They’re All Good Boys
There have been some seriously great canine companions throughout movie history, from Old Yeller to Marley and every other one in between. But some stood out from the proverbial pack and made a big mark. These movie dogs earned their spot in the pantheon of movie pups through cuteness, personality, and some serious panache.
Slinky Dog, Toy Story Series
It’s hard for a CGI toy dog to match up to the cuteness of a real dog, but Slinky Dog certainly made a lasting impression in Pixar's Toy Story series. Originally voiced by Jim Varney, a role taken over by Blake Clark after Varney’s death, Slinky Dog is clever, loyal (an adjective you’ll see a lot in this list), and wise.
Buddy, Air Bud
Let’s raise a glass to the Golden Retriever who launched a whopping 14 movies. Though the franchise began with 1997’s Air Bud, Buddy was already a star before that, having appeared on America’s Funniest Home Videos and David Letterman’s “Stupid Pet Tricks” segment. The series went on to include five “Air Bud” films, seven “Air Buddies” movies, and two entries in the “Santa Paws” branch.
Hooch, Turner & Hooch
Many dogs star in films, but they don’t always make it to the title card—not so for the slobbering Hooch, who plays partner to Tom Hanks’ Turner in the 1989 buddy cop movie. Hooch is a big, beautiful Dogue de Bordeaux, whose messy and destructive nature makes him an odd couple to Hanks’ meticulous character.
Touchstone, Turner & Hooch (1989)
Brandy, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
Brandy is the beautiful caramel pit bull who is Brad Pitt’s character Cliff Booth’s best friend—sorry, Leonardo DiCaprio’s Rick Dalton—in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Brandy is never far from her owner’s side and winds up playing a pivotal moment in the film’s climax.
Columbia, Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)
Hachi, A Dog’s Tale
A Dog’s Tale might not have been a smash hit, but it does tell the story of one of history’s most remarkable dogs: Hachiko, an Akita who lived in Tokyo in the early 20th century, who became famous for waiting for his owner at the Shibuya station. Hachiko was also the inspiration for Fry’s dog in the famously tear-jerking “Jurassic Bark” episode of Futurama.
Stage 6 Films, Hachi, A Dog’s Tale (2009)
Max, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Poor Max. The tiny, loyal pooch really has no interest in ruining Christmas the way his owner the Grinch does, but he dutifully goes along with it, even donning a pair of fake antlers far too heavy for his little head. An integral part of the story’s happy ending is knowing that Max doesn’t have to fake his Christmas hate—or get involved in diabolical stunts—anymore.
Universal, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Benji, The Benji Series
When it comes to titular dogs of classic film, there’s pretty much three names that dominate: Old Yeller, Lassie, and Benji. The scruffy mutt has featured as the star in eight films, four TV specials, two documentaries, and a video game. The character most recently featured in a 2018 reboot on Netflix.
Pongo & Perdita, 101 Dalmatians
It was the film that sparked at least 101 cases of misguided Dalmatian adoption—twice. Both the animated 1961 edition and the live action 1996 remake sparked a lot of interest in the spotted breed, only for adoptive families to realize the breed wasn’t quite what the films depicted. Regardless, the charming canine couple at the center of the films are an unforgettable part of dog movie history.
Walt Disney, 101 Dalmatians (1996)
Lady And The Tramp, Lady And The Tramp
The 1955 animated classic Lady and the Tramp is a classic “opposites attract” tale, featuring the pampered Lady and the scrappy Tramp, hailing of course from the “wrong side of the tracks”. The Disney film became an instant classic, and was reissued in theaters throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s, giving it a chance to charm new generations of fans.
Walt Disney, Lady And The Tramp (1955)
Chance And Shadow, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
The Disney adventure-comedy from 1993 was based on an earlier film, which itself was based on a book inspired by the author’s real-life pets. The story of a trio of pets going on a grand adventure in order to reunite with their family was a massive hit.
