The 25 Saddest Dog Movies Of All Time (For When You Need A Good Cry)

The saddest dog movies hit as hard as any tearjerker, particularly for those who’ve ever enjoyed the company of a canine companion at least at some point in their life. Sad dog movies are like a testing ground for young viewers. Their parents show them a tearjerker like My Dog Skip or Old Yeller to get them used to the idea that movies can be sad just as they can be exciting and funny. What many parents don’t realize is that these sad dog movies end up emotionally scarring kids for years afterward.

The Fox and the Hound may be an animated Disney film, but even saying the title may be enough to bring tears to some movie lovers’ eyes, for instance. While dogs can sometimes be killers in movies, they’re more often than not the lovable, huggable, loyal, and occasionally frustrating, pets everyone knows and loves. So when a movie comes around involving a dog, usually that means there are going to be some tears. If someone needs a good cry, these sad dog movies may be just the ticket.

25

A Dog’s Purpose (2017)

One Dog Is Reincarnated Over The Decades

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A Dog’s Purpose

PG
ComedyDocumentaryDramaFamilyFantasy

A Dog’s Purpose follows the journey of a devoted dog reincarnated across multiple lifetimes, serving different owners with unwavering loyalty. Directed by Lasse Hallström, the film explores themes of love, companionship, and the bond between humans and their pets. Starring Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson, and several canine actors, the story highlights the enduring connection between dogs and their owners through various lives and experiences.

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Release Date

January 19, 2017

Runtime

120 minutes

Cast

Pooch Hall
, K.J. Apa
, Bryce Gheisar
, Josh Gad
, Logan Miller
, Juliet Rylance
, John Ortiz
, Peggy Lipton
, Luke Kirby
, Britt Robertson
, Dennis Quaid

Director

Lasse Hallström

A Dog’s Purpose is based on the 2010 novel of the same name by W. Bruce Cameron, and follows a dog, Boss Dog (Josh Gad), who is reincarnated over multiple lifetimes and discovers the meaning of its own existence through the many lives of the humans it teaches and loves. It’s an incredibly earnest movie that feels a tad manipulative, particularly due to the philosophical musings of the dog at the center. A Dog’s Purpose is carried by the dogs at the center of the film. The end is as tear-jerking as sad dog movies get.

24

The Art Of Racing In The Rain (2019)

A Golden Retriever Learns What It Takes To Be An F1 Driver

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The Art of Racing in the Rain

PG
DramaComedy

The Art of Racing in the Rain is a 2019 drama film directed by Simon Curtis. Based on Garth Stein’s novel, the story follows aspiring race car driver Denny Swift, played by Milo Ventimiglia, and his philosophical dog Enzo, voiced by Kevin Costner. Through Enzo’s eyes, the film explores themes of love, loss, and redemption, providing a heartfelt look at the profound bond between a man and his dog.

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Release Date

August 9, 2019

Cast

Milo Ventimiglia
, McKinley Belcher III
, Al Sapienza
, Ryan Kiera Armstrong
, Kathy Baker
, Amanda Seyfried
, Karen Holness
, Gary Cole
, Andres Joseph
, Kevin Costner
, Martin Donovan

Director

Simon Curtis

The Art of Racing in the Rain is an American comedy-drama from 2019 that follows a golden retriever named Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner). Enzo is owned by Denny (Milo Ventimiglia), an aspiring Formula One driver. Over his years with his friend, Enzo learns how the techniques and disciplines needed for driving can be applied to being successful in any aspect of one’s life. Preposterous at some points, The Art of Racing in the Rain manages to avoid corniness and this sad dog movie is filled with heartstring-tugging moments.

23

A Dog’s Way Home (2019)

Multiple States Can’t Keep A Dog Away From Her Family

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A Dog’s Way Home

A Dog’s Way Home is a 2019 family adventure film directed by Charles Martin Smith. It follows the journey of a dog named Bella as she embarks on a 400-mile journey to reunite with her owner. Along the way, Bella faces various challenges and forges unlikely friendships, demonstrating resilience and the enduring bond between humans and their pets.

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Release Date

January 10, 2019

Runtime

96 minutes

Cast

Ashley Judd
, Edward James Olmos
, Alexandra Shipp
, Wes Studi
, Barry Watson
, Chris Bauer

Director

Charles Martin Smith

In A Dog’s Way Home, a dog named Bella, voiced by Bryce Dallas Howard, goes on a 400-mile journey to be reunited with her owner. After a nosy neighbor threatens to call animal control on Bella, her owners send her away to New Mexico. Missing her family, Bella travels all the way back to Colorado to be with them. It’s a classic tale of love and adventure told through a dog’s eyes and, while it’s not entirely original, the heartfelt moments are well executed and there are many tear-jerking scenes.

