My Favorite Dog Themed Movies

Movies have the ability to make us go through a whole range of emotions. They make us laugh, put us on the edge of our seats, and even make us sob and cry. Furry stars are an unlikely occurrence in movies. However, no one can deny the paw-some presence and adorableness they bring to the silver screen.

Just about everyone loves a good dog movie irrespective of what their other interests in movies might be. The plots and genres may vary, but movies that incorporate dogs’ good qualities and the bonds between a dog and its owner are almost sure to make you laugh, tug on your heartstrings and leave you with that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

Doesn’t matter if you own a pooch or not, if you love canines, you’ll enjoy watching doggie movies. Dozens of movies have been made starring dogs. Some of these dog movies are sad, while others have adventures, as well as comedy and action.

Popular streaming services have animal-themed films that run the gamut from the emotional to the exciting featuring furry stars doing amazing (and awww-some) things. From being emotionally heart-wrenching to being animated and super adventurous, here’s a list of my favorite dog movies that can make your day.

 

Marley & Me (2008)

This late 2000’s family movie has become a favorite of dog lovers everywhere. Based on the memoir of NY Times columnist John Grogan, Marley & Me tells the story of John (Owen Wilson) and his wife Jenny (Jennifer Anniston), a newlywed couple, the Grogans, who contemplate parenthood. To see if they’re ready for children, they first adopt a not-so-obedient and beautiful-yet-mischievous Labrador puppy who they name Marley - after Bob Marley, as a practice for rearing children. Marley proves to be a disobedient dog and his unruly behavior sorely tests the couple’s patience. But in the end, Marley is a loyal and affectionate dog, who they eventually learn to live with and love, as he shares his parent’s as well as their kids’ ups and downs of life.

Most pet owners can relate to this film. The movie makes viewers crack up at Marley’s disobedient puppy antics who eventually becomes the pet a family wants to have, and at the same time makes us appreciate that despite all the troublemaking, puppies can be the nucleus of a family and really bring it together.

Marley & Me has a heartbreaking ending that makes viewers want to grab their pups and hug them tight. This movie will make you love your pooch and appreciate the time that both of you spend together, even more than you thought you could. 

 Available on Amazon Prime (Marley & Me).

 

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

If loyalty had a face, it would definitely look like this dog. Hachi is based on the real-life story of a faithful and very loyal Akita Inu dog in Japan and is also a remake of the 1987 Japanese film Hachiko Monogatari. It stars Richard Gere whose character develops an unbreakable bond with his dog. 

This classic movie is narrated by a kid named Ronnie, who tells a story about Hachiko, a dog that belonged to his late grandfather Professor Park Wilson. He along with his Japanese colleague find a lost Akita puppy from Japan whom they name “Hachiko”. They form an unbreakable bond with each other as Hachi accompanies Parker every day to the train station as he leaves for and returns from work. When his human suddenly dies on the way home from work, Hachi spends the rest of his life at the train station waiting for him to come back home.

This movie has plenty of life, drama, and sad ending, but it serves the lesson of friendship and dedication even unto the end. It is one of the sad dog movies, with an excellent story and a powerful experience for anyone who watches it.

Available on Amazon Prime (Hachi: A Dog's Tale).

 

A Dog’s Purpose (2017)

 

This heart-touching movie, based on a book by W. Bruce Cameron, is guaranteed to leave you in tears. Over the course of several lifetimes, a dog learns his real purpose for living when he shows people how to laugh and live life to the fullest.

This dog movie follows a stray puppy named Toby who is euthanized afterward. What follows after that is the dog being reincarnated as a Retriever and then adopted by a boy named Ethan who names him Bailey. Bailey bonds with Ethan and shares the ups and downs of his life. Eventually, Bailey dies and is reincarnated three more times along with his past life memories but into different canine breeds.

It sparks joy and warmth as well as leaves with a feeling of sadness to see the dog live out its reincarnated life making a difference and bonding with its owner each time. On a happier note, in the end, Bailey in his final reincarnation manages to reunite with his first owner Ethan and that brings joy to both of them. In his journey, Bailey learns of his real purpose: to bring happiness to his humans.

Available on Sony Liv

 

A Dog’s Journey (2019)

From the series of the movie A Dog’s Purpose, comes to us another heart-warming tale based on the book of the same name by W. Bruce Cameron. They say that dogs live to love us and this movie beautifully portrays it. Bailey is living the good life on the Michigan farm with his boy, Ethan and his wife Hannah. He also finds a new playmate, Ethan and Hannah’s baby granddaughter, CJ. However, a problem arises when CJ’s mom decides to take her away. As one old dog’s soul prepares to leave this life for the next adventure, he promises his owner to find CJ and protect her at any cost.

