Goodness Zone

The Goodness Zone is basically the positive, heroic alternative to the Moral Event Horizon. This comes from the Goldilocks Zone in the Solar System, where Mercury and Venus are close to the sun, which makes them super hot. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are very far from the sun, making them super cold. Earth is in the middle and "just right," like Goldilocks' porridge.

When the villain crosses the Moral Event Horizon, he or she carries out a deed so horribly evil it eliminates any sympathy from the audience. So when the hero or heroine plays around the "Goodness Zone," he or she carries out a brave, selfless, or heroic deed that is neither too big nor too small but leaves the audience caring about and rooting for him or her for the rest of the story.

If the protagonist does this and it costs him his or her life, this comes off as a Heroic Sacrifice.

Star Wars

 * Luke Skywalker: Refuses to join the dark side, which leads to his father's redemption.
 * Rey: Saves BB-8 from Teedo when she first finds him and refuses to sell him to Unkar Plutt. Later, she channels her anger from her family's abandonment into standing up against Kylo Ren.

Live Action Films

 * Ofelia: Defies Captain Vidal and gives up her own life for her infant brother.

Disney and Pixar

 * Simba: Lets his father into his heart throughout the story. Later, encouraged by the ghost of his father, he makes his noble choice to return to Pride Rock and save it from Scar's tyranny.
 * Mulan: Takes her father's place in the army to save his life and

Animation Excluding Disney

 * Gru: Initially, he planned using Margo, Edith and Agnes in his plot to steal a shrink ray, but slowly grows to love them. In the climax, Gru plays around the Goodness Zone when he admits to Margo that giving her up was the worst mistake he ever made before saving her life. His actions lead him to transform from an evil genius into a caring parent.