History Main / FateWorseThanDeath

** In ''WesternAnimation/BarbieofSwanLake'', [[BigBad Rothbart]] is turned into [[spoiler: the cuckoo bird in a cuckoo clock. It's well-deserved, however, after he [[BalefulPolymorph turns Odette into a swan and various children into woodland animals against their will]]]].
** In In ''WesternAnimation/BarbieAndTheMagicOfPegasus'', Wenlock has a liking for doing this to his victims. He [[spoiler: turns his [[BalefulPolymorph wives into pigs]] once they bore him, [[BalefulPolymorph turns Brietta into a pegasus]] for refusing to marry him, turns Brietta's parents and the rest of the villagers to stone when her younger sister Annika refuses to marry him, and traps Ferris in the latter's welcome mat]].

** In ''WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}}'', the boys who end up on PleasureIsland end up making jackasses out of themselves, [[spoiler: as in, [[LiteralMetaphor being permanently transformed into donkeys]] [[ForcedTransformation through their drugged beer and cigars whenever they act up.]] The majority of them are then shipped out to the harshest of conditions to work as slave labor and the few that can still talk wind up aware in full of said fate, [[FridgeHorror although you can't help but wonder how much sentience the "lucky" few still possess and how much longer it will last...]]]]

* In ''[[WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}]]'', there is Curse of CompleteImmortality and Reincarnations, both of which were bestowed ironically by the God of Light. First, being unable to die through mortal means unless you discover the importance between life and death. And the second is that your soul would be transferred into some poor unfortunate person who happens to be "like-minded" like the person in question when the last one dies until the two souls become one person, thus the next vessel loses their individuality, which is something which won't end until the god removes it.

* In ''[[WebAnimation/RWBY]]'', there is Curse of CompleteImmortality and Reincarnations, both of which were bestowed ironically by the God of Light. First, being unable to die through mortal means unless you discover the importance between life and death. And the second is that your soul would be transferred into some poor unfortunate person who happens to be "like-minded" like the person in question when the last one dies until the two souls become one person, thus the next vessel loses their individuality, which is something which won't end until the god removes it.

* In RWBY, there is Curse of CompleteImmortality and Reincarnations, both of which were bestowed ironically by the God of Light. First, being unable to die through mortal means unless you discover the importance between life and death. And the second is that your soul would be transferred into some poor unfortunate person who happens to be "like-minded" like the person in question when the last one dies until the two souls become one person, thus the next vessel loses their individuality, which is something which won't end until the god removes it.

Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease. It should also be noted that DoNotTryThisAtHome applies in full in this case. While reality can often suck ''a lot'', using this trope as an excuse for suicide (or simply choosing death when given a choice) is nearly always a wrong answer. And that is not even mentioning using MercyKill as an excuse for choosing death for ''someone else'' against their will. Additionally, a lot of people who suffer life-changing accidents like [[EyeScream losing their sight]], their [[TheSpeechless voice]], becoming paraplegic, [[AnArmAndALeg losing a limb]], etc... can move on a cope with their disability and discover a new outlook on life rather than be doomed to despair.

*** That's the basis of Jafar's EvilPlan, he states that: "It's not enough that we simply destroy Aladdin. After all, there are things so much worse than death." [[spoiler: It sure is: Aladdin not only learns that he will be executed, but Jasmine, the love of his life, ordered it. Then, a few seconds before the execution, Aladdin realizes that the one who ordered it was actually Jafar in disguise. Aladdin nearly died not only knowing that his enemy had returned, but having no idea what the latter did with Jasmine, or what he will do to her afterwards. Thankfully, Iago's HeelFaceTurn was enough, not only just to save Aladdin at the last minute, but also to destroy Jafar for good.]]

** In ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989'', [[spoiler: Ursula invokes this on some of the merfolk by turning them into sea polyps whenever they fail on their side of the contract that they made with her; though it is more likely that she deliberately sabotages her clients' efforts to uphold their deals, just to satisfy her own power. She even manages to subject King Triton to the same fate by using Ariel as a hostage in order to cement her new role as the unquestionable ruler of the seas. Thankfully, Eric sets the record straight by fatally impaling Ursula, setting all the cursed merfolk (including Triton) free and back to their normal forms.]]