Thus begins Bailey's adventure through many lives filled with love, friendship, and devotion, and in every one of which she finds her way back to CJ. This is another movie that will tug at your heartstrings, so keep your own furball close.

Available on Sony Liv

Bolt (2008)

Starring John Travolta and singer Miley Cyrus and released by Walt Disney Studios, Bolt is the story of a dog who has spent his life as the canine star of a fictional television show. He believes the powers his character possesses are actually real. When he thinks his friend has been kidnapped, he sets out on a journey to rescue her. Through a series of mishaps, he finds himself in New York City, where he soon learns that his superpowers and his life on set are not actually real. Soon after starting out, Bolt teams up with a cat named Mittens and also a hamster named Rhino, and the three embark on an exciting and adventurous journey. It’s electrifying!

 

Available on Disney Hotstar (Bolt - Disney).

 

A Dog’s Way Home (2019)

Even though this movie is based on a book by W. Bruce Cameron, it is not a sequel to the series A Dog’s Purpose. This movie is about a stray puppy who finds her way to the love and care of Lucas. Lucas named her Bella and she was given a good home, love, and attention. Due to some breed discrimination, she was sent away by Lucas far away to safety, yet she made it her mission to find her way back to her owner. Therefore, she begins an arduous 400-mile journey across Colorado to be reunited with her hooman. Along the way, Bella met new companions and was able to bring them comfort and joy. This heartwarming tale is sure to leave a fuzzy feeling in your heart, and bring you to tears and laughter.

 

Available on YouTube. A Dog's Way Home

 

The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

 

If you’ve ever wondered what your pets do while you’re at work, let this hysterical flick give you some ideas. From the creators of Despicable Me, comes this hilarious and exciting movie involving many pets other than dogs, such as cats, birds, hamsters, lizards, a rabbit, and even a pig!

However, the story centers around two dogs. Max is enjoying a lot of attention from his hooman, but when she brings home a new dog named Duke, his world is turned upside down. When they become lost in the streets of New York, the two must learn to work together. Meanwhile, the other neighborhood pets work to find Max and Duke and thwart a gang of the city’s abandoned pets. Featuring the voices of well-known actors such as Louis C.K., and Jenny Slate to name a few, along with many others, The Secret Life of Pets has plenty of fun and humor.

Available on Amazon Prime

 

The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)

 

This recent favorite is based on the bestselling book, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. The story revolves around a race car driver, Denny portrayed by Milo Ventimiglia and his Golden Retriever Enzo whose thoughts were voiced by Kevin Costner. Enzo learns that the methods used on the race track by his owner, a Formula One driver, can also be used to navigate through life as he struggles with adjusting to the changes and challenges around him when his owner starts to build his family. He forms a lovely bond with his owner’s daughter but soon a sad turn of events requires him to support Denny more than ever. This movie with a heart-tugging storyline will make you laugh and cry. Also knowing such thoughts are running in their mind, will make you love your pooch even more.

Available on Disney Hotstar. The Art of Racing in the Rain - Disney+

 

Max (2015)

 

A recent film about a traumatized war dog, Max has appealed to many families especially those who experienced having a member sent to war. Max is a dog in mourning for the loss of his handler, Kyle. He is adopted by his late handler’s family and bonds with his owner’s troubled younger brother. In the movie, the family soon discovers the shocking truth behind the death of Kyle. This movie is a canine hero story that is sure to tug at the heartstrings, move you to tears and make you appreciate your relationship with your dogs.

Available on YouTube.

 

Togo (2019)

 

This is a true story set in the winter of 1925, that centers around a champion dogsled trainer Leonhard Seppala and his lead sled dog, Togo. Leonhard, a musher, adopts Togo, a Siberian husky who is considered to be weak, and trains him as his lead sled dog. Together, with his lead sled dog, Leonhard embarks on an adventure across the treacherous terrain of Alaska to transport medicine to a small town. When Togo leads the 1925 serum run in adverse weather conditions, he becomes a hero for Nome, Alaska. An endearing, adventurous, and exciting underdog story that will keep you on the edge of your seat along with a great cast, both canine and human alike, Togo is a timeless tale, well told.

 Available on Disney Hotstar. Togo - Disney

 

Whether you love adventure, comedy, or drama in a doggie movie, this list of canine pet movies is worth watching and will definitely tug at your heartstrings and make you appreciate the time that you spend with your pooch. So grab some popcorn and drinks. Oh and keep your furry friend close in case you need to hug him while watching these heartwarming doggie movies.