Movies about dogs: a list of the best

Movies about dogs are often very touching, evoking positive emotions in viewers of all ages. All directors strive to instill the idea that a pet is not just a toy, but a full-fledged member of the family with their own feelings and emotions. So, what kind of dog movie can truly touch the soul?

A Dog's Life

Premiere: March 30, 2017

Genre: fantasy, drama, comedy, adventure

Director: Lasse Hallström

Cast: Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton, KJ Apa, Bryce Geyser.

Dog movies often include comedic elements, but fantasy is a rarity. "A Dog's Purpose" tells the story of a dog named Bailey, who is perfectly happy. He has a loving owner, Ethan, time to play, and a bowl full of food. But then one day, Ethan suffers a serious injury, forcing him to give up his football career.

Bailey himself is slowly aging, which leads to a completely logical conclusion. But then the dog returns to life, albeit in a different body. This will continue until Bailey understands the human soul and realizes the meaning of his own life.

Marley and Me

Premiere: March 12, 2009

Genre: comedy, melodrama

Director: David Frankel

Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson, Eric Dane, Alan Arkin, Kathleen Turner.

John and Jenny are a happily married couple. They work as journalists, but Jenny is far more successful in her career than her boyfriend. However, she dreams not of challenging assignments and multi-million dollar salaries, but of children.

To delay the happy moment of fatherhood, John gives his wife a dog, a cute Labrador retriever nickname Marley. Who could have guessed that Marley is the most restless and gluttonous dog in the world? Because of their pet, the main characters constantly find themselves in awkward situations, but despite everything, they continue to love Marley with all their hearts.

Soon, children arrive, and John and Jenny's lives change completely. However, they always have a friend by their side, ready to chew on something at any opportunity.

Hachiko: A Dog's Tale

Premiere: October 22, 2009

Genre: drama, family

Director: Lasse Hallström

Cast: Richard Gere, Joan Allen, Sarah Roemer, Jason Alexander.

This list of the best films wouldn't be complete without "Hachiko: A Dog's Tale." Dog films come in a variety of genres, and they can often be touching, but few stories can evoke such a storm of emotions in viewers.

Professor Parker Wilson had no intention of adopting the cute little puppy, but the dog persistently followed him. Over the years, the dog and his owner became true, loyal friends. Every day, Hachiko came to the train station where Parker arrived from work. But then one day, his beloved owner didn't return.

Parker suffered a heart attack during a lecture and died. But the faithful dog refused to accept the news. He continued to visit the train station for years, convincing those around him that true, endless love did indeed exist.

White Bim Black Ear

Premiere: September 15, 1977

Genre: drama

Director: Stanislav Rostotsky

Cast: Nikita Astakhov, Vyacheslav Tikhonov, Valentina Vladimirova, Mikhail Dadyko.

A Scottish Setter puppy was born with the wrong coloring, but that didn't stop him from finding a home. Writer Ivan Ivanovich adopted the dog, whom he fell deeply in love with. Bim reciprocated his owner's affection, constantly accompanying him on trips and hunting expeditions.

However, after Ivan Ivanovich suffered a serious injury and ended up in the hospital, Bim disappeared. Haunted by universal hatred, the dog ended up on the streets. Changing owners one after another, the dog always pursued his goal: to find his owner and return home. However, human indifference can sometimes be the cruelest punishment for an innocent animal.

Beethoven

Premiere: September 17, 1993

Genre: drama, comedy, family

Director: Brian Levant

Cast: Charles Grodin, Dean Jones, Bonnie Hunt, Nicholle Tom, Christopher Castile.

A tiny St. Bernard accidentally found its way into the home of an ordinary American family. The three children instantly fell in love with the dog and begged their parents to keep the puppy. However, the father isn't exactly thrilled about the new addition. Growing up, Beethoven is causing too many problems, and then it turns out the pet is involved in a criminal case.

However, it is no longer possible to get rid of the grown-up St. Bernard, because he has already become a member of the family, melting the heart of even the always gloomy father.

"Love for dogs is a must"

Premiere: November 10, 2005

Genre: melodrama, comedy

Director: Gary David Goldberg

Cast: Diane Lane, John Cusack, Elizabeth Perkins, Christopher Plummer.

The list of dog movies also includes this melodrama, which will appeal primarily to adult women. The film's protagonist, Sarah, recently broke up with her boyfriend. Now, her only escape is her dog. However, Sarah's family refuses to listen to her admonitions about the benefits of solitude. So, the protagonist's sisters post her profile on a dating site with the comment, "Love of dogs is a must."

Surprisingly, this method works, and Sarah meets a charming man named Jake. He also loves pets, but the protagonist, still reeling from her lover's betrayal, refuses to believe in the sincerity of her newfound love's intentions.

Cats vs. Dogs

Premiere: September 6, 2001

Genre: fantasy, action, comedy

Director: Lawrence Guterman

Cast: Jeff Goldblum, Elizabeth Perkins, Alexander Pollock, Miriam Margolyes.

Little Lou could hardly have imagined he'd find himself at the very epicenter of a centuries-old conflict, and yet, there he was! When the son of a brilliant inventor took the puppy into his home, Lou thought his life had turned into a fairy tale. He was constantly played with, adored, and fed, but outside the home, something mad was happening.

It turns out his owner's father invented something that could change the balance of power in the world. His invention is being stolen by cats, led by an evil, snow-white Persian leader. Now Lou and his new four-legged friends will have to fight back against feline expansion.

White Captivity

Premiere: February 17, 2006

Genre: drama, adventure, family

Director: Frank Marshall

Cast: Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood, Wendy Crewson.

