78 Best Dog Movies, New and Old
Editor's Picks
A German Shepherd sharing top billing with Brad Pitt says a great deal about how much audiences adore a good dog on screen. The best dog movies do something few other films manage: they make a room full of grown-ups laugh, gasp and reach for the tissues inside the same two hours. This guide gathers 78 of them, from the new dog movies in theaters and on streaming right now to the classics that raised a generation of dog lovers.
Every featured film comes with a trailer and a place to watch, the list is sorted by mood so the right pick is only a short scroll away, and a gentle spoiler guide near the end answers the question every dog person asks first. Keep a favorite chew from these dog toys within reach so your own co-star stays busy through the credits.
And when a film leaves you wanting the real story behind it, these books about dogs make the perfect next chapter.
Top Dog Movies of All Time, Ranked
The top dog movies of all time are Hachi: A Dog's Tale and Marley & Me for a good cry, Best in Show and Beethoven for laughs, Homeward Bound and Lady and the Tramp for family night, and Togo and Eight Below for true-story adventure. For something brand new, Heart of the Beast pairs Brad Pitt with a heroic combat dog, and the dog survives.
- Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009), the ultimate story of loyalty
- Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993), the family adventure everyone grew up on
- Marley & Me (2008), the funniest and saddest Labrador on film
- Togo (2019), the true sled dog hero history nearly forgot
- Lady and the Tramp (1955), the romance that made spaghetti famous
- Red Dog (2011), the Australian true story of a dog who belonged to a whole town
- Best in Show (2000), the dog show comedy that never gets old
- Isle of Dogs (2018), the most beautiful animated dog film ever made
- Eight Below (2006), the survival story of eight sled dogs in Antarctica
- Turner & Hooch (1989), the drooling detective partner nobody forgets
Good Dog Movies to Match Your Mood
Not sure where to start? Pick the feeling first, then the film.
| In the mood for | Watch this first | Then try |
|---|---|---|
| Something brand new | Heart of the Beast | Caramelo |
| A good cry | Hachi: A Dog's Tale | Marley & Me |
| Laugh-out-loud comedy | Best in Show | Beethoven |
| Family movie night | Homeward Bound | PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie |
| Animated and beautiful | Isle of Dogs | Flow |
| A true story | Togo | Red Dog |
| Adventure in the snow | Eight Below | The Call of the Wild |
| Something scary | Good Boy | Cujo |
| Holiday season | A Dog Named Christmas | A Dog's Perfect Christmas |
| Grown-ups only | Strays | The Dog Stars |
New Dog Movies and Recent Releases
The newest dog movies out now are Heart of the Beast, a Brad Pitt survival thriller about a veteran and his retired combat dog stranded in Alaska; The Dog Stars, Ridley Scott's post-apocalyptic drama; and PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie for the youngest viewers. Among the recent dog movies now streaming, Supergirl gives Krypto the superdog a starring role, Good Boy remains the cleverest horror pick, and A Dog's Perfect Christmas arrives on Netflix on November 4.
Heart of the Beast (2026)
Of all the latest dog movies, this is the one dog lovers have been waiting for, and it has quickly become one of the season's box office hits. Directed by David Ayer, Heart of the Beast follows Special Forces veteran James Belmont (Brad Pitt) and his retired combat dog, Odin, after a plane crash leaves them stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness. Cold, wolves and miles of brutal terrain stand between them and home, and Odin, played by a remarkable German Shepherd named Uber, is every bit the hero his human is. J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe round out the cast.
For anyone who reads the ending before committing to a dog film: Odin lives. The journey is intense, with injuries along the way, so it suits teens and adults better than little ones.
Trailer: Heart of the Beast Official Trailer
In theaters now.
The Dog Stars (2026)
Based on Peter Heller's much-loved novel, Ridley Scott's The Dog Stars is set in a world emptied by a deadly flu. Jacob Elordi plays Hig, a pilot who has lost almost everything and holds onto a hard, careful life on an isolated homestead with his dog, Jasper, and a gruff survivalist neighbor (Josh Brolin). When a mysterious radio signal crackles through, Hig flies out in search of whatever hope is left. Margaret Qualley and Guy Pearce co-star.
