25 Best Sad Movies on Disney Plus to Watch Them in December

What are some Sad Movies on Disney Plus? Your search to watch Sad Movies on Disney Plus ends here now.

Disney+ is an over-the-top video-on-demand service owned by the Media and Entertainment Distribution division of The Walt Disney Company.

Disney+ is more than just happy movies and cartoons. Disney+ has an extensive catalog of sad movies, too. From “Coco,” the latest release, to an older classic like “Bambi,” Disney has a movie for every kind of sad person. However, keep tissues on hand because you’ll cry a lot. After all, it’s Disney.

For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the top 20 sad movies to watch on Disney Plus to bring tears to your eyes. Hopefully, these sad movies can help you move on from your sadness.

25 Best Sad Movies on Disney Plus to Binge

Clouds (2022)

• Genre: Drama, Music, Biography
• Director: Justin Baldoni
• IMDB Rating: 7.5
• Cast: Sabrina Carpenter, Neve Campbell, Finn Argus

Zach Sobiech, a senior in high school, is 17 years old and has a natural musical ability. Zach’s world is thrown around when he learns that his cancer has progressed and that he only has six months to live, just weeks into his senior year, right after he asks out his old crush. He and his closest friend and creative partner, Sammy, choose to pursue their goals and eventually release an album in the short time they have left. They have no clue that they will soon become an online music sensation.

Christopher Robin (2018)

• Genre: Family, Fantasy
• Director: Marc Forster
• IMDb Rating: 7.2
• Cast: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Bronte Carmichael

Christopher Robin, who is now a family man living in London, receives a surprise visit from his childhood friend, Winnie-the-Pooh. With Christopher’s help, Pooh sets out on a quest to find his friends Tigger, Eeyore, Owl, Piglet, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo. After reuniting with Christopher, the bear and his friends travel to the big city to help him rediscover his joy.

Black Beauty (2020)

• Genre: Drama, Adventure, Family
• Director: Ashley Avis
• Cast: Kate Winslet(voice), Mackenzie Foy, Iain Glen
• IMDB Rating: 6.4

Adapted from the beloved book by Anna Sewell, Black Beauty traces the thrilling adventure of Beauty, a stunning wild mustang. After being split up from her family, Beauty faces many difficulties as she meets numerous owners, each of whom offers a distinctive viewpoint on how people view horses. Beauty’s journey develops into a moving examination of resiliency, empathy, and the everlasting relationship that exists between humans and horses with love, loss, and finally discovering her eternal house.

The Lion King (1994)

• Genre: Family, Fantasy
• Director: Marc Forster
• IMDb Rating: 6.8
• Cast: Donald Glover(voice), Beyoncé(voice), Seth Rogen(voice)

As a young boy, Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and accepts the destiny that awaits him on the plains of Africa. But not everyone in the kingdom is happy about the new cub’s arrival. Mufasa’s brother Scar, the former heir to the throne, has his plans as soon as the battle for Pride Rock occurs, a series of betrayals, tragedies, and dramas resulting in Simba’s exile. With the help of a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba must learn to grow up and regain his rightful place in the world.

Toy Story 3 (2010)

• Genre: Family, Comedy
• Director: Lee Unkrich
• IMDb Rating: 8.3
• Cast: Tom Hanks (voice), Tim Allen (voice), Joan Cusack (voice)

Woody (Kim Seung-jun), Buzz Light year (Park Il), Jessie (Ham Soo-Jeong), and the others find themselves on the curb with the trash when their beloved Andy is preparing to leave for college. A quick thought by Woody saves the gang, but everyone except Woody is donated to a daycare center. However, Woody and the gang do not want to play nice with the uncontrollable kids, so they devise a plan to escape the mob.

West Side Story (2021)

• Genre: Drama, Crime, Musical
• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Cast: Rachel Zegler, Ansel Elgort, Ariana DeBose
• IMDB Rating: 7.2

West Side Story, which takes place in Upper West Side Manhattan in 1957, is one of the saddest films on Disney Plus. Riff’s Jets and Bernando Puerto Rican Sharks, two opposing criminal organizations, are engaged in combat and competing for dominance. At a high school dance, Tony, a young male, sees Maria and immediately falls in love. However, their growing romance irritates the Jets and Sharks. The film poses the question, “What is optimism without love?” in the midst of an uncertain situation.

Dumbo (2018)

• Genre: Family, Adventure, Fantasy
• Director: Tim Burton
• Cast: Colin Farrell, Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton
• IMDB Rating: 6.3

To offer Offering proper care for a baby elephant whose big ears make him the laughing stock of the world in a circus already having financial difficulties, circus owner Max Medici enlists the help of former star Holt Farrier and his children, Joe and Milly. Nevertheless, the circus unexpectedly returns after finding out that Dumbo can fly. After noticing this, wealthy businessman VA Vandevere engages Dumbo in his most costly pleasure task, Dreamland.

