With Secret Life of Pets 2 coming to theaters this week, our writers have gone to the dog house and emerged with the top ten pet movies. Pet movies are so great because anyone who has a pet knows just how deep the love goes for your furry friend. In fact, I like my cat Chidi more than I like most people. Thus, pet movies play into our wish fulfillment of going on an adventure with our pet or speaking to our pet in a way that only a movie can show.
Adorable, animated cats and smooth jazz? Yes. Sign me up and sign all of my cats up as well. Seriously though, this movie is cute, fun, and heart felt all at the same time. Having all of those things in an animated movie is impressive. I would say the entire movie is actually worth watching just for the one musical number in the final act. This is an absolute must for any cat lover or just someone who enjoys fun in general. (Blake Hodges)
Cats and Dogs succeeds more than it really has any right too, and that’s mostly due to an incredible cast voicing the live action felines and canines. Susan Sarandon, Michael Clarke-Duncan, Jon Lovitz, Alec Baldwin, Billy West, Tobey Maguire and more chime in with some really fun performances. Not to mention Jeff Goldblum as an actual human scientist being good enough to steal scenes from puppies! The plot is newspaper thin, but there’s enough there to keep the ride compelling enough for a fun pet based romp. (Aaron Dicer)
101 Dalmatians is all about finding love, becoming a family and then saving your family. Pongo and Perdita are the two parent dogs on a mission to get their puppies back home safe before being made into a fur coat by the one and only Cruella de Vil. This film has a musical number for its villain, thanks to Pongo’s “pet” (owner) Roger Radcliffe, which you’ll find yourself humming along with. There is so much fun, laughter and love you will get from the flick. I, myself, identify with Rolly because I’m always hungry. Even though the film is nearing 60 years old, the film still hits you in the feels and feels relevant today. (Chantal Ashford)
If this movie doesn’t make you wanna just grab your dog/puppy/cat and cuddle them, you don’t have a heart. Homeward Bound follows the tale of the wise Shadow, the rambunctious Chance, and the “sassy” Sassy as they embark on an incredible journey through the mountains to get back to their beloved family. This was a favorite of mine growing up and is still my favorite pet movie. It doesn’t rely too heavily on being sappy and instead gives a more thoughtful approach of a coming of age tale—from the dogs prospective—and what 3 pets will go through to re-connect with their “lost” family. This is a touching, loving and enjoyable film for the entire family. (Ben Davis)
Alrighty then! Time to talk about one of the big three films of 1994 that brought Jim Carrey to the Hollywood spotlight. Being a kid of the 90’s, Jim Carrey movies were always some of my favorites. I would laugh all the time and enjoy the crazed, mercurial nature of Carrey’s humor. The bright and colorful attire and the ridiculous pompadour combined with Carrey’s knack for electric and absurdist comedy combine for an iconic performance. A silly film about a pet detective searching for the kidnapped mascot of the Miami Dolphins works so well because of its impressive lead. Whether it is slow-motion football followed by rewinding the action, talking out of his butt, or yelling/singing behind opening and closing sound proof glass, Carrey brings his absolute A game. Courtney Cox and Sean Young fill out the cast as his female companion and femme fatale (I guess that is an accurate description lol) respectively. I could have enjoyed a whole franchise full of energetic serial adventures from one Ace Ventura (thankfully we got Ace
Ventura When Nature Calls which I actually prefer to this one with its absolutely hilarious and quotable script). And much like the Dan Marino (who has an interesting role to play in the film), Jim Carrey is a legend. (Shane Conto)
I’m a very big “best friend guy”. In kindergarten a kid named Jason tapped me on the shoulder to see if I would be his friend and we’ve been best friends ever since. We were the best man in each others weddings and are as thick as thieves. With that being the case, I’m all in on the buddy comedies and that is what you have here with The Fox and the Hound. Any movie that can be equal parts hilarious as it is heart felt is a win in my book. (Blake Hodges)
If you were to ask what the ideal pet would be, many people would say that it is dogs. They are man’s best friend, right? Some people take their roles as “pet parents” a little too far and really treat it like a “job”. I cannot think of another film that captures this state of mind more than Christopher Guest’s brilliant mocumentary, Best in Show. This film displays that grand range of dog lovers from those who have a bit of parallel personality such as a blue collar man and his hound, uptight couples that are a little to anxious for their own good and their pooch’s, and a couple so flamboyant and over-the-top that they and their dog cannot help but put the show in “Best in Show”. An intimate film that really allows for the audience to make close connections with this looney gallery of characters, this one really captures the crazed love that people can have for their dear animal companions. Guest is a comedic genius as his clever script captures the naturally hilarious aspects of life through a very dry and deadpan way. And who can resist the everlasting charm of the one and only Jim’s Dad…I mean Eugene Levy. (Shane Conto)