A gentle heads-up for tender hearts: Jasper's scenes are the warmest part of the film, but his storyline is not a happy one, and critics were divided on the film overall. This is a grown-up watch, so save it for after the kids are in bed.
Trailer: The Dog Stars Official Trailer
PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie (2026)
The rescue pups are back for their third big-screen mission, and this time a storm sweeps them onto an island full of dinosaurs. There they meet Rex, a wheelchair-using puppy who can talk to the dinosaurs, while Marshall adopts a baby T. rex he names Rhubarb. When Mayor Humdinger's diamond-hunting scheme sets off a volcano, every pup has a job to do. Bill Nye, Jennifer Hudson and Snoop Dogg are among the voices, and preschool audiences gave it top marks.
Trailer: PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie Official Trailer
Supergirl (2026)
Krypto first stole the show in Superman, and in Supergirl the scruffy white superdog is promoted from scene-stealer to the reason the whole adventure happens. Kara Zor-El's loyal, chaotic, very ungraceful sidekick is the kind of dog every pet parent will recognize, just with the ability to fly. It is a superhero film first, but anyone who loves a dog with more enthusiasm than manners will be completely charmed. It is now streaming on HBO Max. For more caped canines, these superhero dogs are just as heroic off screen.
Trailer: Supergirl Official Trailer
Charlie the Wonderdog (2026)
Owen Wilson voices Charlie, a golden retriever who is abducted by aliens and comes home with superpowers and the ability to talk. He becomes Wonderdog, keeps his family safe, and makes an enemy of Puddy, a scheming, super-intelligent Maine Coon. It is bright, silly and made for younger viewers, with a sweet bond between Charlie and his boy, Danny, at its heart.
Trailer: Charlie the Wonderdog Official Trailer
A Dog's Perfect Christmas (2026)
The next one to circle on the calendar comes from W. Bruce Cameron, the author behind A Dog's Purpose. Dennis Quaid plays a grandfather holding his family together while his daughter is seriously ill, and a lively corgi puppy named Ruby is the one who brings everyone closer. Thomas Haden Church voices Winstead, a wise old Basset Hound, and the director has said that no dogs die. If Ruby wins you over, this side-by-side look at the Pembroke vs Cardigan Corgi explains the two breeds behind that famous fluffy bottom.
Trailer: A Dog's Perfect Christmas Official Trailer
Watch on Netflix from November 4
Good Boy (2025)
Every dog owner has watched their pup stare intently at an empty corner and wondered what they can see. Good Boy turns that feeling into a whole film. Shot from a dog's-eye view, it follows Indy, a devoted Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who moves with his unwell owner into an old family farmhouse and quickly senses something sinister living there. Indy is the director's own dog, with no acting experience whatsoever, and he is extraordinary. It is genuinely creepy rather than gory, critics loved it, and Indy makes it through to the end.
Trailer: Good Boy Official Trailer
Dog Man (2025)
If Dog Man has not made it onto the family watch list yet, move it straight to the top. Based on Dav Pilkey's bestselling graphic novels, this DreamWorks film follows a loyal police dog and his officer partner who are fused together after a life-saving surgery, creating the world's most enthusiastic crime-fighter. With Pete Davidson voicing the villain Petey the Cat and Ricky Gervais as a very suspicious fish, the humor is clever enough for adults and completely joyful for kids.
Trailer: Dog Man Official Trailer
Arthur the King (2024)
Keep the tissues close for Arthur the King. Mark Wahlberg plays an adventure racer who unexpectedly gains a teammate when a scrappy stray named Arthur follows his crew through a grueling endurance race. Based on a true story, it is a stirring reminder that dogs choose their people just as surely as people choose their dogs. It has found a second wave of fans since landing on Netflix in the US.
Trailer: Arthur the King Official Trailer
Dog Movies on Netflix
The best dog movies on Netflix right now include Caramelo, a Brazilian hit about a chef and the stray who adopts him; Dog Gone, a true story of a family searching for their lost dog; Rescued by Ruby, about a shelter dog turned search and rescue hero; and The Secret Life of Pets for family night. Netflix catalogs change by country, so check availability before movie night.
