This charming Australian film is based on the true story of a clever, wandering kelpie who unofficially gets adopted by a mining town in the 1970s. While he forms a special bond with one man, the entire community considers him their own loyal companion. Red Dog’s story is a beautiful and heartwarming tribute to how one special dog can bring a whole town together. | © Arc Entertainment
Balto tells the true story of a sled dog who is shunned for being a wolf-hybrid but must lead a dangerous mission through a blizzard to deliver life-saving medicine. It’s a more serious and gripping film than many other animal tales, dealing with themes of sickness and prejudice. The realistic stakes and thrilling action make its heroic, feel-good ending incredibly satisfying. | © Universal Pictures
Wendy and Lucy follows a woman on a road trip with her dog, Lucy, who is her only source of comfort and family. When Lucy goes missing in a strange town, the search becomes a desperate struggle against poverty and impossible choices. The devastating but loving decision to leave Lucy with a safer family will haunt any pet owner with the fear of being forced apart. | © Oscilloscope Laboratories
This intense Hungarian film follows a mixed-breed dog, Hagen, who is cruelly abandoned and must survive the harsh streets of Budapest. He endures dogfighting and shelters, eventually becoming the leader of a massive pack of strays. The most heartbreaking moment comes at the end, when he recognizes his original owner but turns away, his trust completely shattered. | © Magnolia Pictures
We experience the entire life of a family through the wise and witty eyes of Enzo, a golden retriever who believes he's destined to be a race car driver. His unique perspective, voiced by Kevin Costner, guides us through all of life's triumphs and heartbreaks. It's a film that will have you both laughing and crying, reminding you that our dogs are often our most insightful companions. | © 20th Century Fox
Air Bud begins when a lonely boy named Josh befriends a stray Golden Retriever who's a natural at basketball. Their joyful bond is threatened when the dog's original, cruel owner shows up to claim him. It’s a classic tale of a dog healing a family, and the tense fight to keep him together will absolutely pull on your heartstrings. | © Walt Disney Pictures
In a post-apocalyptic New York, Will Smith's character and his loyal German Shepherd, Sam, are the last survivors, relying on each other for both protection and companionship. Their powerful bond is the emotional core of the film, making you root for them at every terrifying turn. That's why Sam's fate is so utterly devastating, leaving every viewer heartbroken and wishing for a different outcome. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
All Dogs Go to Heaven follows a German shepherd named Charlie who escapes heaven for a second chance at life. His plan for revenge gets complicated when he forms a heartfelt bond with a lonely little girl. It’s a uniquely bittersweet story that mixes catchy songs with a tough lesson about redemption and the friendships that truly define us. | © United Artists
Marley & Me follows a young couple who bring home a mischievous Labrador puppy, thinking he'll be easier than starting a family. Marley grows into a wonderfully chaotic and loyal force of nature throughout all of life's ups and downs. That's why the final act hits so hard, offering a powerful, tearful lesson on the entire beautiful and heartbreaking journey of loving a dog. | © 20th Century Fox
Old Yeller begins with a stray dog winning over a farm family in 1860s Texas, despite the eldest son, Travis's, initial reluctance. The two form an incredibly strong bond after Yeller saves his life, truly becoming "the best doggone dog in the West." That's what makes the famous, heartbreaking ending so difficult, as it forces any dog owner to confront the painful reality of eventually having to say goodbye. | © Walt Disney Pictures
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey follows three pets, two dogs and a cat, who trek through the wilderness, convinced their family accidentally left them behind. We experience the journey through their eyes, feeling Chance's fear and Shadow's unwavering hope. The final, emotional reunion is so powerful it will stick with you long after you get home to your own pets. | © Walt Disney Pictures
This classic Disney film follows the tender friendship between a fox named Tod and a hound dog named Copper. Their bond is tested as they grow up, facing the harsh reality that the world expects them to be enemies. It’s a surprisingly poignant story about growing apart from loved ones, and its bittersweet moments have brought generations of viewers to tears. | © Walt Disney Pictures
A Dog's Purpose takes you on an emotional journey as a dog named Bailey is reborn into several different lives and homes. We get to hear his loving and often funny thoughts throughout each new adventure, which makes every goodbye that much harder. While the story ultimately leads to a happy and heartfelt ending, it's a powerful reminder to fill your own dog's life with as much love and joy as possible. | © Universal Pictures
Eight Below strands a team of sled dogs in the brutal Antarctic winter after their guide is forced to leave them behind. You'll be on the edge of your seat as they fight for survival against the freezing elements, relying only on each other. It's a tense and moving tribute to their resilience that will make you incredibly grateful for your own dog's warm, safe home. | © Walt Disney Pictures
Hachi: A Dog's Tale begins as a warm story about the bond between a professor and the abandoned dog he reluctantly takes in. That bond is tested by a sudden tragedy, leading the incredibly loyal Hachi to wait for his owner's return every day for nearly a decade. It's a powerful reminder of a dog's pure, unwavering devotion, but be warned, it will absolutely shatter your heart. It doesn't make it easier to know that Hachi's story is a true one, and he even got a memorial in Japan for his loyalty. | © Sony Pictures Entertainment
We all know that special feeling of coming home to our dogs. These movies beautifully capture that powerful bond, but they also put it through some of the most emotional tests imaginable. Just a fair warning, you're definitely going to want your own pup by your side for this.
