The 12 Best Dog Movies of All Time
Cuddle up with your pup and enjoy the best dog movies ever! From the loyalty in "Hachi" to the love of "Lady and the Tramp," these timeless classics are sure to delight both you and your furry friends. Marathon time–holla!🎥🐶❤️
Who doesn't love a good dog movie? The plots and genres might vary, but movies about dogs that highlight their loyalty, courage, and unbreakable bonds with their humans are almost sure to make you laugh, tug on your heartstrings, and give you that warm, fuzzy feeling inside.
Dozens of films have been made starring our four-legged friends, but some are more powerful than others. Fortunately, we've narrowed down the list of our all-time favorite movies with dogs, and we are deeming them "The 12 Best Dog Movies of All Time!" (Dramatic, right?) Grab your pup, the popcorn, and a box of tissues…here goes nothing:
Hachi: A Dog's Tale
Bring the tissues for this one, seriously, all of them. Released in 2009 and based on the true story of a devoted Akita in 1920s Japan, this movie with a dog at its emotional core stars Richard Gere as a college professor who adopts a stray puppy he finds at a train station. The bond they form is the kind of thing that reminds you why dogs are simply the best. Without spoiling anything, Hachi's unwavering loyalty will leave you sobbing into your pup's fur and hugging them just a little tighter. It's hands-down one of the most heartfelt dog movies ever made.
Benji
Benji is the story of the cutest little mutt who roams around a small town in Texas. He has a pretty normal life: getting handouts from a local shop owner and badgering one of the town's resident cats, until two of his favorite children are kidnapped. Benji sets out on a mission to save the kids and even finds love along the way. It's an adorable story, told through the eyes of one loveable pup. Benji was filmed in 1974.
All Dogs Go to Heaven
This animated fantasy/drama is pretty intense for a kids' movie, but it is no doubt a classic tale. Charlie B. Barkin is a canine casino owner who is killed by Carface (a canine gambler). As luck would have it, he is able to return to Earth from heaven, where he decides to seek his revenge. Things get complicated, though, as Charlie grows to love a little orphan girl named Anne-Marie. This 1989 movie is funny, dark, and hopeful all at once.
Homeward Bound
Who doesn't have some amazing childhood memories of Homeward Bound? This 1993 movie follows the story of three pets who, thinking they have been abandoned when their owners go out of town, leave behind their comfortable domestication and strike out into the wild on a search for their owners. The main pet characters of the movie are Sassy, a Himalayan cat, Shadow, a Golden Retriever, and Michael J. Fox, who stars as the voice of Chance, an American Bulldog. The unlikely trio will take you on an epic journey full of laughs and suspense. This is the perfect movie for cat and dog lovers alike.
101 Dalmatians
This 1961 classic was one of Disney's most successful films. Pongo and Perdita are perfectly happy with their 15 puppies and charming owners, Roger and Anita, that is, until the evil Cruella De Vil decides she wants to turn the dogs into a fashionable fur coat. This familiar story is one that will keep you in suspense and make you laugh out loud, even if you've seen the movie before. Check out our 101 Dalmatians pet tag for your dog!
A Dog's Purpose
If you've ever wondered what your dog is thinking, this 2017 film attempts to answer that very question. Based on W. Bruce Cameron's bestselling novel, A Dog's Purpose follows one soul as it lives through several lifetimes as different dogs, ultimately searching for meaning, connection, and the boy he originally loved. Narrated from the pup's perspective, it's a movie about a dog (well, several dogs) that beautifully captures the joy, mischief, and unconditional love our pets bring into our lives. Fair warning: this one is equal parts heartwarming and heart-wrenching, so keep those tissues handy.
Eight Below
This 2006 survival adventure is loosely based on a true story and is a must-watch for anyone who loves a tale of grit, loyalty, and the incredible spirit of sled dogs. When a research expedition in Antarctica goes sideways, a team of eight sled dogs is forced to fend for themselves through brutal winter conditions while their human (played by Paul Walker) fights to come back for them. It's suspenseful, emotional, and one of the most underrated dog movies you'll ever watch. The Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes basically deserve their own Oscars.
The Fox and the Hound
In 1981, The Fox and the Hound was released, telling a tale of true friendship. The story is light-hearted most of the time, but it tackles some deep issues along the way, such as how society breeds prejudice. It is a Disney classic that will pull your heart in all directions.
Lady and the Tramp
In 1955, Lady and the Tramp stole the show with one of Hollywood's most memorable date scenes. (I mean, seriously, how many people have tried the spaghetti trick since?) This classic story deals with forbidden love between a well-bred, beautiful cocker spaniel and her street dog boyfriend. Considering its romantic theme, it's an excellent choice for date night.
Old Yeller
This classic was released in 1957, which means it's been tugging at heartstrings for over half a century already. Old Yeller is a story of how we come to love our pets, the responsibility they give us, and how we deal with their loss. Just be warned, if you haven't seen it yet, bring the tissue box because it is a real tear-jerker.
Marley & Me
Most pet owners can relate to this film, which came out in the late 2000s. The movie makes viewers crack up at Marley's disobedient puppy antics and then makes you appreciate that, despite all the troublemaking, puppies can really bring a family together. This one will make you love your pooch even more than you thought you could.
Turner & Hooch
In 1989, Turner & Hooch became one of our all-time favorite pair of cop partners. The story of neat freak Scott Turner (Tom Hanks) and his partner Hooch, who may have a bit of a drooling problem, will make you laugh and warm your heart. It's definitely one of our all-time favorite dog movies!
Lights Out, Leashes On
There you have it…our roundup of the very best movies with dogs to add to your watch list. Whether you're in the mood for laugh-out-loud comedy, an epic adventure, or a good cathartic cry, there's a dog movie on this list for every kind of cozy night in.
And while you're snuggled up on the couch with your real-life four-legged costar, make sure they're sporting an ID tag as unique and lovable as they are. After all, every dog deserves to feel like the star of their own movie.
Do you think there are any more examples of canine cinema that we might have left out? Let us know in the comments section!
