The Ultimate Guide to
Movies for
Dog
Lovers
Man’s best friend and cinema’s most loved animal, dog lovers all know the dreaded feeling of wondering whether the dog will last until the credits roll? All too often, movies kill our furry friends off in a heartbreaking ending. While we love tear-jerkers, sometimes we want a more heartwarming experience.
Check out our list of the top dog movies to grace the big screen. We’ve listed everything from the most iconic dogs in film history to family-friendly dog movies for kids.
An Evolution of
Dog
Movies
Lumiere
Brothers
We can trace the history of dogs in cinema back to 1895 and the first-ever paid-for film show by the Lumiere brothers. In the early days, dogs in films were incidental. Many are strays, strutting into view without a thought to the watchful camera. However, it wasn’t long before dogs became movie stars in their own right.
Throughout the 1920s, acting dogs took off in Hollywood. Estimates suggest that there were around 80 German shepherd actors in Hollywood during the height of the phase.
Rin-tin-tin
The most famous dog celebrity was Rin-tin-tin, an international star rescued from French battlefields in 1918. He performed in 23 films and was a box office phenomenon. In fact, Rin-tin-tin saved Warner Bros from bankruptcy.
As the world of cinema progressed from silent movies to talkies, dog actors took off. In the last 80 years, dogs have primarily played a symbolic role in films.
A well-trained wire fox terrier, Skippy, started this trend in the mid-1930s. Starring as Asta in The Thin Man, Mr. Smith in The Awful Truth, and George in Bringing Up Baby, Skippy’s career spanned ten years.
Dogs have played a part on our screens since the dawn of cinema. In recent years, dog trends include the small yappy dog, such as Reese Witherspoon’s chihuahua Bruiser in Legally Blonde, and the killing of dogs for shock effect—something many dog-lovers avoid.
THE
Most Famous Dogs
IN FILM HISTORY
Names like Tom Hanks, Marilyn Monroe, and Robert De Niro are legendary. Dogs don’t often get the same recognition as humans. Yet, dogs work hard to produce classic movies. So who are the dog actors behind our favorite films?
TERRY,
CANINE TERRIER
Dorothy’s best friend Toto in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Terry was a female dog, despite playing male roles. She earned $125 a week and was buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
CHRIS,
ST. BERNARD
Staring as Beethoven in the 1992 film of the same name, Chris was one of the most loved dogs of his time. An additional eight dogs worked as understudies and stunt doubles for Chris.
PAL,
COLLIE
Pal played Lassie after competing with over 300 other dogs for the role. Pal earned more than his co-star, Elizabeth Taylor. Every dog who has played Lassie since is a direct descendant of Pal.
BEASLEY,
DOGUE DE
BORDEAUX
Tom Hanks’ slobbering co-star in Turner & Hooch, we know Beasley for cracking open a beer and drinking. Beasley only starred in one movie, but the breed gained popularity after the movie’s release.
While we might rarely see these dogs walk the red carpet, their salaries are enviable.
Terry and Pal both earned a lot more than their human co-stars and were responsible for some of the world’s most loved dog movies.
"DOES
THE DOG
DIE?"
As dog-lovers, watching a movie only for the dog to die in the end feels like a betrayal. Films like Marley and Me or Old Yeller are to blame for the emotional risk of heading to the cinema. Here are our top dog movies without any canine deaths.
THE CALL OF THE WILD
Jack London’s iconic novel, The Call of The Wild, sparked this recent movie starring a CGI dog, Buck, and Harrison Ford.
The film follows Buck’s evolution from a spoiled pet into a champion sled dog before becoming a wild creature in the late 19th century.
While it might disappoint some viewers that Buck was, in fact, human Terry Notary using motion capture, the relationship between Ford’s character and the St. Bernard / Scotch Collie is powerful.
WHITE FANG
Yet another Jack London-inspired Disney film, White Fang, features a young man (played by Ethan Hawke) rescuing a half-wolf, half-dog played by Jed, from an abusive handler. While the film does have a few dogs dying, the title character survived to make a sequel.
Also, dog lovers should watch with caution—even if White Fang survives, there are a few abusive scenes.
HOMEWARD BOUND: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY
The Incredible Journey tells the story of three animals braving harsh terrain to reunite with their loving owners. Starring Michael J. Fox as Chance the bulldog, Don Ameche as the old golden retriever Shadow, and Sally Field as a cat called Sassy.
