From “Beethoven” to “Best in Show,” these feel-good flicks are brimming with good boys.

The 10 best dog movies for when you’re feeling ruff

From "Beethoven" to "Best in Show," these feel-good flicks are brimming with good boys.

By Jordan Hoffman

Jordan Hoffman

Jordan Hoffman is a writer at **, mostly covering nostalgia. He has been writing about entertainment since 2007.

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April 15, 2026 8:00 a.m. ET

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'Isle of Dogs,' 'Beethoven,' 'The Thin Man'. Credit:

Fox Searchlight; Bruce McBroom/Universal; Courtesy Everett

* *is going to the dogs!

Motion pictures would be nowhere without animals. Ever since Eadweard Muybridge first shot *The Horse in Motion *in 1878, cameras have been deployed to gaze upon members of the animal kingdom.

In 1894, at Thomas Edison’s Black Maria studio in New Jersey, ancestors of today’s Instagram influencers set two tabbies against one another for *The Boxing Cats*. (The American Humane Society did not exist yet, but if it did, it’s doubtful this one would get the “no animals were harmed” stamp.) But when it comes to cinematic pets, nothing can top Man’s Best Friend.

From Lassie to Rin-Tin-Tin to Old Yeller, some of film history’s greatest performances have been four-legged. Our list of best dog movies to melt your hearts is a little more up-to-date, but we did throw one classic from Hollywood’s Golden Age a bone. We're also keeping it light, so, as much as we like it, don't expect to see *Cujo* on this list.

We think these 10 pooch pictures will satisfy canine cinephiles everywhere, though one or two may be a bit *ruff* around the edges.

Air Bud (1997)

Ain't no rule says a dog can't do a 360-degree windmill dunk: Buddy (a good dog) in 'Air Bud'.

Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett

There’s no rule that an EW recommendation list be alphabetical, but when you do it that way it ensures *Air Bud *is up top — as it should be. This independently shot film was a hit at the box office because, no duh, people want to see a golden retriever play basketball! The movie was inspired by an actual dog, Buddy, who showed off his talents on *Late Night with David Letterman*’s “Stupid Pet Tricks.”

Not so stupid now, huh? The wholesome sports comedy begat several sequels and spinoffs (15 in the franchise!) but none so wonderfully named as the baseball-themed *Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch*.

Where to watch *Air Bud*: Disney+

Beethoven (1992)

Man's best and most slobbery friend: Beethoven (a good dog), and Charles Grodin (man) in 'Beethoven'.

Bruce McBroom/Universal

Ludwig van Beethoven lived most of his life in agony suffering from chronic diarrhea. This is a verifiable fact. It also has nothing to do with this marvelous kid-friendly picture from producer Ivan Reitman, written by John Hughes under a pseudonym. Charles Grodin is perfect as the grumpy dad whose house is turned upside-down by a floppy, sloppy St. Bernard.

This movie is wall-to-wall chaos with lots of ruined dinners, chewed-up work documents, and slobber (plus a conspiracy about an evil veterinarian) that inspired six sequels, a television series, and a video game. One wonders just how many times the human ear can handle the song “Roll Over, Beethoven.”

Where to watch *Beethoven*: Amazon Prime (to rent)

Best in Show (2000)

Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, and Winky the Norwich Terrier (a good dog) in 'Best in Show'.

Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett

Arguably the best of Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries, *Best in Show* is a heartwarming and uplifting look at a group of colorful characters who enter their pooches into a dog show. The easier route would be to mock these people, but Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Michael McKean, Parker Posey, and all the others imbue their characters with such personality that there’s hardly a nasty bone to be found.

With its simple plot, the movie has time to indulge a number of surreal bits, like Guest’s character naming nuts for no real reason. Fred Willard as the dummkopf announcer is the extra bite that makes this an all-time comedy classic.

Where to watch *Best in Show*: Tubi

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The Friend (2025)

Bathtime for Naomi Watts' Great Dane, Apollo (a good dog), in 'The Friend'.

New York City may be the greatest city on Earth, baby, but there isn’t an awful lot of room in the average apartment. So when Naomi Watts’ mentor (Bill Murray) dies and leaves her an *enormous *Great Dane named Apollo, this gigantic, rambunctious metaphor for grief and acceptance throws her life into disarray. Over time she learns to adapt and reconnect to the outside world.

In addition to being a great dog movie, *The Friend *is a frank look at life in academia — as well as apartment-living in major cities, where everyone is simultaneously frustrated with their domicile but terrified they’ll soon be priced out.

