People love dogs, so it comes as no surprise that Hollywood has capitalized on that with a whole slew of films featuring America’s four-legged friends. Here are a few of our picks for the best dog movies to hit the screen.
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Who knew dogs loved spaghetti so much? This classic animated film finds a pampered cocker spaniel charmed by a lovable mutt.
Cujo (1983)
This psychological horror film centers around a rabid St. Bernard, who conducts a reign of terror on a mother and son trapped in a stalled car. Based on the novel by Stephen King, this film makes man’s best friend look not so friendly.
Turner and Hooch (1989)
Tom Hanks plays a meticulous detail-oriented detective, forced to play host to a cantankerous dog who was the only witness in a robbery. Few actors could make this work, but an early-career Hanks pulls it off with plenty of laughs.
Homeward Bound (1993)
Three talking pets go on a quest to find their owners, journeying across the California landscape and cracking jokes along the way.
Balto (1995)
Loosely based on a true story, this animated film features half-wolf, half-dog Balto risking his life to guide a dog-sled team back to safety and bringing a lifesaving antidote to a snow-covered Alaska town plagued by an epidemic.
101 Dalmatians (1996)
This remake of the Disney classic about dogs trying to save their puppies from the villainous Cruella de Vil wins points for the wonderfully evil performance by Glenn Close.
Air Bud (1997)
It’s about a basketball-playing golden retriever. Enough said.
Marley and Me (2008)
This movie chronicles the life of newlyweds played by Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, and their Labrador puppy. The lovable but misbehaved dog wreaks havoc on their changing lives, but becomes an irreplaceable part of their growing family. The heartwarming story does a great job of capturing how dogs aren’t just pets, they’re family.
