Disney's deadliest films

Disney has produced some of the most beloved family films of all time. However, dig a little deeper and you’ll see that not all characters get their happily ever after. From Bambi’s mother to Mufasa, nobody is safe!

But which is the deadliest Disney film of them all? We’ve dug through the archives, looking at over 80 years’ worth of Disney releases, to reveal which has the highest body count.

Keep reading to find out who takes the top spot.

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Title
Released
Total Deaths
Dinosaur
2000
307,148
Atlantis: the Lost Empire
2001
35,185
Hercules
1997
20,010
The Lion King
1994
1,660
Mulan
1998
1,468
Treasure Planet
2002
1,033
Home on the Range
2004
304
Moana
2016
265
Moana
Released: 2016
Total Deaths: 265

Chief Tui’s friend and 3 other members of the tribe drown in a hurricane, which leads to his fear of the ocean and refusal to let his daughter Moana explore. Moana’s Gramma Tala dies of an unknown illness, with her spirit helping guide Moana later in the film.

The remaining 260 deaths can be attributed to the Kakamora, the savage race of coconut pirates, who face off against Moana and Maui towards the end of the film.

Melody Time
1948
108
Brother Bear
2003
83
Pinocchio
1940
83
Pinocchio
Released: 1940
Total Deaths: 83

Monstro, the giant whale who can eat ships whole, is shown to swallow Geppetto, Figaro, Cleo and Later Pinocchio whole. However, none of them die because of this. The death count for this film is attributed to the 83 blue-fin tune Monstro eats – none of them make it out alive.

Bambi
1942
81
Bambi
Released: 1942
Total Deaths: 81

Bambi features another of Disney’s most infamous deaths, when Bambi’s mother is shot by a hunter at the start of the film. The remaining 80 deaths are attributed to the forest fire towards the end of the film, which Bambi luckily manages to escape from.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame
1996
47
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Released: 1996
Total Deaths: 47

During The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the wicked Judge Frollo attempts to rid the city of Paris of gypsies, burning 6 separate houses to the ground for failing to comply with his orders. Frollo also kills Quasimodo’s mother earlier in the film, while he himself later falls to his death in a lake of molten lead. Add the handful of villagers killed in the final scene and you get an estimated 47 deaths.

Frozen
2013
34
Frozen
Released: 2013
Total Deaths: 34

In Frozen, King Agnarr and Queen Iduna drown when their ship is lost at sea, taking an estimated crew of 30 sailors with them. Marshmallow, the giant snow monster, is also destroyed when he falls down a gorge – but he’s revived later in the film. You could also say Anna is seen to die when she’s turned into an ice statue - although she’s also revived by Elsa.

The Little Mermaid
1989
27
The Little Mermaid
Released: 1989
Total Deaths: 27

When creating the potion that would grant Ariel’s wish and give her legs, 8 unidentified sea creatures are consumed, and two more crustaceans are eaten by Ursula during her big musical number. 5 fish are dragged to shore by fishermen, and another 9 are filleted and cooked by Chef Louis.

Flotsam and Jetsam, Ursula’s sinister eels, are accidentally disintegrated by the wicked sea witch, while she is in turn impaled on the side of a sunken ship before being electrocuted at the end of the film.

Chicken Little
2005
17
Chicken Little
Released: 2005
Total Deaths: 17

While Chicken Little’s fear that the sky is falling down proves to be unfounded, the film isn’t without its casualties. Near the beginning of the movie we see a water tower break and crash through the roof of a cinema, crushing 17 poor, unsuspecting moviegoers.

Alice in Wonderland
1951
16
Alice in Wonderland
Released: 1951
Total Deaths: 16

The Queen of Hearts, the tyrannical ruler of Wonderland, is known for her bad temper, short fuse and habit of beheading anyone who questions her. Her own guards are the most frequent victims of her temper, with four being sentenced to death during the film.

The body count is boosted further during the story of the Walrus and the Carpenter, when 12 oyster children are eaten alive by the Walrus.

Ralph Breaks the Internet
2018
7
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Released: 2018
Total Deaths: 7

Disney increased the stakes in the sequel to Wreck it Ralph, with a higher body count to boot. Pyro burns 2 other racers with a flamethrower in Slaughter Race, the popular, but highly dangerous online racing game.

During the grand finale, a number of users are attacked by the Virus Ralphs, before Ralph finally defeats the giant Ralph monster. Finally, Arthur, the original virus, is deleted from the internet after Ralph’s insecurities are resolved.

