Summary

• Dog movies on Netflix are popular due to the global love for dogs, offering heartwarming entertainment for all ages.
• From animated adventures to emotional tales, these movies feature dogs in all kinds of stories, appealing to different tastes.
• Rescued By Ruby, a true story with a 100% RT score, showcases the impactful bond between a man and his shelter dog.

Dog movies on Netflix offer a heartwarming form of entertainment for animal lovers and dog owners alike. Many people will be instantly more interested in a movie if it features a cute dog. The fascination with dogs in movies makes sense when considering Health for Animals estimated in September 2022 that one-third of all households worldwide have a dog. This number doesn't even for people who may want a dog but cannot adopt one due to other circumstances. Luckily, everyone can enjoy a great dog movie on Netflix and have fun with some lovable canines.

While these dog movies on Netflix are great for all ages, they can vary quite a bit. There are live-action movies starring these animals as well as animated adventures. There are also funny and lighthearted stories about dogs as well as more serious ones that can tug at the heartstrings and even break hearts. With Netflix's ever-growing and expanding, there will always be some top-notch movie selections for people who want to see the nice adventures of puppy dogs.

10 Pets United (2019)

Pets Forces To Fight A Robot Army

Some of the best dog movies see these adorable canines teaming up with other animals which makes the adventure all the better. In the Netflix animated movie Pets United, a dog named Roger and a cat named Belle must work together with Robo City's pets to stop robots from taking over. Although this film holds a disappointing 11% Rotten Tomatoes score, it's fun to watch and has an incredible voice cast which includes Natalie Dormer and Eddie Marsan.

The movie's sci-fi plot is also interesting and unique as it's not often that pets get to fight off robots in films. In some ways, seeing these animals come together as a heroic team is reminiscent of DC's League of Superpets. While Pets United does contain mild fight sequences, which can be scary to young children, it's family-friendly in every other way as the humor offers up plenty of laughs (even if it is juvenile).

9 Benji (2018)

A Reboot Of The Story Of A Heroic Dog

Benji is one of the best movie animals of all time, and in a common move, Benji rebooted a beloved franchise for a new generation of viewers. This movie tells the story of the eponymous stray dog who tries to save two kidnapped kids. While the 2018 version of Benji follows the plot of the 1974 movie closely, offering plenty of nostalgia, the updated version is quite memorable as the tone is a lot more intense and fast-paced, and there are even a few emotional moments.

Some viewers may want to keep these warnings in mind if someone is intending to watch it with their children.

Overall, it's an enjoyable time that puts this iconic movie dog back on the screen in a long-awaited new adventure. However, since Benji does explore topics such as kidnapping and animal abuse, some viewers may want to keep these warnings in mind if someone is intending to watch it with their children.

8 Vicky And Her Mystery (2021)

A Dog Helps A Family Deal With Their Loss

Vicky and Her Mystery (Mystère) is one of the deeper dog movies on Netflix that deals with some heavier storylines than the more lighthearted fare the genre is known for. When Vicky's mother es away, she and her father must work through their grief, assisted by Vicky's new pup Mystery. This French movie is biographical and shows how the love of an animal can help a person heal. It's also set against a beautiful landscape.

it's crucial to note that it includes more than one incident of gun violence against animals.

The movie is a touching story of loss, grief, and learning to move on from tragedy. Though Vicky and Her Mystery is beautifully made and holds an important message, it's crucial to note that it includes more than one incident of gun violence against animals. It is a reminder of the intensity some of these movies can have, especially when the dogs are in danger.

7 Dog Gone (2023)

A Father And Son Search For Their Missing Dog

Based on the biographical book of the same name by Pauls Toutonghi, Dog Gone tells the story of John (Rob Lowe) and Nate (Johnny Berchtold), a troubled father and son who come together to find Nate's disabled dog, Gonker. Throughout the film, they begin to mend the rift between them as John notices how much his son loves Gonker and does whatever he can to stop him from feeling any more pain.

This 2023 Netflix Original is a deeply heartwarming story as it shows how dogs can bring companionship and people together. The human story at the center is perhaps given more importance and is certainly effective, but Gronker is the heart of the story. Moreover, Dog Gone adds a degree of authenticity to the story by filming part of the movie in the actual Appalachian Mountains (via Distractify).

6 Seventeen (2019)

A Troubled Young Man Goes In Search Of His Beloved Dog

In Seventeen (Diecisiete), Héctor (Biel Montoro) breaks out of his juvenile detention center to find his therapy dog, Sheep, when the dog gets adopted. While planning this adventure, Héctor enlists the help of his brother, Ismael (Nancho Sánchez). Although the Spanish Netflix movie shows the deep connection between a boy and his dog, it also has an interesting subplot as Héctor's bond with his brother Ismael grows as they overcome several obstacles together.

