The UK is set to go into a second lockdown lasting for four weeks – so in an act of self-care and escapism, why not dedicate part of your day to watching a film with your dog?
From animated Disney films to live action movies – Lady and The Scamps have put together a list of 28 films that either have a dedicated dog theme, or a prominent canine character you can’t help but fall in love with.
There are enough movies here to watch one a day from lockdown on November 5, to when it’s set to end on December 2. There are even more to watch if you include sequels, or remakes – like Secret Life of Pets 2 or the live action remake of Lady and The Tramp!
Here are the 28 films we recommend watching with your dog in lockdown, alongside their brief description to help you decide if it’s something your dog will enjoy.
Secret Life of Pets
Max, a pet dog, is not very pleased when his master brings home another dog named Duke. However, they set aside their differences after they learn their owner is in danger.
Lady and The Tramp
Lady, a female dog, feels neglected when Jim and Darling get a baby in the house. Later, when Aunt Sarah gets her twin Siamese cats, Lady is blamed for all the havoc they wreak.
Hotel for Dogs
Two siblings who are forbidden to bring animals home secretly take in stray dogs at an abandoned hotel, thus creating an ideal shelter by transforming the hotel into an incredible paradise for dogs.
Oliver and Company
When Oliver is lost in New York City, he meets lazy mongrel Dodger who helps him steal food from local vendors. However, Oliver’s life changes when he meets the rich Jenny.
101 Dalmatians
Anita, a fashion designer, and Roger, a computer game writer, have to rescue the puppies of their dalmatians from Cruella De Vil, an insane woman, who wants to use their fur to make a coat.
A Dog’s Purpose
A dog goes through four lifetimes with different owners through various time periods. During this journey, he steadily understands his real purpose.
A Dog’s Way Home
When Lucas sends his beloved dog, Bella, far away to safety, she begins an arduous 400-mile journey across Colorado to be reunited with him.
Homeward Bound
Three pets are left behind while their owners go on a holiday. Thinking they have been abandoned, the pets embark on a journey to California to be reunited with them.
Marley and Me
A happily married couple’s life changes after they adopt a free-spirited pup named Marley who, along with his antics, manages to teach them and their children important life lessons.
Fox and The Hound
A red fox, Tod, and a hound dog, Copper, develop a strong friendship during their childhood. However, as they enter adulthood, they succumb to peer pressure and distance themselves from each other.
The Queen’s Corgi
When the Queen’s favourite dog, Rex, becomes lost, he must make new friends and embrace new adventures in order to find his way back to the palace.
Frankenweenie
Victor invites trouble when he revives his dead pet dog Sparky after it is hit by a car. Now, Sparky looks like a monster and terrifies Victor’s neighbours.
Lassie
Lassie is a fictional character created by Eric Knight. She is a female Rough Collie dog, and is featured in a short story that was later expanded to a full-length novel called Lassie Come-Home.
Bolt
Bolt is a dog who stars in a superhit television show in which he possesses superpowers. However, things change when he believes his powers are real and embarks on a purposeful mission.
Isle of Dogs
When, by executive decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump called Trash Island, 12-year-old Atari sets off alone in a miniature Junior-Turbo Prop and flies across the river in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots. There, with the assistance of a pack of newly-found mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture.
The Ugly Dachshund
Mark agrees to let his Dachshund, Danke, act as a wet nurse to a Great Dane pup, Brutus. However, Brutus begins to think that he is too big to be a lapdog.
Beethoven
The Beethoven film series is a series of eight American films, created by John Hughes and Amy Holden Jones, in which the plot revolves around a family attempting to control the antics of their pet Saint Bernard. The first two films were theatrical releases and all subsequent releases have been direct to video.
Big Red
Dog owner James Haggin buys “Big Red,” an Irish setter, for a large sum in hopes of making him a champion show dog. However, Big Red is unruly and does not take to being handled. At this point, Haggin meets Rene, an orphan boy who needs work, and makes him Big Red’s trainer. The two get along so well that Haggin fears the dog will not listen to anyone else. He tries to separate them, but the bond between Rene and Big Red has become too strong.
Cats and Dogs
With the dogs on a mission to create a serum that would eliminate the canine allergies among the humans, their feline foes are on their paws hatching plans to obstruct the top secret canine project.
Turner and Hooch
Detective Turner leads an orderly life until it is disrupted by Hooch, a brutish dog that’s the sole witness to a murder. Hooch is not only set in his ways but also distressed over his owner’s murder.
Snow Dogs
Dr. Ted Brooks, a Miami-based dentist, inherits a pack of sled dogs. He must learn the tricks of the trade or lose the dogs to Thunder Jack, a mountain man.
Legally Blonde 2
Elle postpones her wedding plans and sets off to Washington D.C. to enable the passing of a bill which bans animal testing after her chihuahua, Bruiser’s, mum is found in a testing lab.
Marmaduke
After moving to California with his owner, Marmaduke, a troublesome yet lovable Great Dane, makes new friends and falls in love with Jezebel, a female rough collie.
Beverley Hills Chihuahua
Chloe, a Beverly Hills chihuahua, gets lost in Mexico while on a vacation with her owner. She relies on her new friends and a lonesome German shepherd who vow to help her get home safely.
Scooby Doo The Movie
After a bitter breakup and staying apart for two years, Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and their dog, Scooby-Doo, reunite to investigate strange occurrences at a resort on Spooky Island.
All Dogs Go To Heaven
In this animated feature, when scampish but good-hearted German shepherd Charlie dies, he is sent back to Earth to perform one good deed before gaining admittance to heaven. Charlie is killed by gambler Carface, but returns to Earth from heaven thanks to the powers of a magical, rewindable watch. Charlie sets out to take his revenge on Carface by means of an elaborate plan that involves an orphan girl, Anne-Marie. But as the plan progresses, Charlie discovers that Anne-Marie is being exploited by Carface. Charlie must decide whether to change his mission from one of revenge to one of rescue.
Dog Days
Elizabeth is a charming anchorwoman who seeks advice from her dog’s therapist. Tara is a spunky barista who dreams of a life beyond the coffee shop. Daisy is a dog walker who’s enamoured with a client. Garrett pines for a woman while trying to keep his adopt-a-dog business afloat. The beloved canines in their lives soon start to influence their careers, friendships and romantic relationships in funny and unexpected ways.
Up!
Carl, an old widower, goes off on an adventure in his flying house in search of Paradise Falls, his wife’s dream destination.
The dog in this film is Dug, a golden retriever who belongs to Charles Muntz. He is a fun-loving dog who speaks English via a special collar that translates his thoughts into speech, invented by his former master.