To put your mind at ease: all three pets make it home, but there are a few tear-jerking scenes.
CATS & DOGS
In keeping with the talking pets theme, this family-friendly action-comedy Cats & Dogs features Tobey Maguire and Alec Baldwin. The animals are intelligent enough to speak, operate machinery, learn martial arts and protect the human race.
The movie tells the story of the age-old war between cats and dogs without any dog deaths.
101 DALMATIANS
A live-action update of Disney’s 1961 classic, 101 Dalmatians, follows many puppies escaping evil Cruella DeVil’s plans. While the animated version is excellent, seeing 101 real puppies is more satisfying.
With an all-star cast, including Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, and Hugh Laurie, 101 Dalmatians is a film worth watching again and again.
MAX
Loosely based on a true story, Max follows the titular Belgian shepherd grieving the loss of U.S. Marine Kyle Wincott as he goes to live with the fallen soldier’s family. It’s a beautiful story and an inspiring tale of a heroic hound coping with post-traumatic behavior.
It’s a tear-jerker, but man’s best friend survives.
BEETHOVEN
We’ve already mentioned the star of Beethoven—Chris the St. Bernard—in this family comedy.
Named after the famous composer, Beethoven brings his human family closer together, stops an abusive vet, and survives seven sequels.
AIRBUD
The similarly famous Golden Retriever Buddy escapes his circus owner to live with a 12-year-old, becoming this school’s basketball team champion.
While the plot is a little far-fetched, it’s an enjoyable family-friendly movie where all animals survive and thrive.
MOST
ICONIC
DOG
MOVIES
If you’ve not yet found a movie to watch tonight, check out our most iconic dog films. We cannot promise there won’t be any dog deaths, so get the tissue box ready.
OLD
YELLER
Perhaps one of the most famous dog movies of all time (and the saddest), Old Yeller has been a favorite of many for the last 60 years.
It’s a coming-of-age movie about a boy and stray dog in post-civil war Texas.
It’ll definitely pull your heartstrings, but it’s a much-watch movie if you feel emotionally prepared. Watch it for the loving bond between canine and human, if nothing else.
RED DOG:
TRUE BLUE
Starring Jason Isaacs, Byran Brown, and Lee Miller, Red Dog: True Blue is the story of 11-year-old Mick befriending a dog and embarking on life-changing adventures. The film’s sequel, Red Dog, came out in 2012 and is based on the true story of the Red Dog finding his master.
These two dog movies are newer but already hold an iconic status in cinema.
ONE HUNDRED
AND ONE
DALMATIANS
The 1961 animated One Hundred and One Dalmatians is one of the most popular movies of all time. Loved by kids and adults alike, no dog movie list is complete without this Disney classic.
While there are many story variations, this original Disney movie is the most iconic. Rod Taylor voices Pongo, Cate Bauer as Perdita, and Betty Lou Gerson plays the villainous Cruella DeVil.
HEART OF A
DOG
Heart of a Dog is a documentary exploring the remembrances of musician Laurie Anderson as she looks back on the deaths of her husband, mother, and beloved dog.
While it’s not as happy as some of our other picks, it’s one of the most beautiful pieces of cinema in existence. The music, as you would expect, is exquisite.
WALLACE AND
GROMIT:
THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT
Wallace and Gromit are an iconic duo that has graced the big and small screens since 1989.
Using stop-motion, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit took five years to make. While Gromit doesn’t have any actual lines, his eye-rolling and comic timing make him the star of this feature-length movie.
LASSIE
COME HOME
Set in Yorkshire, England, during the depression, Lassie Come Home is the first of seven Lassie films. It tells the story of Yorkshire boy Joe Carraclough and his collie, Lassie.
The character Lassie received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame shortly after the film’s release. The film also went on to spawn one of the longest-running TV shows of all time, Lassie.
BEST IN
SHOW
Best in Show is a comedy mockumentary featuring the owners of five show dogs heading for a national competition.
The film follows their ‘behind the scenes’ navigation of the cut-throat world of show dog competitions.
LADY AND
THE TRAMP
Another Disney animated dog movie, Lady and the Tramp, follows the pampered cocker spaniel (Lady) as she feels abandoned once her owners have a baby. Finding herself loose on the streets, she befriends the stray mutt Tramp and romance ensues.
