The saddestdog movieshit as hard as any tearjerker, particularly for those who’ve ever enjoyed the company of a canine companion at least at some point in their life. Sad dog movies are like a testing ground for young viewers. Their parents show them a tearjerker likeMy Dog SkiporOld Yellerto get them used to the idea that movies can be sad just as they can be exciting and funny. What many parents don’t realize is that these sad dogmovies end up emotionally scarring kidsfor years afterward.
The Fox and the Houndmay be an animated Disney film, but even saying the title may be enough to bring tears to some movie lovers' eyes, for instance. Whiledogs can sometimes be killers in movies, they’re more often than not the lovable, huggable, loyal, and occasionally frustrating, pets everyone knows and loves. So when a movie comes around involving a dog, usually that means there are going to be some tears. If someone needs a good cry,these sad dog movies may be just the ticket.
A Dog’s Purpose
Cast
A Dog’s Purpose follows the journey of a devoted dog reincarnated across multiple lifetimes, serving different owners with unwavering loyalty. Directed by Lasse Hallström, the film explores themes of love, companionship, and the bond between humans and their pets. Starring Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson, and several canine actors, the story highlights the enduring connection between dogs and their owners through various lives and experiences.
A Dog’s Purposeis based on the 2010 novel of the same name by W. Bruce Cameron, and follows a dog, Boss Dog (Josh Gad), who is reincarnated over multiple lifetimes and discovers the meaning of its own existence through the many lives of the humans it teaches and loves.It’s an incredibly earnest movie that feels a tad manipulative, particularly due to the philosophical musings of the dog at the center.A Dog’s Purposeis carried by the dogs at the center of the film. The end is as tear-jerking as sad dog movies get.
The Art of Racing in the Rain
The Art of Racing in the Rain is a 2019 drama film directed by Simon Curtis. Based on Garth Stein’s novel, the story follows aspiring race car driver Denny Swift, played by Milo Ventimiglia, and his philosophical dog Enzo, voiced by Kevin Costner. Through Enzo’s eyes, the film explores themes of love, loss, and redemption, providing a heartfelt look at the profound bond between a man and his dog.
The Art of Racing in the Rainis an American comedy-drama from 2019 that follows a golden retriever named Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner). Enzo is owned by Denny (Milo Ventimiglia), an aspiring Formula One driver. Over his years with his friend,Enzo learns how the techniques and disciplines needed for driving can be applied to being successful in any aspect of one’s life. Preposterous at some points,The Art of Racing in the Rainmanages to avoid corniness and this sad dog movie is filled with heartstring-tugging moments.
A Dog’s Way Home
A Dog’s Way Home is a 2019 family adventure film directed by Charles Martin Smith. It follows the journey of a dog named Bella as she embarks on a 400-mile journey to reunite with her owner. Along the way, Bella faces various challenges and forges unlikely friendships, demonstrating resilience and the enduring bond between humans and their pets.
InA Dog’s Way Home, a dog named Bella, voiced by Bryce Dallas Howard, goes on a 400-mile journey to be reunited with her owner. After a nosy neighbor threatens to call animal control on Bella, her owners send her away to New Mexico. Missing her family, Bella travels all the way back to Colorado to be with them. It’s a classic tale of love and adventure told through a dog’s eyes and, while it’s not entirely original, the heartfelt moments are well executed and there are many tear-jerking scenes.
Lassie
Lassie, released in December 2005, is a family adventure film about a beloved dog who undertakes a long journey home after her owners are forced to sell her due to financial hardship. The narrative follows the titular collie as she traverses vast distances to reunite with her family.
An adaptation of Eric Knight’s novel,Lassie Come-Home, the 2005Lassiedepicts the loving bond between the rough collie, Lassie, and her owner, the young Joe Carraclough (Jonathan Mason). Joe’s father, Sam (John Lynch), has to sell Lassie to feed his family, but the dog continues to return, much to the buyer’s, The Duke of Rudling (Peter O’Toole), consternation. A timeless story about friendship and loyalty,Lassieis a faithful adaptation that balances the cruelty of the book with the pathos found between animal and man.
Balto
“Balto” is an animated adventure film loosely based on the true story of a sled dog who helped to save the children of Nome, Alaska, from a diphtheria outbreak in 1925. The film blends fact and fiction, focusing on Balto, a half-wolf, half-dog outcast who embarks on a perilous journey to deliver medicine during a severe winter storm. It’s a heartwarming tale of bravery, determination, and finding one’s place in the world.
