The Last Goodbye. Toy Story 3. The toys' final adventure before leaving
19:15 Andy's care has more than a few standout moments. The first one is in the incinerator,
19:20 where the heroes nearly meet their end after holding hands in solidarity. Still, the one that
19:25 hits hardest is the last farewell with Andy. The latter realizes that growing up also means moving
19:31 on, and entrusts young Bonnie with his toys. "You're really good with toys. These are mine,
19:38 but I'm going away now, so I need someone really special to play with them."
19:45 Meanwhile, Woody has to accept letting go of his beloved owner,
19:49 completing the story arc he had since the first movie. Even so, the Cowboys' parting words are
19:55 as emotional as they get, closing this chapter with a final, "So long, partner."
20:01 For many, it's not just Woody and Andy saying goodbye,
20:04 it's the audience leaving their own childhood behind.
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20:24 Number 1. Bees Win the Trial. Bee Movie. The greatest victory in the history of cinema,
20:31 "The court finds in favor of the bees." "Vanessa, we won!" "Yay! I knew you could do it! High five!"
20:39 "Oh, sorry!" No? Alright, we're kidding. Here's the real number one.
20:44 Number 1. Circle of Life. The Lion King. Yes, Scar causing Mufasa's death is an
20:50 unforgettably disturbing moment, "Long live the king."
20:56 But the Lion King's intro remains the most spellbinding part of the movie.
21:01 It all begins with a call summoning every animal to see the next king, a newborn Simba. There's a
21:07 sense of peace and calm as the sun rises in the Pride Lands, and the stirring soundtrack excites
21:13 us for what's to come. Bolstered by beautiful color palettes that make the segment seem right
21:28 out of a storybook, it commands attention from the get-go. It's fitting, then, that the same track is
21:34 used to bookend the film. We're similarly entranced, watching the animals gathered to greet Simba's
21:40 child, and seeing the premise of the lyrics fulfilled. Which animated movie moment had you
21:54 forgetting your vocabulary? Let us know in the comments. "It's amazing. He's amazing."
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22:11 [Music]