The Family Films with Animals subgenre primarily resides within the Kids, Family, Drama, Action and Comedy genres. Other film subgenres that feature animals for kids or families include Action Adventure Films, Family Films for Kids, Slapstick and Screwball Comedy Films, Contemporary & Urban Fantasy Films, Drama Films About Families and Tearjerker Films. Some animals featured in our subgenre list include Films About Dogs, Films About Cats, Films About Horses, Films About Wolves, Films About Monkeys, Films About Gorillas, Films About Elephants, Films About Dolphins and a variety of other animal films appropriate for kids and families.
Unlike the Family Films for Kids subgenre, Kids Films with Animals feature a narrative focused on animals. Disney’s Old Yeller (1957) was one of the first live-action animal films targeted towards children and families with a focus on the adoption of a dog by the family. This film would be followed by other Disney efforts in the 1970’s that featured live-action animal films for kids: Pete’s Dragon (1977), The Cat from Outer Space (1978) and The Black Stallion (1979). Other classic and notable subgenre films from the decade included The Doberman Gang (1972), Sounder (1972), International Velvet (1978) and C.H.O.M.P.S. (1979). We have also included Watership Down (1978) in this list even though it is an animated feature and is also included in our list of Adult Animation and Anime Film list. The film was an important film adaptation of the Richard Adams novel and is a classic film of the subgenre.
The 1980’s would see a decline in live-action kids and family films with animals with only a few notable films including Going Ape! (1981), The Black Stallion Returns (1983) and Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985).
Disney would return to prominence within the subgenre in the 1990’s with some classic films of the subgenre: White Fang (1991), Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993), Iron Will (1994), The Jungle Book (1994), Operation Dumbo Drop (1995), 101 Dalmatians (1996) and Mighty Joe Young (1998). Kids films with dogs continued to be the most popular theme of the subgenre with Bingo (1991), Beethoven (1992), Lassie (1994) and Zeus & Roxanne (1997). Other themes of the subgenre included Films About Pigs with Babe (1995), Films About Dolphins with Flipper (1996) and Films About Talking Animals with Dr. Dolittle (1998). Other notable subgenre films of the 1990’s included Born to Be Wild (1995), Magic in the Water (1995), Fly Away Home (1996), Wild America (1997) and Stuart Little (1999).
The 2000’s would start the Golden Age of live-action films with animals for kids and families. Many different genres and themes were represented in this decade. Kangaroos were featured in the comedy Kangaroo Jack (2003), Camels in The Story of the Weeping Camel (2003), Tigers in Two Brothers (2004), Cheetahs in Duma (2005) and Owls in Hoot (2006). The Tearjerker Film subgenre would also feature family films with animals as pets in My Dog Skip (2000) and Marley & Me (2008). And Fantasy would be a popular genre with Garfield (2004), The Shaggy Dog (2006), Underdog (2007) and The Water Horse (2007). Other classic films of subgenre this decade included 102 Dalmatians (2000), Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001), Cats & Dogs (2001), Stuart Little 2 (2002), Whale Rider (2003), The Young Black Stallion (2003), Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005), Eight Below (2006), Flicka (2006), The Velveteen Rabbit (2009) and Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009).
Fantasy and Comedy would become two of the favored genres of animal films for kids in the 2010’s. Mr. Popper’s Penguins (2011), Zookeeper (2011), Paddington (2014), Nine Lives (2016), Paddington 2 (2017), and Dumbo (2019) were popular films within these two genres. Family films with animals also became popular within the Christmas Film subgenre with The Search for Santa Paws (2010), Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure (2011), Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups (2012), The Nine Live of Christmas (2014) and The Christmas Shepherd (2014). Other classic subgenre films included Secretariat (2010), Red Dog (2011), Spooky Buddies (2011), Dolphin Tale (2011), We Bought A Zoo (2011), Big Miracle (2012), Max (2015), The Jungle Book (2016), Pete’s Dragon (2016), A Dog’s Purpose (2017), Benji (2018), Alpha (2018), Bernie the Dolphin (2018), A Dog’s Way Home (2019), A Dog’s Journey (2019) and Togo (2019).
