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Five Times Pixar Broke Our Hearts

Ever since Toy Story, Pixar (with some help from Disney) has revolutionized what it means to watch a kids' movie. Disney has always been good at making movies both kids and parents can enjoy, but it wasn't until Pixar that animated movies became a true art form. Pixar's genius lies in that they aren't afraid to tackle mature topics, especially death and loss, while still remaining bright, funny and full of life. However, it's become noticeably harder and harder to get through a Pixar movie without breaking down into tears. Thus, we've compiled a list of the top five moments that Pixar broke our hearts, because if there's one thing they're great at, it's reminding us of our own mortality.

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3. Wall-E – Wall-E short circuits

Although this movie serves as one giant tearjerker, the worst moment comes when Wall-E gets hit with a taser during the mutiny to protect Eve’s plant. He short circuits, leaving Eve, who had just grown to love Wall-E, devastated. It gets even more horrible when Eve finds the parts to rebuild him, causing Wall-E to reset and lose all his memories of the wonderful things he’s done for the people (and robots) on the Axiom. Now that’s just pouring salt in the wound, guys. He gets better, but in a movie full of emotional moments, that was just plain mean.

2. Toy Story 3 – Andy says goodbye

For those of us who grew up watching the first two Toy Story films, and were around the same age as Andy, Toy Story 3 was, to put it lightly, hard to watch. Like Wall-E, this movie is full of heart-wrenching moments, but it isn’t until it’s almost over that the tears really start to fall. After making it safely back to Andy’s room, the toys prepare for a happy retirement together in the attic, but Woody, who is going to college with Andy, has other ideas. He leaves a note for Andy to take the toys to Bonnie, a girl he stayed with earlier who was creative and kind to her toys.

Andy drives over and introduces Bonnie to all of his toys, and the audience tries harder and harder to stifle their sobs as they say goodbye to Hamm, Rex, Slinky Dog, Mr. Potato Head, Jessie and Buzz. Finally, Bonnie recognizes Woody as her cowboy, and Andy makes the heartbreaking decision to give him up. The end of Woody and Andy’s time together hits harder than a brick, and if you didn’t at least tear up at this, you’re lying.

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