History YMMV / BridgeToTerabithia

* LikeYouWouldReallyDoIt: When watching the scene where [[spoiler:Leslie's death]] is revealed, viewers who had never read the book looked at [[{{Creator/Disney}} who produced the movie]] and called BS, saying there was no way Disney would make a movie where they [[spoiler:killed off a main child protagonist.]] They were wrong.

* TaintedByThePreview:
** Those who read the book knew that the story isn't a fantasy adventure, but rather the bonding experiences of two kids in a realistic setting. Seeing the 2007 film adaptation's [[NeverTrustATrailer trailers]], which centered around the fantasy world imagined by the kids but now fully populated by CGI creatures, caused them to believe that the filmmakers had completely missed the point of the book and were instead trying to make a ''[[Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia Chronicles of Narnia]]'' (the book series that Jess and Leslie compare Terebithia to in the book) [[ShoddyKnockOffProduct rip-off]]. In some cases, this turned them off from seeing the film altogether, even though the film was actually truer to the book than the trailers would lead one to believe.
** And then people who didn't know what the book was about went to it, ''expecting'' a Narnia-esque fantasy, and found out it was a coming of age story with DeathByNewberyMedal.

** Leslie's parents [[spoiler:after their daughter dies in a freak accident, right in their backyard. They act gracious at the memorial service, thank Jesse for being such a good friend to her, and apologize for wanting to keep Prince Terrien as a memento. Within a few weeks they move, just after they had finished painting the living room]].

* MemeticMolester: Miss Edmunds. Modern audiences view her less innocently than audiences in the 70s did. Her closeness to Jesse in itself isn't unusual, but her taking him on a trip alone is less justifiable.

** Leslie being a secular atheist is at odds with her religious small-town; May Belle has no issue telling Leslie that she'll go to Hell for it. Being openly an atheist was much rarer in the 1970s, especially in rural America. Many viewers find the character's a bit too bigoted towards Leslie's lack of religious beliefs, despite the fact that such reactions weren't uncommon (and still aren't, to a degree, in rural areas).

** From the film, [=Anna Sophia=] Robb's "Keep Your Mind Wide Open", a sweet little song that reads as an anthem for {{Cloudcuckoolander}}s everywhere.

* SugarWiki/SheReallyCanAct: [=AnnaSophia=] Robb was mostly known at the time for playing Violet Beauregarde in the divisive ''Film/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory'' remake. She acquired a sizable fan base with her spot-on portrayal of Leslie, which even after many more notable credits, is still considered one of her best performances.

** May Belle being crowned the Princess of Terabithia if you've seen Creator/BaileeMadison in ''Series/OnceUponATime'' where she plays a fairy tale princess for real: the young Snow White of all people.
** Leslie's mom using the phrase [[Film/TheHungerGamesCatchingFire "catch fire"]] to [[Creator/JoshHutcherson Jess]].

* {{Moe}}: May Belle, at least in the second film. This is lampshaded by Josh Hutcherson and Creator/AnnaSophiaRobb in their commentary, the former of whom calls her "just the cutest kid ever".

** [[Creator/JoshHutcherson Jesse]] is a young [[Film/TheHungerGames Peeta]].

* SugarWiki/SheReallyCanAct: [=AnnaSophia=] Robb was mostly known for playing Violet Beauregarde in the divisive ''Film/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory'' remake. She acquired a sizable fan base with her spot-on portrayal of Leslie, which even after many more notable credits, is still considered one of her best performances.

** And then people who didn't know what the book was about went to it, ''expecting'' a Narnia-esque fantasy, and found out it was a coming of age story with DeathByNewberryMedal.

** Jesse's teacher calls him up to spend the day with her in Washington. In the 70s, it would have been a sign that she was conscientious and willing to go above and beyond for her students; nowadays, a young boy and his female teacher going anywhere alone would raise more than a couple of eyebrows. It's not helped by Jesse's PrecociousCrush, which was controversial even at the time, though the scene is often misremembered as worse than it really is (the trip is for educational purposes, and she explicitly calls the Aarons house to ask for his parents' permission). The film attempts to address this by having Ms. Edmunds say that she had planned to go with her nephew at first, rather than her calling up Jesse on a whim.

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: Jess's father's annoyance at him could just be a WellDoneSonGuy thing. Or alternately he clearly cherishes little May Belle - and shows her the most affection throughout the film. Perhaps he's annoyed at Jess excluding his little sister so much?

