Which films are sure to bring a whirlwind of positive emotions? Animal comedies, especially those featuring dogs, often top the list. These four-legged friends save their owners and join them on adventures. We’ve compiled a list of the 7 best dog comedies guaranteed to brighten your movie night.
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A Dog’s Journey
IMDb: 7.4/10
2019, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
USA, PG
Director: Gail Mancuso
Top cast: Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid, Kathryn Prescott
A Dog’s Journey, the sequel to A Dog’s Purpose, has captivated fans once again. Spoiler alert: the film picks up where the first one left off. Bailey continues to live with his owner Ethan and his wife Hannah in Michigan. On the farm, he spends increasing amounts of time with a girl named CJ, who becomes his new friend. Caring for CJ gradually becomes Bailey’s primary mission in life.
The Junkyard Dogs
IMDb: 3.4/10
2022, Comedy, Family
USA, Unrated
Director: Jacob Cooney
Top cast: Denise Richards, Patrick Muldoon, Sal Rendino
The Junkyard Dogs is a story about Monica, the owner of a dog named Houdini, who is about to get married, and everyone is excited about the long-awaited event, from her loved ones to her dog. Monica plans to invite all her neighbors to the wedding, which promises to be a grand and lively celebration. However, news of the upcoming wedding reaches a group of burglars who plan to rob the homes of those invited. Houdini is the first to sense something is wrong, so he teams up with other neighborhood dogs to stop the thieves from robbing the residents. The director, known for action and thriller films, has crafted a delightful family movie perfect for a weekend watch with kids. Fans of the comedy Home Alone will enjoy The Junkyard Dogs, as it captures a similar atmosphere.
Patrick The Pug
IMDb: 5.9/10
2018, Comedy, Family, Romance
USA, Unrated
Director: Mandie Fletcher
Top cast: Sam Fletcher, Beattie Edmondson, Rupert Holliday-Evans
Things aren’t going well for Sarah. She has been trying to get her life in order for a long time: her career is struggling, her personal life is full of disappointments, and her parents treat her with indifference. The last thing she needs is a demanding and spoiled pet. However, a pug named Patrick unexpectedly enters her life as an inheritance from her grandmother. Sarah will have to set aside her other troubles and try to bond with the pug. People haven’t been able to become friends with Sarah—will a dog succeed?
Red Dog
IMDb: 7.3/10
2011, Biography, Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance
Australia, USA, PG
Director: Kriv Stenders
Top cast: Josh Lucas, Rachael Taylor, Rohan Nichol
The residents of a small Australian mining town led a quiet, somewhat monotonous life. However, their peaceful existence was suddenly disrupted by a friendly red dog who quickly won over the townspeople. For many, he became a guardian angel, helping them cope with depression and post-traumatic stress, find their soulmate, and achieve happiness. But will the dog find that one special person to whom he will be devoted for the rest of his life? This heartfelt comedy is based on the book by Louis de Bernières. Kriv Stenders' film, Red Dog, is equally touching and warm. The lead role was played by a trained dog named Koko, in her first and only film appearance, for which she received the Golden Collar award in 2012.
A Dog’s Purpose
IMDb: 7.2/10
2017, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
USA, India, PG
Director: Lasse Hallström
Top cast: Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton
All dogs, without exception, become good friends to their owners. They spend all their time with people: sleeping nearby, waiting by their owner’s desk during video calls with colleagues, and playing together. It’s interesting to wonder how pets see the world. Why do they willingly spend time with some people but refuse to let others near them? The film A Dog’s Purpose explores this question through the story of a dog named Bailey. Bailey has a magical ability: he can reincarnate, search for his life’s purpose, and, like other dogs, loves going on fun adventures.
Air Bud
IMDb: 5.3/10
1997, Comedy, Drama, Family, Sport
USA, PG
Director: Charles Martin Smith
Top cast: Michael Jeter, Kevin Zegers, Wendy Makkena
Josh recently lost his father and now prefers to spend time alone. One day, at the basketball court, he encounters a frightened golden retriever who has clearly been mistreated. Josh takes the dog home and names him Buddy. Josh and Buddy become good friends, and Buddy turns out to be an amazing basketball player, easily scoring baskets. It seems that meeting Buddy will change the life of his 11-year-old owner forever. At first glance, Air Bud appears to be a fun family comedy, but it is actually a heartfelt film about coping with loss and how pets can help us through the toughest times in our lives.
Snow Dogs
IMDb: 5.2/10
2002, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Sport
Canada, USA
PG Director: Brian Levant
Top cast: Cuba Gooding Jr., James Coburn, Sisqó
Successful dentist Ted Brooks discovers that he was adopted and that his biological mother, who lived in Alaska, left him a team of sled dogs and a dog sled after her death. Ted sets off on a journey to the coldest state in the country to claim his inheritance. To do this, he must befriend the spirited snow dogs, win a dog sled race, and stop a swindler named Thunder Jack, who is after his inheritance. Snow Dogs is a lively family comedy that unfolds into a heartfelt story about reconnecting with one’s roots. The protagonist finds himself in hilarious situations set against the backdrop of Alaska’s breathtaking mountain landscapes.