22

Lassie (2005)

A Rough Collie Forms An Unbreakable Bond With Her Young Owner

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Lassie

PG
AdventureDramaFamily

Lassie, released in December 2005, is a family adventure film about a beloved dog who undertakes a long journey home after her owners are forced to sell her due to financial hardship. The narrative follows the titular collie as she traverses vast distances to reunite with her family.

Release Date

December 16, 2005

Runtime

100 minutes

Cast

Peter O’Toole
, Samantha Morton
, John Lynch
, Peter Dinklage
, Hester Odgers
, Celyn Jones
, Gerry O’Brien
, Steve Pemberton
, Eamonn Hunt
, Edward Fox
, John Standing
, Gregor Fisher
, Brian Pettifer
, Jamie Lee
, Kelly Macdonald
, Jemma Redgrave
, Robert Hardy
, Nicholas Lyndhurst
, Finlay Welsh
, Gabrielle Lloyd
, Susie Lambe
, Ken Drury
, Angela Thorne
, Peter Halliday
, Peter Wight

Director

Charles Sturridge

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An adaptation of Eric Knight’s novel, Lassie Come-Home, the 2005 Lassie depicts the loving bond between the rough collie, Lassie, and her owner, the young Joe Carraclough (Jonathan Mason). Joe’s father, Sam (John Lynch), has to sell Lassie to feed his family, but the dog continues to return, much to the buyer’s, The Duke of Rudling (Peter O’Toole), consternation. A timeless story about friendship and loyalty, Lassie is a faithful adaptation that balances the cruelty of the book with the pathos found between animal and man.

21

Balto (1995)

The True Story Of A Sled Dog Who Saves A Village

Balto (1995)

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Balto

G
AnimationAdventureDrama

“Balto” is an animated adventure film loosely based on the true story of a sled dog who helped to save the children of Nome, Alaska, from a diphtheria outbreak in 1925. The film blends fact and fiction, focusing on Balto, a half-wolf, half-dog outcast who embarks on a perilous journey to deliver medicine during a severe winter storm. It’s a heartwarming tale of bravery, determination, and finding one’s place in the world.

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Release Date

December 22, 1995

Runtime

78 Minutes

Cast

Kevin Bacon
, Bob Hoskins
, Bridget Fonda
, Jim Cummings
, Phil Collins

Director

Simon Wells

Based on the true story of the titular sled dog, Balto follows a wolfdog of the same name who lives on the outskirts of Nome, Alaska. Considered an outcast by other dogs and the townsfolk, Balto becomes the village’s savior when he leads a pack of sled dogs to retrieve vital medicine for a diphtheria outbreak. Balto is non-stop action throughout, with one setpiece moving right into the next one. The dog’s relationship with the young girl who gets sick is heartbreaking and a recognizable love to anyone who has ever been comforted by a dog.

20

I Am Legend (2007)

A Man Is Forced To Confront The Death Of His Only Friend

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5/10

I Am Legend

PG-13
DramaHorror Sci-FiThriller

Loosely based on Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel of the same name, I Am Legend stars Will Smith as Robert Neville, a virologist who believes himself to be the last human on Earth. After a virus turns most of the world’s population into vampiric creatures known as Darkseekers, Neville finds himself immune. Believing himself to be the last man of Earth, Neville stalks through the ruins of New York, hoping to create an antidote that will save humanity. 

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Release Date

December 14, 2007

Runtime

101 minutes

Cast

Willow Smith
, Salli Richardson-Whitfield
, Will Smith
, Alice Braga
, Charlie Tahan

Director

Francis Lawrence

Budget

$150 million

While I Am Legend may not be strictly about a dog, a dog figures into one of the most upsetting moments in the movie. I Am Legend stars Will Smith as Robert Neville, a scientist set on finding the cure to a pathogenic virus that turned most of the living world into vampiric mutants. Robert’s only friend is his dog Sam, a German Shepherd and gift from his son just before he died. Sam is a loyal pet and her death is a drawn-out affair that the viewer is forced to watch in excruciating and heartbreaking detail.

