The Best Movies with Pets : Keeping It Pawsome

Quick, think of a movie you love with a dog or cat in it. (Or a horse or a pig or, even, a mouse.)

We bet you can list more than one. There are hundreds of movies with pets in them — even Ripley had a cat in “Alien”!

In this roundup, we’re focusing on the best movies in which a pet dog or cat is a pivotal piece of the story. From boys and their dogs to dogs and cats trying to get back to the humans they love to valuable lessons about friendship and love, these movies will have you laughing, crying, and then laughing some more.

(Keeping It Pawsome is a member of the Amazon affiliate network and does get a tiny percentage of the cost if you buy something.)

Best Overall
A Dog’s Purpose

We’re going to start this roundup with a confession. We haven’t seen “A Dog’s Purpose.” We know it’s going to make us cry so we’ve avoided it (despite having seem some of the tearjerkers listed farther down this list). Despite that, we know it’s one of the best pet movies ever made.

Follow along as a dog’s soul is born and reborn time and time again, each time helping the people he winds up with to find happiness, but also finding his own purpose in life. His life is bookended by his relationship with his first human best friend, Ethan, first in the 1950s when Ethan is a boy and later in life when Ethan is in his 50s.

Best Overall: Runner Up
A Dog’s Journey

“A Dog’s Journey,” which some say is even better than “A Dog’s Purpose,” picks up where the first movie left off, with the reincarnated dog living with Ethan. When the dog dies, it’s reincarnated again — and again — but this time always within a few degrees of separation from Ethan. And once again the movie is about finding happiness, helping people and the true love between a dog and his human.

Best for Kids
Secret Life of Pets

With its simple plot, variety of talking animals, and funny dialogue, “Secret Life of Pets” is a sure winner for any kid under 10. There’s lots of adventure, but also moments that’ll make everyone go “aww.”

Anyone with a dog will instantly recognize their own dog in Max. A bit spoiled, he loves his cushy life with his human. But that life is upended when he’s forced to share his home with a new dog. When they both accidentally wind up bound for the pound, hilarity and adventure ensue when they’re rescued by a smart-mouthed bunny named Snowball who demands they participate in a war against humans. Of course, it all works out in the end.

Best for Kids: Runner Up
101 Dalmatians

There’s nothing cuter than a bunch of Dalmatian puppies and little scarier than Cruella de Vil when you’re a small kid.

Kids will cheer on Pongo and Perdita as they race across town to save their 15 puppies from the clutches of the iconic villainess who wants to turn all the Dalmatian puppies in town into a spotted fur coat. But while the frantic parents appeal to all the dogs in town, it’s not just a canine rescue party. There’s a tom cat named Sergeant Tibbs, as well as a bunch of geese, cows and horses in on the rescue. Your little ones will love it!

For the purposes of this list, we’re recommending the original 1961 Disney film, but the 1996 live-action adaptation with Glenn Close isn’t bad.

Most Likely to Make You Cry
Old Yeller

There’s nothing quite like a good boy-and-his-dog flick and while “Old Yeller” maybe be an oldie (it came out in 1957), it’s still a goodie. And we dare you to try and stay dry eyed at the end.

The story follows the relationship between a young boy, Travis, and a stray named Old Yeller, who quickly become the best of friends. But Travis is faced with an impossible decision when Old Yeller is bit by a rabid wolf.

Probably not for the younger kids, it’s a good one for teens over 13, as well as adults. And make sure you have a box of tissues ready.

Most Likely to Make You Cry: Runner Up
Marley and Me

Another tear-jerker, “Marley and Me” at least has a healthy dose of comedy in it. Anyone who has ever loved a dog, through good and bad, will love this movie.

The story begins with newlyweds John and Jenny and their puppy Marley. What follows are the trials and tribulations of a marriage, along with family growing pains — all accompanied by the loveable Marley and his antics. But dogs don’t live forever and eventually they have to say good-bye. (Another tissue box, please.)

Most Likely to Have You Cheering
Homeward Bound

Who doesn’t love a good reunion story? Especially when its pets that have been separated from their beloved humans (boy and his horse Budweiser commercial, anyone?).

In “Homeward Bound” two dogs and a cat are forcibly separated from the three children they grew up with. Believing their humans to be in trouble, they travel across the country to find and rescue them. With snappy dialogue (the animals are voiced by Sally Field, Michael J. Fox, and Don Ameche), gorgeous scenery, fun (and scary) adventures, and a heartfelt reunion, you’ll be cheering on Chance, Sassy, and Shadow every step of the way.

Most Likely to Have You Cheering: Runner Up
Balto

Loosely based the true story of a husky that made an emergency run to Nome in 1925 carrying much needed medicine, “Balto” will have your kids (and you!) rooting for him to save the day.

Like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer before him, Balto, a half wolf-dog hybrid is ridiculed and ignored by all the other sled dogs in Nome, Alaska. But when a diphtheria epidemic strikes the town, and the main sled team gets lost in the wilderness, Balto must rescue the missing dogs and get the medicine back to the town in time to save everyone.