** In ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989'', Ursula invokes this on some of the merfolk by turning them into sea polyps whenever they fail on their side of the contract that they made with her; though it is more likely that she deliberately sabotages her clients' efforts to uphold their deals, just to satisfy her own power. She even manages to subject King Triton to the same fate by using Ariel as a hostage in order to cement her new role as the unquestionable ruler of the seas. Thankfully, Eric sets the record straight by fatally impaling Ursula, setting all the cursed merfolk (including Triton) free and back to their normal forms.

*** That's the basis of Jafar's EvilPlan, he states that: "It's not enough that we simply destroy Aladdin. After all, there are things so much worse than death." [[spoiler: It sure is: Aladdin not only learns that he will be executed, but Jasmine, the love of his life, ordered it. Then, a few seconds before the execution, Aladdin realizes that the one who ordered it was actually Jafar in disguise. Aladdin nearly died not only knowing that his enemy had returned, but having no idea what the latter did with Jasmine, or what he will do to her afterwards.]]

* Jim Jum from ''LetsPlay/SkyblockButEvery30SecondsARandomItemSpawns''. Sentenced to hang for eternity in the sky. [[spoiler: Made worse for the fact he's hanging for a crime he [[MiscarriageOfJustice did not commit]] and when Wilbur tries to free him he dies an UndignifiedDeath.]]

** In ''WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}}'', the boys who end up on PleasureIsland end up making jackasses out of themselves, [[spoiler: as in, [[LiteralMetaphor being permanently transformed into donkeys]] [[ForcedTransformation through their drugged beer and cigars]] [[DisproportionateRetribution whenever they act up.]] The majority of them are then shipped out to the harshest of conditions to work as slave labor while the few that can still talk are dealt an unspeakable, unseen fate, [[FridgeHorror although you must wonder how much sentience the "lucky" few still possess and how much longer it will last...]]]]

** ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog'': After [[spoiler:Dr. Facilier]] fails to stop Tiana from destroying his blood talisman, his [[EldritchAbomination "friends"]] arrive to claim their debt by dragging him into their realm, something he is clearly ''very'' terrified of. While otherwise karmic considering he was planning this fate for all New Orleans just to save himself, it's still, for all intents and purposes, a man being dragged to hell to endure never-ending torture for ''a mistake he made''.

** In ''WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}}'', the boys who end up on PleasureIsland end up being [[spoiler: [[ForcedTransformation permanently transformed into donkeys through their drugged beer and cigars]] [[DisproportionateRetribution whenever they act up.]] The majority of them are then shipped out to the harshest of conditions to work as slave labor while the few that can still talk are dealt an unspeakable, unseen fate, [[FridgeHorror although you must wonder how much sentience the "lucky" few still possess and how much longer it will last...]]]]

* Inverted with Elvis Costello's "Senior Service," saying it's "a death that's worse than fate."

* This is almost definitely the fate of [[spoiler: the Tallest after going through the titular Florpus]] in ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZimEnterTheFlorpus]''. The last time we see them, they're stuck in or passing through a hellish-looking dimension surrounded by flames and screaming. Even if they make it out to the other side, who knows how long that would take?

