10 Movie Characters You Didn't Realise Secretly Died In Movies

10. Carl Fredricksen - Up

Get ready to feel really, really sad. Pixar's Up opens with perhaps the most memorable prologue in animated movie history, as a montage chronicles the life and times of Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner) and his wife Ellie, culminating in Ellie's tragic demise in old age.

The film of course charts a depressed Carl's quest to reinvigorate his life, but according to a popular and honestly damningly plausible fan theory, that's really not the case at all.

The theory posits that Carl actually dies in his sleep shortly after he's told to vacate his home, and the fantastical journey with his house taking flight - ascending to the heavens if you will - simply represents Carl heading to the afterlife.

As for the presence of Carl's young companion Russell (Jordan Nagai)? He's a guardian angel of sorts who, as a Boy Scout trying to claim his last badge, is actually on a quest to get his wings, while also symbolising the child that Carl and Ellie were sadly unable to have.

So, there you have it. Up is now even more devastating than you already thought.