Tarzan
1999
6
Tarzan
Released: 1999
Total Deaths: 6

Tarzan features another brutal character backstory, with both of Tarzan’s parents being killed by Sabor the leopard. Tarzan does manage to get his revenge, killing Sabor with a spear. Later in the film, Kerchak the ape gets shot by hunter Clayton, who also dies after fighting with Tarzan and getting himself hung from a vine.

The Emperor's New Groove
2000
6
The Emperor's New Groove
Released: 2000
Total Deaths: 6

Not long after we’re introduced to Kuzco, we see how badly he treats his subjects. After a poor old man disrupts his dancing and ‘throws off his groove’, Kuzco has the offending man thrown from his balcony. We also see the guards fall from the side of the palace, after being transformed into animals using more of Yzma’s potions.

Big Hero 6
2014
4
Big Hero 6
Released: 2014
Total Deaths: 4

Tadashi Hamada dies in a mysterious fire early in the film, which causes Hiro, Baymax and Tadashi’s friends to band together and catch whoever was responsible. 2 robots are killing during the bot-fighting scenes, with 1 being sliced in half and another being decapitated. Finally, we have to say goodbye to Baymax in the film’s finale, as he sacrifices himself to save his friends.

Fantasia
1940
4
Fantasia
Released: 1940
Total Deaths: 4

While Fantasia features Mickey Mouse hacking a sentient broom to little pieces, it always pulls itself back together, so doesn’t count as a death. However, during the ‘Rite of Spring’ sequence, we see 4 dinosaurs die on screen.

The Great Mouse Detective
1986
4
The Great Mouse Detective
Released: 1986
Total Deaths: 4

In The Great Mouse Detective, we see Professor Ratigan, the wicked crime lord, kill an underling and 2 of his henchmen, one of which was eaten alive by his pet cat. Professor Ratigan later gets his comeuppance though, when he falls from Big Ben to his death.

Beauty and the Beast
1991
3
Beauty and the Beast
Released: 1991
Total Deaths: 3

Beauty and the Beast is another Disney film which features its villain falling to their death, this time with Gaston falling from the top of the Beast’s castle. Earlier in the film, we see two characters killed by the anthropomorphic furniture, with 1 being eaten by the treasure chest and another crushed when the wardrobe jumps on him.

Frozen 2
2019
3
Frozen 2
Released: 2019
Total Deaths: 3

Frozen 2 has a much lower body count than its predecessor, racking up just 3 deaths compared to the original’s 34. In this sequel, we see King Runeard fall to his death while fighting with the Nothuldra. Later, we watch as Elsa freezes in the Ahtohallan river, which then causes Olaf to disintegrate. It’s not all bad though, as they both come back in the end.

Oliver and Company
1988
3
Oliver and Company
Released: 1988
Total Deaths: 3

In the thrilling finale to Oliver and Company, Bill Sykes’ dogs Roscoe and DeSoto are both electrocuted after falling off their car onto electric tracks. Bill Sykes narrowly escapes, only to be hit by a train moments later.

Wreck-it Ralph
2012
3
Wreck-it Ralph
Released: 2012
Total Deaths: 3

In Wreck-it Ralph, 2 of the deaths come from Sergeant Calhoun’s backstory, when her fiancé Brad is killed by a Cy-Bug, just before they were to get married. Calhoun then takes her revenge and kills the Cy-Bug. King Candy (aka Turbo) faces a similar fate, being permanently deleted from the system after dying in a game that wasn’t his.

Make Mine Music
1946
2
Make Mine Music
Released: 1946
Total Deaths: 2

Make Mine Music is another of Disney’s musical anthology films, but that doesn’t mean its characters all get to escape unscathed! In ‘Peter and the Wolf’, the titular wolf is killed following a hunt.

Then in the finale, ‘The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met’, Tetti-Tatti kills Willie the Whale, after becoming convinced he has swallowed 3 opera singers, due to his incredible singing voice.

Peter Pan
1953
2
Peter Pan
Released: 1953
Total Deaths: 2

Captain Hook is shown to be cruel and ruthless in Peter Pan, with little regard for anyone, even his own crew. Both deaths are attributed to him, and both come from his own crew. He casually shoots 1 pirate because of his singing and throws another overboard later in the film.

Sleeping Beauty
1959
2
Sleeping Beauty
Released: 1959
Total Deaths: 2

Despite being the ‘Mistress of All Evil’, Maleficent doesn’t cause any deaths in Sleeping Beauty – although she does plot to kill the Princess. Her pet crow Diablo gets turned to stone and she herself dies in the finale, after being stabbed in the heart with Prince Philip’s sword.