* HesJustHiding: Most fanfics for ''Bridge to Terabithia'' fall into two categories: [[spoiler:"What If Leslie didn't die?"]], and [[spoiler:"Leslie didn't die, period"]]. This is actually done In-Universe as well, with [[spoiler:Jess believing that her death is all lies, believing he saw her over at her house when they went to pay their respects, and finally mistaking May-Belle's voice for Leslie's.]]

** Even more so when you consider the fate of Lisa Hill, on whom Leslie was based. While [[spoiler:Leslie's death]] is subtly foreshadowed throughout the book, with [[spoiler:the use of a rope swing that could be reasonably expected to weaken with time, the days of rain that flood the creek, and Jess's own misgivings about going to Terabithia; Lisa's death was even more freakish. She was struck by lightning '''on a sunny day'''.]]

* ToyShip: Jess and Leslie.

** Jess starts out as one already, though with AgeAppropriateAngst about having four sisters and having to wear hand-me-downs. [[spoiler:The angst quickly gets less age-appropriate.]]
** Leslie's parents [[spoiler:after their daughter dies in a freak accident, right in their backyard. They act gracious at the memorial service, thank Jess for being such a good friend to her, and apologize for wanting to keep Prince Terrien as a memento. Within a few weeks they move, just after they had finished painting the living room]].

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: Are Jess and Leslie platonic best friends or is there a budding PuppyLove? On the one hand, the book clearly plays the NoHuggingNoKissing trope straight. On the other, Jess' internal narration twice refers to Leslie as beautiful, and he becomes inexplicably angry (inexplicable even to himself), when Brenda makes a disparaging comment about Leslie's femininity.
* MemeticMolester: Miss Edmunds. Modern audiences view her less innocently than audiences in the 70s did. Her closeness to Jess in itself isn't unusual, but her taking him on a trip alone is less justifiable.
* UglyCute: Jess describes May Belle as this.

** In the book, Jess's ''mother'' is worried about his best friend being female. Because, according to the time's values, ''it means he might be gay''. In order to preserve the awkwardness, the film changes it to him receiving odd looks from his family when they meet Leslie, as if they're surprised that Jess might have a girlfriend.
** In the book, when Leslie tells Jess that Janice's father is abusive, Jess at first responds that [[CorporalPunishment most kids' fathers beat them]]; Leslie then has to clarify that ''[[AbusiveParents this]]'' kind of beating is the kind that gets you sent to prison. The reason why Janice was crying was that she had told her friends looking for sympathy, and they instead told the school. Jess just thinks that it's stupid that was because KidsAreCruel. Understandably, in the movie this is changed to Leslie starting by saying that Janice's father hates her, hits her, and got the cops called on him, hence how everyone at school knows.
** Jess's teacher calls him up to spend the day with her in Washington. In the 70s, it would have been a sign that she was conscientious and willing to go above and beyond for her students; nowadays, a young boy and his female teacher going anywhere alone would raise more than a couple of eyebrows. It's not helped by Jess's PrecociousCrush, which was controversial even at the time, though the scene is often misremembered as worse than it really is (the trip is for educational purposes, and she explicitly calls the Aarons house to ask for his parents' permission). The film attempts to address this by having Ms. Edmunds say that she had planned to go with her nephew at first, rather than her calling up Jess on a whim.

* {{Narm}}: The acting. Especially the scene where [[spoiler:Jess learns Leslie died]]. The sadness is ruined by the awful acting on his actor's part, as well as the obvious poor dubbing when he cries into his dad's arms. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv-F7a7jgSE The "You lie!" line is particularly laughable.]]

* CatharsisFactor: Watching Jess sending Scott the bullying-jock flying into the wall with a MegatonPunch for [[spoiler: making a disrespectful joke about Leslie's death]] was oh so satisfying. As was seeing Gary Fulcher's bloody nose, courtesy of Janice, after he pushed Jess in the hall.

* FandomSpecificPlot: Along with the EpilepticTrees, common LDD fanfiction involves [[spoiler:Jess returning to Terabithia to rescue Leslie from the Dark Master.]]

