The Best Dog Movies of All Time

It’s no secret that people love dogs. It’s no surprise that Hollywood has produced countless films featuring human’s best friend throughout the years. We can learn various life lessons from our pets, many of which have been captured and portrayed by much of Hollywood’s best talent. Many pet owners wonder what their furry friend is capable of thinking and feeling, so Disney and other studios have stepped up to give us a look at these pets solving issues, some real-life and others more fictitious.

Some of these classics feature animated pets with human-like voices and personalities to give us a look at what a dog’s life might look like, while others tell the story through the human lens and rely more on the talent of actors/actresses to tell the story. Whether animated or live-action, old or new, these dog movies embody sad, funny, angry, and bittersweet scenes that many of us relate to.

Update August 23, 2023: In honor of the release of Strays and Puppy Love, this list has been updated by Darren Gigool to include more movies centered around a human’s best canine friend.

While some of these may be considered top tearjerkers, others are quite hilarious. Some may give you both in the same film. Although there are many great movies out there that feature our furry companions, we break down the best created.

15 Benji (1974)

Pioneering family film of the ’70s, Benji narrates the story of a stray dog named Benji who befriends Cindy and Paul, two neighborhood children. Kidnapped one day by sinister criminals, these children are sought by our canine hero Benji. Embarking on a mission to save them, Benji utilizes his cleverness and demonstrates his profound care for his human friends. Cementing itself as a timeless classic, this film deftly highlights the bond between humans and dogs with a touch of suspense.

14 Lassie (2005)

Heart-melting adaptation of Eric Knight’s novel ‘Lassie Come-Home’, Lassie unfolds against the picturesque English outdoors. The movie focuses on a young boy and his rough collie who live in a remote village in England. When the boy’s father loses his job at a mine, they are forced to sell Lassie, the beloved family pet to a wealthy duke. Lassie epitomizes loyalty and comes back to the boy and his family, even during their hardships. This resonates deeply with audiences, the film offers a touching message of perseverance, ideal for a family movie night.

13 Eight Below (2006)

A unique blend of the survivalist genre and dog films, Eight Below conveys the story of Jerry Shepard, a guide and sled dog trainer on a treacherous journey with a team of scientists to a mountain. A vicious blizzard forces them to turn back, but Shepard had to leave the eight sled dogs behind during the evacuation of the scientists. Left to survive in arctic conditions, the dogs endure while Shepard strives to save them. This movie features thrilling and emotive scenes that linger long after the credits roll.

12 A Dog’s Purpose (2017)

A Dog’s Purpose examines the reincarnated journey of a dog through different breeds and owners. Offering a fresh take on reincarnation, it challenges audiences to reconsider traditional beliefs. This keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, all while showing how our canine friends can grow from each of their experiences with humans and how they can bring joy to the seemingly mundane life of humans. For anyone looking for a wholesome dog movie with an insightful twist, this is a perfect flick to watch.

11 Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

Based on a true story, this film narrates the painful history of Hachiko, a Japanese Akita dog adopted by a professor, and Hachiko’s heart-wrenching loyalty. The movie depicts the enduring connection between the professor and Hachiko, emphasizing the decade-long wait at the train station after the professor’s demise. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale highlights the unspoken understanding between humans and dogs, it transcends conventional ideas of companionship and empathy. Over the years, it has become a classic. It tugs at the heartstrings with its deep and effective narrative.

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10 Lady and the Tramp (1955)

It’s a Walt Disney classic that makes you fall in love. Lady, the cocker spaniel sweetheart, finds herself in a predicament. A life lived so well in the home of her loving parents is jeopardized when she learns that a baby is on the way. In a following event full of pet betrayals, Lady finds herself in a predicament. Who to save her? The neighborhood mutt, of course. Not just any mutt, however, Tramp’s lack of shelf beauty is compensated for his big heart and life experience. Tramp protects the Lady and shows her a new way of life. When the time comes to save Tramp, how does she respond? Lady and the Tramp is one of many Disney movies that focus on dogs, and there is a reason this animated film has remained so beloved.

