7 Dog Movies We Love

After a ruff day, it can be nice to come home and relax on the couch with a good movie. It’s even better when you can enjoy that movie with your pup. In case you need some inspiration, we’ve come up with a list of seven dog-themed movies full of classic and recent, live-action and cartoon options. So sit back, relax, and grab some pup-corn! Here are our picks for some fun, dog-themed films:

1. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

This 1993 Walt Disney film (rated G) is a remake of the 1963 film The Incredible Journey (also made by Disney). Based on the true story of Chase, a bulldog; Shadow, a Golden Retriever; and Sassy, a Himalayan cat, this family-favorite remake follows the three animals on a wild mountain adventure as they attempt to reunite with their family, who they mistakenly believed to have left them behind. This classic is currently streaming on Disney+.

2. Pick of the Litter

This Netflix original documentary (unrated) came out in 2019 and was an instant fan favorite. Following their lives from birth, this show follows a litter of little pups as they work to become Guide Dogs for the Blind. It’s a two-year journey told by the humans that raise them and the pups themselves. This documentary won several independent film awards and is a must-watch for all ages.

3. 101 Dalmatians

Another classic Disney film (also rated G), this 1961 cartoon has since spun off a sequel, live-action movie, a cartoon TV series, a few video games, and even an upcoming villain spin-off about Cruella herself. This story (not based on a true story, thankfully) is about a woman with a desperate love for fur. After realizing a close “friend” was blessed with a litter of dalmatian puppies, she turns her sights on acquiring 101 of them to make herself a unique fur coat. This movie (and all subsequent follow-ups) is also currently streaming on Disney+.

4. Best in Show

This film, released in 2000, was produced by Castle Rock Entertainment (rated PG-13) and stars the evergreen screen favorites Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, and many others. This PG-13 film follows the lives of several dog trainers who aspire to win top prize in the Mayflower Dog Show. The “mockumentary” style cinematography is full of quirky humans, cute and stylish dogs, and a whole bunch of situations perfect for a good laugh. Available for streaming on HBO Max.

5. Beethoven

This 1992 Universal Pictures film (rated PG) is all about a loveable, slobbery, St. Bernard named Beethoven. After stumbling into the lives of the Newton family, he quickly finds his forever family and home. But the family doesn’t realize that their vet is looking for dogs just like Beethoven to perform inhumane experiments on. After the vet tricks the family patriarch into believing Beethoven attacked him, it’s up to the rest of the family and Beethoven himself to prove his innocence and incriminate the real villain of the story. Available for streaming on Hulu, with the STARZ add-on package.

6. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale

This 2009 Stage 6 film (rated G) stars Richard Gere and is based on the true story of one of the most well-known and loyal dogs, Hachi. Hachi is an Akita who is fiercely loyal to his master, even after he tragically passes away from an unexpected cardiac event. This movie definitely tugs on the heartstrings but is a beautiful representation of the loyalty and love that dogs have to offer. This film is available to stream on Hulu with a premium subscription.

7. Isle of Dogs

This 2018, Oscar-nominated Wes Anderson film (rated PG-13) is a unique cinematic experience, featuring beautiful stop-motion animation. Anderson and his star-studded cast (featuring Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, and Bill Murray, among many others) tell the story of a young Japanese boy, Atari, who sets out to search for his dog, Spots, after the entire city’s dog population is exiled to “Trash Island” as they pose a risk of infecting the city with a dangerous virus. There, the boy befriends a pack of dogs and the search for Spots is on. This movie is available to stream on Disney Plus.

All information provided is accurate as of March, 2021 and sourced from https://www.imdb.com/.

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