Most Nostalgic (aka Classic Oldie)
Lassie Come Home

Another classic boy and his dog movie, the original Lassie movie, the 1943 “Lassie Come Home” predates even “Old Yeller.” This one’s not a tear jerker though, and it’s a perfect choice for grandparents to watch with their kids.

Set in Depression-era England, a boy is forced to sell his beloved Collie when his family hits on hard times. But Lassie will have none of it and makes her way back to her best friend. Forcibly separated again, and this time sent farther away, Lassie again escapes but this time has to make her long way home against perilous odds.

“Lassie Come Home” was followed by seven more Lassie films, as well as two remakes, one made in 1994 and one in 2005, though the plots for these most recent films are somewhat different.

Most Nostalgic: Runner Up
Benji

Not quite as old as “Lassie Come Home” and “Old Yeller,” “Benji” is nevertheless a classic, having been released in 1974.

A bit different than the usual fare, “Benji” follows the adventures of a scrappy puppy as he tries to get humans to help him rescue two kids who have been kidnapped.

The movie is slow by modern standards, so older kids, teens and twentysomethings probably won’t appreciate its nostalgic appeal. A good one for younger kids. There’s also a 2018 remake that adds more action to the story, but we think this is the best of the two.

Best Animated Movie for Dog-Loving Kids
Lady & the Tramp

This was our favorite pet movie as a kid. We loved the story of Lady and Tramp — and who can forget that spaghetti and meatballs kiss!

A true boy-meets-girl story, “Lady & the Tramp” follows a pampered Cocker Spaniel named Lady who winds up on the street after her humans have a baby. Alone and afraid, she’s befriended by a streetwise mutt named Tramp. Of course, a romance ensues, then boy loses girl, and, in the end, they all live happily ever after.

One of Disney’s best animal-themed animated films.

Best Animated Movie for Dog-Loving Kids: Runner Up
All Dogs Go to Heaven

Finally, a girl and her dog story; this is another great one for kids of all ages.

Essentially a redemption story, “All Dogs Go to Heaven” tells the story of Carlie B. Barkin, a good-for-nothing German Shepherd, who learns important lessons about friendship, love, and the importance of helping others through his relationship with an orphaned girl. There’s lots of animated action and the story sure does tug on the heartstrings.

Best Animated Movie for Cat-Loving Kids
The Aristocats

The only Disney animal film that focuses solely on cats, your kitty-loving kiddos will dig this one.

Set in Paris in 1910, Duchess and her three kittens live an easy, pampered life with Madame, a retired opera singer. But when Madame’s longtime butler learns her fortune will go to the cats first, and then him after their death, he, predictably, plots to eliminate them. Abandoned in the countryside, the city cat and her babies are out way out of their element. Of course, they’re rescued by a handsome and personable tom cat who promises to get them back to Paris.

Like all of Disney’s animated films, there’s some great music, including the classic “Everybody Wants To Be a Cat.”

Best Animated Movie for Cat-Loving Kids: Runner Up
Puss in Boots

There aren’t a lot of animated movies just about cats, so we struggled a little with finding a runner up we liked. We finally settled on “Puss in Boots” for its combination of action and adventure and comedy.

A prequel to the “Shrek” series of movies, in which Puss plays a role, in “Puss in Boots” we get to see how Puss got his start. On the run for a crime he didn’t commit, Puss attempts to restore his good name during a series of adventures that have him interacting with characters from a slew of childhood fairy tales. Voiced by Antonio Banderas, Puss certainly has a lot of charisma.

Best Pet/Human Buddy Flick
Turner and Hooch

Tom Hanks back in the day when he still did comedy, and did it oh so well.

Talk about mismatched partners! Pair an uptight, by-the-book cop with an unruly and messy dog with the keys to solving a murder and you’ve got the makings of a ridiculous, but funny, buddy film. We don’t care how stupid you think the premise is, you’ll be laughing all the way through!

Best Pet/Human Buddy Flick: Runner Up
A Street Cat Named Bob

A bit different from the other films on this list, “A Street Cat Named Bob,” is based on the real-life story of James, a homeless man and recovering heroin addict, and Bob, the stray cat he adopts. It’s powerful, funny, sad, and ultimately uplifting.

Silliest
Beethoven

“Beethoven” is the perfect antidote to the rainy-day blues. Its silly slapstick comedy isn’t anything to write home about, but it will get you smiling.

Just Because We Love It
Best in Show

We didn’t know where else to put this classic Christopher Guest-directed film, but it’s one of our all-time favorite movies with pets in it. Though whether you can really call these dog show pups pets is up for debate.

Regardless, we love this mockumentary, which follows the stories of neurotic dog owners and trainers, all of whom are vying to get their dog named best in show. From a dog owner with two left feet (literally) to the couple who flip out when their dogs’ favorite toy goes missing, it’s all so ridiculous, and so good.

Did we miss any of your favorite pet flicks? Should we have included “Garfield,” “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” “That Darn Cat,” or something else?

Drop a movie in the comments below to tell us what your favorite pet movies are.

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