The Black Cauldron
1985
2
The Black Cauldron
Released: 1985
Total Deaths: 2

The first Disney animated movie to get a PG rating, The Black Cauldron featured some scary scenes! None more so than during the finale, when Gurgi sacrifices himself to save his friends, by jumping into the cauldron, which in turn consumes the Horned King.

The Rescuers Down Under
1990
2
The Rescuers Down Under
Released: 1990
Total Deaths: 2

In The Rescuers Down Under, Percival McLeach, a local poacher, admits to killing a rare golden eagle, and plans to kill another. Luckily, he doesn’t get the chance, and falls to his death from the top of a waterfall.

Aladdin
1992
1
Fantasia 2000
2000
1
Fantasia 2000
Released: 2000
Total Deaths: 1

A jealous Jack-in-the-Box is the only character to die in Fantasia 2000, during the ‘Steadfast Tin Soldier’ segment. After trying to fight the Tin Soldier, the Jack-in-the-Box gets knocked into the fireplace, where he quickly burns to ash.

Lady and the Tramp
1955
1
Lady and the Tramp
Released: 1955
Total Deaths: 1

Another film with only one death, Tramp kills a rat which has broken into Lady’s home and is attempting to kill the family’s new-born baby.

Pocahontas
1995
1
Pocahontas
Released: 1995
Total Deaths: 1

In a climactic scene, Kocoum attacks John Smith, after becoming overwhelmed with jealousy when he discovers Pocahontas and John kissing. During the ensuing fight, Thomas, one of John’s fellow soldiers, shoots and kills Kocoum.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
1937
1
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Released: 1937
Total Deaths: 1

While Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs only features one death, it manages to stick with the tradition of villains falling to their death. In the finale, the Evil Queen falls off the edge of a cliff, after its struck by lightning.

Tangled
2010
1
Tangled
Released: 2010
Total Deaths: 1

Tangled puts a slightly new spin on the ‘villains falling to their death’ theme seen in a number of Disney films. After Rapunzel’s hair is cut and its magic is destroyed, Gothel starts to age rapidly. While she may trip and fall out of the tower window, she turns to dust before she hits the ground.

The Princess and the Frog
2009
1
The Princess and the Frog
Released: 2009
Total Deaths: 1

At the end of The Princess and the Frog, Dr. Facilier finally gets what’s coming to him, being dragged down to hell after failing to keep up his end of the bargain with his ‘friends on the other side’.

The Rescuers
1977
1
The Rescuers
Released: 1977
Total Deaths: 1

The Rescuers only features one death, when Madame Medusa is eaten by her own crocodiles.

Bolt
2008
0
Bolt
Released: 2008
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in Bolt.

Cinderella
1950
0
Cinderella
Released: 1950
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in Cinderella.

Dumbo
1941
0
Dumbo
Released: 1941
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in Dumbo.

Fun and Fancy Free
1947
0
Fun and Fancy Free
Released: 1947
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in Fun and Fancy Free.

Lilo & Stitch
2002
0
Meet the Robinsons
2007
0
One Hundred and One Dalmatians
1961
0
One Hundred and One Dalmatians
Released: 1961
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in One Hundred and One Dalmatians.

Robin Hood
1973
0
Robin Hood
Released: 1973
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in Robin Hood.

Saludos Amigos
1942
0
Saludos Amigos
Released: 1942
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in Saludos Amigos.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
1949
0
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Released: 1949
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.

The Aristocats
1970
0
The Aristocats
Released: 1970
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in The Aristocats.

The Fox and the Hound
1981
0
The Fox and the Hound
Released: 1981
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in The Fox and the Hound.

The Jungle Book
1967
0
The Jungle Book
Released: 1967
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in The Jungle Book.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
1977
0
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Released: 1977
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

The Sword in the Stone
1963
0
The Sword in the Stone
Released: 1963
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in The Sword and the Stone.

The Three Caballeros
1944
0
The Three Caballeros
Released: 1944
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in The Three Caballeros.

Winnie the Pooh
2011
0
Winnie the Pooh
Released: 2011
Total Deaths: 0

There are no deaths in Winnie the Pooh.

Zootopia
2016
0

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For the purposes of this study, we looked at all 58 feature-length films produced by Disney Animation Studios. The list does not include films produced by Disneytoon Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Blue Sky Studios or 20th Century Fox Animation.

The death counts for these films were sourced from Fandom, YouTube, Netflix and Wikipedia. Deaths were counted if they were either shown on-screen, directly referenced or heavily implied.

Please note, this information is purely for entertainment purposes and may not be 100% accurate or definitive. If you think we’ve missed anything off, let us know!