9 Air Bud (1997)

This movie features a clown but is no way a joke. Air Bud combines the love of dogs, family, and sports and puts them all in one. Buddy a.k.a Old Blue, is an extraordinary dog who possesses skills on the hardwood. He once caught balls for his abusive owner’s acts but was pushed away when he caused a party to go south. He then unites with a new family and befriends the grieving son who is struggling to find his way. Eventually, Buddy must choose his rightful owner in front of a Judge – who will he choose? Overall, this is a great movie and was easily a top pick. The series became a huge hit, leading to 13 additional movies.

8 Turner & Hooch (1989)

In Turner and Hooch, detective Scott Turner (Tom Hanks) must take in a furry new roommate when his colleague is mysteriously murdered in their normally quiet California town. The detective’s routine is turned upside down by Hooch, who repeatedly ransacks the place when his new caretaker turns away. Hooch, the only witness to his owner’s murder proves to be quite helpful when he’s able to identify a wedding photographer as the killer. Turner and Hooch become closer as they take on the chase. This is another classic that shows the special bond between man and dog.

7 101 Dalmatians (1996)

A remake of a classic Disney animated film, 101 Dalmatians is the love story between dogs Pongo & Perdy and their owners. Roger, a video game designer, falls in love with Anita, a designer who works for none other than Cruella de Vil. When Cruella discovers that Perdy becomes pregnant, she begins to conceive thoughts of doing the unthinkable. When Anita & Roger refuse to give up the litter, Cruella becomes enraged and decides to steal the puppies anyway. The puppies work together to escape a farm where they’re held, and escape Cruella….for now. Cruella’s character would, in fact, inspire a sequel.

6 Call of the Wild (2020)

Based on Jack London’s 1903 novel of the same name, Call of the Wild is a movie that tells the story from the point of view of a dog named Buck. Brought together with CGI and a committed co-star in Harrison Ford, Buck is a fully realized character that carries the film. This is a thrilling tale that is a worthy adaptation of a classic novel. It also is the live-action debut of Chris Sanders, the director of Lilo and Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, so you know he is able to get a lot of emotion out of the character of Buck.

5 Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)

Clifford the Big Red Dog is a character that has been delighting audiences in books for years, and in 2021 he finally got the big screen treatment. Clifford the Big Red Dog tells the origin story of the titular character, of how he got to be so big and in the possession of a young girl named Emily. Clifford the Big Red Dog is a heartwarming tale and the big red dog that even the most cynical viewer will want to give him a pet.

4 Old Yeller (1957)

Old Yeller is a classic that tells the story of a boy and a stray. Although Travis is no fan of Yeller initially, he quickly grows fond of the yellow stray that mimics a human yell with his bark. Throughout the story, Yeller’s love for his new family is on full display as he defends them against various animals that pose a safety threat. At the end of this story, it displays a notorious display of life-and-death that impacted a whole generation of young viewers.

3 Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey is a remake of the classic 1960s Disney film and features the voices of Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, and Don Ameche. A new marriage causes two families and their pets to merge. When the father must travel to San Francisco, he boards the pets at a ranch. In their minds, they must find their way back home if they are ever to see their owners again. This sets the stage for a long journey featuring pets and their unusually witty banter that provides endless entertainment for family viewers throughout the movie, making this a top pick on our list.

2 My Dog Skip (2000)

Willie Morris (Frankie Muniz) struggles to make friends and tends to stick to his books. When his only friend in town goes off to fight in the war, Willie faces a lonely proposition. However, Willie quickly bonds with his new Boston Terrier, Skip who helps Willie face the social conflicts of life. Although this movie revolves around the human-dog relationship, there are lessons of loyalty, prejudice, patriotism, and family. My Dog Skip is certainly worth a watch.

Related: 12 Wonderful Animal Movies That Will Touch Your Heart

1 Marley & Me (2008)

After newlyweds John & Jenny Grogran (Owen Wilson & Jennifer Aniston) move to South Florida to escape the harsh Michigan winters, they get new jobs and begin to think about starting a family. To help determine whether they are parent-ready, they decide to bring home a new yellow-lab puppy, Marley. John records Marley’s bad behavior in his column at the Palm Beach Post and quicky grows a following.

Marley’s antics leads to a path of destruction scene after scene that provides clean wholesome entertainment that many dog owners relate to. The story of Marley’s life, good and bad, causes you to fall in love and leaves your hart shattered when Marley’s time comes. Marley & Me combines all of the emotions with great acting and storytelling, making it the best dog movie of all time on our list.