Onward

• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
• Director: Dan Scanlon
• IMDb Rating: 7.4
• Cast: Tom Holland (voice), Chris Pratt (voice), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (voice)

The story is about two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, who visit their father’s grave, which is situated in a suburban fantasy world, in order to see if there is still a little magic left in the world to spend one last day with him.

Inside Out

• Genre: Family and Comedy
• Directors: Pete Doctor, Ronnie Del Carmen
• IMDb Rating: 8.2
• Cast: Amy Poehler(voice), Bill Hader(voice), Lewis Black(voice)

Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) is an 11-year-old girl from the Midwest who loves hockey, but her world is turned upside-down when her parents move to San Francisco. Her emotions guide Amy Poehler’s character (Riley) during this difficult, life-changing event. However, the stress of the move brings Sadness (Phyllis Smith) to the fore when Riley’s subconscious sweeps away Joy and Sadness. The only emotions left in Headquarters are Anger, Fear, and Disgust.

Queen of Katwe (2016)

• Genre: Biography, drama, sport
• Director: Mira Nair
• Cast: Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o
• IMDB rating: 7.4

Residing in Katwe, a poor area in Kampala, Uganda, is a never-ending battle for 10-year-old Phiona, her mother, Nakku Harriet, and the rest of the family members. She supports her mother in the market by helping her sell maize and her younger brother. She also provides care for her younger sibling. When she meets Robert Katende at a missionary program, her world is turned upside down. At a community center, Katende instructs kids in chess and coaches football. Phiona attends the center out of curiosity, practices the game, and becomes enamored. Under Katende’s direction, she rose to the team’s highest position.

Inside Out (2015)

• Genre: fantasy, drama, adventure
• Director: Pete Docter, Ronnie Del Carmen
• Cast: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis Black
• IMDB rating: 8.1

Riley, who moves from her Midwest home when her father made a fresh start in San Francisco, is no exception to the problematic situation that is growing up. Riley follows her feelings, which include Happiness, Angst, Rage, Disgust, and Depression, as do all of us. Riley’s mind’s command center, Headquarters, is where Riley’s emotions reside, guiding her as she goes about her daily business. Unrest breaks out at Headquarters as Riley and her feelings try to adapt to a fresh start in San Francisco. Riley’s primary and most significant emotion, Joy, attempts to keep things upbeat, but the feelings disagree on the route to get around a new city, home, and school.

The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

• Genre: Emotional, Drama, Romance
• Director: Josh Boone
• Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff
• IMDB Rating: 7.7

Two teenagers, Hazel and Augustus, have a sharp wit, a contempt for tradition, and a love that sends them on a journey. Given that Gus makes fun of his prosthetic leg, Hazel’s other consistent company is a tank of oxygen, and they met and fell in love at a cancer treatment group, their connection is all the more remarkable.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)

• Genre: Drama, Family
• Director: Peter Hedges
• Cast: Jennifer Garner, CJ Adams, Joel Edgerton
• IMDB Rating: 6.6

The following is the plot of the film, which is based on magical realism and stars Lin-Manuel Miranda from Hamilton, Jennifer Garner, and Joel Edgerton: A couple that is having trouble getting conceived buries a box with all of their wishes for family members, and lo and behold, Timothy Green shows along and seems to grant their demands. But Timothy has an odd habit: anytime he fulfills a parental wish, one of the leaves that have sprouted on his legs drops off. What will occur after they all disappear is a mystery.

Into the Woods (2014)

• Genre: Action and Drama
• Director: Rob Marshall
• Cast: Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep, Chris Pine
• IMDB rating: 5.9

The musical fantasy movie Into the Woods blends several well-known classic fairy tales, such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Jack and the Beanstalk. The account takes place in a magical woodland and centers on a Baker and his spouse who go into the woods to break the spell preventing them from having kids. They come across various personalities along the way, grapple with ethical difficulties, and learn that their wants have unintended repercussions. The story explores issues of desire, accountability, and the effects of one’s actions; in the end, it emphasizes the complexity of life and the significance of making informed decisions.

Coco (2017)

• Genre: Family and Comedy
• Directors: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina (co-directed by)
• IMDb Rating: 8.4
• Cast: Anthony Gonzalez (voice), Gael García Bernal (voice), Benjamin Bratt(voice)

Miguel has grown up with music banned from his family and dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like Ernesto de la Cruz. He finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead as he strives to prove his talent. With the help of a charming trickster named Héctor, Miguel and his friend embark on a journey to find out his family’s true past.