Caramelo (2025)
Netflix's surprise favorite from Brazil follows Pedro, a young chef in Sao Paulo whose big promotion arrives the same week as a frightening diagnosis. Into the middle of it wanders a caramel-colored street dog, the kind Brazilians lovingly call a vira-lata caramelo, who simply refuses to leave. Sweet, sentimental and carried entirely by its scene-stealing canine star, it is a gentle reminder that a rescue dog often rescues right back.
Eat Pray Bark (2026)
This German-language comedy sends five eccentric owners and their badly behaved dogs to an intensive training course in the Tyrolean mountains, run by a trainer with very unusual methods. It does not take long to work out who the real students are. Anyone who has ever stood in a puppy class realizing the problem is holding the leash will laugh in recognition, and the film lands on a sweet truth about trust that these tips for bonding with your puppy share.
Dog Gone (2023)
Equal parts adventure and heart, Dog Gone follows a young man and his father on a frantic search along the Appalachian Trail for their missing dog, who urgently needs his medication. With themes of determination, family and the unbreakable bond between people and their dogs, it is a heartfelt, gentle watch the whole family can share.
Trailer: Dog Gone Trailer
Rescued by Ruby (2022)
Wholesome, uplifting and based on real events, Rescued by Ruby tells the story of a hyperactive shelter dog and a state trooper who has been passed over for the K-9 unit one too many times. Together they find a second chance, working to join a search and rescue team against the odds. A lovely pick for anyone who believes every shelter dog has a hero inside.
Trailer: Rescued by Ruby Trailer
The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
Ever wondered what your dog really gets up to when you leave the house? From the makers of Despicable Me, this animated comedy follows a chaotic gang of pets across New York City while their owners are at work. It charms viewers of every age and earned warm reviews from critics, which makes it an easy yes for a family night.
Trailer: The Secret Life of Pets Trailer
White Fang (2018)
Based on Jack London's classic novel, this animated White Fang follows a wolfdog separated from his mother who goes on to form a deep bond with a young man who cares for him. It is a sweeping adventure with a powerful message about how people treat animals and the trust animals give in return. Have the tissues handy.
Trailer: White Fang Trailer
More Netflix Dog Movies in This Guide
Several other picks below have Netflix watch links too: Dog, Togo, Red Dog, Benji, A Dog's Purpose, The Call of the Wild and Clifford the Big Red Dog. Together with the films above, that is two full weeks of dog movie nights without leaving the couch.
Famous Dog Movies and Classics
Some dog films have become part of the language. These are the ones whose stars are still recognized by name decades later.
Turner & Hooch (1989)
An absolute classic for dog lovers young and old. Tom Hanks plays a neat-freak detective forced to partner with a big, unruly Dogue de Bordeaux with a serious drooling problem, and the result is one of the funniest odd-couple pairings in film. Few movie lines are as instantly recognizable to dog people as Hanks shrieking at Hooch to stop.
Trailer: Turner & Hooch Trailer
K-9 (1989)
Another beloved canine-cop comedy from the same year. Jim Belushi plays a stubborn, rule-bending detective whose new partner is Jerry Lee, an equally stubborn but highly trained German Shepherd. Action-packed chaos follows as the unlikely pair take on a drug syndicate, and Belushi's reactions to Jerry Lee's antics are simply iconic.
Trailer: K-9 Official Trailer
Benji (2018)
One of the most iconic names in the genre, Benji follows a beloved street dog who sets out to rescue two children from kidnappers, with much of the story told through his eyes. The original Benji film was released in 1974, and this warm, family-friendly reboot brings the scruffy hero to a new generation.
Trailer: Benji Official Trailer
Famous Dog Names From the Movies
Plenty of real dogs carry a film star's name, and these are the screen dogs whose names have lasted longest:
- Hachi, the Akita who waited at the station
- Hooch, Beethoven and Marley, three gloriously messy heroes
- Lassie, Benji and Old Yeller, the classics
- Balto and Togo, the sled dog legends
- Shadow and Chance, the dogs of Homeward Bound
- Bolt, Krypto and Odin, the action stars
- Lady, Tramp and Pongo, the animated favorites
For a pup who deserves something straight from the animated classics, these Disney dog names run from Pongo to Pluto.
And if none of the movie stars quite fits, this full guide to dog names covers every personality and size.
