1. Mufasa - The Lion King
The death of Bambis mother was eerily echoed in another classic Disney film, 1994s The Lion King. Like Bambis mother, Mufasas untimely death taught his son, Simba, the lessons of life and death at a young age and shaped who he would later become. This tragic death occurs as part of a sinister plot by Scar to usurp Mufasa and become the new King, and he sets up the deaths of both Mufasa and his son, Simba, in a bid to achieve this. As a stampede of buffalo hurtle toward Simba after being frightened by the dastardly hyenas, henchmen to Scar, Mufasa races to his sons rescue, and it looks as though father and son will be crushed in the hoard until Mufasa helps his son out of harms way. Unfortunately, while trying to climb a mountain ledge to escape the melee himself, Mufasa loses his grip, and is allowed to fall to his death by a smirking Scar. Were then treated to a particularly harrowing scene of Simba cuddling up to his dead dad as he lies prone on the ground to cap off the absolute misery. Tragic stuff, and yet another case of Disney reminding us that death and bereavement are frighteningly all-too prevalent in this world even if youre a cartoon character.
Which animated deaths affected you the most? Let us know in the comment section, below.