It’s a child-friendly, entertaining family film for all dog lovers.
DOG
MOVIES
FOR
KIDS
Unless you want your child to cry all night, you’ll need more kid-friendly dog content than Old Yeller. There are a lot of dog movies out there, and many aren’t that great. To ensure your animal-loving kids are happy, we’ve picked out the best dog movies for children.
- 2008 | BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA
- 2008 | BOLT
- 2009 | DOLITTLE: MILLION DOLLAR MUTTS
- 2013 | SUPPER BUDDIE
- 1995 | BALTO
- 2018 | PICK OF THE LITTER
- 1959 | THE SHAGGY DOG
- 1974 | BENJI
BEVERLY HILLS
CHIHUAHUA
The first in a trilogy, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, is perfect for children five years old and up.
It’s an upbeat, talking-animal adventure following Papi and his friends. In the first film, Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore) is dognapped in Mexico and awaits rescue from Papi (voiced by George Lopez), harboring a massive crush on the female chihuahua.
BOLT
Bolt is an animated comedy packed with action, starring Miley Cyrus and John Travolta. It explores the love between pet and owner as Bolt, a superhero movie star, escapes the set and discovers real life is not the same as living in a movie.
Bolt is entertaining and a joy for all the family to watch.
DOLITTLE:
MILLION DOLLAR MUTTS
The fifth in a series of Dr. Dolittle movies, Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts, follows Maya Dolittle and her beloved Lucky as they start their TV show ‘The Animal Talkers’ before becoming a vet.
The entire Dr. Dolittle series is perfect for young dog lovers and parents alike.
SUPPER
BUDDIES
Starring Zendaya, Super Buddies tells the story of five golden retrievers developing superpowers and using their newfound abilities to save the Earth. It’s the final film in the Air Buddies franchise, starring our beloved dog Buddy and starting with the iconic 1997 film Air Bud.
BALTO
With Kevin Bacon and Phil Collins bringing this animated movie to life, Balto follows a wolf-dog hybrid as he embarks on a dangerous adventure in Alaska.
Loosely based on a true story, there was once a dog called Balto saving children infected with diphtheria in 1925.
PICK OF THE
LITTER
While it’s not aimed at children, Pick of the Litter is tame enough for all ages. The documentary is positive and educational, sharing how puppies become trained guide dogs.
Kids (and adults) will learn a lot from watching Pick of the Litter.
THE SHAGGY
DOG
The Shaggy Dog tells the heartwarming and funny story of a boy transforming into a sheepdog. Since the original movie came out, we’ve seen a 1987 television sequel, a 1994 television remake, and a 2006 live-action remake.
The Shaggy Dog is one of the most popular Disney movies of the last century and certainly an enjoyable dog film for kids.
BENJI
The original Benji movie came out in 1974. Benji is a beloved stray dog roaming through Texas and springing into action to help two children. It’s a family-friendly movie told from the perspective of Benji, the dog.
Since the 1974 version, there have been several remakes, including the 2018 Benji, helmed by the son of the original creator of the Benji franchise.
AWARD
WINNING
DOG MOVIES
Most of us think of family-friendly, budget animations or comedies when we think of dog movies. However, animal films aren’t limited to light entertainment.
While we believe there should be an Oscar category for “Best Dog Movie,” the Academy doesn’t seem likely to introduce this much-needed award.
Below, see our award-winning dog movies that impressed the critics.
2000 2000 2000
2000 2000 2000
2000 2000 2000
MY DOG
SKIP
My Dog Skip won Best Family Film at the 2001 Critics Choice Awards, deservedly so.
This comedy-drama tells the story of a nine-year-old boy and his bond with his dog. My Dog Skip stars Luke Wilson and Kevin Bacon.
It’s a heartwarming and heart-wrenching film based on an autobiographical book of the same name.
2006 2006 2006
2006 2006 2006
2006 2006 2006
EIGHT
BELOW
Winning an ASCAP Award at the ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards, Eight Below tells the true family-friendly story of Jerry Shephard in the Antarctic.
Shepherd ventures out into the ice with his sled dogs to find a rare meteorite and faces terrifying weather conditions and must choose between his dogs and his life.
2009 2009 2009
2009 2009 2009
2009 2009 2009
HACHI
A DOG'S TALE
Another true story, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, is about a professor (Richard Gere) who befriends a lost Akita puppy at a train station.
