The Best Animal Movies Of 2021
Voting Rules
Vote up your favorite movies that put animals center stage.
- 1Darby Camp, Jack Whitehall, Tony HaleWhen Emily Elizabeth meets a magical animal rescuer who gives her a little red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a giant, 10-foot hound in her small New York City apartment. With her single mother away on business, Emily and her fun but impulsive uncle set out on an adventure that takes a bite out of the Big Apple.
- #132 of 177 onThe Best Animal Movies Of All Time, Ranked
- #13 of 103 onThe Best Dog Movies to Stream on Amazon Prime Right Now
- #49 of 56 onThe 50+ Best PG Adventure Movies For Families
- 2Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel FryEstella is a young and clever grifter who's determined to make a name for herself in the fashion world. She soon meets a pair of thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they build a life for themselves on the streets of London. However, when Estella befriends fashion legend Baroness von Hellman, she embraces her wicked side to become the raucous and revenge-bent Cruella.More Cruella
- Dig Deeper...25 Reactions To Emma Stone's 'Cruella', From The Fashions To That Cliff Scene
- #64 of 155 onThe 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies
- #53 of 111 on50+ Movies That Need Sequels
- 3Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma BermanA boy tries to help his best friend hide a fantastical secret -- he turns into a sea monster whenever he comes in contact with water.More Luca
- 4Isabela Merced, Julianne Moore, Jake GyllenhaalAfter moving to a sleepy little town, young Lucky Prescott befriends a wild mustang named Spirit, who shares her rebellious spirit. When a heartless wrangler plans to capture Spirit and his herd, Lucky and her new friends embark on the adventure of a lifetime to rescue the horse that forever changed her life.More Spirit Untamed
- #128 of 188 onThe 180+ Top Kids Movies
- #100 of 177 onThe Best Animal Movies Of All Time, Ranked
- #2 of 12 onThe Best Family Movies Streaming On Hulu
- 5James Corden, Rose Byrne, Domhnall GleesonBea, Thomas and the rabbits have created a makeshift family, but despite his best efforts, Peter can't seem to shake his mischievous reputation. Venturing out of the garden, Peter finds himself in a world where his mischief is appreciated. However, when his family risks everything to come looking for him, Peter must figure out what kind of bunny he wants to be.
- #136 of 155 onThe 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies
- #97 of 177 onThe Best Animal Movies Of All Time, Ranked
- #64 of 92 onThe Best Comedy Movie Sequels
- 6Toni Collette, Damian Lewis, Owen TealeThe true story of Dream Alliance, an unlikely racehorse bred by small-town bartender Jan Vokes. With very little money and no experience, Jan convinces her neighbors to chip in their meager earnings to help raise Dream and compete with the racing elites. Their investment pays off as Dream rises through the ranks and becomes a beacon of hope for their struggling community.More Dream Horse
- #155 of 155 onThe 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies
- #105 of 106 onThe 100+ Best Kids Movies Of All Time
- #112 of 124 on120+ Good Movies For 4-Year-Olds
- 7Tom Kenny, Awkwafina, Clancy BrownWhen SpongeBob SquarePants' beloved pet snail Gary goes missing, a path of clues leads SpongeBob and his best friend Patrick to the powerful King Poseidon, who has Gary held captive in the Lost City of Atlantic City. On their mission to save Gary, SpongeBob and the Bikini Bottom gang team up for a heroic and hilarious journey, where they discover nothing is stronger than the power of friendship.
- #621 of 705 onThe All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
- #89 of 89 onThe Most Rewatchable Comedy Movies
- #138 of 138 onThe 120+ Best Movies For 10-Year-Old Kids
- 8Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel JeromeSent to live with his estranged father for the summer, a rebellious teen finds kinship in a tight-knit Philadelphia community of Black cowboys.
- 9Alistair Allan, Tamara Arenovich, Jonathan BalcombeSeaspiracy is a 2021 American nature documentary film directed by Ali Tabrizi. Passionate about ocean life, a filmmaker sets out to document the harm that humans do to marine species - and uncovers alarming global corruption.
- 10Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac WangLong ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. However, when sinister monsters known as the Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, those same monsters have returned, and it's up to a lone warrior to track down the last dragon and stop the Druun for good.
- #119 of 155 onThe 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies
- #99 of 200 onThe 195+ Greatest Adventure Movies
- #6 of 56 onThe Best New Kids' Movies Of The Last Few Years
- 11
Pig
Nicolas Cage, Alex Wolff, Adam ArkinLiving alone in the Oregon wilderness, a truffle hunter returns to Portland to find the person who stole his beloved pig.More Pig- #208 of 252 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #49 of 63 onThe Very Best New Noir Movies
- #4 of 15 on15 Movies That Aren't What You Think They Are
- 12
Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog
August Maturo, Ayelet Zurer, Ken DukenImprisoned in a concentration camp, a Jewish boy reunites with his pet German shepherd -- now trained as an attack dog by the Nazis.- #148 of 155 onThe 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies
- #97 of 103 onThe Best Dog Movies to Stream on Amazon Prime Right Now
- #49 of 99 onThe 95+ Most Inspiring Movies
- 13Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Jordan BolgerA legendary rivalry reemerges when Jerry moves into New York City's finest hotel on the eve of the wedding of the century, forcing the desperate event planner to hire Tom to get rid of him. As mayhem ensues, the escalating cat-and-mouse battle soon threatens to destroy her career, the wedding, and possibly the hotel itself.
