These four animated movies have made a lot of grown-ups cry. Up, The Lion King, WALL-E and Inside Out are loved by kids and adults alike, and each one has a scene people still talk about. This One Gotta Go card asks which movie you would erase from your collection for good.
Think about the movie you watched on repeat as a kid, the one that hits differently as an adult, and the opening scene that always gets you. Then pick one to cut and see if anyone at the table can talk you out of it.
Up vs The Lion King vs WALL-E vs Inside Out
A. Up
Up follows Carl, a widower who ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies off on an adventure with a young scout named Russell. Its opening montage is one of the most emotional scenes in animation. The case against it is that the rest of the movie gets much sillier.
Keep it if: That opening montage of Carl and Ellie is one of your favorite stories in any movie.
B. The Lion King
The Lion King follows Simba, a young lion who has to find his place as king after losing his father. Its songs and story made it a classic. The case against it is that many fans have seen it so many times they could act out every scene.
Keep it if: Hakuna Matata, the Circle of Life and Simba's story are part of your childhood forever.
C. WALL-E
WALL-E follows a small cleaning robot left on Earth who falls for a sleek robot named EVE. Much of the first half has almost no dialogue. The case against it is that its quiet start isn't for every kid, which makes it a fair cut.
Keep it if: You love a sweet love story told almost without words and a robot with a huge heart.
D. Inside Out
Inside Out takes place inside a girl's mind, where her emotions, led by Joy and Sadness, guide her through a big move. It's clever and touching. The case against it is that it's the newest of the four, so it has less nostalgia.
Keep it if: You love how it explains feelings, and Joy and Sadness taught you something real.
Our take
We'd cut WALL-E. It's beautiful, but it's the quietest movie on this card and the one people rewatch least, while The Lion King is a childhood classic, Up has that unforgettable opening, and Inside Out speaks to kids and parents alike. Expect the most fun debate between The Lion King fans and the Up crowd. For a bonus round, ask everyone which of the four made them tear up first, and see who admits it.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which animated movie hits harder as an adult than it did as a kid?
- Which opening scene is the most memorable?
- Which movie has the best soundtrack?
- Which animated movie deserves a spot on this card instead?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Animated Movies: quick answers
What is the saddest animated movie?
Up, The Lion King, Inside Out and WALL-E are all known for emotional moments, especially the opening montage of Up and Mufasa's scene in The Lion King. Many people say these movies hit harder when you rewatch them as an adult, which makes this card a great conversation starter.
Is Up or Inside Out better?
Up is known for its emotional opening and its adventure with Carl and Russell, while Inside Out is praised for its clever look at emotions inside a girl's mind. Both are Pixar films. If you love adventure, pick Up. If you love smart ideas about feelings, pick Inside Out.