19

Frankenweenie (2012)

Tim Burton And Stop-Motion Come Together To Bring A Dog Back To Life

Frankenweenie Movie Poster

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8/10

Frankenweenie

PG-13
AnimationComedyFantasyHorror

Frankenweenie is a 2012 stop-motion animated remake of Tim Burton’s eponymous 1984 short film. It tells the story of young scientist Victor Frankenstein, who brings his dog Sparky back to life and tries to stop his experiment from wreaking havoc across his town.

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Release Date

October 5, 2012

Runtime

87 Minutes

Cast

Charlie Tahan
, Winona Ryder
, Martin Short
, James Hiroyuki Liao
, Catherine O’Hara
, Martin Landau
, Atticus Shaffer

Director

Tim Burton

Budget

$39 Million

Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie is a gothic stop-motion horror comedy in the same vein as The Nightmare Before Christmas​​​​. The film follows a young boy named Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan), who uses his electricity-powered invention to resurrect his dead Bull Terrier, Sparky. When his friends hear of the miracle, they demand Victor resurrect their beloved pets as well. Despite being stop-motion and covered in stitches, Sparky is as lovable as any movie dog, making his sacrifice at the end of the film all the more tear-jerking.

18

Because Of Winn-Dixie (2005)

AnnaSophia Robb Meets A Rowdy Dog In Florida

Because of Winn-Dixie

PG
FamilyComedyDrama

Because of Winn-Dixie follows a young girl who moves to a small Florida town with her father after being abandoned by her mother. She adopts a dog named Winn-Dixie, and their friendship helps bridge the gaps within the community while mending her strained relationship with her father.

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Release Date

February 18, 2005

Runtime

106 minutes

Cast

Jeff Daniels
, AnnaSophia Robb
, Cicely Tyson
, Eva Marie Saint
, Dave Matthews
, Courtney Jines
, Elle Fanning
, Luke Benward
, Nick Price
, B.J. Hopper
, Marca Price
, Lenore Banks
, John McConnell
, Harland Williams
, William Arthur Pitts
, Enid Trotiner
, Charles A. Daigle
, Clarice H. Gauthreaux
, Guy G. Gauthreaux
, Jared Day
, Sergio Kato
, Matthew D. Miller
, Ross Rouillier

Director

Wayne Wang

Expand

Based on the 2000 novel of the same name, Because of Winn-Dixie, the 2005 film stars AnnaSophia Robb as India Opal Buloni, who has just moved to the small town of Naomi, Florida. Alone in her new town, with a father still upset over his wife leaving the family, Opal makes quick friends with a rambunctious Berger Picard, whom she adopts and names “Winn-Dixie”. It’s an old-fashioned tale that might have felt out of step if not for Robb’s performance, and her sad moments with her father and her dog are touching and honest.

17

Eight Below (2006)

Eight Sled Dogs Face The Antarctic Cold

Eight Below

PG
AdventureDramaFamily

In the icy expanse of Antarctica, a guide fights to rescue his sled dogs, left behind during a dangerous storm. As the loyal team braves the elements to survive, their bond and resilience shine. Inspired by true events, the story captures humanity and nature’s unyielding spirit.

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Release Date

February 17, 2006

Runtime

120 minutes

Cast

Paul Walker
, Bruce Greenwood
, Moon Bloodgood
, Wendy Crewson
, Gerard Plunkett
, August Schellenberg

Director

Frank Marshall

A remake of the 1983 Japanese film Antarctica, Eight Below stars the late Paul Walker as Jerry Shepard, a guide at a National Science Foundation Antarctic research base. When a massive storm hits the base and the humans are told to evacuate, Jerry has to leave his team of sled dogs behind, promising he’ll return for them. The dogs go six months, living on their own and braving the elements, losing a few of their packmates along the way. Eight Below is an emotional, tender, and exhilarating adventure.

16

Lassie Come Home (1943)

The Classic Tale Of The Famous Collie’s Journey Home

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Lassie Come Home

G
AdventureDramaFamily

Lassie Come Home, released in 1943, depicts the hardships faced by the Carraclough family as they are forced to sell their beloved dog, Lassie, to a wealthy Duke. The film follows Lassie’s perilous journey across great distances to reunite with the young son, Joe.