Funny Dog Movies and Talking-Dog Comedies
For the nights that call for laughing until you snort, start here. Several of these let the dogs do the talking, which is half the fun.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008)
Drew Barrymore, George Lopez and Jamie Lee Curtis star in this bright, silly talking-dog comedy about Chloe, a pampered Beverly Hills Chihuahua who is dognapped on vacation in Mexico. Beneath the glitz are sweet messages about gratitude and friendship. And for anyone who loves luxury dog collars, the pups' accessories are worth the watch alone.
More info: Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Beethoven (1992)
Larger than life in every sense. A giant, friendly Saint Bernard named Beethoven joins a loving family, but the workaholic dad (the legendary Charles Grodin) is far from convinced. Slobbery disasters, doggy antics and a very satisfying change of heart follow, which is exactly why families still rewatch it decades later.
Trailer: Beethoven Official Trailer
Best in Show (2000)
The next best thing to a backstage pass at a dog show. It is the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show, competition is fierce, and the impeccably groomed pups are accompanied by owners who are far more colorful than their dogs. Most of the film was improvised, which is part of why it gets funnier with every rewatch.
Trailer: Best in Show Official Trailer
Strays (2023)
This comedy flips the heartwarming dog story on its head. Reggie, a scrappy Border Terrier voiced by Will Ferrell, teams up with a crew of street-smart strays to get revenge on his neglectful owner. It is packed with canine chaos and surprisingly sweet friendships, but the humor is strictly for grown-ups, so save it for after the kids are asleep.
Trailer: Strays Trailer
Dog (2022)
Channing Tatum co-directs and stars as Briggs, a former Army Ranger tasked with driving Lulu, a Belgian Malinois and military working dog, down the Pacific coast to her handler's funeral. Neither of them is thrilled about it. What starts as a string of very funny mishaps turns into a warm, surprisingly moving story about two wounded souls learning to trust again.
Trailer: Dog Official Trailer
Military and Police Dog Movies
Working dogs make natural film heroes: brave, disciplined and fiercely loyal to their handlers. The strongest military and police dog movies in this guide are Heart of the Beast for survival drama, Dog for a road trip with real heart, Megan Leavey and Max for true war-dog stories, and K-9 or Turner & Hooch when only a canine-cop comedy will do.
- Heart of the Beast (2026), a retired combat dog and his handler fighting the Alaskan wild
- Dog (2022), an Army Ranger and a Belgian Malinois on one last mission
- Megan Leavey (2017), a Marine and her bomb-detection dog, Rex
- Max (2015), a military dog who comes home to his fallen handler's family
- Rescued by Ruby (2022), a shelter dog who earns her place on a K-9 search team
- K-9 (1989) and Turner & Hooch (1989), the two classic police partner comedies
Sad Dog Movies
The saddest dog movies are Hachi: A Dog's Tale, Marley & Me and Old Yeller, followed closely by A Dog's Purpose and The Friend. Before pressing play on any of them, keep these pet loss quotes nearby, along with a very patient dog to hug.
The Friend (2025)
Based on Sigrid Nunez's National Book Award-winning novel, The Friend stars Naomi Watts as Iris, a writer whose quiet New York life is upended when her mentor (Bill Murray) leaves her his 150-pound Great Dane, Apollo. Apollo destroys her furniture, takes over her bed and draws eviction notices, and slowly becomes the thing that carries her through grief. For anyone who has ever been saved by a dog, this one lands deep.
Trailer: The Friend Official Trailer
Marley & Me (2008)
Ask almost anyone to name the saddest film in the genre and Marley & Me will come up. Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson play a young couple who adopt a cheeky, gloriously badly behaved Labrador named Marley. Every pet parent will recognize the puppy chaos and the quiet moments as Marley becomes the heart of a growing family, which is exactly why the ending hurts so much.
Trailer: Marley & Me Trailer
Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)
Consider this fair warning: Hachi is the saddest film on this list. Richard Gere plays a professor who finds an Akita puppy at a train station, and the two form an unbreakable bond. When the professor does not come home one afternoon, what follows is a show of loyalty that lasts for years and became the stuff of legend in Japan and around the world.
