There’s nothing like the magic of movies to bring everyone together. More specifically, there’s nothing like animated dog movies to bring our whole families closer, especially when we watch with our favorite pooches.
Kids of all ages can enjoy these stories of adventure, love, and laughs. Often times, these terrific animated dog movies stay with us far longer than most live action movies. We can’t wait to re-watch them over and over again with our pups.
But which animated dog movies are the best? There are so many out there to choose from. Here are the seven best animated dog movies we think you and your family, including your pup, will enjoy!
1. All Dogs Go To Heaven
This animated feature was released in 1989 and has a star-studded voice cast with Burt Reynolds, himself, as top dog.
The story takes places in New Orleans and focuses on Charlie, a German Shepherd and Collie mix, who gets betrayed by his business partner and former friend, Carface. Charlie ends up in heaven only to return to earth to help his best friend, Itchy, a Dachshund, and an orphan girl named Anne-Marie.
It sounds a bit dark, but it’s a beautiful story about love, friendship, and family that everyone can enjoy at any age.
2. Lady And The Tramp
This classic tale from 1955 features one of the most iconic scenes, not only in animation, but quite possibly in all of cinema.
The story revolves around Lady, a purebred Cocker Spaniel from the upper middle class who meets Tramp, a mutt and stray from the streets. After a chance meeting, they go on many mischievous adventures. Of course, that includes the famous scene where they both slurp on spaghetti.
It’s a story about finding love no matter where you come from or who you are on the social ladder.
3. 101 Dalmatians
Another Disney classic, this animated gem was released in 1961 and features another icon in the villain Cruella De Vil.
We follow the story of two Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, and their humans, Roger and Anita, living in London, England. After Perdita gives birth to 15 puppies, Cruella and her henchman kidnap the little ones because she wants to make coats out of their furs.
The two Dalmatian parents set off to save their kids and end up saving 84 more puppies that Cruella kidnapped, bringing the total to 101 puppies!
It’s a heartwarming story about going above and beyond for your family.
4. Balto
This 1995 flim is adapted from a true story which occurred in Nome, Alaska, during the winter of 1925. You can read about it here!
The animated film follows a wolfdog named Balto, who must go above and beyond to help save children from a diphtheria epidemic. Balto leads a team of dogs through the Alaskan Tundra to get the medicine the children need to survive.
This inspirational story will have you cheering on Balto as he tries to save the day and the lives of the children of Nome.
5. The Fox And The Hound
In 1981, Disney released this classic tale of an unlikely friendship between a Bassett Hound, Copper, and a fox named Tod.
Loosely based on the novel of the same name by Daniel P. Mannix, it tells the story of Copper and Tod’s friendship starting from when they were both young pups and how everyone around them warned of their natural social standing as enemies.
As they grow up, they realize that the nature of who they are clashes with the friendship they’ve built. It’s a beautiful tale that will have you weeping from beginning to end!
6. Bolt
This 2008 animated tale of adventure centers on Bolt. He’s a White German Shepherd and television star who believes he has superpowers.
When he thinks his human, Penny, has been kidnapped, he sets out across the country to “rescue” her. Eventually he finds out he doesn’t have superpowers. However, with the help of his friends, Mittens the cat and Rhino the hamster, he still saves the day!
This movie beautifully expresses the love a dog has for his human and vice versa.
7. The Secret Life Of Pets
This 2016 animated film features many animals we’d consider pets, like cats, birds, and hamsters among others. But this story really centers on a couple of dogs.
Max, a Jack Russell Terrier who lives a quiet life in New York City, is shocked when his human brings home another pup, a shaggy Newfoundland mix named Duke.
It gets worse when both dogs end up lost in the city and have to find their way back home. Starting out as rivals, the two pooches soon learn they must work together if they want to survive.
It’s a great adventure full of laughs and friendship, and there’s also a sequel!
What’s your favorite animated dog movie to watch with your family? Did your top choice make it onto our list? Then let us know in the comments below!
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