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Release Date

December 1, 1943

Runtime

88 minutes

Cast

Donald Crisp
, Roddy McDowall
, May Whitty
, Edmund Gwenn
, Nigel Bruce
, Elsa Lanchester
, Elizabeth Taylor
, Ben Webster
, J. Pat O’Malley
, Alan Napier
, Arthur Shields
, John Rogers
, Alec Craig
, May Beatty
, George Broughton
, Sherlee Collier
, Howard Davies
, Hugh Harrison
, Charles Irwin
, Nelson Leigh
, Beverly Luff
, John Power

Director

Fred M. Wilcox

Expand

Lassie Come Home, the first adaptation of Eric Knight’s 1940 novel, Lassie Come Home, is set in Depression-era Yorkshire, England, where Sam (Donald Crisp) and Mrs. Carraclough (Elsa Lanchester) are forced to sell their beautiful collie, Lassie, to the Duke of Rudling (Nigel Bruce), to afford money for food. Young Joe Carraclough (Roddy McDowall) is despondent at the loss of his pet, but Lassie escapes her new owners to reunite with Joe. It’s a classic and poignant tale that’s hard not to fall in love with.

15

Shiloh (1996)

A Young Boy Nurses An Abused Puppy

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Shiloh

PG
DramaFamily

In the film Shiloh, young Marty Preston encounters a runaway beagle, forming an immediate bond and naming him Shiloh. As he struggles against his father’s orders and local hunter Judd Travers’ ownership of the dog, Marty desperately seeks to protect and secure a safe future for his loyal companion.

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Release Date

November 30, 1996

Runtime

93 minutes

Cast

Blake Heron
, J. Madison Wright
, Michael Moriarty
, Scott Wilson
, Rod Steiger
, Bonnie Bartlett
, Ann Dowd
, Shira Roth
, Tori Wright
, Montrose Hagins
, Rachel Winfree
, Amzie Strickland

Director

Chip Rosenbloom

Based on the 1991 book of the same name by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh follows the titular beagle puppy. The abused animal runs away from its owner at the start of the film and meets Marty Preston (Blake Heron), a young boy with a strict father who won’t let him keep the dog. When Shiloh again runs away from his abusive home, Marty takes him in and in secret, and the pair develop a loving bond. It’s a surprisingly mature film, despite its target audience and its issues of morality, responsibility, and honesty are always relevant.

14

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

A Tale Of Loyalty And Hard-Won Friendship

Hachi_ A Dog's Tale (2009) - Poster

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Hachi: A Dog’s Tale

G
DramaFamily

Based on a true story, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale tells of Hachiko, an Akita dog in Japan, and his remarkable loyalty to his owner, Professor Parker. After Hachiko is adopted by Parker, he begins to wait for him daily at the train station. Even after a tragic event prevents Parker from returning, Hachiko maintains in wait for years, becoming a symbol of loyalty and love to those who live in the town.

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Release Date

June 13, 2009

Runtime

93 minutes

Cast

Richard Gere
, Joan Allen
, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

Director

Lasse Hallström

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale stars Richard Gere as Parker Wilson, and is an American remake of the 1987 Japanese film, Hachikō Monogatari. Parker finds a small Akita dog abandoned at a train station, which he names “Hachi” and grows close to. Though he refuses to be trained, Hachi walks to Parker’s train station every day with him and is there to pick him up every evening. The warmth that develops between the tiny dog and Parker may feel slightly manipulative, but it’s so moving and tear-jerking, it can be forgiven.

13

Turner & Hooch (1989)

A Dog And A Detective Form An Unlikely Team

Turner & Hooch

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Turner & Hooch

PG

Scott Turner is a detective who leads an extremely organized life. One day, he’s forced to work with a rather unusual partner: Hooch, a slobbering dog. The animal ruins his home, his career and even his new romance.

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Release Date

July 28, 1989

Runtime

97 minutes

Cast

Tom Hanks
, Mare Winningham
, Craig T. Nelson

Director

Roger Spottiswoode

Tom Hanks stars as Scott Turner in the 1989 buddy cop comedy, Turner & Hooch, a classic of the animal-human friendship movie genre. Scott is a perfectionist police officer in Cypress Beach, California. After an investigation, Turner becomes responsible for a large Dogue de Bordeaux named Hooch, who the town’s veterinarian, Emily Carson (Mare Winningham), thinks will help Scott loosen up. Though destructive and loud, Turner & Hooch form an unlikely friendship that is sure to bring a happy tear to viewers’ eyes.

12

Year Of The Dog (2007)

Molly Shannon Takes Up The Animal Rights Fight

Year of the Dog

PG-13
ComedyDramaRomance

Year of the Dog is a 2007 film centered on Peggy, a secretary whose life takes unforeseen turns after the death of her beloved dog. Her journey unfolds as she navigates personal changes and new connections, leading to self-discovery and transformation.