The simple idea of a boy not wanting to lose his best friend is an effective starting point for this journey.

While it's not really a family-friendly movie as its themes are too mature for younger audiences, Seventeen was a critical success and holds a respectable 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. Coming-of-age stories can deal with universal themes that are recognizable even if the central story might not seem entirely relatable to viewers. The simple idea of a boy not wanting to lose his best friend is an effective starting point for this journey.

5 Xico's Journey (2020)

A Boy And His Dog Take On An Evil Corporation

The Mexican animated film, Xico's Journey (El Camino de Xico), is an overlooked gem when it comes to dog movies on Netflix. This film tells the story of a girl named Copi who sets off with her dog, Xico, and her best friend, Gus, to stop a greedy corporation from ruining their home. They soon discover that Xico holds the key to saving their mountainous town. Xico's Journey involves Mexican culture and folklore throughout the plot.

The 2D animation style includes beautiful depictions of spirit creatures. Though the plot is fairly simple, it holds a strong anti-capitalism and anti-fracking message. Even with these bigger ideas, it is a fitting family-friendly story that takes a more fantastical approach to the typical dog movie. It is impressive the various things the movie is able to accomplish with its messages and cultural nods, but it is also a fun adventure at its center.

4 June & Kopi (2021)

Two Dogs Experience Life Inside A Loving Family

Many dog movies on Netflix focus on the relationship between humans and dogs but June & Kopi differs as it focuses on the friendship between two dogs. Aya (Acha Septriasa) and Ale (Ryan Delon), a young Indonesian couple, take in a stray dog named June. At home, their Pitbull, Kopi, helps June adapt to her new life. The two dogs become great friends.

Later, viewers also see June grow in her connection with Aya and Ale's newborn child, Karin making for a film that is heartwarming and emotional. However, viewers should grab some tissues before starting this movie as June & Kopi's ending is sure to make a number of them cry. It is not uncommon for movies in which animals play a central role to be emotionally devastating, but that doesn't take away from the fun of the rest of the film.

3 White Fang (2018)

A Journey Of A Wolfdog Through His Time With Three Different Masters

White Fang (Croc-Blanc) tells the classic Jack London book in which the titular wolfdog goes on an adventure, encountering life with many different humans. This French-Luxembourgish film differs from the previous rendition of the story because it follows the perspective of the wolfdog, White Fang, instead of the people. It shows the journey this dog has through the years with the different owners he has introducing new elements into his life.

Oscar-winning animator Alexandre Espigares depicted this film in a style reminiscent of an impressionist painting. Each shot includes texture, shading, and minute details that bring the scene to life. In the English dub, viewers may recognize famous voice actors like Nick Offerman and Rashida Jones being added to the movie's cast and these actors perfectly portray their characters, offering nuanced vocalizations that add something special to the story. The true magic, though, is in how effective the film is despite barely featuring any dialogue at all.

2 Rescued By Ruby (2022)

A Man And His Dog Strive To Be Part Of The K-9 Unit

Not only is Rescued by Ruby based on a true story but it rises above others in its core messaging. In this film, Daniel O'Neil (Grant Gustin), a state trooper who dreams of working in K-9 search and rescue, adopts a shelter dog named Ruby. The new dog proves to be a clever animal though has a troublemaking streak. However, Ruby and Daniel learn to become the best of friends and partners.

At its core, Rescued by Ruby is a heartwarming story in which underdogs defy all expectations. It highlights that dogs can save people as much as people save them. Much like its main characters, Rescued by Ruby defies the odds by holding a rare 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Anyone looking for a heartwarming movie that embraces the love of dogs will be happy with this one.

1 Beethoven (1992)

A Saint Bernard Causes Chaos And Love Within A New Family

While Lassie and Benji have earned iconic statuses as memorable movie dogs thanks to decades of popular movies and shows, Beethoven managed to their ranks almost immediately with 1992's family comedy Beethoven introducing the lovable and messy Saint Bernard. The movie follows a family who takes in this massive and destructive pup when it flees from a corrupt and evil veterinarian.

The big dog is instantly lovable even if he causes a lot of trouble and makes plenty of messes because he also has a keen sense of how to protect his new family.

Co-written by John Hughes, the movie embraces the slapstick all-ages fun of Hughes' later movies like Home Alone. The big dog is instantly lovable even if he causes a lot of trouble and makes plenty of messes because he also has a keen sense of how to protect his new family. The human cast is also quite excellent with Charles Grodin as the frustrated father and Stanley Tucci and Oliver Platt as the bumbling henchmen of the villain.