One of the best things about all things Disney is how much Disney loves love. From the Disney Princess who finds her happily ever after with her prince to the sisters who rediscover their familial bonds and happiness with each other after losing that connection, Disney is all about the love that we share with one another and the bonds that make the human experience worth living.

However, it is also true that sometimes… Disney loves love, until it doesn’t.

Related: The Iconic Disney Love Story Most People Don’t Know

Disney Loves Love, Until It Doesn’t

The truth is, love isn’t always the magical solution that ensures a happily ever after. It’s a hard reality that we often try to ignore, but it’s an essential part of life. Whether in the real world or within the enchanting realm of Disney, relationships can hit roadblocks and sometimes come to an end. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s a natural part of the human experience.

In both reality and the silver screen, we’ve witnessed numerous heart-wrenching Disney breakups that have left us reeling with emotions. These shocking splits force us to reassess the choices, promises, and commitments we once believed in so deeply. They remind us that even in the most seemingly perfect relationships, challenges can arise, and sometimes they can be insurmountable.

Related: Rumors Abound Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce are Planning a Disney Wedding: Here’s the Truth

Disney, known for its captivating tales of love and fairy tales, has never shied away from exploring the complexities of relationships. The characters we’ve grown to love and cherish are not immune to heartbreak. From the little mermaid who sacrificed her voice for a chance at true love, only to have her heart shattered, to Sleeping Beauty, who had her true love stolen from her, these stories are a testament to the fragility of love.

So, what are some of the saddest Disney breakups we’ve heard of? Both in real and reel life?

What are the Claims of the Walt Disney Company Breaking Up Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse?

Let’s start with the most heartbreaking claim that made the rounds this year: the break up of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Earlier this year, a viral “What If ” poster made its presence felt online when it posited that the iconic duo might break up in the coming months.

Fans were completely bemused because Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse’s love story has remained a constant and cherished element for any Disney fan from anywhere in the world. So the possibility that this stable, iconic couple might see the end of their relationship was heartbreaking for many.

The good news was this claim was just that—a claim. So fans can rest assured that Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are still very much together and going strong in the world of Disney.

Unfortunately, there are some couples where this is not the case.

Read More: Is Disney Breaking Up Mickey and Minnie? Here’s the Truth

Shocking Disney Celebrity Breakups 

Over the years, we’ve seen some of the saddest and most shocking Disney celebrity breakups from couples who we thought were as solid as Minnie and Mickey. Here are some Disney celebrity couples we really thought would stand the test of time.

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner 

The former Disney Channel star and the Game of Thrones actress shocked fans when they announced their split earlier this year. On September 5 of this year, Joe Jonas filed for divorce, saying the marriage was “irretrievably broken” and ending the whirlwind romance that had captivated fans. It even resulted in a bitter custody battle where Sophie Turner sued her now ex as well.

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A post shared by S O P H I E T U R N E R (@sophiet)

Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone

Although this breakup happened years ago, many fans are still sad about it today. The Cruella star was going steady with the former Spiderman for four years. They even met on the set of The Amazing Spider-Man. However, in 2015, the pair went their separate ways leaving many fans heartbroken.

In 2016, Stone told Vogue that Garfield was “someone I still love very much.”

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A post shared by Emma Stone Andrew Garfield (@emdrewstonefield)

Director Tim Burton and Actress Helena Bonham Carter

Tim Burton might have said he’ll never work with Disney again, but fans will always know him for his incredible production of The Nightmare Before Christmas. The movie is beloved and adored by fans, so much so that when there were rumors it was going to get a sequel or get a live-action remake this year, fans were thrilled and very hopeful.

Related: Is Disney Making a Live Action Remake of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’?

However, when it comes to his personal life, the director split from the Harry Potter actress in 2014. Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter met on set in 2000 and collaborated on several projects together during their relationship. They even had two children together.

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A post shared by Helena Bonham Carter (@helenabonham.carterr)

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens

Calling all my millennials who grew up with the OG High School Musical series. We all loved Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens’ Troy Bolton and Gabriela Montez. The young stars not only found love with each other as a fictional couple, they also found it with each other off-screen.

However, the pair, who dated from 2005 to 2010, eventually called it quits. Though the couple’s reason for breaking up was never revealed, a source told PEOPLE, “They are 100 percent still good friends.”

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A post shared by Vanessa Hudgens & Zac Efron (@zanessathrowback)

Disney Channel Breakups We’re Still Thinking About

From real life to reel life!

The good news is breakups rarely last long on the Disney Channel. While characters certainly have to go through their ups and downs to grow and mature, often times our favorite couples get back together eventually. However, there are still some that hurt, no matter how long they lasted.

Here’s our list of Disney Channel breakups that we’re still thinking about.

Miley and Jesse (Hannah Montana)

The breakup admittedly lasted less than an episode but was heart-wrenching for my fourteen-year-old self. Jesse and Miley finally have a happy ending that both Miley Stewart and Hannah Montana could live with; and then, when Jesse is caught with both Hannah and Miley, he declares that as long as there are three people in their relationship, he can’t be with her.

They got back together, yes, but it was rough going there for a minute.

Bailey and Cody (The Suite Life on Deck)

I was a Suite Life girly through and through, and Bailey and Cody breaking up stressed me out. I’d been following the show since its Suite Life of Zack and Cody days and was, therefore, incredibly invested in the twins growing up. Cody also finally found a girlfriend who was as smart as (read: smarter) than him and could keep him intellectually and emotionally occupied.

This breakup was especially frustrating because it happened during their anniversary celebration. I was definitely breathing easier when they finally got back together in season three.

Zack and Maya (The Suite Life on Deck)

This was another one that hurt. Zack’s relationship with Maya was huge for him as a character and showed in no uncertain terms how much Zack Martin had grown up as a person. So, when Maya broke up with him to go to the Peace Corps, while I understood the decision, I was not happy about it.

I just wanted Zack to be able to live in his newfound maturity, y’all. I didn’t think it was a lot to ask for.

Disney breakups not only reflect the struggles of love, but they also teach us valuable life lessons. They remind us that love is not always easy, and it requires more than just a fairytale romance. Relationships—whether platonic or romantic—require open communication, trust, and the willingness to work through challenges together.

As fans, these shocking Disney breakups are a gentle yet powerful reminder that even our beloved characters are not immune to the trials and tribulations of love. It’s a reminder that life is complicated, and sometimes, we have to let go of a love that no longer serves us or aligns with our personal growth.

While these breakups may have crushed our hearts, they have also given us a newfound appreciation for the complexities of love. They have shown us that even in the most magical of worlds, relationships can face hardships. Although it may be difficult, it’s crucial to remember that these Disney breakups can serve as an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, and paving the way for new beginnings.

So, the next time you find yourself invested in a Disney love story, remember that even the most enchanting tales can take unexpected turns. Embrace the lessons hidden within these shocking breakups and let them guide you toward a deeper understanding of love, both in fiction and reality.

Love may not always be enough, but it’s in those moments of heartache and resilience that we discover our own inner strength.