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Release Date

April 13, 2007

Runtime

97 minutes

Cast

Molly Shannon
, Laura Dern
, Regina King
, Tom McCarthy
, Josh Pais
, John C. Reilly
, Peter Sarsgaard
, Dale Godboldo
, Liza Weil
, Amy Schlagel
, Zoe Schlagel
, Ursula Brauner
, Susan Mackin
, Inara George
, Christy Moore
, Audrey Wasilewski
, Brenda Canela
, Sonya Eddy
, Jon Shere
, Steve Berg

Director

Mike White

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Most sad dog movies end with the dog dying, but Year of the Dog begins with the dog passing away. It’s this death that spurs Peggy (Molly Shannon), a lonely 40-something, into doing something more with her life. After her dog dies, Peggy throws herself into animal rights activism, which those closest to her don’t understand. The film is an emotional look at how dogs can shape people’s lives, and it’s not always for the best in some cases. However, despite the trouble they can cause, Year of the Dog doesn’t forget the love they can provide.

11

Dog (2022)

Channing Tatum Goes On A Road Trip With A Dog

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Dog

PG-13 for language, thematic elements, drug content and some suggestive material.
Comedy

Dog is a comedy-drama film directed by Reid Carolin and Channing Tatum. Released in 2022, the film follows former Army Ranger Briggs (Channing Tatum) as he embarks on a road trip along the Pacific Coast with a Belgian Malinois named Lulu to attend a fellow soldier’s funeral. The journey reveals the complexities of trauma, healing, and companionship as the two navigate their changing lives together.

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Release Date

February 18, 2022

Runtime

90 minutes

Cast

Bill Burr
, Ronnie Gene Blevins
, Kevin Nash
, Ethan Suplee
, Emmy Raver-Lampman
, Luke Forbes
, Jane Adams
, Channing Tatum
, Nicole LaLiberte

Director

Reid Carolin
, Channing Tatum

Dog is a relatively unseen road dramedy starring Channing Tatum, in a movie directed by Tatum and Reid Carolin. Tatum plays Jackson Briggs, a former U.S. Army Ranger tasked with bringing his recently deceased friend’s military dog to his funeral. On the road, Reid helps Lulu deal with her anxiety while Lulu gives him the comfort to handle his PTSD. Nothing in Dog is particularly groundbreaking, but Tatum and the dog’s relationship is absolutely winning, and the film is much deeper than it appears on the surface.

10

Where The Red Fern Grows (1974)

Two Coon Hounds And Their Owner Grow Up Together

Where the Red Fern Grows

G
DramaFamily

In the Ozark Mountains during the Great Depression, young Billy Coleman dreams of owning hunting dogs. After two years of hard work, he saves enough to buy two Redbone Coonhound pups, Old Dan and Little Ann. Together, they embark on coon-hunting adventures, facing challenges that test Billy’s faith and determination.

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Release Date

June 21, 1974

Runtime

97 minutes

Cast

James Whitmore
, Stewart Petersen
, Beverly Garland
, Jack Ging
, Lonny Chapman
, Jill Clark
, Jeanna Wilson
, Bill Thurman
, Bill Dunbar
, Rex Corley
, John Lindsey
, Garland McKinney

Director

Norman Tokar

A classic of middle school English, Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls was first adapted into a film in 1974, starring Stewart Petersen as Billy Coleman. Billy is a 12-year-old boy who loves coon hounds and raccoon hunting and who eventually saves up enough money to buy two hounds. Billy and his hounds end up becoming the talk of the Ozarks for their formidable hunting prowess. A tragic ending makes this a happy, but incredibly painful tale of friendship and devotion.

9

The Plague Dogs (1982)

Two Dogs Escape An Animal Testing Laboratory

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The Plague Dogs

PG-13
AdventureAnimationDrama

The Plague Dogs, released in 1982, follows two escaped dogs, Rowf and Snitter, from an animal research facility as they navigate the countryside. Pursued by search parties and the military amid rumors of carrying the bubonic plague, the film explores their struggle for freedom and survival.

