Top 5 Animal-Starring Movies to Watch with Your Pet

Human friendships are beautiful, but there's something deeply magical about the bond between humans and animals. What makes them love us? What makes us love them? This is a true mystery to ponder on a sleepless night.

But if you want something cozier and warmer to watch with your pet, here are five of the best movies about animals.

Dolphin Tale (2011, 6.8 on IMDb)

This movie adapts the true story of a bottlenose dolphin named Winter, who lost her tail after becoming entangled in a crab trap rope. When the animal was taken in by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Winter was given a prosthetic tail that allowed her to swim naturally again. Meanwhile, the movie explores the relationship between the aquarium workers and the dolphin herself.

Winter plays herself in the film, which also stars Nathan Gamble, Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman. Dolphin Tale is available on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.

Babe (1995, 6.9 on IMDb)

Adapted from Dick King-Smith's novel The Sheep-Pig, this comedy-drama centers on Babe, an orphaned piglet who befriends a family of dogs on the farm where he lives. As Babe grows up with the dogs, he wants to be one of them and dreams of herding sheep. The film is narrated by Roscoe Lee Browne. Meanwhile, the livestock is portrayed by both real animals and animatronics. Christine Cavanaugh voices Babe.

You can watch Babe on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993, 6.9 on IMDb)

The second big-screen adaptation of Sheila Burnford's novel of the same name marks the directorial debut of Duwayne Dunham. The film follows the fictionalized Burnford family pets, American bulldog Chance, who narrates the film, Himalayan cat Sassy, and golden retriever Shadow, in their adventures as they travel from a family friend's farm back home, encountering many dangers along the way.

This is a classic of the homecoming genre, available to stream on Disney+, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video.

Eight Below (2006, 7.3 on IMDb)

Frank Marshall's remake of the 1983 Japanese survival drama Antarctica centers on Jerry Shepard, a guide at an NSF Antarctic research base who one day is evacuated from the facility along with the entire crew due to a severe snowstorm. However, their dogs are left behind at the station, and Shepard devises a plan to save them from the cold grip of death.

The film stars Paul Walker as Jerry Shepard. Eight Below is available on Disney+, Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video.

Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009, 8.1 on IMDb)

It may be a cheesy choice, but it's a classic of animal-centric movies. Starring Richard Gere, Jason Alexander and Joan Allen, the iconic remake of Hachikō Monogatari (1987) tells the story of a college professor who stumbles upon an Akita puppy on his way home one day. As Gere's character takes care of Hachi, the two become best friends. And nothing can break their bond: not distance, not even death.

Hachi: A Dog's Tale is available on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video.