Trailer: Hachi: A Dog's Tale Official Trailer
A Dog's Purpose (2017)
Sad but ultimately uplifting, this family film follows Bailey, a dog whose soul lives on through a series of lives and breeds as he searches for his way back to the boy he loved first. It is a sweet, tear-streaked reminder of the enormous role dogs play in a family's life, and a lovely way to talk to older kids about loss.
Trailer: A Dog's Purpose Official Trailer
Old Yeller (1957)
The film that taught generations of children to cry over a dog. Set on the Texas frontier, Disney's Old Yeller follows a boy left in charge of his family's farm and the big yellow stray who wanders in, steals food and slowly proves himself the bravest member of the household. Its ending is one of the most famous in film history, so watch it with older children and plenty of cuddles.
When a film like this brings back memories of a dog of your own, these dog loss poems put that love into words.
Trailer: Old Yeller Trailer
Scary and Horror Dog Movies
Horror is a small but memorable corner of the genre, and the best of it plays on the bond between dogs and their people rather than turning dogs into monsters. Good Boy is the standout dog horror movie, told entirely from a loyal retriever's point of view, while Cujo remains the classic creature feature and White God is a haunting, grown-up fable about how people treat dogs.
- Good Boy (2025), a haunted farmhouse seen through a dog's eyes, and the dog survives
- Cujo (1983), the Stephen King thriller about a gentle Saint Bernard turned terrifying
- White God (2014), a Hungarian drama in which a city's abandoned dogs rise up
Disney Dog Movies
Disney has given the world more beloved dogs than any other studio. Beyond these three, Bolt, Old Yeller and Togo are all on Disney+ too.
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
A must-watch for dog lovers of any age, and not only for the famous spaghetti scene. Lady, a pampered Cocker Spaniel, and Tramp, a happy-go-lucky street dog, fall for each other across very different sides of town. Decades after its release, this hand-drawn romance still captures hearts every time it plays.
Trailer: Lady and the Tramp Trailer
101 Dalmatians (1961)
Can 15 Dalmatian puppies escape the clutches of Cruella De Vil before she turns them into a fur coat? That is the question at the center of this Disney childhood favorite. Suspense, comedy, nostalgia and 101 times the cuteness make it a timeless family night pick.
More info: 101 Dalmatians
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Tod, a red fox, and Copper, a hound puppy, become the best of friends before instinct and the expectations of the adults around them start pulling them apart. Mostly lighthearted with some genuinely heart-wrenching moments, it carries lasting lessons about friendship, prejudice and hope.
Trailer: The Fox and the Hound Trailer
Animated and Cartoon Dog Movies
Hand-drawn, stop-motion or computer animated, cartoon dogs can do things real ones cannot, and the best of these films are just as moving for grown-ups. Dog Man, PAW Patrol and Charlie the Wonderdog above are the newest picks for little ones.
All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)
Don Bluth's cult classic is darker and stranger than most people remember, which is exactly why it has endured. Charlie, a rascally German Shepherd voiced by Burt Reynolds, sneaks back to earth from heaven and unexpectedly finds himself protecting an orphaned girl who can talk to animals. Funny, emotional and pure nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the late eighties or nineties.
Trailer: All Dogs Go to Heaven Official Trailer
Isle of Dogs (2018)
Wes Anderson's gorgeous stop-motion film is unlike anything else in the genre. In a near-future Japan, every dog has been banished to a garbage island, and a young boy flies there alone to find his lost pup with the help of a ragtag pack. The voice cast is extraordinary and every frame is a work of art, though its darker themes mean it is worth previewing before a night with little ones.
Trailer: Isle of Dogs Trailer
Dog Movies for Kids and Family Night
Gentle stories, happy endings and nothing that needs explaining at bedtime. When the credits roll and the questions start, these children's books about dogs keep the story going.
Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)
Middle-schooler Emily Elizabeth is gifted a tiny red puppy by a magical animal rescuer (John Cleese, clearly having a ball) and wakes up to find him ten feet tall. Chaos across New York City follows as she tries to hide a giant dog from a company that wants to study him. Silly, sweet and genuinely funny, with a lovely message about accepting what makes you different.