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Release Date

October 21, 1982

Runtime

103 minutes

Cast

Christopher Benjamin
, John Hurt
, James Bolam
, Nigel Hawthorne
, Warren Mitchell
, Judy Geeson
, Patrick Stewart
, Brian Stirner
, Penelope Lee
, Geoffrey Matthews
, Barbara Leigh-Hunt
, John Bennett
, John Franklyn-Robbins
, Bill Maynard
, Malcolm Terris
, Rosemary Leach

Director

Martin Rosen

Expand

The Plague Dogs is a 1982 adult animated adventure film based on the novel of the same name by Richard Adams, who also wrote Watership Down. The Plague Dogs has a similar story and animation style as that apparent kid’s movie that is anything but. The Plague Dogs follows Rowf and Snitter, two dogs who go on the run after escaping from a research lab in Great Britain. Despite starring two talking animals, The Plague Dogs is a grim and psychological affair that asks questions about animal testing and holding on to hope.

8

All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989)

Kindness, Friendship, And Loss Told By Animated Dogs

All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989)

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All Dogs Go to Heaven

G
DramaAnimationFamilyComedyFantasy

All Dogs Go to Heaven is an animated film directed by Don Bluth. Released in 1989, it follows the story of Charlie B. Barkin, a German Shepherd who returns to Earth from Heaven and embarks on a journey marked by redemption and friendship. The movie features the voices of Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, and Judith Barsi, delivering a poignant tale set against the backdrop of 1930s New Orleans.

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Release Date

November 17, 1989

Runtime

84 Minutes

Cast

Burt Reynolds
, Dom DeLuise
, Judith Barsi
, Melba Moore
, Daryl Gilley
, Candy Devine
, Charles Nelson Reilly
, Vic Tayback
, Rob Fuller
, Earleen Carey

Director

Don Bluth
, Gary Goldman
, Dan Kuenster

Budget

$13.8 Million

Don Bluth’s animated movies may not get the same praise as Disney movies, but his best stand-up among the House of Mouse’s signatures. All Dogs Go to Heaven tells the story of Charlie B. Barkin (Burt Reynolds), a German Shepherd who dies but escapes heaven in order to continue his indulgent lifestyle on earth. When he meets a young orphan named Anne-Marie (Judith Barsi), his priorities change. Bluth’s animation expresses incredible emotion and the story is an important lesson for any young one who has lost a pet.

7

Marley & Me (2008)

An Incorrigible Yellow Lab Brings A Family Together

Marley & Me (2008) - Poster - Owen Wilson & Jennifer Aniston Hugging each other with a dog

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8/10

Marley & Me

PG
ComedyFamily

Marley & Me follows the life of a journalist couple, John and Jenny Grogan, portrayed by Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, as they adopt a mischievous Labrador retriever named Marley. The film explores their journey through marriage, career challenges, and the ups and downs of pet ownership, highlighting the profound influence Marley has on their lives.

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Release Date

December 25, 2008

Runtime

115 Minutes

Cast

Owen Wilson
, Jennifer Aniston
, Eric Dane
, Kathleen Turner
, Alan Arkin

Director

David Frankel

Budget

60000000.0

Marley & Me is based on the real story and memoir by John Grogan, that follows John’s (Owen Wilson) life, from the time he and his wife, Jenny (Jennifer Aniston), buy a rambunctious yellow Labrador through the many milestones the family has. A fairly light story, with only a few moments of actual drama, Marley is such a lovable pooch, that his personality makes the rest of the script better. The finale of John coming to terms with his pet’s mortality is the quintessential sad dog moment in a movie.

6

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

Three Animal Friends Set Off On An Amazing Journey

Homeward Bound

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Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

G
AdventureComedyDrama

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey follows the adventure of three pets—a wise old Golden Retriever, a feisty American Bulldog, and a cautious Siamese cat—as they embark on a perilous journey across the wilderness to reunite with their owners. The 1993 family film captures their enduring friendship and determination amidst various challenges.

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Release Date

February 3, 1993

Runtime

84 Minutes

Cast

Michael J. Fox
, Sally Field
, Don Ameche
, Robert Hays
, Kim Greist
, Veronica Lauren
, Kevin Chevalia
, Benj Thall

Director

Duwayne Dunham

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey is a remake of the 1963 movie of the same name, which is in turn based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Sheila Burnford. Featuring the voice work of Michael J. Fox as Chance the bulldog, Don Ameche as Shadow the golden retriever, and Sally Field as Sassy the cat, Homeward Bound follows the trio of animals who set off to find their owners after being seemingly abandoned. The friendship that grows between the trio is heartwarming and the scene of Shadow’s near-demise will elicit some tears.