10 Movies About Death You Need To See Before You Die

6. Up

Unlike most Disney films, Up begins with a death. After a heart-wrenching montage detailing the lifelong relationship between Carl and Ellie, Carl is left all on his own, and the film really begins. At first, Carl is hostile and obstinate, refusing to give up the home he and his wife shared for so many years. He is unwilling to let go of the past, to move on, because accepting change means admitting to himself that Ellie is really gone and never coming back. But after meeting an enthusiastic young Boy Scout, he makes a drastic decision - he's going to take all the balloons from his balloon cart at the zoo, tie them to his quaint little cottage, and fly to the tropical paradise that he and Ellie had always dreamed of visiting. The film serves as a window into a man's very personal grieving process, as we see Carl come to terms with his wife's death and find the perfect way to honour her memory. The most enduring message of the film is that life goes on, and while that seems a million miles away during that first montage, it is a welcome full-stop.