Human and animal form an immediate bond, and Gere welcomes the dog into his home. It follows the real-life of a 1920s Japanese Akita named Hachiko. Have the tissues ready for this movie.
2009 2009 2009
2009 2009 2009
2009 2009 2009
UP
While Up isn’t a dog movie, its cartoon dog Dug definitely steals the limelight.
Up received five Academy Award nominations and two wins: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score, and has since become a classic.
Thanks to his unique collar, Dug can talk—or at least say “squirrel!” a lot.
2011 2011 2011
2011 2011 2011
2011 2011 2011
The Artist
The Artist is a French drama romance film in black and white, earning nominations and wins across the board, including an Oscar for Best Picture.
The show’s real star is the Jack Russell Terrier, played by Uggie. If you can’t get enough of Uggie, watch his show-stealing red carpet appearances.
HEART
WARMING
DOG MOVIES
The reason dog lovers want to watch dog movies is to warm our hearts and spend 90 minutes watching man’s best friend. Not all dog movies are heartwarming—many play too much with our heartstrings—but there are a few uplifting ones out there. Here are our top heartwarming dog movies.
MARMADUKE
Marmaduke is a 2010 live-action comedy based on a comic strip.
The film focuses on a Kansas family and their Great Dane Marmaduke (voiced by Owen Wilson). The family moves to California, where Marmaduke has to negotiate with local gangs in LA.
Heartwarming, funny, and entertaining, don’t give Marmaduke a miss.
BEACUSE OF
WINN-DIXIE
Because of Winn-Dixie is a heart-warming family-friendly tale of a young girl’s relationship with her dog.
It features real-life struggles, such as grief and alcoholism, as the girl and her dog educate a small town in Florida. By the end of the movie, the locals come together to help each other’s sorrows.
AS GOOD AS
IT GETS
Starring Jack Nicholson, As Good As It Gets tells the story of Melvin, a hostile writer with an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
After an attack on his neighbor Simon, Melvin has to look after his dog, disrupting his orderly life.
The film explores the true-to-life relationships between several characters and the love of owning a dog.
ALL DOGS GO
TO HEAVEN
Charlie, the rogue German shepherd, voiced by Burt Reynolds, returns to Earth after his death for another attempt at life.
It’s a musical drama-comedy in which Charlie befriends a young orphan girl named Anne-Marie. The ending is unabashedly sentimental and makes for a good, heart-warming story.
HOTEL FOR
DOGS
Proving that our love of good old-fashioned, heartwarming dog-based family comedies isn’t going anywhere, Hotel for Dogs wins the hearts of many.
It stars Don Cheadle and Lisa Kudrow, but the dogs are the real showstoppers. Two teenagers secretly take stray dogs to an abandoned hotel, turning the shelter into a dog paradise.
THE FOX AND
THE HOUND
The Fox and the Hound is an animated Disney drama featuring a fox named Tod and a dog named Copper who become unlikely friends.
As they grow up and face social expectations, the fox and hound struggle to maintain their friendship. It’s a heart-warming movie for all the family, even if it can get a little sad.
A DOG'S
PURPOSE
A Dog’s Purpose doesn’t pass the “does the dog die?” test. However, it’s less gut-wrenching than many sad-dog movies.
In A Dog’s Purpose, the dog dies multiple times but keeps coming back to find his new purpose in life. Ultimately, it’s a heartwarming movie with an uplifting meaning.
THE SECRET
LIFE OF PETS
Max is a spoiled terrier in New York who finds his life disrupted when his owner brings home another dog: Duke.
As the age-old rivalry progresses, the doggy duo team up to save their owner when trouble ensues. It’s fast-paced, funny, and beautifully animated.
TEAR-
JERKING
DOG MOVIES
Sometimes, we all love a good cry. Tear-jerking movies are painful but can also be cathartic. So, if you have the tissues ready and feel emotionally prepared to let the waterworks go, try one of our tear-jerking dog movies.
MARLEY AND
ME
Marley and Me is one of the all-time saddest dog movies. When two journalists raise a labrador pup only to euthanize him at the movie’s end, you won’t be able to stop the tears coming.
What makes this movie even more depressing is that it follows a true story.
However, it does have its light comedic moments so that you won’t sob your way through the entire two hours.
DOG
A former US Army Ranger with PTSD must escort his comrade’s dog (Lulu) to his funeral, after which they must euthanize the dog.
