You obviously love dogs! I mean, you follow this blog, right!? Well, then, you’re probably like me and like a good cry at a good dog movie. Here are 5 of my favorite dog movies that weren’t too popular and flew under the radar. So, grab your pooch, some tissues, your favorite blanket, and settle in!
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Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
This movie is a re-make but the feels are the real deal. While commuting to work by train one morning, professor Parker Wilson (played by Richard Gere- this move has a dog AND a handsome co-star!), discovers an abandoned Akita puppy whose crate was destroyed upon shipment. After deliberation, Wilson decides to keep the puppy, name him Hachi and make him a member of the family. The plot line is light and hearty but packs a punch at the end. And even better, it’s based on a true story!
Watch Hachi: A Dog’s Tale movie on Amazon
My Dog Skip (2000)
This movie is pretty much my biography, if I was a boy, I had a Jack Russell instead of a Schnauzer, and lived in the 1940’s. Willie Morris, played by Frankie Munez, is given a Jack Russell puppy for his 9th birthday. These two grow up together, get in all kinds of shenanigans, and have each other’s backs! This will seriously bring up memories of your childhood dog. But just as little boys do, they grow up and go to college. Ya’ll! I’m crying writing this!
Oliver & Company (1988)
This is one of Disney’s most underrated movies (in my opinion, and I am a Disney freak). Though the main character is a cat (we can’t be mad at him for that!) named Oliver, there are lots of cuddly hounds, too! Abandoned and left to wander the streets as a kitten, Oliver finds a street mutt named Dodger who takes him under his wing and shows him some street smarts. Dodger then brings Oliver back to his hideout and introduces him to his gang of homeless dogs. The personalities of these dogs are hilarious! The gang is owned by a homeless man, Fagin, and they scavenge the streets like con-artists to survive. After some time, Oliver gets found and adopted by a wealthy little girl named Jenny. Happy ending, right!? Not so fast! The gang gets mixed up in some trouble and want to use Oliver as leverage to get some fast cash. You’ll have to watch it to find out how it ends. This movie is fun, funny, light hearted and has some great songs! I may or may not have some saved on my Spotify.
Watch Oliver & Company on Amazon
Best in Show (2000)
This is a hil-a-ri–ous movie! This mockumentary (or dog-umentary, if you will) follows 5 owners in the prestigious dog show arena. They are all over the top and a bit too much! Funny thing, you may have met some real-life characters just like these! This movie is great for the laughs!
Isle of Dogs (2018)
This move is very recent but I feel like there wasn’t enough hype from it. Wes Anderson directs the film, so it’s a bit “out there”. But the graphics are super cool and the story line is one that tugs the heart strings. In a not-so-distant future, all dogs are banned from Japan due to an outbreak of canine flu and set to live their lives on the Isle of Dogs. Little Koyu Rankin, sets off on a solo adventure to find his dog. A gang of dogs on the isle commit themselves to helping the little boy in his journey, some more reluctant than others.
Do you have other underrated dog movies that you love? Let us know! I think it’s time for a watch party!
Author: Stephanie Garza
Born and raised in San Antonio, Stephanie is excited to be a part of the evolving pet community in SA! She is the Dog Trainer and Owner of Pup Pup & Away, a dog training and pet care company operating since Feb 2016. Though she loves dogs of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments, Schnauzers steal her heart, especially her two––Sully and Reishi. Catch her around town hiking, sipping coffee, and training/walking the dogs of SA!