The 2020’s have produced a few classic subgenre films to date with Dolittle (2020), The Call of the Wild (2020), Black Beauty (2020), Dream Horse (2021) and Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021). Other notable subgenre films include Flora & Ulysses (2021), The Wolf and the Lion (2021), Pups Alone (2021), Vicky and Her Mystery (2021), Dog (2022) and Rescued by Ruby (2022).
Our list of Family Films with Animals includes over 124+ films from 1957 – 2022. Most films in our list are live-action films though some do have live-action coupled with CGI or animations (e.g. Pete’s Dragon). For our list of the Top Family Films With Animals You Haven’t Seen, we had to leave quite a few films off the list though we anticipate doing a follow-up list in the near future. Also, for our list, we have included other film recommendations based on the specific animal in the film. Given most Kids Films with Animals are about dogs, we made an attempt to feature as many other animals as possible. Here is our list of honorable mentions that did not make the list (broken down by animal type):
Dogs
- The Doberman Gang (1972)
- Iron Will (1994)
- Zeus & Roxanne (1997)
- Cats & Dogs (2001)
- Marley & Me (2008)
- A Dog’s Purpose (2017)
- Togo (2019)
- The Call of the Wild (2020)
- Pups Alone (2021)
Cats
Camel
Whales
Dolphins
Lions, Tigers and Bears (Oh My!)
Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here is our list of the Top Family Films With Animals You Haven’t Seen:
#10
Duma
Plot: An orphaned cheetah becomes the best friend and pet of a young boy living in South Africa.
Animal(s): Cheetah
KBZ’s Take: This is a great coming-of-age and action-adventure film all rolled into one. The plot is simple – boy takes in orphaned cheetah that soon grows to age where he must be returned to the wild. However, due to his father’s death, the boy must travel with his cheetah alone against the unforgiving African climate. There are some great scenes in this movie and the message will resonate with children of all ages. One of the more unique Family Films with Animals and recommended for fans of the subgenre.
Similar Film(s): Two Brothers (2004), Alpha (2018)
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3JwfDfY
#9
Two Brothers
Plot: Two tigers are separated as cubs and reunited later as enemies.
Animal(s): Tigers
KBZ’s Take: If you love Tigers, this is the film to watch. There are many initial scenes of the Tiger family in their native setting that almost comes across as a documentary. However, the story begins when the tiger cubs get separated and Guy Pearce (as an Explorer) saves one of the cubs. Though some of the scenes in this film can be a bit intense for very young children, it’s still a great film with a story about redemption and nature.
Similar Film(s): Duma (2005), Alpha (2018)
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3WY73de
Plot: U.S. Special Forces squad must transport an elephant to a small town in Vietnam.
Animal(s): Elephants
KBZ’s Take: Amazingly, this film is based on a real operation from the Vietnam War. The film is also a great compromise film if your younger boy wants to watch a film about army men and your younger girl wants an animal film. This has them both. This is a Disney film so some of the real-life moments in Vietnam are toned down to make the film more kid friendly. Even with the watered-down Vietnam experience, it’s a film adults can enjoy with their children (and has some funny moments that only adults will understand).
Similar Film(s): Larger Than Life (1996), Dumbo (2019)
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3jld7yz
#7
Alpha
Plot: A young hunter befriends an abandoned wolf and become allies in their adventure home.
Animal(s): Wolves
KBZ’s Take: This is an exciting, action-adventure epic film that also features the alliance between man and dog. Featuring amazing cinematography, this film is a must for dog lovers who are interested in how wolves (and dogs evolving from wolves) became man’s best friend. Side note: There’s a great article here on the theory of how man’s best friend developed.
Similar Film(s): Duma (2005), White Fang (1991)
Additional Lists: Top Films Set During the Stone Age #4
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3WQJKSj
Plot: Father and daughter adopt a severely injured racehorse, heal it, and plan to enter the biggest horserace of the season.