Trailer: Clifford the Big Red Dog Official Trailer
Because of Winn-Dixie (2005)
One of the most quietly lovely family films ever made about a dog. Based on Kate DiCamillo's award-winning novel, it follows ten-year-old Opal, newly arrived in a small Florida town, and the scruffy stray she finds in a supermarket and names Winn-Dixie. Through that dog, she gathers a group of lonely neighbors into something that looks a lot like family. Perfect for a slow Sunday afternoon.
Trailer: Because of Winn-Dixie Official Trailer
Cat and Dog Movies
For households where the dog shares the couch with a cat, these films give both species a starring role.
Flow (2024)
Technically a cat film, but it features a gentle, goofy dog at the center of its animal ensemble and belongs on any list for people who love animals with their whole hearts. A solitary cat survives a great flood by sharing a boat with a dog, a capybara, a lemur and a secretarybird. Wordless and breathtaking, this Latvian film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and it will have you in tears by the end.
Trailer: Flow Official Trailer
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
One of the best cat and dog films ever made. Sassy, a Himalayan cat who lives up to her name, Shadow, a wise Golden Retriever, and Chance, an excitable American Bulldog, set off across the wilderness to find their family. Expect laughter, tears and a lot of shrieking at the screen, and a final scene that remains one of the great moments in family film.
Trailer: Homeward Bound Trailer
Cats & Dogs (2001)
This spy movie parody plays on the age-old rivalry between the two species. The villainous Mr. Tinkles, voiced brilliantly by Sean Hayes, leads a high-tech feline plot against his canine rivals, and a secret network of dog agents must stop him. Funny, action-packed and full of lines families still quote at each other.
Trailer: Cats & Dogs Official Trailer
Bolt (2008)
Is there anything more endearing than a dog who thinks he has superpowers? Bolt grew up on the set of a hit TV show and believes every stunt is real. Separated from his owner, Penny, he sets off across the country to find her and learns who he really is, helped along by Mittens, a wonderfully sassy alley cat.
More info: Bolt
Sled Dog Movies and Snowy Adventures
Few things on screen match a team of huskies flying across the snow. The best sled dog movies are Togo and Balto, both based on the real 1925 race to carry medicine to Nome, Alaska, along with Eight Below for survival drama and Snow Dogs for family laughs.
Togo (2019)
Most people know Balto's name. Far fewer know Togo's, and that is the quiet heartbreak of this beautiful film. Willem Dafoe plays Leonhard Seppala, whose Siberian Husky ran the longest and most dangerous leg of the 1925 relay carrying lifesaving medicine to Nome. Once considered too small and mischievous to lead a team, Togo became one of the greatest sled dogs in history. Criminally underrated.
Trailer: Togo Official Trailer
Snow Dogs (2002)
A winter tradition in plenty of dog-loving homes. Cuba Gooding Jr. plays Ted, a Miami dentist who travels to Alaska to claim an inheritance and discovers it is a cabin and a team of sled dogs with strong opinions about him. Before long he is caught up in the world of sled racing. Light, funny and full of beautiful dogs and scenery.
More info: Snow Dogs
Balto (1995)
A snowy setting and a true underdog story. Inspired by real events, this animated adventure follows Balto, a part-wolf sled dog rejected by the town around him, until he seizes the chance to prove his worth by leading a desperate rescue through the Arctic. His heroism is still honored today with a bronze statue in New York's Central Park.
Trailer: Balto Official Trailer
Eight Below (2006)
A gripping survival story inspired by real events. Paul Walker plays Jerry, an expedition guide forced by a dangerous storm to leave his eight loyal sled dogs behind in Antarctica. As he fights to get back to them, the dogs must survive the brutal winter on their own. Dramatic, suspenseful and a must-see for husky lovers.
Trailer: Eight Below Official Trailer
The Call of the Wild (2020)
Another Jack London adaptation, this time with Harrison Ford. Buck, a big-hearted family dog, is stolen from his comfortable California home and sold into life as a sled dog in the Yukon during the Gold Rush. Buck is brought to life with animation rather than a real dog, which divides some viewers, but his journey from pampered pet to leader of the pack is a stirring family adventure.
Trailer: The Call of the Wild Trailer
Christmas Dog Movies
December and dogs belong together. Alongside these five, the brand-new A Dog's Perfect Christmas above is set to become a holiday regular.
