Be it the opening scene of Finding Nemo or Musafa’s death in The Lion King, there’s certainly no shortage of tear-jerking moments in your favorite Disney movies.
More often than not, the theme of sadness is expressed through the expertly-written soundtrack that accompanies virtually every Disney movie.
In this article, our team of writers-slash-Disney-fanatics have compiled an ultimate list of 50+ sad Disney songs that’ll make you cry, along with an insight into how each track communicates the wider theme of sadness.
Let’s get the tissues ready…
50+ Sad Disney Songs That’ll Make You Cry
1. Remember Me
Movie: Coco
Release Date: 2017
This beautiful song that Hector wrote for his daughter Coco is a sure tear-jerker when you realize it was the last thing she ever heard from her father.
2. Goodbye May Seem Forever
Movie: The Fox and the Hound
Release Date: 1981
This song is sure not to leave a dry eye as you remember the scene in the Fox and the Hound when Todd is released into the wild to be a true fox instead of a domestic farm animal.
3. Healing Incantation
Movie: Tangled
Release Date: 2010
While this song was played multiple times during the movie, the most heartbreaking scene is when Rapunzel sings it to save Eugene (and it seems as if it is no use).
4. Baby Mine
Movie: Dumbo
Release Date: 1941
A heartwarming interaction between mother and baby turns into a heart-wrenching scene as Dumbo is separated from his mom.
5. Not in Nottingham
Movie: Robin Hood
Release Date: 1973
Spirits are low in Nottingham as King John tightens the noose around the people’s necks and tries to force Robin Hood out of hiding.
6. Worthless
Movie: The Brave Little Toaster
Release Date: 1987
As Toaster and his pals trek across the country, they come to a junkyard where a rather depressing scene takes place which illuminates the hopeless situation the friends are in.
7. When She Loved Me
Movie: Toy Story 2
Release Date: 1999
Jessie divulges to Woody her past trauma of abandonment and why she feels she can never be happy as a child’s toy again. It is better to be safe behind glass than open yourself up to love and loss again.
8. Out There
Movie: The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Release Date: 1996
Locked away in his cathedral tower, Quasimodo dreams of being out in Paris among all the people but is afraid of the persecution he might face.
9. Part of Your World
Movie: The Little Mermaid
Release Date: 1989
A fan favorite, but a sad song to hear when you realize that everything Ariel wants is everything she is forbidden to have. No wonder she completely rebelled and resorted to trusting a sea witch with her life.
10. You’ll Be In My Heart
Movie: Tarzan
Release Date: 1999
A touching song, although laced with sadness as Kala remembers the child she lost to Sabor and bonds with Tarzan (who lost his parents to the same predator).
11. Sally’s Song
Movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Release Date: 1993
A true story of unrequited love – Sally only has eyes for Jack, but Jack is too preoccupied with Christmas to notice his lovely admirer. This is especially when Sally tries to save Jack from his own destructive behavior.
12. Reflection
Movie: Mulan
Release Date: 1998
Mulan has hit rock bottom – she has brought dishonor on her family, her disabled father is going off to war, and she feels she can’t do anything right.
13. Someone’s Waiting For You
Movie: The Rescuers
Release Date: 1977
Poor Penny is trapped in an abusive foster family situation and longs for a loving set of parents to take her away from the evil Madame Medusa.
14. Wherever You Are
Movie: Winnie the Pooh’s Grand Adventure
Release Date: 1997
When his best friend goes missing, Winnie the Pooh and friends set out to find Christopher Robin, but the search begins to prove fruitless and Pooh loses hope.
15. God Help the Outcasts
Movie: The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Release Date: 1996
Esmeralda feels trapped and alone. She pleads to God and the Virgin Mary to help all of the poor dejected souls like her in this moving ballad.
16. I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors)
Movie: Moana
Release Date: 2016
Feeling a failure, Moana does not know what to do when Maui abandons her after their failed attempt to defeat Te Ka and return the heart of Te Fiti.
17. Married Life
Movie: Up
Release Date: 2009
This song begins in a very light and happy mood, but eventually takes a downbeat turn when Ellie and Carl discover they can’t have children and eventually Ellie passes away.
18. Lava
Movie: Lava
Release Date: 2014
A love story that almost wasn’t – this song is the story of a lonely volcano looking for love. When his love eventually arrives, it is almost too late.
19. Do You Want To Build a Snowman?
Movie: Frozen
Release Date: 2013
Sisters torn apart by fear, Anna and Elsa were once best friends, but now they are forced to grow apart because of Elsa’s dangerous powers.
20. I Will Go Sailing No More
Movie: Toy Story
Release Date: 1995
Buzz Lightyear is ever the optimist, even when he and Woody are held captive by the sadistic Sid. However, when he realizes he can’t fly, Buzz gives up.
21. If I Never Knew You
Movie: Pocahontas
Release Date: 1995
A hauntingly beautiful love song between two people from different worlds on the night before John Smith’s scheduled execution. This is an extreme version of a father’s disapproval of his daughter’s choice of man.
22. All I Know
Movie: Chicken Little
Release Date: 2005
Chicken Little has never fit in and is not only the least popular kid in school, but also a disappointment to his father. Imagine how depressing it is when the world is literally falling apart and no one will listen to you.
23. How Far I’ll Go
Movie: Moana
Release Date: 2016
Trapped by her life on land, Moana dreams of sailing the ocean and discovering what lies beyond the horizon, although she doesn’t see how that can ever happen.
24. Feed the Birds (Tuppence a Bag)
Movie: Mary Poppins
Release Date: 1964
This song provides a humbling lesson and makes us feel sad about all of the times we’ve neglected our fellow man in his hour of need.