- 14Don Cheadle, Cedric Joe, Khris DavisSuperstar LeBron James and his young son, Dom, get trapped in digital space by a rogue AI. To get home safely, LeBron teams up with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang for a high-stakes basketball game against the AI's digitized champions of the court -- a powered-up roster called the Goon Squad.
- Dig Deeper...14 Reasons Why 'Space Jam 2' Is Better Than 'Citizen Kane'
- #122 of 155 onThe 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies
- #57 of 61 onThe Funniest Movies About Sports
- 15Naomi Watts, Andrew Lincoln, Jacki WeaverA photographer and his family find hope and solace in an injured magpie chick.
- 16Isla Fisher, Tim Minchin, Eric BanaBack to the Outback is an animated adventure that takes viewers to the heart of Australia's wildlife. The film features a ragtag group of Australia's deadliest creatures, including Maddie, a poisonous snake with a heart of gold (Isla Fisher); a self-assured Thorny Devil lizard, Zoe, (Miranda Tapsell); a lovelorn hairy spider, Frank, (Guy Pearce); and a sensitive scorpion, Nigel (Angus Imrie). Tired of being locked away in a reptile house and gawked at by humans, the group plots a daring escape to the Outback, a place where they feel they'll belong without judgment. Alongside their nemesis, Pretty Boy, a cute but obnoxious koala, this unlikely crew embarks on a hilarious and heartwarming journey. The film reveals themes of friendship, acceptance, and the true meaning of beauty.More Back to the Outback
- #414 of 453 onThe 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies
- #174 of 177 onThe Best Animal Movies Of All Time, Ranked
- #10 of 32 onThe Best Children's and Kids' Movies on Netflix
- 17Iain Armitage, Marsai Martin, Ron PardoWhen their biggest rival, Humdinger, starts wreaking havoc as the mayor of Adventure City, Ryder and everyone's favorite heroic pups kick into high gear to face the challenge. Armed with exciting new gadgets and gear, the PAW Patrol joins forces with a savvy dachshund to save the citizens of Adventure City.
- #169 of 177 onThe Best Animal Movies Of All Time, Ranked
- #14 of 61 onThe 50+ Best New & Recent Adventure Movies, Ranked
- #45 of 53 onThe 50+ Best PG Action Movies, Ranked
- 18Nicolette KluijverFamous feline Abatutu presents this celebration of cats, showcasing their finest and friskiest moments with a collection of home videos.
- #120 of 177 onThe Best Animal Movies Of All Time, Ranked
- #68 of 94 onThe Best Foreign Documentary Films
- #4 of 86 onThe Best Documentary Movies Streaming on Netflix
- 19
The Loneliest Whale
The mysterious 52 Hertz whale emits a call unrecognized by other whales, leading to a life of solitude.More The Loneliest Whale- #119 of 177 onThe 150+ Best Animal Movies
- #10 of 19 onPretty Good Movies About Loneliness
- #6 of 56 onThe Best Documentaries About Animals
- 20Alyson Hannigan, Kate Micucci, Danny PudiAn imaginative and creative 10-year old cynic never could have predicted that her little squirrel would be born anew as a superhero and have the uncanny knack for helping her and the lovable but broken people in her life.
- 21Maria Antonieta Monge, Mauriett Chayeb, Paula Andrea BarrosWhen a mysterious and dangerous whirlpool appears in the tropics of the Atlantic Ocean, astronauts Belka and Strelka are sent to investigate. With help from their good friends, the canine duo must once again complete a daring mission to save the planet -- along with the distant home of their new alien pals.
- 22Akumu Filda, Maarit Haapasaari, Hugh "Shug" HarknessA contemplative odyssey across the planet looks at the simple and extraordinary ways that dogs influence people's daily lives.
- 23Zeytin, Nazar, KartalFilmmaker Elizabeth Lo follows the plight of three stray dogs as they find human companionship on the streets of Turkey.More Stray
- #3 of 118 onLife-Changing Documentaries You've Got to See
- #59 of 277 onThe Greatest Documentaries of All Time
- #56 of 94 onThe Best Foreign Documentary Films
- 24Sam Neill, Michael Caton, Miranda RichardsonTwo estranged brothers must set aside their differences when a rare and lethal illness threatens their respective flocks of sheep in Western Australia.