** Virtually any fic with Jess and Leslie as teens will have [[SheIsAllGrownUp Leslie growing up gorgeous]], probably because Creator/AnnaSophiaRobb did indeed grow up gorgeous.
** Leslie and Jess have feelings for one another. In the original book they're just friends who happen to be of opposite genders. The 2007 film upped the ShipTease between them.

* FightSceneFailure: That punch Jess threw at Scott, while [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome pretty awesome]], was pretty fake as well. [[FridgeBrilliance Makes sense]] because it's a CallBack to Jess punching the Scrogres in Terabithia.

* HarsherInHindsight: Jess asks Leslie if she encountered any sharks when he assumes her scuba diving was for real... [[Film/SoulSurfer Well, maybe not in this film]].

** Jess having a crush on his teacher played by Creator/ZooeyDeschanel becomes funny when she stars in ''Series/NewGirl'' playing a character named ''[[GenderBlenderName Jess]]''. Additionally, said character is also a teacher.
** And Jess is a brunet boy with a PrecociousCrush on Zooey Deschanel that he must learn to get over somewhat. ''Film/FiveHundredDaysOfSummer'' was released the very next year - featuring a guy getting over her as its main plot.

* JerkassWoobie: [[spoiler:Janice]] turns out to be one. At the end of the film, it's implied she and Jess may become friends.

* MoralEventHorizon: Scott and Gary cross it when they up their bullying of Jess following [[spoiler: Leslie's death]], Scott going so far as to outright taunt Jess over it in class, complete with a smug smile on his face the whole time. [[spoiler: It made the MegatonPunch Jess gave him ''very'' well deserved]].

* OneSceneWonder: Ms Myers only pops up to act like a SternTeacher in a handful of scenes, and gets a small but important moment towards the end -- [[spoiler:where she talks to Jess about losing her husband]].

** [[Creator/JoshHutcherson Jess]] is a young [[Film/TheHungerGames Peeta]].

* FandomSpecificPlot: Some fics that spare [[spoiler: Leslie]] will kill off someone else to preserve the theme.
* HesJustHiding: Most fanfics for ''Bridge to Terabithia'' fall into two categories: [[spoiler:"What If Leslie didn't die?"]], and [[spoiler:"Leslie didn't die, period"]]. This is actually done In-Universe as well, with [[spoiler:Jesse believing that her death is all lies, believing he saw her over at her house when they went to pay their respects, and finally mistaking May-Belle's voice for Leslie's.]]

* ParanoiaFuel: There's always a chance someone who is close to you [[spoiler:could die in a freak accident.]]
** Even more so when you consider the fate of Lisa Hill, on whom Leslie was based. While [[spoiler:Leslie's death]] is subtly foreshadowed throughout the book, with [[spoiler:the use of a rope swing that could be reasonably expected to weaken with time, the days of rain that flood the creek, and Jesse's own misgivings about going to Terabithia; Lisa's death was even more freakish. She was struck by lightning '''on a sunny day'''.]]
* ToyShip: Jesse and Leslie.

** Jesse starts out as one already, though with AgeAppropriateAngst about having four sisters and having to wear hand-me-downs. [[spoiler:The angst quickly gets less age-appropriate.]]
** Leslie's parents [[spoiler:after their daughter dies in a freak accident, right in their backyard. They act gracious at the memorial service, thank Jesse for being such a good friend to her, and apologize for wanting to keep Prince Terrien as a memento. Within a few weeks they move, just after they had finished painting the living room]].
** Maybelle, given she worships her brother but he sees her as an AnnoyingYoungerSibling. [[spoiler:Fortunately by the end they patch up.]]

** In the book, when Leslie tells Jess that Janice's father is abusive, Jess at first responds that [[CorporalPunishment most kids' fathers beat them]]; Leslie then has to clarify that ''[[AbusiveParents this]]'' kind of beating is the kind that gets you sent to prison. The reason why Janice was crying was that she had told her friends looking for sympathy, and they instead told the school. Jesse just thinks that it's stupid that was because KidsAreCruel. Understandably, in the movie this is changed to Leslie starting by saying that Janice's father hates her, hits her, and got the cops called on him, hence how everyone at school knows.
** Jess's teacher calls him up to spend the day with her when her nephew cancels. In the 70s, it would have been a sign that she was conscientious and willing to go above and beyond for her students; nowadays, it would raise a couple of eyebrows with the alarm over the PaedoHunt today. It turns even worse with the implication that the teacher called Jess personally rather than asking his parents for permission.
** Leslie being a secular atheist is at odds with her religious small-town; Maybelle has no issue telling Leslie that she'll go to Hell for it. Being openly an atheist was much rarer in the 1970s, especially in rural America. Many viewers find the character's a bit too bigoted towards Leslie's lack of religious beliefs, despite the fact that such reactions weren't uncommon (and still aren't, to a degree, in rural areas)

