30 Best Animal Movies and Pet Movies To Watch As a Family (2024)

Movies featuring live-action, anthropomorphic animals talking up a storm are something of a ‘love them or hate them’ genre, but if you don’t love this classic about a charismatic piglet who thinks he’s a sheepdog, you might need to see a heart doctor to make sure there’s something in there. It’s not just a cute folk tale about believing in yourself despite the odds – it was even nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.Rated G.

For some of us, Lassie was the first dog we ever wanted to adopt. In this 1943 classic set in Britain during the Depression, an 11-year-old Liz Taylor is paired with the lovable collie (the original Lassie was played by a male dog named Pal) until the family is forced to sell Lassie to a wealthy duke. Determined to return to her family, Lassie sets off on a dangerous journey to get back home. Rated G.

Yet another example of how heartbreaking pet movies can be, Old Yeller remains an American classic. Set in post–Civil War Texas, the destitute Coates children find a big yellow dog in the cornfield and encounter black bears, boars and the ultimate coming-of-age experience when oldest son Travis is forced to put down his beloved pet after he’s bitten by a rabid wolf. Rated G.

Kids will love this fun tale of a boy and a dolphin—which proved popular enough to merit a movie sequel and launch a fondly remembered '60s TV series. Sandy (Luke Halpin), a young boy who lives in Florida with his family, nurses a dolphin back from injury and names him Flipper. Sandy’s father, fisherman Porter Ricks, dislikes the creature since it competes for fish in the local waters and distracts the neighborhood kids with its silly antics. Sandy must persuade his grouchy pop to let him keep his new-found pal as a pet.Not rated.

Get ready: After watching this classic, kids will besayingeverybody wants to be a cat! When duch*ess and her three little kittens are on a mission to retrieve the hefty inheritance their owner left them all the while avoiding the claws of two hound dogs and their evil butler, it’s up to tomcat O’Malley and his savvy alleycat ways to help them return to their Parisian mansion safely. Not only will parents experience a bit of nostalgia here, but the jazzy soundtrack will have kids dancing along.Rated G

We can't resist the 1973 musical adaptation ofthis beloved children’s book. After little Fern saves Wilbur—the tiniest of his litter—from certain death, the curious piglet learns that there’s more danger up ahead. But with the help of the wise and talented spider Charlotte, Wilbur learns what it means to be brave. Rated G.

Prepare yourself for a roller coaster of emotions with this Disney flick. Hearts will melt when a red fox named Tod and a hound dog named Copper become pals, despite their instincts. A nurturing widow takes in young orphan Tod and cares for him like a pet, while her gruff neighbor, Amos, does all he can to make Copper into a fierce hunter. As the critters grow up, things take a sad turn. How will they maintain their friendship? Rated G.

This 1986 Japanese film was edited for American audiences (the original featured some less-than-kid-friendly scenes) and was released three years later. The English version is action-packed, includes two bears, a snake and, surprisingly, not a single human. Rated G.

Who could possibly forget the massive St. Bernard and the comedic misadventures of his owners as they try to raise the slobbery Beethoven? Watch as an initially unwilling father slowly grows to love the family pet—but not before this monster of a furball shakes off his dirty coat inside the house. Beethoven reminds us what a chore raising a dog can actually be...but it is still so worth it. Rated PG.

This one is definitely on our list of favorite heartwarming puppy movies, and might make your kids beg for a beagle. Young boy, Marty Preston, finds a best friend in Shiloh, an adorable pup with an abusive owner, Judd. Marty strikes a deal with the old man, working for him in return for keeping the dog himself, but when Judd doesn't hold up his end of the deal, Marty's canine companion might be lost forever.Rated PG.

A dog… playing basketball?! Hey, it’s more believable than a hoop-shooting werewolf, especially since the pooch that portrays Buddy really did know how to hit three-pointers. In the movie, he helps a 12-year-old named Josh realise his dream of joining his school’s basketball team, while also ruining the dreams of a rival team by entering a game and absolutely whipping their butts. Call him Steph Furry. Rated PG.

Willie would rather keep in nose buried inHuckleberry Finnthan mingle with the other kids, especially the bullies who make his life torturous. That's when his mother decides it's time for a four-legged friend, much toher husband's dismay. WhenWillie and his new beagle skip form a friendship, things take a turn in a positive direction for the young boy. Butdon't leave the tissues too far away—there are moments that'll make you tear up and reach for your furry best friend. Rated PG.

If you thought NYC winters were rough, just be glad you're not hanging around this crew while they battle the Paleolithic ice age! There's frigid fun aplenty with a variety of films in the franchise. Rated PG.

The beloved children’s novel about a lonely girl who moves in with her preacher father after being abandoned by her mother makes for a similarly sweet onscreen story, thanks in large part to a spunky Picardy Shepherd, who plays the title role. After finding Winn-Dixie at a supermarket, 10-year-old Opal learns how to meet friends and reconnect with her equally lonesome father. Rated PG.

Landing a soulmate is difficult, even if you're a penguin. While humans stick to dinner and coffee, the lovable birds try to win one another over through song. However, poor Muble can't carry a tune. How exactly is he going to be able to find his other half if his voice is enough to crack glass? Fortunately, Muble is super smooth on his feet and has some killer dance moves.Rated PG.

In NYC, if patrons find a rat in a restaurant, you better believe that eatery is going to suffer a horrific fate. But in this Disney film, a young chef named Linguinielicits the help of a rat named Emy, who just so happens tobe a culinary wiz. Things are certainly going to heat up in the kitchen when these two form an unlikely friendship. Rated G.

In Truman Show fashion, Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) is the deluded super-hero star of a hit live-action children’s television show, replete with a snazzy lightning logo emblazoned on his flank. As Bolt is separated by accident from "his person," the equally innocent child-star Penny (voiced by Miley Cyrus), and joined by an alley-cat and couch-potato Hamster, he learns to be a "real dog."Rated PG.

Marley & Me markets itself as a family-friendly comedy drama, but don’t be fooled: This movie will bring even the hardest hearts to full-blown sobs. Youmight want cut the cord halfway through, when the film hasn’t yet breachedthe subjects of miscarriage, postpartum depression and the slow decay of Marley’s health. That said, it still manages to cater to the comic sensibilities of kids, albeit through many tears. Rated PG.

Siblings Andi and Bruce are forced to part ways with their pup Friday upon finding a foster home that has a no-pet policy. But this is no match for the duo. When faced with this predicament, the twodecide to open up a pet-friendly hotel for Friday and his canine gang. It seems like a great idea...until neighbors become suspicious. Rated PG.

Beatrix Potter's beloved tale gets the modern-day treatment in this live-action flick that hops its way straight into hearts. While trying to fill a void his parents left behind, young Peter Rabbit takes charge ofhisbunny siblings (and cousin). Naturally, his plans for the crew lead straight to Mr. McGregor's gorgeous garden, which is filled to the brim with delicious vegetables. Thecurmudgeonly old fellow leaves this world, and his garden, behind to his nephew. It's a party for the rabbits and their crew until the new McGregor arrives. When he does, Peter goes head to tail with his new rival to win over the garden and the affection of his nearby neighbor, Bea.Rated PG.

It's funny to see just how much power four-legged creatures have over humans. In Dog Days, watch as pups begin to interfere in their owners' lives, changing their career paths, romantic relationships and much more. This is a perfect film for your tweens and teens! Rated PG.