25. Very Good Advice
Movie: Alice in Wonderland
Release Date: 1951
Lost and alone in Wonderland, Alice gives up on trying to find Diana or a way home and does something we all do now and again – breaks down and cries.
26. Almost There (Reprise)
Movie: The Princess and the Frog
Release Date: 2009
While the main song is hopeful and uplifting, this reprise reflects the feelings of hopelessness in which Tiana is mired as she sees her dreams slip away.
27. Circle of Life
Movie: The Lion King
Release Date: 1994
That inspiring Disney ballad everyone loves belting out takes on a gut-wrenching meaning. Mufasa dies a violent death and little Simba must carry on in his place.
28. No Way Out
Movie: Brother Bear
Release Date: 2003
Disney isn’t always lovey-dovey – this scene is hard to swallow when Kenai confesses to Koda that he killed the cub’s mother. Sometimes, these family-friendly movies drop some pretty heavy bombs.
29. Little Wonders
Movie: Meet the Robinsons
Release Date: 2007
Louis discovers everything he could ever want in the future, but all seems hopeless when Bowler Hat Guy seeks to destroy all that he could have had.
30. Not One of Us
Movie: The Lion King 2
Release Date: 1998
Kovu has changed for the better, but a misunderstanding causes Simba to banish him and separates Kovu from the love he found with Kiara.
31. The Next Right Thing
Movie: Frozen 2
Release Date: 2019
Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking Disney scenes. Anna loses her sister, but she still needs to muster the strength to move on for the people who depend on her.
32. Always There
Movie: Lady and the Tramp 2: Scamp’s Adventure
Release Date: 2001
This heart-wrenching song is a powerful reminder of how important family is. Scamp misses his family, Angel longs for one of her own, and Lady and Tramp worry about their son.
33. My Own Home
Movie: The Jungle Book
Release Date: 1967
This haunting song of home sung by the little village girl makes Mowgli realize what he’s missing despite the love of his jungle family.
34. Candle on the Water
Movie: Pete’s Dragon
Release Date: 1977
This moving torch song is enough to make anyone long for the simplicity of childhood and mourn the loss of innocence, old friendships, and feelings of love unreturned.
35. Best of Friends
Movie: The Fox and the Hound
Release Date: 1981
A doomed friendship from the start, the endearing playful scenes between Todd and Copper soon turn to tear-jerking realities of why they can never be friends.
36. Goodbye So Soon
Movie: The Great Mouse Detective
Release Date: 1986
Basil has been outwitted by Ratigan and it seems there is no escape from the evil rat’s death trap. As a result, the great mouse detective begins to spiral into depression.
37. When Love Is Gone
Movie: The Muppet Christmas Carol
Release Date: 1992
Ebenezer Scrooge loses the love of his life because of his love for money, and she leaves him cold and bitter. No wonder he’s so miserable, getting dumped at Christmas time.
38. Jack’s Lament
Movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Release Date: 1993
Jack Skellington is the King of Halloween, but it feels so empty and he longs for something more than the monotony of the same scares and screams year after year.
39. Stay Awake
Movie: Mary Poppins
Release Date: 1964
This lullaby is a bit more haunting than a normal nighttime song as the words entice children not to sleep, but to stay awake.
40. Man or Muppet
Movie: The Muppets
Release Date: 2011
Walter and Gary reflect on their lives and feel confused about who they are as individuals and where they truly belong.
41. The Journey
Movie: The Rescuers
Release Date: 1977
A hauntingly beautiful song of the last thread of a little girl’s hope is literally tossed to the wind and sea in an effort to find rescue.
42. Your Mother and Mine
Movie: Peter Pan
Release Date: 1953
When all the carousing and shenanigans are done, Wendy, Michael, and John are missing home and evoke long-forgotten feelings in the lost boys as well.
43. I’m Still Here
Movie: Treasure Planet
Release Date: 2002
Jim is feeling lost, alone, and confused. His theme song is a reminder to himself and anyone who will listen that he still matters.
44. Once Upon a Time in New York City
Movie: Oliver & Company
Release Date: 1988
Little Oliver is lost in the Big Apple with nowhere to call home. Despite being surrounded by people, he is completely alone.
45. Aloha ‘Oe
Movie: Lilo & Stitch
Release Date: 2002
After learning that social services are going to take away her sister, Lani spends one last day with Lilo. She and holds her tight as she reminds her that family is the most important thing and that she will never stop loving her.
46. So Long Partner
Movie: Toy Story 3
Release Date: 2010
Nostalgia is too weak a word when the tears start flowing from every member of the audience watching the scene of Andy – now a college student – finally parting ways with Buzz and Woody.
47. One Jump Ahead (Reprise)
Movie: Aladdin
Release Date: 1992
While Aladdin’s carefree street life may seem the perfect picture of freedom, he reveals the sad side of not having a family or a true home.
48. Colors of the Wind
Movie: Pocahontas
Release Date: 1995
John Smith has no idea that the land is so precious to Pocahontas and her people until she points out all that he’s missing – which is quite a lot.
49. Nemo Egg
Movie: Finding Nemo
Release Date: 2003
Try not to cry in the first five minutes of this movie when Nemo’s mother and thousands of siblings all fall prey to a hungry barracuda.
50. Our Town
Movie: Cars
Release Date: 2006
Once a bustling tourist town, Radiator Springs has fallen on hard times with the newly built highway which bypasses the small town and leaves it forgotten.
Closing Thoughts
And there you have it; the ultimate list of sad Disney songs that’ll make you cry. If you enjoyed this article, why not check out our list of Disney songs for altos next?
This article is part of our series on Disney songs.