Pets aren’t just part of our lives; they are the four-legged friends who sit with us on Sunday movie nights. They join us on the carpet or snuggle on the sofa, and often, they become the stars of the show.
Whether it’s heartwrenching tales like Hachiko’s or light-hearted comedies that remind us why we adore our furry family members, these pet and animal movies have the power to move and entertain us. They celebrate the incredible bond we share with our pets and showcase the wonderful relationships we build with our animal companions.
1. “Togo” (Disney Plus)
A gripping drama set in 1925 during a harsh Alaskan winter and a diphtheria outbreak. When medicines need to be transported over a perilous thousand-kilometer journey in extreme conditions, many animals perish in the process. Among them is Togo, a sled dog. This Disney Plus original film tells the true story of a sled dog trainer’s quest to undertake this treacherous journey in temperatures plunging to fifty degrees below zero.
2. “A Couple of Three” (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus)
This heartwarming comedy, based on true events, stars Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston as newlyweds who relocate from Michigan to Florida. Their lives take a charming twist with the arrival of a Labrador puppy that soon outgrows his initial small size. It’s an enjoyable family comedy that delves into the joys and challenges of having a pet at home.
Watch A Couple of Three on Netflix
Watch A Couple of Three on Amazon Prime Video
Watch A Couple of Three on Disney Plus
3. “Turner & Hooch” (Disney Plus)
“Turner & Hooch” features the quirky partnership of detective Scott Turner (played by Tom Hanks) and Hooch, his dog companion. Turner’s obsessive neatness collides with Hooch’s penchant for chaos, making for a hilarious comedy about an unlikely friendship. This classic is perfect if you’re looking for heartwarming human-animal relationships. While Disney Plus offers the original movie, a modern TV series version was launched in 2021.
Watch Partners and Hounds on Disney Plus
4. “Always by Your Side: Hachiko” (Disney Plus, Filmin)
A profoundly moving pet movie, “Always by Your Side: Hachiko” was released in 2009 and stars Richard Gere, Joan Allen, and Sarah Roemer. Based on a true story, the film narrates the tale of Parker Wilson and his faithful Akita dog, Hachiko. Wilson, a university professor, discovers Hachiko abandoned at a train station, forging an unbreakable bond. The film is a touching tribute to the incredible loyalty and love of a dog and the real-life statue of Hachiko at Tokyo’s Shibuya Station.
Watch Always by your side, Hachiko on Disney+
See Always by your side, Hachiko on Filmin
5. “Seventeen” (Netflix)
Directed by Daniel Sánchez Arévalo, this Netflix original film is a heartwarming coming-of-age story centered around family, friendship, and a deep love for animals. It follows Héctor, a seventeen-year-old who escapes from a juvenile center in search of the dog he has cared for. In this emotional journey, he will stop at nothing to be reunited with his beloved canine companion.
6. “Beethoven: One More in the Family” (SkyShowtime)
“Beethoven” is a timeless classic among pet movies, chronicling the escapades of a mischievous Saint Bernard puppy who eludes a gang of thieves and winds up at the Newton family’s doorstep. As this lovable giant keeps growing, he leaves a trail of destruction in his wake, creating a whirlwind of hilarious chaos in the Newton household.
Watch Beethoven: One More in the Family on SkyShowtime
These pet and animal movies are a testament to the extraordinary relationships between humans and their beloved pets. They offer a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, making them perfect for family movie nights or heartwarming solo viewing. Enjoy the unique bonds we share with our animal companions on the big screen.