Disney’s Encanto arrived on Disney Plus not so long ago and was met with high praise and a wave of fans. The film stayed true to the musical staple of other Disney films but dove deep into Columbian and Spanish culture. Encanto challenged familial pressures, social norms, and issues surrounding mental health in a soft and sweet adventure.
Encanto is filled with lovable characters and hit songs from start to finish, but above all else are the tear-jerking moments that leave impressions in all viewer's hearts in theaters and those sitting safely at home watching Disney Plus. While there are a plethora of moments that many fans can recount, here are some of the most touching moments in Encanto.
12 Abuelo Pedro Gives His Life For His People And His Family
Encanto’s magical story starts off with the tragedy of the Madrigal family. As Alma and Pedro attempt to make their escape, the threat to their family is hot on their tales. Pedro stops, realizing that his family and his people will perish without a fighting chance.
He gives one last glance at his love and three little girls, giving each one a kiss, and then walks toward the danger with his arms held high. Pedro sacrifices himself and, by doing so, saves his family but forever leaves a scar on Alma Madrigal’s heart.
11 Mirabel Walks Antonio To His Door
Encanto’s opening trails on the hopeful eve of the Madrigal tradition to bestow a new gift to the family. During the ceremony, the guest of honor, Antonio, is very nervous with all the eyes of the family on him and doesn't want to walk to his door by himself.
He reaches out to Mirabel, the giftless member of the family, and to many others' dismay, she joins him. Mirabel and Antonio Join hands and walk up the stairs together. This moment is beautiful because it pairs Mirabel’s emptiness of not receiving a gift with Antonio's uncertainty over whether the same thing will happen to him.
10 Luisa Unloads About Her Insecurities
Luisa Madrigal is the strongest of the Madrigal family and must appear to be so at all times (She would be perfect for a Kingdom Hearts game). The family's troubles, struggles, and daily town mishaps are given to her to resolve. No task is too great for Luisa to take on with her magnificent physique. But under the surface, Luisa struggles with her own stress and anxiety.
In a musical flourish, she confides in her younger sister, Mirabel. Luisa opens up about the tremendous pressure she always feels she has to measure up to in order to be loved and welcomed by her family. This shines a light on mental illness on how even those who appear to be the strongest can be battling their own demons.
9 The Amazing Madrigal Opening
Encanto introduces watchers to Mirabel, the film's main character, and the Amazing Madrigal family in a song that lays out the entire family tree. Mirabel sings the triumphs and gifts of her entire family to three little kids that become attached to her hip. Encanto also takes this time to introduce the unfortunate circumstance plaguing Mirabel — that she is the only member of the Madrigal family without a gift.
This allows viewers to relate to her instantly as the black sheep. Hearing about all the remarkable things the Madrigals are known for makes a heavy heart for those who see the love Mirabel gives for her family, only to be the odd one out.
8 Bruno Tries To Fix The House
Further into the film, the fact that the Madrigal family is far from perfect is made very clear. Each member of the family has had their setbacks, but maybe none so much as Bruno, the other resident black sheep. Bruno walked away from his family for their own sake, deeming his visions as more harmful than helpful. But instead of leaving altogether, Bruno confined himself to the walls of his former home.
Over time, Bruno saw the foundation of his family and his house begin to crack and wear down. Bruno took it upon himself to try and fix things and become the new foundation his family stands on from the shadows.
7 Antonio Gives Bruno Something To Help With His Nerves
Mirabel pries Bruno from his seclusion and strong-arms him into having another vision in hopes of figuring out what the family needs to survive and preserve the miracle. Bruno fights back with all his might to never have another vision since all his visions do is end up hurting the ones he loves.
Antonio comforts his uncle and gives him his stuffed leopard, encouraging Bruno to give it one more shot. Bruno is taken aback by Antonio’s effort and instantly falls in love with the toy and the fresh feeling of being around his family once again.
6 Isabela Lets Go And Lets Loose
In an attempt to reconnect with her ‘picture perfect” sister, Mirabel tries to half-heartedly apologize to Isabela. Instead, an argument flares up between the two, and in the midst of hurtful words flying across the room, Isabela lets slip that she doesn't always want to comply with what her family expects of her.
A song erupts, and Isabela realizes that she is capable of more than what people want from her and can create what she wants from herself. She and Mirabel become transparent with each other and rejoin as sisters as Isabel sheds her "Snow White" persona.
5 Alma And Pedro’s History
Encanto visits the miracle of the Madrigal family multiple times, but when the film goes deeper into the sacrifice that was needed to create it, a proper understanding of Alma’s pain is reached. Alma and her love Pedro met young and were instantly head over heels for each other.
But while their family bloomed, the dangers of their home became more volatile. The loss of Pedro latched itself to Alma and influenced all her actions, never to feel what she felt that day ever again. These choices were sometimes at her own family's detriment, and came to a head when Alma and Mirabel clashed in the middle of the Madrigal household.
4 Alma and Mirabel Reconcile
In Encanto, the family's driving force is Alma; above all else, she has placed her family first and will do anything to preserve their miracle. But in the story, Alma has lost sight of what's best for her family versus what will keep the family moving forward. This issue is elevated when Mirabel attempts to do what's best for her family individually opposed to what's best for them as a whole.
This forces a split between Mirabel and Alma, which leads to the destruction of the Madrigal home. However, the two later reconnect at the site where Pedro lost his life, and both Alma and Mirabel see each other more personally after sharing their deep emotions with one another.
3 Alma Hugs Bruno
After the destruction at the Madrigal household, Bruno races off on horseback to find Mirabel, only to find her and Alma together. Bruno charges in, waving his finger around, standing up for Mirabel, and trying to take the blame, assuming Alma is chastising her. Alma is overwhelmed by the sight of her son returning home that she takes him into her arms for a tight hug.
Bruno is once again taken aback, and all the hostility melts away as he’s held in his mother's arms. Mirabel leads Alma and Bruno back to the site of their home reconnected.
2 Bruno Makes Up With The Family
When Mirabel returns with Alma, Bruno is with them. The family is shocked to see him again, but Alma welcomes him back into the fold, and everyone else follows suit. Bruno takes this opportunity to apologize to his siblings about his visions and the unfortunate turn of events he caused indirectly.
Finally, the Madrigal family is complete again, and they rejoice in a song, joined shortly by the entire village, who have come to give them a hand and rebuild their home. Bruno was a real treat in the film, similar to other socially awkward animated characters that warm our hearts.
1 Mirabel Gets Her Door
Toward the end of the film, the magical Madrigal family has been put back together, with every missing piece accounted for. Together, they are going to take on whatever comes their way. The village joins them, and their home is rebuilt in no time. Mirabel finally feels like a part of the family, but to cement her position, Antonio hands her a doorknob made especially for her that fits their home's front door, signifying that her place as a Madrigal is absolute.
Mirabel is overwhelmed with love for her family and places the doorknob on the door, and in a flash, the magical miracle of the Madrigal family returns.