Where to watch *The Friend*: Paramount+

Hachikō Monogatari (1987)

Bathtime for Hachi (a good dog) in the Japanese classic 'Hachikō Monogatari'.

Shochiku-Fuji Company

This deeply emotional tale, based on a true story and set in 1920s Japan, is about an adorable Akita who walks with his owner to the train station each morning, then returns in the afternoon when the day is done. Then one day, his owner, a professor, dies suddenly and never comes back.

While little Hachi is able to find new owners from time to time, he gains renown for going back to the station each day, eternally loyal to his original owner, hoping to see him again. He is cared for by the local vendors at the station, and finds a new kind of family.

Where to watch *Hachikō Monogatari*: Not currently streaming

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

From left: Chance (a good dog), Shadow (a great dog), and Sassy the cat (meh) in 'Homeward Bound'.

Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett

A young bulldog voiced by Michael J. Fox, an old golden retriever voiced by Don Ameche, and a housecat voiced by Sally Field get confused when their owners leave town for a bit and have them stay at a ranch. They break out and try to make their way home, encountering other wild animals, roaring rivers, and the importance of friendship and loyalty. It’s beyond adorable.

Please do not confuse this live-action movie with the similar *The Adventures of Milo and Otis*, released in the U.S. not long before and later alleged to be a harmful production for its animal stars. Never watch that movie!

Where to watch *Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey*: Disney+

Isle of Dogs (2018)

An island of good dogs, and a little pilot: Chief, King, Atari, Boss, Rex, and Duke in 'Isle of Dogs'.

Fox Searchlight

We decided to stay away from animation as much as possible with this list, but made an exception for Wes Anderson. (Sorry to both Lady and The Tramp.) If you say this movie’s title fast enough, you will understand its essence. This fable about a futuristic world in which dogs have been banished to an island to fend for themselves has all the typical dry humor and stylish production methods of Anderson’s other work.

It’s also an homage to Japanese movies and the way Japan has been represented in the West (for good and for ill) and features a murderer’s row of voice talent including Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, and Yoko Ono.

Where to watch *Isle of Dogs*: Disney+

Marley & Me (2008)

Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, and the Labrador retriever Marley (a good dog) in 'Marley & Me'.

Barry Wetcher/Fox

Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, a disobedient dog, and life lessons. That’s a formula for success and that’s why this movie made a zillion dollars at the box office. What’s great about *Marley & Me *is how simple it is. It’s about a family going through life, and discovering that their pet is a key part of that family. It follows the struggles of every day as many of us know it — trying a new job, worrying about the future — only slightly exaggerated for Hollywood’s sake.

Without giving too much away, many have suggested that the popular spoilers/triggers website DoesTheDogDie dot com was created in response to this film.

Where to watch *Marley and Me*: Amazon Prime (to rent)

The Shaggy D.A. (1976)

Dean Jones gets a lift from an Old English Sheepdog Elwood (a good dog) in 'The Shaggy D.A.'.

Courtesy Everett

A “shaggy dog” story means one that kinda meanders along and eventually fizzles out. I did not know this when I was 6 years old and howling at Disney’s *The Shaggy D.A.*, which I saw on VHS and was convinced was the height of cinematic genius. It’s basically the story of The Hulk, except when Dean Jones gets upset about something he transforms into an enormous sheepdog.

Yet this won’t stop him from pursuing an admiral career in public service. You can be sure that his unfortunate affliction regularly reveals itself at the worst moment, causing mayhem on the campaign trail.

Where to watch *The Shaggy D.A.: *Disney+

The Thin Man (1934)

Nick & Nora Charles (William Powell, Myrna Loy) and fox terrier Asta (a good dog) in 'The Thin Man'.

Courtesy Everett

In one of the all-time great sophisticated Hollywood projects, William Powell and Myrna Loy are legendary as martini-guzzling detectives Nick and Nora Charles.

In addition to witty banter, they have an ace up their sleeve: Asta, a fox terrier that yip-yipped his way into the audience's hearts and, naturally, exposed the mystery at the center of the story. (Asta was played by Skippy, a much-in-demand movie dog who also appeared in *The Awful Truth *and *Bringing Up Baby*.) There were six *Thin Man *pictures in total, but none so perfect as the first.

Where to watch *The Thin Man*: Amazon Prime (to rent)

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Source: “EW Movies”