Dog movies – which dog lover would not love them? I am listing here some wonderful dog movies (non-animation category) and I am sure you have missed out on at least a couple of them. So here is your chance to get to know these flicks and watch them. The more dog movies you watch, the more you will love dogs. I am not listing them in order of preference because I feel they are all great dog movies. Do not miss any of these movies.
1) My Dog Skip (2000) – This is a beautiful, touching tale of a Jack Russell’s love for his young master who leaves the city to pursue education. The movie shows beautifully how the dog copes with the absence of the boy. This movie became a major box office success and grossed $35,512,760 worldwide. The movie cast comprises stars Kevin Bacon, Diane Lane and Luke Wilson.
2) Eight Below (2006) – How will you feel if circumstances force you to abandon your dog, the great love of your life, in chains and in merciless weather with angry, howling winds blowing at tremendous speed? This is the predicament Jerry Shephard faces not with one dog but eight. He feels there is nothing he can do about it yet will stop at nothing to go back to Antartica and rescue his beloved canine companions. This movie is a gripping adventure drama based on a true story. Eight Huskies and Malamutes sled dogs get stranded in the Antartica for over six months. The movie masterfully shows the frustration that Jerry Shephard and the hardships the dogs undergo. Humans can learn a thing or two from the dogs who skillfully cooperate with each other to survive the hostile conditions. The movie stars Paul Walker as Jerry Shephard and grossed $120,453,565 worldwide.
3) Togo (2019) – This is another great adventure movie based on true incidents. Togo was a legendary dog who played a vital role in saving the lives of several children struck with diphtheria in Alaska in1925. As a puppy, Togo was a nuisance and showed no signs of the legend he was to become. Willem Dafoe convincingly plays the role of Togo’s owner. There was another dog called Balto who completed the last lap of the journey in bringing the serum to the Alaskan town, and it was Balto who got more credit and became very famous. It was only later that people realized Togo deserved greater credit, because his journey was more perilous. If Togo had not brought the serum to Balto’s team, the children would have died. This wonderful not-to-be-missed movie finally does justice to Togo.
4) Hachi, A Dog’s Tale (2009) – How many humans would wait every day for ten years for someone they love? I have not come across any such person and I am sure most of you have not either. Well, a dog did that and his name was Hachi. This angel Akita lived in Japan in the 1920’s. A kind professor adopted Hachi, and the dog developed an inseparable bond with his master. When Hachi’s master suddenly died, the dog, innocently unaware of his master’s demise, would wait for him every day at the train station for ten years till he died. This movie will bring tears to your eyes. Hachi is the epitome of loyalty. Do not miss this movie. Richard Gere plays the role of Hachi’s master. I started this petition in honor of Hachi and it will be great if you can sign it and share it with others.
5) Max (2015) – Max is the story of a US Marine dog who accompanies his handler Kyle to Afghanistan. Kyle’s younger brother Justin adopts Max after Kyle’s death in a gunfight. The movie skillfully tells about the adventures of Max and Justin. The movie shows that if a dog behaves weirdly, there is almost always a reason.
6) Iron Will (1994) – This is one hell of a movie and tells the story of a young boy named Will Stoneman who takes part in a profitable but dangerous cross-country dog race of 522 miles to save his family from financial ruin. Will battles many hardships during the race. The movie brilliantly shows what steely determination can achieve.
7) Marley and Me (2008) – A real-life hyperactive Labrador Retriever named Marley was the inspiration behind this movie. Marley was an unmanageable yet adorable dog who brought all kinds of trouble for his parents. This movie is very entertaining and should be on the watch-list of every dog owner but especially those with hyperactive pooches. No matter how mischievous a dog is, it sure knows how to find a place in our hearts. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston play Marley’s parents in the movie.
8) Old Yeller (1957) – Released so many decades ago but continues to be one of the best dog movies ever made. It is the story of a boy and his stray companion in post-Civil War Texas. The library of Congress selected this movie for preservation into the National Film Registry. Need I say more about how great this movie is?
9) Red Dog (2011) – This is an Australian production and is one of the highest-grossing Australian films of all times. This is the story of a stray called Red Dog who befriends people from all walks of life and considers only a bus driver as his real master. Red Dog travels to many places and becomes well known.
10) White Fang (1991) – Starring Ethan Hawke, this movie is based on Jack London’s classic novel with the same name. It tells the story of a gold hunter’s relationship with a wolfdog. The movie did really well at the box office and grossed $34,793,160 in North America.
11) White God (2014) – This is a Hungarian movie about a girl who fights to protect her mixed-breed dog named Hagen, especially from an unsympathetic father. About 250 dogs acted in this movie and except for the dogs that portray Hagen, the filmmakers recruited the other dogs from shelters and the streets—I have not seen this in any dog movie. These dogs were later rehabilitated and almost 98% of them were adopted after the shooting was completed. This movie premiered in the Cannes Film festival and critics gave it a high rating. Do not miss this gem.
Other wonderful dog-related movies are: We think the World of You (1988), Umberto D (1952 Italian movie), Greyfriars Bobby (1961), Benji (1974 but remade in 2018), Best in Show (2000), A Dog’s Way Home (2019), A Dog’s Purpose (2017), Homeward Bound – The incredible journey (1993), etc. There is another movie named ‘White Dog’ (not to be confused with ‘White God’ mentioned above). This movie, because of its limited release, it did not do well, but it is worth a watch because of its unique plot. It is the story of a dog that is trained for racial attacks on humans..
I will update the list as there are other wonderful dog movies out there so keep a watch.
Photo by Mahdi Bafande on Unsplash
I am a dog lover and creator of this site. I am also the author of ‘Keep Sleeping Keep Missing- if only you knew’ (available on Amazon, Flipkart, Kobo, Google Store, etc.).