Big Hero 6 (2014)

• Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
• Directors: Don Hall, Chris Williams
• IMDb Rating: 7.8
• Cast: Ryan Potter (voice), Scott Adsit (voice), Jamie Chung (voice)

A robotics prodigy named Hiro (Ryan Potter) lives in the city of San Francisco. Besides his older brother, Tadashi, Hiro’s closest companion is Baymax (Scott Adsit), a robot that exists solely for the purpose of taking care of people. As a result of a devastating turn of events, Hiro is thrust into the middle of a dangerous plot with his friends Baymax, Go Go Tamago (Jamie Chung), Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr.), and Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez) and Fred (T.J. Miller).

Lilo and Stitch (2002)

• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
• Directors: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders
• IMDb Rating: 7.9
• Cast: Daveigh Chase (voice), Chris Sanders (voice), Tia Carrere (voice)

A young girl encounters one of the galaxy’s most wanted extraterrestrials. Stitch is an ugly, small “dog” that Lilo adopts as a companion for a lonely Hawaiian girl named Lilo. In reality, Stitch is a genetic experiment that escaped from an alien planet and crashed on Earth. Lilo uses her love, faith, and unwavering belief in Ohana, the Hawaiian concept of family, to unlock Stitch’s heart and help him care for someone else.

Togo (2019)

• Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama
• Director: Ericson Core
• IMDb Rating: 7.9
• Cast: Willem Dafoe, Julianne Nicholson, Christopher Heyerdahl

Togo tells the true story of sled dog trainer Leonhard Seppala and his sled dog Togo in the winter of 1925. In an effort to transport medicine to a small town in Alaska, they embark on an adventure together.

Hamilton (2020)

• Genre: Biography, Drama, History
• Director: Thomas Kail
• IMDb Rating: 8.4
• Cast: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr.

Originally presented on Broadway, this award-winning musical blending hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway styles tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of the treasury.

Wall-E (2018)

• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
• Director: Andrew Stanton
• IMDb Rating: 8.4
• Cast: Ben Burtt (voice), Elissa Knight (voice), Jeff Garlin (voice)

A robot that cleans a waste-covered Earth meets another robot and falls in love with her. Together they set out on a journey that will change the destiny of mankind.

Bao (2018)

• Genre: Animation and Drama
• Director: Domee Shi
• IMDb Rating: 8.4
• Cast: Sindy Lau (voice), Daniel Kai Lin (voice), Sharmaine Yeoh (voice)

A Chinese mother, feeling lonely after her child leaves, gets a second chance at motherhood after one of her dumplings comes to life.

Moana (2016)

• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
• Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall
• IMDb Rating: 7.6
• Cast: Auli’i Cravalho (voice), Dwayne Johnson (voice), Rachel House (voice)

A teenage girl sets out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana meets Maui, a once-mighty demigod who teaches her how to become a master way-finder. As they sail across the open ocean together, they encounter enormous monsters and impossible odds. In the process, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she has always wanted: her own identity.

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

• Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Romance
• Director: Tim Burton
• Cast: Winona Ryder, Johnny Depp, Dianne Wiest
• IMDB Rating: 7.9

Edward was a bright gentleman with all the necessary physical qualities made by a maker who resided on a mountaintop. But the artisan passed dead before he could offer Edward’s hands. Edward wants to know that he has scissors and hands. A nearby Avon salesperson calls the house one day and finds out that Edward lives alone. He must adjust to a different setting and manner of life when she takes him to her home. He quickly sets himself apart from everyone else by being skilled at cutting hedges and hair. But he rapidly discovers that reality is extremely dissimilar from his expectations.

Howard (2020)

• Genre: Biography, Music, Documentary
• Director: Don Hahn
• Cast: Sarah Gillespie, Don Hahn, Shirley Ashman
• IMDB Rating: 7.6

Howard Ashman, raised in a typical Jewish household in Baltimore, had a peculiar passion for musical theater. He struggled to produce concerts after leaving college, though. However, this is a documentary and one of the depressing films on Disney Plus, a remake of the Broadway smash hit Little Shop of Horrors directed by Roger Corman.

Avengers Endgame (2019)

• Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
• Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
• IMDb Rating: 8.4
• Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo

As Stark’s oxygen supply starts to run out in space, he sends a message to Pepper Potts. Meanwhile, the remaining Avengers, including Thor, Black Widow, Captain America, and Bruce Banner, must figure out how to bring back their defeated allies before facing Thanos, the evil demigod who decimated the Earth and the universe.

Final Words

Now that you have got the list of the top 20 Sad Movies on Disney Plus to bring tears to your eyes. So grab a box of tissues and prepare for a roller coaster of emotions as you watch these amazing Sad Movies on Disney Plus. If Disney Plus is unavailable in your region, feel free to install and subscribe to a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN to bypass geo-restrictions online.

Gary Wilson

Gary is a geeky-binge watcher who loves to pen down all that he watches. The night-owl has just got two hobbies, binge-watching all the latest shows and writing everything about them.