Happy Howlidays (2024)
What is better than Christmas dog treats and a cozy film? This Hallmark rom-com has the coziness covered. A dog shelter owner and a web editor team up to save a struggling shelter, and along the way sparks, and tails, start flying. Festive, a little cheesy and exactly the easy watch December calls for.
Trailer: Happy Howlidays Trailer
An All Dogs Christmas Carol (1998)
A nostalgic twist on the Dickens classic. The canine characters from the All Dogs Go to Heaven series return with a festive mission: teaching one greedy dog the true meaning of Christmas. Family-friendly, with a sweet message that even the naughtiest pup can find redemption.
Trailer: An All Dogs Christmas Carol Trailer
The 12 Dogs of Christmas (2005)
Set in the Depression era, this family film follows Emma, a spirited young girl determined to overturn a town law that bans dogs. Teaming up with a local shelter owner, she organizes a holiday pageant starring a lovable cast of canines to show everyone what they have been missing.
Trailer: The 12 Dogs of Christmas Trailer
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011)
The lovable Saint Bernard is back, this time on a mission to save Christmas. When an elf crash-lands in town with Santa's magical toy bag, Beethoven and his teenage friend Mason must recover it from greedy thieves. Plenty of laughs, and Beethoven even talks for the very first time.
Trailer: Beethoven's Christmas Adventure Trailer
A Dog Named Christmas (2009)
From the Hallmark Hall of Fame comes this heartwarming story of the McCray family, who foster a lovable yellow Lab for the holidays. Their son, who has a developmental disability, forms a special bond with the dog, proving how capable he is and inspiring a wave of dog adoptions across town. Even the skeptical father comes around.
Trailer: A Dog Named Christmas Trailer
True Story Dog Movies
Some of the most powerful films in this guide really happened. For a real-life story, start here.
| Film | Year | The real story | Tissue rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hachi: A Dog's Tale | 2009 | An Akita in Japan who waited at his owner's train station for nearly ten years | Extreme |
| Red Dog | 2011 | A wandering Kelpie adopted by an entire mining community in Western Australia | High |
| Togo | 2019 | The sled dog who ran the longest leg of the 1925 Alaska serum run | High |
| Eight Below | 2006 | Sled dogs left behind at an Antarctic research base | High |
| Megan Leavey | 2017 | A Marine and the bomb-detection dog she fought to adopt | High |
| Arthur the King | 2024 | A stray who followed an endurance racing team through the jungle | Moderate |
| Balto | 1995 | The lead dog on the final leg of the same 1925 serum run | Moderate |
| Dog Gone | 2023 | A family's search for their sick dog lost on the Appalachian Trail | Low |
| Rescued by Ruby | 2022 | A shelter dog who became a K-9 search and rescue dog | Low, mostly joyful |
Red Dog (2011)
An Australian favorite that deserves a far bigger audience. Based on the true story of a red Kelpie who roamed the Pilbara region of Western Australia in the 1970s, Red Dog follows the wandering dog who belonged to no one and somehow to everyone, uniting a remote mining town of misfits. Josh Lucas and Rachael Taylor star. It is funny and full of outback charm right up until it breaks your heart, and a statue of the real Red Dog still stands in Dampier.
Trailer: Red Dog Trailer
More Movies About Dogs for Your Watch List
Still hungry for more after the picks above? These 28 films round out a full dog movie list, from Hollywood classics of the forties to modern hidden gems, so there is something here from every decade.