Based on the true story of the titular sled dog,Baltofollows a wolfdog of the same name who lives on the outskirts of Nome, Alaska. Considered an outcast by other dogs and the townsfolk, Balto becomes the village’s savior when he leads a pack of sled dogs to retrieve vital medicine for a diphtheria outbreak.Baltois non-stop action throughout, with one setpiece moving right into the next one.The dog’s relationship with the young girl who gets sick is heartbreaking and a recognizable loveto anyone who has ever been comforted by a dog.
I Am Legend
Loosely based on Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel of the same name, I Am Legend stars Will Smith as Robert Neville, a virologist who believes himself to be the last human on Earth. After a virus turns most of the world’s population into vampiric creatures known as Darkseekers, Neville finds himself immune. Believing himself to be the last man of Earth, Neville stalks through the ruins of New York, hoping to create an antidote that will save humanity.
WhileI Am Legendmay not be strictly about a dog, a dog figures into one of the most upsetting moments in the movie.I Am Legendstars Will Smithas Robert Neville, a scientist set on finding the cure to a pathogenic virus that turned most of the living world into vampiric mutants. Robert’s only friend is his dog Sam, a German Shepherd and gift from his son just before he died. Sam is a loyal pet andher death is a drawn-out affair that the viewer is forced to watch in excruciating and heartbreaking detail.
Frankenweenie
Frankenweenie is a 2012 stop-motion animated remake of Tim Burton’s eponymous 1984 short film. It tells the story of young scientist Victor Frankenstein, who brings his dog Sparky back to life and tries to stop his experiment from wreaking havoc across his town.
Tim Burton’sFrankenweenieis a gothic stop-motion horror comedy in the same vein asThe Nightmare Before Christmas. The film follows a young boy named Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan), who uses his electricity-powered invention to resurrect his dead Bull Terrier, Sparky. When his friends hear of the miracle, they demand Victor resurrect their beloved pets as well. Despite being stop-motion and covered in stitches, Sparky is as lovable as any movie dog, making his sacrifice at the end of the film all the more tear-jerking.
Because of Winn-Dixie
Because of Winn-Dixie follows a young girl who moves to a small Florida town with her father after being abandoned by her mother. She adopts a dog named Winn-Dixie, and their friendship helps bridge the gaps within the community while mending her strained relationship with her father.
Based on the 2000 novel of the same name,Because of Winn-Dixie, the 2005 film stars AnnaSophia Robb as India Opal Buloni, who has just moved to the small town of Naomi, Florida. Alone in her new town, with a father still upset over his wife leaving the family, Opal makes quick friends with a rambunctious Berger Picard, whom she adopts and names “Winn-Dixie”.It’s an old-fashioned tale that might have felt out of step if not for Robb’s performance, and her sad moments with her father and her dog are touching and honest.
Eight Below
In the icy expanse of Antarctica, a guide fights to rescue his sled dogs, left behind during a dangerous storm. As the loyal team braves the elements to survive, their bond and resilience shine. Inspired by true events, the story captures humanity and nature’s unyielding spirit.
A remake of the 1983 Japanese filmAntarctica,Eight Belowstars the late Paul Walkeras Jerry Shepard, a guide at a National Science Foundation Antarctic research base. When a massive storm hits the base and the humans are told to evacuate, Jerry has to leave his team of sled dogs behind, promising he’ll return for them. The dogs go six months, living on their own and braving the elements, losing a few of their packmates along the way.Eight Belowis an emotional, tender, and exhilarating adventure.
Lassie Come Home
Lassie Come Home, released in 1943, depicts the hardships faced by the Carraclough family as they are forced to sell their beloved dog, Lassie, to a wealthy Duke. The film follows Lassie’s perilous journey across great distances to reunite with the young son, Joe.
Lassie Come Home, the first adaptation of Eric Knight’s 1940 novel,Lassie Come Home, is set in Depression-era Yorkshire, England, where Sam (Donald Crisp) and Mrs. Carraclough (Elsa Lanchester) are forced to sell their beautiful collie, Lassie, to the Duke of Rudling (Nigel Bruce), to afford money for food. Young Joe Carraclough (Roddy McDowall) is despondent at the loss of his pet, but Lassie escapes her new owners to reunite with Joe. It’s a classic and poignant tale that’s hard not to fall in love with.