* Happens in many Franchise/{{Barbie}} movies.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheBookOfLife'', unlike the vibrant, unique, and happy Remembered, the Forgotten are all dull, similar, moaning zombies who randomly turn into dust. Made all the worse when you understand that not everyone deserves this fate; it's just what ultimately happens when no one alive knows who you are regardless of your deeds.
* In ''WesternAnimation/CorpseBride'', [[spoiler:Lord Barkis]] suffers this when he unwittingly drinks the poisoned wine meant for Victor at the latter's wedding and dies. With him no longer living, the dead swarm him and drag him off to an unseen, but [[NothingIsScarier certainly unpleasant fate]].
* In the Red Robin path in ''WesternAnimation/DCShowcaseBatmanDeathInTheFamily'', [[spoiler:if the viewer has Two-Face's coin come up scarred side, Harvey will let Jason live once Jason tells Harv to kill him already, figuring killing Jason would be mercy and that letting Jason live with the guilt of his actions and failure will be worse.]]
* This is almost definitely the fate of [[spoiler: the Tallest after going through the titular Florpus]] in ''[[WesternAnimation/InvaderZimEnterTheFlorpus Enter the Florpus]]''. The last time we see them, they're stuck in or passing through a hellish-looking dimension surrounded by flames and screaming. Even if they make it out to the other side, who knows how long that would take?
* ''WesternAnimation/ParaNorman'': [[spoiler:This is the sad fate of Judge Hopkins and the members of his jury after convicting Agatha to death. Agatha placed a curse upon all seven of them, turning them into zombies. Thus, they spend five hundred years suffering with the knowledge of their mistake. Fortunately, Norman is able to understand them and helps to end the curse, freeing them and allowing them to properly pass on to the afterlife -- though Hopkins isn’t too pleased about what awaits him.]]
* Discussed [[spoiler: but ultimately averted]] in ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'' by [[BigBad Lord Farquaad]], who upon Fiona's true form being revealed, had his guards seize her and Shrek. He then said that while Shrek would be tortured, namely [[AnArmAndALeg drawn and quartered]] and that he'd ''beg'' for death to save him, she would be given [[SealedRoomInTheMiddleOfNowhere the same fate]] she had already endured at the beginning of the film.

The more fantastic the particular setting, the more creative villains (and sometimes heroes) usually get with this trope. If the victim is immortal, this fate may even ''[[WhoWantsToLiveForever replace]]'' death, which might suck royally. For characters who welcome dying (for example, to become martyrs and be posthumously considered heroes), one could invent a lot of ways to prevent their dream from coming true (and sometimes, just for added cruelty, kill them anyway). That is not to mention the tortures so horrible that death seems a mercy and a long-awaited release: {{Mercy Kill}}ings are common when heroes find anyone in this state. If the character can only beg for assisted suicide, ICannotSelfTerminate occurs; if they can act on their own, they are often DrivenToSuicide. Indeed, since all involve choosing death over a given fate, the characters often conclude that death is preferable to ''that'' fate. Contrast CruelAndUnusualDeath, for when the victim instead gets a gruesome death that sucks beyond telling.

* In ''WesternAnimation/CorpseBride'', [[spoiler:Lord Barkis]] suffers this when he unwittingly drinks the poisoned wine meant for Victor at the latter's wedding and dies. With him no longer living, the dead swarm him and drag him off to an unseen, but certainly unpleasant fate.

* The drawing ''Esto es peor ("This is worse")'' by Creator/FranciscoDeGoya from his ''The Disasters Of War'' shows the mutilated body of a Spanish fighter spiked on a tree, surrounded by the corpses of French soldiers.

* The ArcWords of ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheReturnOfJafar'' are the Genie Jafar's response to being reminded of his inability to kill: "You'd be surprised what you can live through."
** That's the basis of Jafar's EvilPlan, he states that: "It's not enough that we simply destroy Aladdin. After all, there are things so much worse than death." [[spoiler: It sure is: Aladdin not only learns that he will be executed, but Jasmine, the love of his life, ordered it. Then, a few seconds before the execution, Aladdin realizes that the one who ordered it was actually Jafar in disguise. Aladdin nearly died not only knowing that his enemy had returned, but having no idea what the latter did with Jasmine, or what he will do to her afterwards.]]

** In ''WesternAnimation/BarbieofSwanLake'', [[BigBad Rothbart]] is turned into [[spoiler: the cuckoo bird in a cuckoo clock]].