- 25Adam DeVine, Rachel Bloom, Zazie BeetzFluffy animals travel back in time to save their species from extinction.More Extinct
- #9 of 15 onThe 20 Best Family And Kids Movies On Netflix
- #43 of 53 onThe 50+ Best PG Action Movies, Ranked
- #81 of 117 onThe 110+ Best Comedies For Tweens
- 26Noomi Rapace, Hilmir Snær Guðnason, Björn Hlynur HaraldssonLamb is a thought-provoking Icelandic film blending elements of folklore, horror, and drama. Directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson, this tale follows a childless couple, María (Noomi Rapace) and Ingvar (Hilmir Snær Guðnason), living on a remote farm in Iceland who make a shocking discovery one day in their sheep barn. They find a newborn that is half-human, half-sheep. This uncanny being, which they name Ada, rekindles their lost joy and offers a sense of purpose. However, as they decide to raise Ada as their own, the couple faces the consequences of defying nature's laws. Lamb explores themes of grief, parenthood, and the fragile boundary between humanity and nature. The film won the Prize of Originality at the Cannes Film Festival.More Lamb
- 27Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd, Kevin KlineA woman adjusting to life after loss contends with a feisty bird that's taken over her garden -- and a husband who's struggling to find a way forward.More The Starling
- #176 of 177 onThe Best Animal Movies Of All Time, Ranked
- #76 of 206 onThe 150+ Best New Comedies Of The Last 5 Years, Ranked
- #24 of 138 onThe 100+ Best New & Recent Drama Films, Ranked
- 28Will Arnett, Terry Crews, Geraldine ViswanathanA girl trains a lovable underdog monster to become a wrestling champion.More Rumble
- #56 of 67 onThe Best Sports Movies for Kids
- #4 of 14 onThe Best Paramount+ Original Movies
- #87 of 117 onThe 110+ Best Comedies For Tweens
- 29Angourie Rice, Sam Neill, Sharnee TonesA crocodile tries to help an adorable quokka win the annual World's Scariest Animal championship.
- 30Vanessa Hudgens, Kimiko Glenn, James MarsdenMy Little Pony: A New Generation gallops into a world where the magic of Equestria has vanished and its once-united pony races are distrustful of one another. The plucky protagonist, Sunny Starscout (Vanessa Hudgens), seeks to restore harmony in the community. Along her journey, she befriends a lost unicorn named Izzy Moonbow (Kimiko Glenn). They embark on an adventure and face challenges that will test their courage. The film reignites the magic of friendship and unity, rekindling the beloved My Little Pony franchise for a new era.
- #434 of 453 onThe 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies
- #179 of 188 onThe 180+ Top Kids Movies
- #172 of 177 onThe Best Animal Movies Of All Time, Ranked
- 31Paul Johansson, Jason Dolley, Ryan O'QuinnOvercoming bullies and his own mentality, 10-year-old Bernie Dingledorf must destroy Dr. Chuckle's diabolical Laugh Generator before it sends the world into uncontrollable fits of laughter.
- #146 of 155 onThe 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies
- #135 of 177 onThe Best Animal Movies Of All Time, Ranked
- #95 of 103 onThe Best Dog Movies to Stream on Amazon Prime Right Now
- 32John Cho, Jimmy Wong, Natasha Liu BordizzoDetermined teen Din is longing to reconnect with his childhood best friend when he meets a wish-granting dragon that shows him the magic of possibilities.More Wish Dragon
- #131 of 155 onThe 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies
- #13 of 56 onThe Best New Kids' Movies Of The Last Few Years
- #128 of 177 onThe Best Animal Movies Of All Time, Ranked
- 33Mira Sorvino, Austyn Johnson, Kevin SorboThe Girl Who Believes in Miracles is a 2021 American Christian drama film directed by Richard Correll. A young girl heals a bird, seemingly simply through prayer, and becomes a national celebrity when more miracles are attributed to her, while dying of an inoperable brain tumor.
- 34Michael J. Woodard, Ryan Crego, Dee Bradley BakerArlo the Alligator Boy is a 2021 American animated adventure musical film directed by Ryan Crego. To find the father he never knew, optimistic Arlo leaves his swampy Southern home for New York City, making friends along the way.
- 35Lin-Manuel Miranda, Zoe Saldana, Juan de Marcos GonzálezA music-loving kinkajou embarks on the journey of a lifetime to fulfill his destiny and deliver a love song for an old friend.More Vivo
- #138 of 155 onThe 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies
- #16 of 56 onThe Best New Kids' Movies Of The Last Few Years
- #118 of 177 onThe Best Animal Movies Of All Time, Ranked
- Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett JohanssonCan-do koala Buster Moon and his all-star cast of animal performers prepare to launch a dazzling stage extravaganza in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There's just one hitch -- he has to find and persuade the world's most reclusive rock star to join them. What begins as Buster's dream of big-time success soon becomes an emotional reminder of the power of music to heal even the most broken heart.More Sing 2
- #250 of 453 onThe 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies
- #164 of 177 onThe Best Animal Movies Of All Time, Ranked
- #52 of 92 onThe Best Comedy Movie Sequels