* AdaptationDisplacement: Though the book is a popular children's book and is often required reading, the 2007 film is often more well-known, and the 1985 TV film tends to be forgotten altogether. Most fanworks are based on the 2007 film and a lot of fan complain that Leslie is too tomboyish in the 80s film, despite that being book accurate. Meanwhile there being fans that are only aware of the movie.

* EpilepticTrees: It's not uncommon to find an ''LDD'' fan believing that [[spoiler:Terabithia was real all along and that Leslie was really abducted by the Dark Master]].

* HarsherInHindsight: Jesse asks Leslie if she encountered any sharks when he assumes her scuba diving was for real... [[Film/SoulSurfer Well, maybe not in this film]].

** Jesse having a crush on his teacher played by Creator/ZooeyDeschanel becomes funny when she stars in ''Series/NewGirl'' playing a character named ''[[GenderBlenderName Jess]]''. Additionally, said character is also a teacher.

** The name of Creator/JoshHutcherson's (Jesse) mother in ''Film/LittleManhattan'' is Leslie.

* JerkassWoobie: [[spoiler:Janice]] turns out to be one. At the end of the film, it's implied she and Jesse may become friends.

* {{Moe}}: Maybelle, at least in the second film. This is lampshaded by Josh Hutcherson and Creator/AnnaSophiaRobb in their commentary, the former of whom calls her "just the cutest kid ever".
* MoralEventHorizon: Scott and Gary cross it when they up their bullying of Jess following [[spoiler: Leslie's death]], Scott going so far as to outright taunt Jess over it in class, complete with a smug smile on his face the whole time. [[spoiler: It made the MegatonPunch Jesse gave him ''very'' well deserved]].
* {{Narm}}: The book was written in the 1970's and as such the 2007 film has a lot of slang that's a little outdated. It's usually the taunts coming from the bullies.

* OneSceneWonder: Ms Myers only pops up to act like a SternTeacher in a handful of scenes, and gets a small but important moment towards the end - [[spoiler: where she talks to Jess about losing her husband]].

* SignatureScene: [[ItWasHisSled You know the one]]: [[spoiler:"Your friend Leslie is dead."]]

* TaintedByThePreview: Those who read the book knew that the story isn't a fantasy adventure, but rather the bonding experiences of two kids in a realistic setting. Seeing the 2007 film adaptation's [[NeverTrustATrailer trailers]], which centered around the fantasy world imagined by the kids but now fully populated by CGI creatures, caused them to believe that the filmmakers had completely missed the point of the book and were instead trying to make a ''[[Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia Chronicles of Narnia]]'' (the book series that Jess and Leslie compare Terebithia to in the book) [[ShoddyKnockOffProduct rip-off]]. In some cases, this turned them off from seeing the film altogether, even though the film was actually truer to the book than the trailers would lead one to believe.

* TastesLikeDiabetes: A few of the more overly sentimental scenes, such as the dancing while Leslie's family are painting the wall. WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic likened them to a bubblegum commercial.

** The song that plays in the credits, "[[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x4SGSgu8GUE A Place For Us]] by Leigh Nash, is euqual parts melancholic and inspiring, all at once.

* HarsherInHindsight: Then when you finish the book, you find that [[spoiler:Leslie's death]] is BasedOnATrueStory.

* HarsherInHindsight:
** In the film, Jess coming home and saying "Hi guys" as his CatchPhrase with no one responding [[spoiler:rings more harshly when he says it and his mother frantically grabs him and his parents have to tell him Leslie is dead]].
** One of the writers of the 2007 film is the son of the book's author. So that movie is practically a grown-up Jesse remembering his own youth and his best friend back then.
** Jesse asks Leslie if she encountered any sharks when he assumes her scuba diving was for real... [[Film/SoulSurfer Well, maybe not in this film]].

** One of the writers of the 2007 film is the author of the book's son. So that movie is practically a grown-up Jesse remembering his own youth and his best friend back then.

