The 1990s were a special time for movies, with many iconic films that still hold up today. But it's the emotional, tear-jerking movies from this era that really stand out. From the tragic tale of Mewtwo in Pokémon: The First Movie to the heart-wrenching story of Balto, these films have become classics for a reason. In this article, we'll count down the top 10 heartbreaking movies from the 90s that will leave you in tears.
The 1990s were an incredible decade for the silver screen, with many releases so impactful that we still talk about them today. Terminator 2: Judgment Day was released in 1991 and is still arguably one of the greatest action movies of all time.
We also had other unforgettable movies, like The Matrix and Jurassic Park, which started successful franchises. Kids in the 90s were also spoiled for choice. Toy Story changed the landscape of children's movies forever, and Disney was a force to be reckoned with in the animated movie space, with classics such as The Lion King and Aladdin.
Fans of 90s movies often proclaim that films were simply different back then and have a timeless charm that few other eras can emulate. Those differences can also be felt in kids' movies of the decade, and many tug at your heartstrings far harder than most modern offerings. Movie directors in the 90s were not afraid to include sad, emotional scenes.
In fact, many of those scenes become the most memorable parts of the movies as audiences reminisce about impactful moments they remember decades later. As times have changed, it can be tough to imagine how these scenes even made it into movies aimed at a younger audience. Kids in the 90s were no strangers to somber, tear-jerking movies, but here's a selection so powerful we still talk about them today.
Some make the list for a specific moment, while others offer an emotional workout that lasts until the credits. 10 Pokémon: The First Movie (1998) Pokémon fans in the 90s were thrilled that their favorite game and morning cartoon were getting a movie adaptation. What they didn't expect was such a dark, high-stakes story in the otherwise whimsical Pokémon universe. Pokémon: The First Movie tells an unexpectedly grim tale about Mewtwo, a genetically enhanced Pokémon with a disdain for humans.
During the movie, Mewtwo battles another powerful Pokémon in a climactic clash. Ash, the protagonist from the show, is caught in the crossfire with dire consequences. It's a sad moment, but Pikachu's reaction makes the scene hit much harder. The famous Pokémon tries in vain to shock Ash back to life as the creatures in the room start to cry.
It's a traumatic scene for fans of the show who expected a lighthearted adventure like the series. 9 Fly Away Home (1996) Fly Away Home is an arguably underrated family movie starring Anna Paquin as Amy. She moves in with her father at his farm after her mother's death, but the pair struggles to connect. Amy finds a nest of goose eggs, with the parents nowhere to be seen.
She takes care of them until they hatch and raises the goslings, who see Amy as their mom. Amy quickly bonds with the birds, but wild geese migrate for the winter, and she and her father must find a way to overcome that challenge. Fly Away Home tells a remarkable story loosely based on real-life events.
It's also bittersweet, as Amy is working to teach the geese to fly and thrive, even if it means letting them go and saying goodbye. 8 Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993) Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey is a thrilling, but surprisingly heavy movie about three animals who believe they have been abandoned at a ranch. Shadow the golden retriever, Chance the bulldog, and Sassy the cat embark on a grand adventure across the Californian wilderness, looking for a way home.
The wilderness is a cruel place for the trio as they embark into unknown territory. The movie does a great job of showing how out of their depth these household pets are as they fight for survival. There are several sad scenes in Homeward Bound, but even the premise is somber. The pets believe they have been dumped by their owners, unaware that the situation was meant to be temporary.
Homeward Bound also hits audiences with a memorable fake-out when one of the pets' lives hangs in the balance. 7 Balto (1995) Balto is an animated movie loosely based on a true story. It stars Kevin Bacon as Balto, a wolf/dog hybrid. His mix is a problem for the townsfolk, who are wary of wild wolves in the area. A disease sweeps across the village, prompting the settlement to seek aid from another nearby town.
Despite his wolf genes, Balto is still a sled dog, and the movie follows his perilous journey across unforgiving, snowy terrain in search of help. The route is dangerous, made even more so by a rival sled dog called Steele. Balto tells an emotional tale of rejection and self-worth, with genuinely sad moments.
The movie also covers relatable themes for adults, with a gorgeous art style that still holds up. 6 Free Willy (1993) Free Willy has more uplifting parts than many movies on this list. However, it also tells a sobering tale about killer whales in captivity, a harsh reality that is also relatable in the real world. Jesse (Jason James Richter) is a foster child with a complicated home life.
He meets Willy, an orca, while cleaning a water park as a punishment
90S Movies Heartbreaking Films Pokémon: The First Movie Fly Away Home Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey Balto Free Willy
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