20th Century Fox
Dogs may be man's best friend, but they're also some of kids' favorite movie stars. With Marmaduke howling into theaters on June 4, it's as good time as ever to bone up on both classic and contemporary family films starring cute, cuddly and courageous canines, and what makes these films so wag-worthy.
Lassie Come Home (1943)
Your kids won't be as enamored as you are by the sight of a young Elizabeth Taylor, but they'll probably fall (though not down a well) for the classic tale of a gorgeous collie trying to reunite with her family.
Old Yeller (1957)
A boy coming of age, a wild but loyal dog and a six-tissue ending. That's how they used to make movies before it became easier to blow things up than to train animals and children.
Benji (1974)
Benji brought the "cute" back to animal movies and broke the mutt barrier, but kids will just love the story of a less-than-perfect pooch who helps rescue two kidnapped children. In an equally heartwarming true-life tale, the real Benji was a 15-year-old mixed breed named Higgins who was rescued from an L.A. animal shelter.
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
In this remake of a 1963 classic, a golden retriever named Shadow, a bulldog named Chance, and a Himalayan cat named Sassy travel an incredible distance to reunite with their family -- all without singing, dancing, making pop culture jokes or getting chased by the criminally insane.
Beethoven (1992)
Beethoven is probably best known for a scene in which the big, slobbering 185-pound St. Bernard shakes itself off on the bed of reluctant master Charles Grodin. There's also some stuff about kids, dognappers, and a veterinarian who conducts animal experiments, but that one sloppy scene really says all you need to know.
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Mangy street mutt meets uptown purebred. They later kiss while sharing a single strand of spaghetti. You've seen the scene so many times you can play it in your head, but your young kids will absolutely dig in.
Turner & Hooch (1989)
This action comedy about a neat detective who takes in a sloppy French mastiff is as predictable as they come. But Tom Hanks has tremendous charm and charisma, while Hooch has… uh, did I mention Tom has charm and charisma? This one's good for older kids who can handle animals in jeopardy.
Eight Below (2006)
Based on a Japanese hit film, this Disney remake focuses on six Siberian Huskies and two Malamutes who had to be left behind at an evacuated research station in Antarctica. As they wait for rescue, each dog becomes a truly unique character. If they gave animals Oscars, these dogs would have been (snow)shoe-ins.
101 Dalmatians (1996)
There are many versions of this classic Disney tale, both animated and live action, but my kids love the 1996 version with a wonderfully over-the-top Glenn Close as Cruella de Vil (the best villain name ever!). Still, the original animated version wasn't the highest-grossing film of 1961 for nothing.
The Shaggy Dog (2006)
Not exactly a great film, but a nice distraction as Tim Allen slowly morphs from man to dog in this remake of a 1959 Disney classic. Look for a pre-Two and a Half Men Spencer Breslin and a pre-Iron Man Robert Downey, Jr. stealing scenes. Kids may also learn a thing or two about genetics... not.
Underdog (2007)
Before Jason Lee met singing chipmunks, he was the voice of Underdog in a film that seems like it should be terrible, but actually has a sweet, understated charm. Peter Dinklage puts a delicious spin on the villainous Simon Bar Sinister.
Bolt (2008)
In this modern 3D animated adventure, Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) is a TV star who doesn't realize he's not actually a superhero in real life. It's a whole lot of fun, with a very scary climax, but I have to admit liking Mittens the Cat best of all.
Snow Dogs (2002)
A Miami dentist inherits a pack of racing sled dogs in this Alaska-set comedy. Fortunately the sentimental scenes don't turn to mush.
What's your favorite dog movie? Chime in now!
Also:
Marmaduke Teaser Trailer
Owen Wilson to Play Marmaduke
