10 Best Movies About Dogs to Heal Your Soul and Heart

You can argue all you want about which is better – cats or dogs – but the fact remains that there have been far more good movies made about the latter.

And in a variety of genres – from heartbreaking dramas and soulful road movies to exciting family adventures.

1. Togo, 2019

A diphtheria epidemic breaks out in Nome, Alaska. The entire population stands on the brink of life and death, because there is no cure at the end of the world. Leonhard Seppala and his faithful but old dog Togo are sent to help.

The movie is based on real events – the Great Race of Mercy of 1925. The most famous participant of the race was the dog Balto, to whom the 1995 animation was dedicated. However, it was not Balto but Togo who covered most of the distance, and Ericson Core's movie recalls the legendary dog's achievement.

2. Finch, 2021

In a post-apocalyptic world, tornadoes and dust storms rage, and it is impossible to be under the sun due to radiation levels. Engineer Finch lives with his beloved dog Goodyear, cut off from other survivors. Finch is terminally ill and, sensing his imminent death, builds a robot to take care of the dog.

The movie will touch even the most cynical viewer and make you think about caring for the planet, loneliness, and the human desire to leave something behind, even if the world has already ended.

3. Dog, 2022

Marine Jackson Briggs, who suffers from PTSD, must take his service dog, Lulu, to the funeral of her dead owner. The task is not easy because Lulu suffers from a nervous disorder and is extremely aggressive. A long journey across the country brings Jackson and Lulu together and changes them.

It is Channing Tatum's highly successful directorial debut – he dedicated this touching road movie to his dog who died of cancer.

4. My Dog Skip, 2000

A shy little boy, Willie, gets a dog for his birthday and his life changes dramatically: he makes friends and falls in love with a girl. Moreover, the dog manages to influence not only his owner, but also the whole small town in which he lives.

Although this movie is primarily aimed at children, adults of all ages will enjoy watching it, too. You just have to remember that the movie is very touching, and you definitely can't do without a box of tissues.

5. Lassie, 2005

The story is set in a small Yorkshire town before the Second World War. The impoverished Carraclough family is faced with the difficult decision of selling their son's dog to the wealthy aristocrat Rudling. But Lassie wants to go home and keeps trying to escape her new owners.

The image of this selfless and devoted collie was created in 1938 by writer Eric Knight. His novel Lassie Come-Home has been the basis for numerous movies and TV series. But it is the version by English director Charles Sturridge that viewers love and remember most.

6. Belle and Sebastian, 2013

The story takes place in German-occupied France in 1943. Little orphan Sebastian lives with his foster parents in the French Alps. Their village is terrified of a huge, ferocious beast that is supposedly killing sheep. But the boy discovers that the mysterious creature is not a monster at all, but a stray dog that has escaped from a cruel owner.

Nicolas Vanier's movie is based on a series of novels by French author Cécile Aubry. The action in the books takes place in 1959, but the director decided to move the events to 1943.

7. The Art of Racing in the Rain, 2019

The movie tells the story of aspiring racing driver Denny and his best friend dog Enzo. Enzo sees it as his duty to share life's challenges with his owner and to be there for him in times of need.

Directed by Simon Curtis and based on Garth Stein's bestselling book of the same name, this heartwarming movie will touch you to the core, with the golden retriever Enzo voiced by Kevin Costner.

8. My Dog Stupid, 2019

In his youth, Henri wrote a successful novel, then started a family, and inspiration gave way to everyday worries. One day, while walking in the garden, Henri meets a Neapolitan mastiff who confidently enters the writer's house and lays down on the couch.

The dog plays a crucial role in this comedy – its spontaneity and joy of life change Henri, reminding him of the best version of himself.

9. Red Dog, 2011

On one of the most ordinary days, an unusual dog appeared. No one knew how he got to town or who his owner was. But each and every resident quickly realized that this dog was a true gift to the locals. He not only helped people to find friendship, love and support, but also became a symbol of good luck for everyone who met him.

There is a monument to the Red Dog in Dampier, Australia, one of the places where locals often saw the amazing dog. And the message of the movie is very simple, but no less profound: true devotion is the greatest happiness.

10. Dogman, 2018

The main character of the movie, Marcello, owns a dog salon called Dogman and dreams of taking his daughter on a trip around the world. However, Marcello befriends the wrong man, Simone, who one day betrays Marcello, forcing him to go against his moral principles in order to survive.

The plot is based on a true story that happened in Italy in 1988 – a conflict between the owner of a small dog salon and his boxer neighbor led to deaths. The dogs may not play a major role in this movie, but they become an important symbol of Marcello's big heart.