* WhatAnIdiot: In the book, Maybelle excitedly asks a distraught Jesse, who [[spoiler:just went to Leslie's house with their parents to give their regards to her mourning family, if he saw Leslie's corpse]].

* SpiritualAdaptation: The film can be viewed as a stealth remake of ''Film/MyGirl'' but with genders reversed. Of course, ''Film/MyGirl'' is arguably this for the for the book of ''Terabithia'', which predates it by 14 years.

* WhatAnIdiot: Maybelle, you're a sweetie and all, but if you find a ring of keys lying on the floor of the greenhouse, don't you think you oughtta tell your parents?

* ValuesResonance: The change of Leslie's character from a straight-out atheist in the book to an agnostic who definitely seems to be considering the existence of God in the film does reflect the changing times, as in the past, people would have thought someone could only be religious or atheistic, but in recent years, there has been more thought given to agnosticism, theism, spiritualism and the likes.

* {{Narm}}: The acting. Especially the scene where [[spoiler:Jess learns Leslie died]]. The sadness is ruined by the awful acting on his actor's part. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv-F7a7jgSE The "You lie!" line is particularly laughable.]]

** And Jess is a brunette boy with a PrecociousCrush on Zooey Deschanel that he must learn to get over somewhat. ''Film/FiveHundredDaysOfSummer'' was released the very next year - featuring a guy getting over her as its main plot.

* FandonSpecificPlot: Along with the EpilepticTrees, common LDD fanfiction involves [[spoiler:Jess returning to Terabithia to rescue Leslie from the Dark Master.]]

* FandonSPecificPlot: Along with the EpilepticTrees, common LDD fanfiction involves [[spoiler:Jess returning to Terabithia to rescue Leslie from the Dark Master.]]

* FanficFuel: Along with the EpilepticTrees, common LDD fanfiction involve, [[spoiler:Jess returning to Terabithia to rescue Leslie from the Dark Master.]]

* FanficFuel: Some fics that spare [[spoiler: Leslie]] will kill off someone else to preserve the theme.
* HarsherInHindsight:
** Then when you finish the book, you find that [[spoiler:Leslie's death]] is BasedOnATrueStory.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: From the film, [=Anna Sophia=] Robb's "Keep Your Mind Wide Open", a sweet little song that reads as an anthem for {{Cloudcuckoolander}}s everywhere.

* FanficFuel: Some fics that spare [[spoiler: Leslie]] will kill off someone else to preserve the theme; Jack Aarons is probably the most common "victim."

* AdaptationDisplacement: Though the book is a popular children's book and is often required reading, the 2007 film is often more well-known, and the 1985 TV film tends to be forgotten altogether. Most fanworks are based on the 2007 film and a lot of fan complain that Leslie is too tomboyish in the 80s film, despite that being book accurate.
* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: From the film, [=Anna Sophia=] Robb's "Keep Your Mind Wide Open", a sweet little song that reads as an anthem for {{Cloudcuckoolander}}s everywhere. Meanwhile there being fans that are only aware of the movie.

* FunnyAneurysmMoment: A few, closely related to the essay that Leslie wrote, though two of the three could also be considered {{foreshadowing}}:
%%** First, the naming of the essay, "Self-contained ''Underwater Breathing'' Apparatus". [[spoiler:Guess how Leslie dies.]]
%%** The next is the final lines of the essay. "I check my air. [[spoiler:I don't have as much time as I need to see everything, but that is what makes it so special.]]"
%%This is Foreshadowing, not FunnyAneurysmMoment
** Jesse asks Leslie if she encountered any sharks when he assumes her scuba diving was for real... [[Film/SoulSurfer Well, maybe not in this film]].

** May Belle being crowned the Princess of Terabithia if you've seen Bailee Madison in ''Series/OnceUponATime'' where she plays a fairy tale princess for real: the young Snow White of all people.

** Leslie's imagination in creating the fantasy world is a little amusing if one watches [=AnnaSophia=] Robb in ''Film/RaceToWitchMountain'' where she's again imaginative - and actually ''does'' have magic powers. What's more is that her brother in that film is played by Alexander Ludwig, who plays Josh Hutcherson's ArchEnemy in ''Film/TheHungerGames''.

* FanPreferredCouple: Jess/Leslie is in that weird "Only not an OfficialCouple on a technicality" corner of this trope.