| Film | Year | Why it's worth watching |
|---|---|---|
| Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl | 2024 | Gromit, the cleverest silent dog in animation, takes on a sinister robot garden gnome and an old penguin foe |
| A Dog's Way Home | 2019 | A determined rescue pup travels hundreds of miles to get back to her person |
| A Dog's Journey | 2019 | The sequel to A Dog's Purpose, with Bailey watching over a new generation |
| The Art of Racing in the Rain | 2019 | A Golden Retriever named Enzo narrates his family's life, voiced by Kevin Costner |
| Lassie Come Home | 1943 | The Collie who walked home across Britain, co-starring a young Elizabeth Taylor |
| Air Bud | 1997 | A Golden Retriever who can shoot hoops joins a school basketball team |
| My Dog Skip | 2000 | A shy boy's Jack Russell Terrier changes his childhood in small-town Mississippi |
| Megan Leavey | 2017 | The true story of a Marine and her bomb-detection dog, Rex |
| Max | 2015 | A military dog comes home to the family of his fallen handler |
| Hotel for Dogs | 2009 | Two siblings secretly turn an abandoned hotel into a shelter for strays |
| The Adventures of Milo and Otis | 1986 | A kitten and a Pug puppy on a gentle adventure through the countryside |
| Where the Red Fern Grows | 1974 | A boy and his two coonhounds in the Ozarks, a classic tearjerker |
| Shiloh | 1996 | A boy hides a mistreated Beagle to protect him from a cruel owner |
| Oliver & Company | 1988 | Disney's New York tale of an orphan kitten adopted by a gang of street dogs |
| Lady and the Tramp | 2019 | The live-action remake of the Disney classic, starring real rescue dogs |
| The Secret Life of Pets 2 | 2019 | Max and Duke move to the country and meet a gruff farm dog voiced by Harrison Ford |
| PAW Patrol: The Movie | 2021 | The rescue pups take on their biggest mission yet, a hit with preschoolers |
| Frankenweenie | 2012 | Tim Burton's stop-motion tale of a boy who brings his beloved dog back to life |
| Scooby-Doo | 2002 | The mystery-solving Great Dane jumps from cartoon to live action |
| Hachiko Monogatari | 1987 | The original Japanese film about Hachiko that inspired the Richard Gere version |
| Wendy and Lucy | 2008 | Michelle Williams in a quiet, moving drama about a woman searching for her lost dog |
| 101 Dalmatians | 1996 | The live-action version, with Glenn Close as an unforgettable Cruella De Vil |
| Fluke | 1995 | A man is reborn as a puppy and sets out to reach the family he left behind |
| Iron Will | 1994 | A teenager and his sled dog team enter a grueling long-distance race |
| The Ugly Dachshund | 1966 | Disney comedy about a Great Dane who thinks he is a Dachshund |
| Marmaduke | 2010 | The comic strip Great Dane causes chaos after his family moves to California |
| Cujo | 1983 | Stephen King's terrifying tale of a rabid Saint Bernard, strictly for grown-ups |
| White God | 2014 | A girl searches for her abandoned dog as Budapest's strays turn on the city |
Does the Dog Die? A Gentle Spoiler Guide
For many dog lovers, this is the only question that matters before choosing a film. Spoilers follow, so skip ahead if you would rather be surprised.
Dog Movies Where the Dog Lives
Settle in without worry for Homeward Bound, Beethoven, Bolt, Isle of Dogs, Balto, K-9, Dog, Benji, Snow Dogs, Dog Gone, Rescued by Ruby, Arthur the King, Best in Show, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Because of Winn-Dixie, Lady and the Tramp, 101 Dalmatians, The Fox and the Hound, The Call of the Wild, Dog Man, PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie, Charlie the Wonderdog and A Dog's Perfect Christmas. Good Boy and Heart of the Beast both put their dogs through real danger, and both dogs make it to the end, though in each case their person does not.
Dog Movies Where the Dog Dies
Keep the tissues close: the dog does not make it to the end, or does not make it through every part of the story, in Marley & Me, Hachi: A Dog's Tale, Old Yeller, Turner & Hooch, Red Dog, The Dog Stars, Cujo and All Dogs Go to Heaven. Togo closes with its hero's death in old age after a long, full life, A Dog's Purpose sees Bailey pass away and return in new lives, and in Eight Below not every member of the team survives the winter.
Dog Movie Night at Home
Whether tonight calls for a cry, a laugh or a brand-new release, a film in this guide fits. Start with the mood, check the spoiler guide if you need to, and make room for your favorite co-star on the couch. A washable throw from these dog beds and blankets saves the cushions from muddy paws.
A long-lasting chew from these dog food and treats keeps curious noses out of the popcorn bowl, which is wise, since buttery, salty snacks are best kept away from dogs.
Once the credits roll, these dog love quotes are perfect for sharing the feeling with fellow dog parents.
For a handy list of the people foods worth keeping off the coffee table, the ASPCA's guide to foods to avoid feeding pets is worth a bookmark.
Related Reading
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