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77 Best Dog Movies to Make You Laugh or Cry!

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Looking for ideas for family dog movies? If you and your dog want to snuggle up for an evening at home, we’ve got a list of the 77 best dog movies with the highest viewer ratings and the number of votes–ones that might make you laugh or cry!

Best Dog Movies

A Little Warning

OK, before we get into this list, let’s tackle the elephant in the room:

Yes, some of these dog films are sad. In some (many?!), the dog dies.

We want you to be warned. If–like us–you really want to avoid additional sadness in your life, there’s a great site called Does the Dog Die? that will let you know if the dog survives the movie!

Of course, there are plenty of just plain fun dog films here, too!

How Were These Movies Selected?

Money.co.uk compiled this list in an effort to find the best rated dog-themed movies according to fans by searching popular sources such as Purewow, Good Housekeeping, Common Sense Media, Rover.com and the IMDb keyword search.

The Top Ranked Dog Movies

Drumroll, please…here are the top-rated dog movies:

#1 Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale takes first place as the best-rated dog film with an IMDb rating of 8.1. The film shows the true meaning of loyalty and friendship as it follows a Japanese Akita named Hachiko who waits to meet his owner at the train station at 5 PM every day, even after the heartbreaking twist of his owner’s death. (Hachi is also a popular dog movie name, if you’re in search of a cinematic canine moniker!)

#2 Togo (2019)

Togo achieves second place with an IMDb rating of 8.0. Based on a true story, Leonhard and his sled dog Togo brave the Alaskan wilderness to deliver diphtheria medication in the 1925 serum run to Nome. This truly incredible story of a man and his best friend battling the elements to save lives is a must-watch. 

#3 Isle of Dogs (2018)

Isle of Dogs comes in third place with an IMDb rating of 7.9. The stop motion animated sci-fi comedy film tells the story of a future canine influenza pandemic causing the authoritarian mayor of Megasaki to banish all the dogs to Trash Island. 

Other titles highly rated by users include Disney childhood classics such as Lady and the Tramp (1955), 101 Dalmatians (1961) and The Fox and the Hound (1981) with IMDb ratings of 7.3.

What’s the Worst Dog Movie?

OK, movies are definitely in the eye of the beholder–but, in this case, the IMDb ratings for the lowest ranked dog movies go to:

RankTitle (Year)IMDb RatingNumber of votes
1The Karate Dog (2005)2.81.5K
2Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008)3.824K
3Show Dogs (2018)3.94.6K
4Dr Doolittle: Million Dollar Mutts (2009)3.91.8K
5Marmaduke (2010)4.315K

The Karate Dog (2005) comes in last place, rated by users as the worst dog-themed film with an IMDb rating of 2.8. This comedy follows a dog who knows karate and his journey to solve his owner’s murder.

All five of the worst-rated dog-themed films are comedies, whereas the best-rated films have a greater mix of genres.

The Full List of Best Dog Movies

Want some more ideas for dog movies?

Here’s the full list of 77 films that Money.co.uk compiled. Happy viewing!

RankTitleIMDb RatingNumber of votes
1Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)8.1269K
2Togo (2019)844K
3Isle of Dogs (2018)7.9155K
4The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)7.628K
4Pick of the Litter (2018)7.61.5K
4Sounder (1972)7.64K
5Best in Show (2000)7.560K
5A Dog’s Journey (2019)7.523K
5The Best in Show (2000)7.560K
6Red Dog (2011)7.418K
6Cruella (2021)7.4194K
7Lady and the Tramp (1955)7.3130K
7101 Dalmations (1961)7.3161K
7The Fox and the Hound (1981)7.389K
7Eight Below (2006)7.363K
7Old Yeller (1957)7.313K
8A Dog’s Purpose (2017)7.270K
9Lassie Come Home (1943)7.15.3K
9Balto (1995)7.142K
9Marley & Me (2008)7.1153K
9Rex (2017)7.123K
10The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986)711K
10Homeward Bound: The incredible Journey (1993)745K
10My Dog Skip (2000)720K
10Stray (2020)71.2K
11My Dog Tulip (2009)6.91.7K
11Where the Red Fern Grows (1974)6.93.3K
11Frankenweenie (2012)6.9104K
11Belle & Sebastian (2013)6.94.9K
12All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)6.840K
12Bolt (2008)6.8201K
13Lassie (2005)6.74.3K
13White Fang (1991)6.720K
13Oliver & Company (1988)6.747K
13A Dog’s Way Home (2019)6.717K
13Max (2015)6.727K
13Alpha (2018)6.760K
14Iron Will (1994)6.68.2K
15The Secret Life of Pets (2016)6.5193K
15The Shaggy Dog (1959)6.54.8K
16Oddball and the Penguins (2015)6.42.8K
16Because of Winn-Dixie6.411K
16Shiloh (1996)6.43.3K
17Lady and the Tramp (2019)6.320K
17Benji the Hunted (1987)6.33K
18Turner & Hooch (1989)6.269K
18Dog Days (2018)6.24.7K
18Paw Patrol: The Movie (2021)6.24.6K
19Benji (1974)6.14.7K
19Cujo (1983)6.144K
19Napoleon (1995)6.11.8K
20Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)65.2K
21K-9 (1989)633K
21Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Franciso (1996)615K
22101 Dalmatians 2: Patch’s London Adventure (2002)5.89K
23Beethoven (1992)5.770K
23101 Dalmatians (1996)5.7109K
23Scoob! (2020)5.724K
24Hotel for Dogs (2009)5.423K
24The Search for Santa Paws (2010)5.42.6K
25Air Bud (1997)5.317K
26Snow Dogs (2002)5.226K
26Snow Buddies (2008)5.24K
26Scooby-Doo (2002)5.2107K
27Cats & Dogs (2001)5.159K
28Santa Paws 2 the Santa Pups (2012)4.91.3K
29Underdog (2007)4.821K
30Spooky Buddies (2011)4.61.9K
31Beethoven’s Big Break (2008)4.52.1K
32Look Who’s Talking Now (1993)4.429K
32Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure (2011)4.41.4K
33Marmaduke (2010)4.315K
33Super Buddies (2013)4.31.4K
34Show Dogs (2018)3.94.6K
34Dr Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts (2009)3.91.8K
35Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008)3.824K
36The Karate Dog (2005)2.81.5K

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77 Best Dog Movies
Paris Permenter
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This post originally appeared on DogTipper.com and is the sole property of DogTipper.com.