There’s a reason this list is downright filthy with Disney movies. The mouse house has totally gotten our love and compassion for our furry friends from the very start. Look no further than the magic of Lady and the Tramp, which was Disney’s first original story put to animation. It’s a beautifully animated and wonderfully told (and sung!) story of love conquering against all odds. Sure, the spaghetti kiss has been lampooned a million times, but there’s so much more to this wonderful tale. If you somehow haven’t checked this off your “Classic Disney” watch list, do it before my fist hits your eye like a big pizza pie. Sorry, not sure why I got so violent there, just watch the movie, ok? (Aaron Dicer)
Leave it to Disney to make a movie about the ways social media and image maintenance can result in a warped sense of our self importance and priorities, and do it all with an animated puppy. Bolt remains an impressively emotional and fun journey of discovery for our hero, who finds out his TV powers aren’t exactly true to the real world. Plus it has what may be the most fun animated side kick of all time in Rhino the Hamster. With surprisingly great voice work from John Travolta and Miley Cyrus, and a story that is as compelling as it is exciting, Bolt is absolutely one of Disney’s hidden gems. (Aaron Dicer)
Isle of Dogs is one of those great bursts of film wizardry that reminds you why the screen was built for artists to push the boundaries of the craft. Every shot composed with the precision of masters in their field and the inventiveness of auteurs with minds on fire, this is a film where the surface delights are so rich and profound they meld smoothly with the depth which can be found inside; a touching tribute to the bond between man and man’s best friend, and sharp social messages about the hierarchy and the power of the press. Wes Anderson’s signature idiosyncratic filmmaking is on full display here, in which not only does it aid in telling the story but is embedded in the story itself. His wry, deadpan humor also remains intact, with an added layer of playful visual gags to keep it fresh and exciting. Isle of Dogs is very much a road movie; one with detours and setbacks and friends made along the way, leading to an ultimate destination that is both satisfying and emotionally resonant. Sometimes Wes Anderson is criticized for being too cold and detached in his movies, yet that’s never been the case; people express emotions in different ways, and it only takes one look at Isle of Dogs to see how much it’s brimming with pathos. The dedication of the craft, the ingenuity of the art, and the love and care put into every frame. (Devan Meyer)
Honorable Mentions
Paddington
In 2014 movie goers were graced with the presence of the most mannerly bear from Darkest Peru by the name of Paddington. Paddington (2014) directed by Paul King and based off of the literary character of the same name, is a glittering gem in a sea of family films and pet related movies. It explodes with beautiful cinematography and fantastic art direction. Boasting a wonderful score with flares of Carribean Music to give the film a unique identity. The characters are well written and you love to spend time with them. Every member of the Brown Family that looks after the lost and lonely Paddington have their own interesting quirks and have some great dimension to them. Especially Mary Brown (Sally Hawkins) who is quite lovely and oozes with compassion when taking in homeless Paddington. When talking about the film you can’t forget the titular and memorable character of Paddington. He is so polite and naive to the world that you can’t wait to see what he will say and do next. Paddington often causes a mess due to his limited knowledge of the world. However, it never comes off as an irritation and makes for some great comedy bits. The voice talent provided by Ben Whishaw really endears the viewer to Paddington’s predicament and warms the heart with each scene that he is a part of. The art team behind bringing Paddington to the big screen should be commended for creating such a believable character. There is seldom a time where the viewer second guesses the interactions that are taking place between the live action cast and the 3-D rendered Paddington. He nearly feels like a full fledged family member over a pet, but I wanted to make sure he made the list all the same. (Joseph Vargas)
Anchorman
I enjoy the finer things in life like poetry, a glass of scotch, and of course my friend Baxter, a wise, miniature Buddha covered in hair. Name a more quotable movie than Anchorman. It might take you a bit and if you pick another movie, I’ll probably respond in the means of some sort of
quote from Ron Burgundy. What makes this such a great pet movie, however, is that Baxter seems to be a core focus of some of the best jokes and comes by to save the day at the end of the movie. Name one other dog in the movies that successfully talked a group of bears down from
eating humans. Baxter is such a lovable looking dog and when Jack Black punts him off the bridge, all of our hearts broke while still laughing at the obvious effects of an obviously stuffed toy dog plummeting into the waters. To quote Ron one more time, “You pooped in the refrigerator? And you ate the whole wheel of cheese? I’m not even mad. That’s amazing.” (Aaron Schweitzer)
Also See:
Old Yeller, Black Beauty, Beethoven, 101 Dalmatians (Live action), Marley and Me, All Dogs go to Heaven, Turner and Hooch