The immature bulldog Chance was a great balance to the loyal and brave Shadow, leaving an indelible mark on many a millennial’s childhood.
Walt Disney,Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
Gromit, Wallace & Gromit Series
As far as movie tropes go, “pet who is more capable than their owner” is a consistently amusing one, and the character who does it the best has to be Gromit of the Claymation Wallace & Gromit series. He’s intelligent, blessed with serious engineering skills, and his silence speaks volumes, especially when dealing with the bumbling Wallace.
Aardman Animations, Wallace & Gromit Series
Marley, Marley & Me
It would be impossible to compile a list of film dogs without including the titular Marley, the golden lab at the center of the tearjerker movie based on the bestselling book. Though the film can feel a little emotionally manipulative, there’s no denying that it was a huge hit, with one of the highest ever Christmas Day openings in theaters.
Fox 2000 Pictures, Marley & Me (2008)
Bruiser, Legally Blonde Series
While Bruiser was a great companion to the Elle Woods character in the original Legally Blonde, he got a promotion to a much more integral role in the sequel Red, White & Blonde. The sassy and loyal chihuahua was played by animal actor Moonie in both films.
Frank The Pug, Men In Black Series
What would a Pug say if it could talk? We imagine that a lot of them would talk like Frank, the loudmouthed, smart-alecky Remoolian-in-a-Pug-disguise. Director Barry Sonnenfeld was so delighted by the character in the first Men In Black that he gave him an even bigger role in the sequel, and he’s gone on to appear in the TV series, games, the 2019 reboot, and even a Men In Black-themed safety video for Air New Zealand alongside Rip Torn.
Columbia, Men in Black II (2002)
Old Yeller, Old Yeller
The original tear-jerking dog-centric movie that traumatized generations of kids, Old Yeller has had incredible cultural impact, with one pivotal scene remembered as perhaps the saddest in film history. Old Yeller begins as a scrappy stray who quickly proves his worth through acts of bravery and loyalty, making the ultimate sacrifice to save his family.
Walt Disney, Old Yeller (1957)
Beethoven, Beethoven Series
In the 1990s, you couldn’t beat a John Hughes family comedy—and Beethoven was no exception. The iconic St Bernard dog at the center of the film was mischievous and messy, but above all, loyal. The original Beethoven spawned an impressive seven sequels and an animated TV series.
Lassie, Lassie Series
When it comes to heroic dogs, few match up to Lassie, who is always there when a boy falls down a well or some bad guys come to town looking for trouble. The fictional female Rough Collie served as the central character in 13 films, a handful of TV series and specials, radio shows, video games, and a slew of books, making Lassie probably the most prolific movie dog of all time.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Dug, Up
As if Up was enough of a heart-string-pulling, tear-jerking film, the addition of the lovable, if a little big empty-headed Dug, really rounded things out. The eager animated pooch added a lot of comic relief to the touching tale of a widower, a boy, and a balloon-powered house.
Toto, The Wizard Of Oz
Where would Dorothy be with Toto, the ankle-biting, curtain-pulling dog who exposes both Almira Gulch and the Wizard for what they really are? A Cairn Terrier name Terry valiantly took on the pivotal role, and sadly had her paw broken during filming—but not only did Terry get to recover at Judy Garland’s place, she was also paid handsomely for her work, earning more than some of her human counterparts in the film.
John Wick’s Dog, John Wick Series
Some dogs lose their minds when an Amazon package shows up at the door. And then there’s John Wick’s unnamed dog—either referred to as "dog" or "boy" throughout the film series—who patiently waits or calmly takes shelter as his owner is involved in gunfight after gunfight.
The sweet grey pit bull has been a massive part of the franchise, but we also have to give props to Daisy, the dearly departed fictional dog who sent Wick on his vengeful path, the Belgian Malinois Shepherds from Chapter 3 – Parabellum, and Mr Nobody’s dog in Chapter 4.
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