Jerry Shepard works in the vastness of Antarctica as part of a scientific expedition. Dog sleds prove the only way to travel quickly in these conditions. Huskies have long been Jerry's close friends.

Then one day, an accident befalls the group. The expedition members are forced to evacuate, intending to return for the dogs. However, poor weather conditions prevent the researchers from rescuing the animals. A pack of eight huskies finds itself trapped in the snow. Now, to survive, the animals must contend with the elements and the aggressive local inhabitants.

K-9: Dog Work

Premiere: April 28, 1989

Genre: action, comedy, crime

Director: Rod Daniel

Cast: James Bellusci, Mel Harris, Kevin Tighe, Jerry Lee.

Michael Dooley is a seasoned cop, a true scourge of gangsters in his hometown. However, his desire to put away overly influential criminals leads to an assassination attempt. Michael is certain a drug dealer is involved, but he has no proof.

Then the protagonist's friend gives him a dog named Jerry Lee to help him. This dog is trained to sniff out drugs, but also has a rather peculiar character. Trying to find common ground with his new partner, the protagonist is forced to endure his antics and Jerry Lee's penchant for chewing on everything around him.

Turner and Hooch

Premiere: July 28, 1989

Genre: thriller, drama, comedy

Director: Roger Spottiswoode

Cast: Tom Hanks, Mare Winningham, Craig T. Nelson, Scott Paulin.

Scott Turner is a police officer investigating the murder of an old acquaintance who works at the port. The only witness to the crime is the deceased's dog, Hooch.

The pet misses his owner, and most importantly, he recognizes the killer. Scott is confident that collaborating with the animal will lead him to the criminal. That's why he brings Hooch into his home. Only then does it become clear that the experienced police officer has gotten involved with the most vile dog in the world.

Hooch is untrainable. He's constantly chewing and making a mess. However, this doesn't stop Turner and Hooch from becoming a real team, tracking down killers. Read about it on our website. the dog breed from this movie.

Homeward Bound: An Incredible Adventure

Premiere: February 3, 1993

Genre: drama, comedy, adventure, family

Director: Duwayne Dunham

Cast: Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, Don Amici, Robert Hays.

The main characters of this charming adventure comedy are two dogs and a cat named Sassy. One day, their owners are forced to temporarily lend them to their friends. Here, the pets can live freely, eat their fill, and have fun.

But the charming trio is certain something bad has happened to their owners. Otherwise, why are they taking so long to return for them? After some thought, the protagonists set off on a journey. Their journey across the country will prove long and dangerous. However, the adventures will unite the team and once again convince people that there is no friend more loyal than a pet.

Red Dog

Premiere: August 4, 2011

Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy

Director: Australia, USA

Cast: Josh Lucas, Rachael Taylor, Rohan Nicole, Luke Ford.

John lives in a small mining town where nothing ever happens. Everyone here knows each other and has no desire to leave the hopeless region where their grandfathers were born and raised.

One day, a red-haired Kelly appears in town. No one knows where this pet came from or who owns it. However, the dog manages to shake up the sleepy kingdom. In the blink of an eye, he finds himself at the center of all the city's events. This dog also plays a significant role in John's life, as the red-haired dog will help him find true love.

The Story of Hachiko

Premiere: August 1, 1987

Genre: drama

Director: Sejiro Koyama

Cast: Tatsuya Nakadai, Kaoru Yachigusa, Toshinori Omi, Mako Ishino.

Professor Ueno always kept dogs at home. Then one day, a former student gave him a charming pet. Little Hachi grew into a large and beautiful dog who accompanied his master everywhere.

Time passed, and Hachi developed the habit of coming to meet his master at Shibuya Station. One day, Mr. Ueno suffered a heart attack, and doctors were unable to revive him. However, Hachi couldn't explain this. Every day, he came to the station, where he waited until late in the evening for his master, who had disappeared.

101 Dalmatians

Premiere: November 18, 1996

Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Family

Director: Stephen Herek

Cast: Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Joel Richardson, Hugh Laurie.

Roger and Anita met in a strange way: they had identical dogs, which sparked a conversation. However, feelings blossomed not only between humans but also between animals. Soon, the protagonists' pets had offspring.

The happy family had no idea that the villainous Cruella was planning to kidnap the puppies. She'd long coveted a distinctive black-spotted fur coat. That's why Cruella began kidnapping Dalmatian puppies all over town. But Roger and Anita aren't about to part with the puppies so easily. Just before Christmas, after a daring robbery, they declare war on the villain and her henchmen.

"Come to me, Mukhtar!"

Premiere: March 13, 1965

Genre: drama

Director: Semyon Tumanov, V. Tuinova

Cast: Yuri Nikulin, Vladimir Emelyanov, Leonid Kmit, Yuri Belov.

Junior Lieutenant Glazychev has chosen a difficult life: he works in the police. Every day, he has to pursue criminals, investigate murders, and catch scoundrels. Aiding him in this challenging task is a German Shepherd named Mukhtar. The dog has repeatedly helped the protagonist survive, and Glazychev has reciprocated.

Their team worked successfully for many years, but in the life of every police officer there are cases so difficult that they break them from the inside.

There are many excellent films dedicated to man's faithful companions. Each one is rich in meaning and often even features dramatic elements. Films about dogs are worth watching with the whole family, as they can inspire compassion in children for those who are weaker but still capable of feeling.

Read also:

• Cartoons about dogs: a list of the best
• Funny pictures about dogs
• Hachiko: a dog breed from the film