** This is implied to be [[spoiler: [[BigBad Ernesto de la Cruz's]]]] fate at the end of ''WesternAnimation/{{Coco}}''. After it is revealed that [[spoiler: he [[EtTuBrute murdered his best friend Hector to steal the songs]] he used to achieve his fame in life and the afterlife, the people of both the living and dead worlds learn the truth, and he loses his fame, respect, legacy, and fans.]] He will likely spend the rest of his time in the afterlife alone, and shunned, until the day there is no one left alive that remembers him or the things he did, and he [[DeaderThanDead fades away]].

* Happens to many of the bad guys in Franchise/{{Barbie}} movies.

* This is implied to be [[spoiler: [[BigBad Ernesto de la Cruz's]]]] fate at the end of ''WesternAnimation/{{Coco}}''. After it is revealed that [[spoiler: he [[EtTuBrute murdered his best friend Hector to steal the songs]] he used to achieve his fame in life and the afterlife, the people of both the living and dead worlds learn the truth, and he loses his fame, respect, legacy, and fans.]] He will likely spend the rest of his time in the afterlife alone, and shunned, until the day there is no one left alive that remembers him or the things he did, and he [[DeaderThanDead fades away]].

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen|2013}}'': [[spoiler:Prince Hans]] has a somewhat pitiable appearance in ''WesternAnimation/FrozenFever''. For his attempted murder of Anna and Elsa in Arendelle, his family penalized him to forced labor, which includes shoveling horse manure. From the brief look at his condition in the Southern Isles, he's in a bleak and unfriendly environment, with the stables alone looking dark and uninviting.
** The TieInNovel ''Literature/AFrozenHeart'' expands on [[spoiler:Prince Hans's backstory]], showing him panicking when the guards drag him to be deported to the Southern Isles without even seeing Anna and Elsa one last time. He's begging to be let go, not wanting to return to the hellhole he was desperately trying to escape from in the first place. Considering the book expands on his role and reveals more about him than the movie did, it's clear to the reader he will suffer far worse treatment [[spoiler:than he has from his family beforehand, [[FreudianExcuse who were already horrible to him.]]]]
* Hades ultimately is given this at the end of ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}''. After Hercules rescues Megara's soul from The River Styx, he punches the god into the river himself. Being a god, of course, he ''can't'' die, but the last shot of him fighting a losing battle against both the waters' current and the many vengeful, undead souls that drag him further underneath as his minions Pain and Panic watch on, too frightened of him and his wrath to fish him out.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}}'', the boys who end up on PleasureIsland end up being [[spoiler: [[ForcedTransformation permanently transformed into donkeys through their drugged beer and cigars]] [[DisproportionateRetribution whenever they act up.]] The majority of them are then shipped out to the harshest of conditions to work as slave labor while the few that can still talk are dealt an unspeakable, unseen fate, [[FridgeHorror although you must wonder how much sentience the "lucky" few still possess and how much longer it will last...]]]]
* ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog'': After [[spoiler:Dr. Facilier]] fails to stop Tiana from destroying his blood talisman, his [[EldritchAbomination "friends"]] arrive to claim their debt by dragging him into their realm, something he is clearly ''very'' terrified of. While otherwise karmic considering he was planning this fate for all New Orleans just to save himself, it's still, for all intents and purposes, a man being dragged to hell to endure never-ending torture for ''a mistake he made''.

* ''Franchise/ToyStory'':
** For toys it is a terrible fate to be forgotten by children, left alone and abandoned without no one to love them. Even getting shelved, like what happened to Woody and Wheezy in ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2'', is almost as bad.
** Worse is to be tossed into the garbage, as Stinky Pete says, "spending eternity rotting in some landfill." Conscious the entire time, until finally all your plastic parts degrade into a puddle of goo.
** In ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory3'', [[spoiler:Lotso winds up tied to the front of a garbage truck by a truck driver who had a Lots o'-Huggin'-Bear as a kid, with other more decayed toys strapped to the truck to show Lotso what's ultimately in store for him]]. The previous {{Big Bad}}s, [[EnfantTerrible Sid]] and [[WellIntentionedExtremist Stinky Pete]], received [[HumiliationConga crushing defeats]] but ultimately wound up better off, but this guy was so [[KnightOfCerebus extra evil]] that he was given this fate instead.