Best Pet Movies: 10 Animated and 10 Live-Action Films for Animal Lovers

The best pet movies for animal lovers include 101 Dalmatians, Lady and the Tramp, Bolt and The Secret Life of Pets among the animated films, and Marley and Me, Hachi, Togo and A Dog's Way Home among the live-action ones. Below are 20 films, 10 of each kind, with a short note on what each one is about so you can pick the right one for movie night.

Want more pet-parent reads after the credits? Browse our guides for new pet parents or our gifts and lifestyle picks.

Top 10 animated pet movies

These work well for kids and adults alike.

1. 101 Dalmatians: A Disney classic. Two dalmatians set out to find their stolen puppies while a villain tries to get hold of the spotted pups. There is also a live-action version if you want more.
2. Puss in Boots: A fast-paced adventure starring the cat from Shrek, chasing golden treasure and making unlikely friends and enemies on the way.
3. White Fang: A half-wolf, half-dog who has never known a loving home is rescued by a new owner who understands him.
4. The Fox and the Hound: A fox and a hunting dog grow up as neighbours and become best friends, until life pulls them in different directions.
5. The Aristocats: Duchess, a white Persian cat, and her three kittens are far from home and take help from a friendly tabby to find their way back.
6. Lady and the Tramp: A sheltered cocker spaniel and a street dog show each other their very different worlds.
7. The Secret Life of Pets: A comedy about what dogs, cats, bunnies and other pets get up to when their owners are out.
8. Bolt: A young dog who stars as a super-dog on TV gets lost in the real world and sets out to find his owner, Penny.
9. Rio: A blue macaw travels to Rio, meets Jewel, and ends up in a thrilling adventure with a whole crew of birds.
10. Over the Hedge: Woodland animals team up with the pets of a neighbourhood to collect food and dodge humans.

Top 10 live-action pet movies

Keep tissues nearby for a few of these.

1. Marley and Me: A couple adopts an unruly Labrador puppy who grows into a lovable handful as their family grows.
2. Rescued by Ruby: Based on a true story of a shelter pup trained to join a K-9 unit.
3. Benji: A stray dog befriends two children and protects them when they run into danger.
4. Beethoven: A small St. Bernard puppy joins a family and grows into a huge, much-loved dog.
5. Marmaduke: A comedy about a Great Dane and his best friend, a cat named Carlos, moving across the country.
6. A Dog's Way Home: Bella makes a 400-mile journey across Colorado to be reunited with her owner.
7. Air Bud: A runaway circus dog bonds with a boy who loves basketball and joins the school team.
8. Eight Below: A team of eight sled dogs is left behind in Antarctica while their owner works to get back to them.
9. Togo: The true story of sled dog Togo and trainer Leonhard Seppala on a long, difficult journey to Nome in 1925.
10. Hachiko: Based on a true story of an Akita who waited at a train station for his owner every evening. There is a statue of him outside Shibuya Station in Tokyo.

How to pick the right film

• Watching with young children: start with the gentler animated titles. Stories about lost pets finding their way home, like Bolt and The Aristocats, tend to end warmly.
• Want a laugh: The Secret Life of Pets, Over the Hedge and Marmaduke are built for comedy.
• Want a good cry: the true stories, Hachiko and Togo, are the ones to pair with tissues. Watch them after the kids are in bed if they are sensitive.
• Want something inspiring: Rescued by Ruby and A Dog's Way Home are about shelter pups and loyal companions.

Setting up a pet-friendly movie night

1. Pick a film that suits everyone on the sofa, humans first. Scenes with barking, sirens and explosions can startle some pets.
2. Keep the volume moderate so your pet is not caught off guard by a sudden loud scene.
3. Give your pet their own cosy spot with a favourite blanket, close to you but with room to leave if they want to.
4. Do not force a pet to stay in the room. If they wander off, let them.
5. Keep a pet-safe space free of cords and wires, and keep screens out of paw reach.

Rainy evening plans work well with this list too. See our ideas for rainy day fun for pet parents, or read about how owning a pet brings joy. If a film makes you want a four-legged friend of your own, our canine connection read is a good next step.

Frequently asked questions

Which pet movie is best for young children?

101 Dalmatians, The Aristocats, Lady and the Tramp and Bolt are gentle, family-friendly places to start.

Which pet movies are based on true stories?

Rescued by Ruby, Togo and Hachiko are all based on real events.

Are there pet movies that are not about dogs?

Yes. Puss in Boots is about a cat, The Aristocats follows a family of cats, and Rio stars a blue macaw. The Secret Life of Pets features dogs, cats, bunnies and other pets.

Is it fine to watch these with my pet?

Yes, as long as your pet is comfortable. Keep the sound at a sensible level and let them leave the room whenever they want.

Do you have more movie suggestions?

Yes, and we would love to hear yours. Message us on social media and tell us which pet movie we missed.

By Team Stepevoli. Explore more in Pet Central.