Let’s face it, they weren’t just things to distract kids with lovely colors; such films are, in fact, educational, emotional units showing how to empathize, connect, and care. Maybe you are a parent, a dreamer, or just a person in need of a nice cry; anyhow, these movies cleverly implant deep and touching life lessons into their uplifting plots. These are the 10 animated movies that demonstrate the power of empathy, with the one that impacts the most coming last.
10. Ratatouille
Maybe the most unlikely thing is that a rat from Paris would be the one to teach us what empathy really is. Ratatouille is a story about much more than just food; it is about breaking down the barriers of stereotype and recognizing the potential in a place where no one thinks of. Remy, the rat with big dreams, makes a team with Linguini, a human who is clumsy, and therefore, they decide to follow their common dream. Through their partnership, they prove that it is not from where you are, but the courage of following your dream and the faith in others that makes you great.
9. Toy Story 4
The main features of the Toy Story saga are friendship and loyalty, but the fourth part goes even further with its mission. Forky, a spork who can’t figure out what he is for, is gently instructed by Woody’s help, and that is to demonstrate that loving sometimes means doing it together until they can go alone. Besides that, when Woody realizes that letting go is a sad but lovely reminder that love also entails the understanding of when to set free.
8. Lilo & Stitch
Lilo and Stitch may seem like a wild space tale filled with lots of jokes, but if you look beneath the surface, it is a story about family: the one that you were born into and the one that you make. Lilo’s talent for seeing the bright side of the mess, which is Stitch, helps them both. It is an excellent, a bit chaotic, lesson in revising, being a part of something, and the fact that even those who appear to be unlovable are entitled to a second chance.
7. Kubo and the Two Strings
The elements of loss, love, and the quiet strength of understanding are central in Kubo and the Two Strings, through its beautiful artistry and deep emotional appeal. While dealing with her loss, Kubo finds that compassion, his ability to empathize, is actually what empowers him. This movie brings to the audience the idea that grief is not without its share of beautiful things and that helping others in their pain is a sure way to be healed.
6. The Incredibles
Underneath the superhero costumes and the accompanying action scenes, The Incredibles is basically a tale about a family, about the ways to listen, help, and love one another. Each Parr family member realizes that empathy is not just about saving the world; it is also about understanding those closest to you who are facing different challenges than you.
5. Up
When nothing in the opening 10 minutes of Up moves you, the rest of the film certainly will. Carl and Russell are opposites, yet out of this difference springs the most unlikely kind of friendship, which surpasses age and personality. After crashing their boat into a tree, the kids find a bird that is very argumentative and, at the same time, is very enthusiastic when a dog enters the picture. So, they set off on an adventure, thus discovering that adventure has less to do with the place and more with the people you meet and connect with. Up is a touching reminder of how empathy has the power to turn loneliness into connection.
4. Big Hero 6
Hiro, after the loss of his brother, takes comfort and healing through Baymax, a robot made especially to help. Big Hero 6 is a great fun experience for the eyes and is pretty funny, but it deals with the themes of grief and help in a very sober manner. In a very subtle way and from time to time even funny, Baymax’s help both to Hiro and to the audience is the teaching that sometimes “being there” is not “fixing the hurt” but just “being there”.
3. Moana
Basically, Moana is the story of the virtues of courage and compassion, directed both to human beings and the universe. Moana’s support of Maui gives him back his identity, and her passionate love of the ocean and her people is a clear example of how empathy can be the driving force of a leader. The movie tells us that being kind to others is not a weakness but rather the key to true bravery.
2. Coco
We really don’t need to say more than “Remember Me”. Coco is a lovely and very detailed story about family, roots, and forgiveness. Miguel’s adventure in the Land of the Dead makes him (and us) understand that empathy is about listening to those who came before us and understanding that they have had their share of difficulties. So, if we may put it all together: songs, tears, and reunions will be the means by which love and empathy are passed on from one generation to another.
1. Inside Out
Compared to Inside Out, very few other movies have a better understanding of empathy. The film, through giving each emotion its own character, basically, shows that each one, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, has its value. When Joy manages to identify with Sadness, Riley’s life becomes complete again. It’s the realization that to understand and accept emotion, both ours and others’, is what it takes to be connected.
These kinds of movies are not only for our amusement; they are a kind of training for our emotional intelligence. All the movies mentioned here are examples of the virtue of empathy, which is a window into the idea that we don’t just talk about empathy, but we learn it. So next time when you hit the “play” button, think about this: you might just be seeing a tutorial on how to be human.