Some of the best family films are those that include our beloved animal friends. Seriously, what characters pop into your head when you think of your favorite childhood movies? Beethoven, Wilbur, Babe, Air Bud, Milo & Otis, Chance, Sassy, and Shadow, Lady and the Tramp- the list goes on and on. Animals have proven not only to be man’s best friend, but celebrities as well. So when it comes time for your little ones to hunker down and watch a movie with you, you’ll know which ones are kid and parent approved. With so many films that revolve around animals, however, it’s difficult to choose which ones are truly the best. We’ll take a peek at 5 of the top-rated (and classic) family friendly pet films that even Rover will enjoy.
1. Milo and Otis: This film follows a young cat and dog throughout their exciting adventures. Both grew up on the same farm where they began to cultivate a genuine- and certainly curious- friendship, when suddenly they become separated. The pair each sets out on their own perilous quest to find the other across plains and snow-covered lands, through streams, and over mountains. In the end, you can’t help but cheer on the two most impossible of friends.
2. Charlotte’s Web: Wilbur the pig is born the runt of the litter who narrowly escapes becoming bacon thanks to his human buddy Fern. With the help of the wise spider Charlotte, who lives above Wilbur’s pen and hatches an ingenious plan to keep him alive, Wilbur’s safety is ensured throughout his entire life. That’s some pig! This movie has certainly made stepping on spiders seem so completely wrong.
3. Beethoven: The Newton family lived a pretty normal, mundane life until Beethoven, a St. Bernard puppy made their hearts melt and turned their world upside down. Growing into a monster of a dog, Beethoven does everything from slobbering on shoes, shaking off in a crowd of people after swimming, and warding off potential bad guys from his family- including the local vet, who wants Beethoven dead. It’s no wonder this canine wasn’t too fond of his vet! Don’t worry; everything turns out better than okay in the end, and that shouldn’t deter any young animal lover from obtaining veterinary assistant training.
4. Homeward Bound: Three irresistible pets – Chance, a fun-loving American bulldog, Shadow, a wise Golden Retriever, and Sassy, a snobby-but-hilarious Himalayan cat – venture out to find their loving owners after they are left home while their masters vacation. Their journey takes the three through forested mountains, across wide-open countryside, and over (and in, in Sassy’s case) treacherous rivers. Their encounters also include unexpected surprises from certain woodland creatures, which Chance finds out the hard way.
5. One Hundred and One Dalmatians: A classic Disney film, the tale follows Dalmatian parents Pongo and Perdita and their litter of 15 pups. The spotted family is forced to battle with the aptly named Cruella De Vil as she tries to snatch the puppies to make a fur coat for herself. Pongo and Perdita stop at nothing to rescue their little ones and, in classic Disney style, everything turns out perfectly in the end.
Kristy Kravitsky is a Local State University graduate with a degree in English. Her plans include continuing to pursue writing and photography while traveling the country.