Animal(s): Horses
KBZ’s Take: For adults, this film will telegraph its every move and you’ll know what’s coming. But for children who aren’t yet familiar with these ‘template films’, they’ll be excited throughout the film. Even with a standard and predictable plot, it’s an amazing film driven by the performances of Kurt Russell and Dakota Fanning. There’s also a great metaphor in the film as the horse heals, so too does the family. Highly recommended for fans of the subgenre and for children of all ages.
Similar Film(s): The Black Stallion (1979), Flicka (2006), Secretariat (2010), Black Beauty (2020), Dream Horse (2021)
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Hi2Qet
#5
My Dog Skip
Plot: Shy boy in 1942 is given a terrier puppy for his birthday.
Animal(s): Dogs
KBZ’s Take: Based on the best-selling memoir of Willie Morris, My Dog Skip is the best “coming-of-age with a dog” film you’ll see. While the coming-of-age theme is popular (especially with Films about Dogs), this film is unique with its setting and the various threads that run throughout the film. There are funny moments, serious moments about World War II and it’s a tearjerker that won’t leave a dry eye by the end of the film. It’s one of the best films we’ve seen and it’s highly recommended for families and children of all ages.
Similar Film(s): Marley & Me (2008), Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3wHHsKL
Plot: Two dogs and a cat trek across America to be reunited with their owners.
Animal(s): Dogs & Cat
KBZ’s Take: This is a film the entire family can enjoy. There’s amazing cinematography, numerous action scenes and some very funny moments. The voices of the pets are what makes this film great with Michael J. Fox (Chance), Sally Field (Sassy) and Don Ameche (Shadow). Some of the dialogue and jokes might fly over the heads of younger viewers, but adults will be laughing throughout the film. Not that it will matter to children as they’ll likely be laughing more at the many slapstick comedy moments throughout the film. It’s a great action-adventure family film with animals and highly recommended.
Similar Film(s): Beethoven (1992), Babe (1995)
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3DtBsJf
Plot: Young girl loses her mother in a car accident and must go to live with her oddball inventor father. She soon discovers some abandoned goose eggs and becomes the mother to a flock of geese.
Animal(s): Geese
KBZ’s Take: Before we write these lists, there’s always a few films we haven’t seen yet that we watch before compiling the list. This is one of those film that we’re amazed we missed and glad we finally watched. It’s a very unique story about a family bonding together by trying to teach motherless geese how to fly. We don’t want to say much more about the plot other than it’s one of the best family films you’ll ever see. Highly recommended film of the subgenre.
Similar Film(s): Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005), We Bought a Zoo (2011)
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3RqpWEs
#2
Eight Below
Plot: Sled dog trainer tries to find a sponsor to find his lost dogs in the Antarctic.
Animal(s): Dogs
KBZ’s Take: There’s a few films about sled dogs that are based in the Antarctic or Alaska, but this film hits all the right notes. It’s an action-adventure film for the entire family and has a cast of dogs that you’ll soon grow attached to throughout the film. It’s a Disney film that’s been lost a bit due to time, but we highly recommend it as one of the best films of the ‘sled dog’ theme in the subgenre.
Similar Film(s): Iron Will (1994), Togo (2019), The Call of the Wild (2020)
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XQIfFc
Plot: Based on true story of a college professor’s bond with the abandoned dog he takes home.
Animal(s): Dogs
KBZ’s Take: We chose this film over Marley & Me (2008) given most people have likely seen the latter film. Hachi is one of the best films we have ever seen – not just in this specific subgenre. If you’ve ever had a dog, you’ll instantly recognize the bond humans develop with dogs and this film highlights it in a unique way. It’s both an inspirational tale and one that will also have you crying with both joy and sadness through various points in the film. Of all the films on this list that you might not have seen yet, we strongly urge you to move this film to the top of your queue right away. It’s a film that will stay with you long after you’ve seen it and help you appreciate your canine friend that much more.
Similar Film(s): My Dog Skip (2000), Marley & Me (2008)
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HmMkKg