While it ultimately has a happier ending, this tear-jerker will leave you sobbing throughout as you wait to see what happens to Lulu.
THE ART OF
RACING IN THE
RAIN
Not only does the dog face hardship in The Art of Racing in the Rain (spoiler: he dies), but the female lead suffers a fatal diagnosis.
It’s told from the dog’s point of view and is bound to get the waterworks flowing. It’s inspiring and original and very, very sad.
TURNER &
HOOCH
As Tom Hanks and his slobbering Dogue de Bordeaux work together to solve a murder, your heart will warm at the enchanting duo.
Perhaps it’s less of a tear-jerker than others on this list, but the ending will probably require a box of tissues.
WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS
Where The Red Fern Grows might be one of the hardest and most sad dog movies ever made. The story follows a twelve-year-old boy called Billy who is desperate for a dog he can hunt with.
As the film unfolds, Billy works hard to earn enough money to adopt Old Dan and Little Ann. However, as the inevitable credits draw closer, the pups die within a week of each other, breaking the viewer’s hearts.
FLUKE
When Matthew Modine dies in a car crash, he comes back to life as a golden retriever.
The film was based on a novel of the same name by horror writer James Herbert.
Far from being a horror movie, the film’s ending will have you sobbing.
THE PLAGUE
DOGS
The Plague Dogs was a lesser-known novel by Richard Adams (Watership Down).
This 1982 adaption to the big screen will traumatize younger, and older viewers alike as Rowf and Snitter escape a research lab and evade capture, leaving you on the edge of your seat.
BINGE-
WORTHY
DOG TV SHOWS
Dogs aren’t just on the big screen; many dogs have graced our TVs over the years. While it’s perhaps a less popular category than ‘Dog Movies’, here are our top picks for dog television shows.
SCOOBY-DOO
WHERE ARE YOU
A list of dog movies and TV shows wouldn’t be complete without Scooby-Doo.
The original Scooby series is the 1969 Scooby-Doo Where Are You, but dog lovers will enjoy any of the derivatives, including the two live-action movies.
TURNER AND
HOOCH
Turner and Hooch is a modern-day continuation and a reboot of the original film.
This show is for you if you couldn’t get enough of the cop-canine duo. There are only twelve episodes in this binge-worthy show.
DOG WITH
A BLOG
When three siblings learn that the family’s dog can talk and write, they must keep it a secret from their parents.
It’s light-hearted and entertaining. Aimed at younger audiences, Disney Channel aired this show for three seasons.
DUG
DAYS
Ever wondered what happened to our favorite animated puppy after Up? Follow the suburban lives of Dug and Carl in a five-episode show.
The episodes are only short; perfect to put on in the background or entertain kids with.
HUDSON &
REX
Like Turner and Hooch, Hudson & Rex is a Canadian police drama starring Detective Charlie Hudson and his German Shepherd.
Currently, the show has four seasons with season five yet to be announced.
LASSIE
After producing seven Lassie films, the creators turned to the small screen. Lassie is one of the longest-running shows on American TV—beaten by The Simpsons, Law & Order, and Family Guy.
The show follows Lassie’s adventures on a farm and in the wilderness in the later series.
MOVIES FOR
dog lovers
The genre of dog movies is far more wide-reaching than the average dog lover might suspect. With over fifty dog movies and TV shows on our list, we’ve not even scratched the surface of dog-related media.
Whether you love a tear-jerker or want to ensure the pup survives, there is a dog movie for everyone.
FAQ
WHAT IS THE
Saddest Dog Movie
EVER?
Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows, and Marley and Me all compete for the title of saddest-ever dog movie.
While they’re brilliant films, they’re definitely our top tear-jerkers. If you would prefer something where the dog doesn’t die, check out our list of heartwarming dog movies, such as Max or Air Bud.
WHO IS THE MOST
Famous Movie Dog?
Marley (Marley and Me), Beethoven (Beethoven), and Toto (The Wizard of Oz) are some of the most famous dogs to grace our screens.
Of course, animated puppies are well known and loved too—who could forget the dalmatians in One Hundred and One Dalmatians or Scooby-Doo?
WHO IS THE MOST
Famous Tv Dog?
From the seven films and long-running TV show, Lassie is arguably the most famous canine actor of all time.
The collie Pal (1943) played the original Lassie, and a direct descendent of Pal has played every Lassie since.