There are few things more endearing than the presence of an adorable dog in a movie for several reasons. Some are used solely as side characters to help a protagonist grow, while others are given center stage to tell their own stories. They can become great characters depending on their role, but only if their movie permits it.
Dogs can also be used in cinema to evoke feelings of heartbreak and loss. This is seen when a loving canine meets its end at some point during a narrative, but even more so during the aftermath of its death. No matter the purpose of a movie dog, most will remain in the viewer's memory far longer than the humans the canine associates with.
10 Clifford - Clifford The Big Red Dog (2021)
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Though the live-action adaptation of Clifford the Big Red Dog received average reviews upon its release, denying the pooch's status as an icon is pointless. The movie's use of the source material may have been somewhat underwhelming, but Clifford was animated with great respect to the TV series the Giant Vizsla debuted in.
Clifford's heart is just as big as his gargantuan body. Instead of using his size to intimidate, he opts to spread love to as many people as he can. He has an endearing personality, but his physical appearance is his most iconic trait.
9 Charlie B. Barkin - All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989)
After escaping from a dog pound where he was due to be euthanized, Charlie B. Barkin finds himself in a far worse situation. Carface Carruthers, his corrupt business partner, has grown tired of his arrangement with Charlie and decides to murder him.
Charlie awakens to find himself in Heaven. Having not done any noteworthy good deeds in his life, he asks a whippet angel why he's here, to which she responds by saying "All dogs go to Heaven." He hasn't done anything to earn his place in paradise but makes up for it upon his return to Earth.
8 Sam - I Am Legend (2007)
I Am Legend takes place in a post-apocalyptic world plagued by infection. An attempt to re-engineer the measles virus failed and had a devastating effect on humanity, resulting in 99% of the population losing control of their bodies. These creatures, also known as Darkseekers, quickly became humanity's greatest threat.
Three years after the outbreak, Robert Neville (played by Will Smith) and his pet Alsation, Samantha, appear to be the only survivors. They spend each day scouting an empty New York City in search of help, but they never find it. Though danger lurks behind every corner, Sam never flees from a battle if it means protecting her master.
7 Daisy - John Wick (2014)
Helen Wick left her husband, John, with a parting gift after her death: a Beagle puppy named Daisy. She originally intended for Daisy to help John through his grief, but their time together is cut frighteningly short when a group of gangsters breaks into John's home, steals his car, and kills Daisy.
Though Daisy's time in John Wick was short-lived, she touched countless hearts, especially John's. In response to her murder, John sets off on a murderous tirade to avenge both Daisy's and his wife's memory. He doesn't seem like the type of person to enjoy the company of a canine due to his profession, but Daisy disproved this in her heart-wrenchingly short life.
6 Hachi - Hachikō Monogatari (1987)
Based on a true story, Hachikō Monogatari documents the tale of an unbreakable bond between a man and his dog. Hidejiro Ueno, an agricultural professor, receives a call asking if he wants to adopt a dog. Though he questions the idea, he eventually agrees to take the animal to appease his excited daughter.
Hidejiro is initially reluctant, but he slowly forms a connection with Hachi during their time together. They live a great life together until Hidejiro suddenly dies during one of his lectures. Hachi, like the loyal canine he is, refuses to accept this and spends the rest of his life waiting at Shibuya Station for Hidejiro to return.
5 Chief - Isle Of Dogs (2018)
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Set twenty years in the future, Isle of Dogs documents a world plagued by Canine Flu. It follows the story of Atari Kobayashi, a young boy who embarks on a heartwarming adventure to reunite with his lost dog, Spots. His journey takes him to Trash Island, also known as the "Isle of Dogs," where he encounters a variety of abandoned canines who wish to help.
Chief, the leader of the pack, is initially skeptical but comes to form a strong bond with Atari. He spends most of the narrative risking his life to ensure the young boy's safety and ultimately changes his opinion of the world by the movie's climax.
4 Sparky - Frankenweenie (2012)
The story of Frankenweenie is a heartbreaking yet beautiful tale about a young boy's love for his dog. It follows Victor Frankenstein, an inexperienced scientist who loves nothing more than returning home from school to spend time with his Bull Terrier, Sparky.
Sparky dies during a traffic accident shortly into the movie, leaving Victor distraught. The young scientist refuses to accept his friend's fate and takes Sparky's body home in the hope of bringing him back to life. Sparky then miraculously awakens after being struck by a bolt of lightning. Though he isn't exactly alive, he is the most lively character in the whole movie.
3 Lady & Tramp - Lady & The Tramp (1955)
Lady and the Tramp is perhaps one of the most endearing dog movies ever made. It documents the life of Lady, a pampered Cocker Spaniel who must learn to survive after being driven from her home. She struggles to adapt to the life of a stray until an experienced mix-breed Terrier decides to help her.
Lady and Tramp quickly become enamored with each other even though they come from different sides of life. They go on several adventures during their time together, with their most iconic seeing the pair bonding over a plate full of spaghetti and meatballs.
2 Marley - Marley & Me (2009)
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Marley & Me is considered one of the saddest dog movies ever made. It follows the story of John and Jenny Grogan, a pair of newlyweds who decide to adopt a dog in preparation for parenthood. Though their main reason for homing a canine is to see if they are equipped to raise a child, they quickly come to love Marley like he were their own.
It takes time for the Grogans to accept Marley into their life. He's a menace who loves nothing more than to cause trouble, often leaving the Grogans confused about how they should handle him. Marley grows to become a cherished member of the household and helps the Grogans become better versions of themselves in the process.
1 Scooby-Doo (2002)
The Scooby-Doo movie begins on a sad note. Scooby-Doo and his best friend Shaggy are abandoned by their friends and forced to find a new purpose. They spend most of their days eating Scooby Snax and reminiscing on old times, but things start to look up when they receive an invitation to Spooky Island.
Scooby-Doo is one of the most iconic canines to ever grace the silver screen. His onscreen moments are all dripping with humor, but he's much more than a comic relief character. He is a complex creature, bursting with powerful emotions.