Animals tend to light up a screen, especially when they're the main focus of the story as seen in some of the best animal movies of all time. Whether it's an animated fantasy film featuring talking animals, or real-life critters engaging in spectacular adventures, they continue to entertain audiences. The best animal movies have a good story or message to go along with the on-screen hijinks. Audiences of all ages can discover, or rediscover these instant classics all over again, and enjoy their timeless charm. If nothing else, they can make people appreciate life in all its forms.

At one time, the best animal movies of all time were meant for little kids, with things like Air Buddies and even older movies with dogs like Lassie and Benji. However, in recent years, animal movies have been a little more geared toward adults, with many movies hitting every year about dogs and their relationship with the humans who love them. On top of those, there are also dangerous animal movies, which trace their history back to giant apes and radioactive lizards of all shapes and sizes.

30 A Dog's Journey (2019)

A Dog Is Reincarnated And Reunites A Family

There have been a lot of movies about dogs running away from home and somehow finding their way back. A Dog's Journey added a supernatural touch as the dog ended up reincarnated throughout the years, always trying to find his way back home. Dennis Quaid stars as a man estranged from his daughter-in-law after his son's death and never allowed to see his granddaughter. However, when the dog he lost as a child is reincarnated throughout the years and ends up with his granddaughter in college, both finally find the family they lost so many years before.

It is a charming and moving family story that shows how big a role pets can play in the lives of people. Seeing how this one dog impacted the lives of so many people while also helping to reconnect this family is a very heartwarming story.

29 Eight Below (2006)

Sled Dog Must Survive A Journey Home In Antarctica

One of many dog movies based on a true story, Eight Below is a thrilling survival story about a team of sled dogs who have to be left behind in the Antarctic to fend for themselves. When their human master is rescued from a perilous situation, there is no way to bring the dog with him and they are forced to it home through the brutal landscape.

Makes for an inspiring and incredible true story, with some excellent canine performers selling the movie's epic adventure as well as the tragedy, as not all of the dogs survive the treacherous journey.

While the movie marks one of Paul Walker’s better roles as their trainer, the main story focuses on the incredible journey these dogs go on which is filled with thrills, heartbreaking moments, and bravery. It makes for an inspiring and incredible true story, with some excellent canine performers selling the movie's epic adventure as well as the tragedy, as not all of the dogs survive the treacherous journey.

Eight Below is available to stream on Disney+

28 Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)

A Dog Deals With Losing His Friend

This 2009 film stars Richard Gere in an uncharacteristically different kind of film for the actor, telling the story of a professor who finds an abandoned Akita, and decides to take it home. Unfortunately, the professor suffers a fatal stroke and dies, leaving Hachi to pine for his best friend. The movie is full of symbolism centering around the concepts of loyalty, love, and friendship, but its main staying power is its emotional weight.

It is not uncommon for animal movies to be sad with many of them dealing with the deaths of these adorable creatures. However, Hachi is heartbreaking in an unexpected way as it shows the animal dealing with the grief of losing his friend while also being a love letter to the bond between dog and owner. Like many dog films, Hachi is based on a true story — which makes its tear-jerk potential even greater.

27 The Adventures Of Milo & Otis (1986)

A Dog And Cat Maintain A Friendship Over The Years

The Adventures Of Milo & Otis has cuteness in spades and a heartwarming story to make it all the more appealing. The film centers on a "curious cat and a pug-nosed pup" who get separated and set out to reunite with one another. Along the way, both kitten and puppy mature into adults, while taking a few hard knocks along the way. The movie was initially released as a Japanese feature before being re-released with an English narration from Arthur star Dudley Moore.

Seeing the bond between these two characters is moving and very entertaining

Seeing the bond between these two characters is moving and very entertaining, while the adventures they are taken on make for an exciting and thrilling ride for audiences. The only downsides to the film are allegations of animal abuse during filming (from more than one Australian newspaper), none of which have been fully confirmed to date. It's a shadow looming over an otherwise excellent film.

26 The Bear (1988)

Two Bears Form A Bond In The Wilderness

Director Jean-Jacques Annaud crafted one of the best animal movies of all time with 1988's The Bear, a film centering on an orphan bear cub who tumbles his way from one misadventure to another. The use of live-action bears made for some truly astonishing shots, lending the film a feeling of authenticity unmatched by its peers. The Bear also featured the enormous Alaskan Kodiak Bear known as Bart, who served as the father figure to the young cub.

The film is notable for an incredible and nerve-wracking scene showing the large Kodiak threatening the life of a hunter, only to spare him and teach him a beautiful and valuable lesson about respect for nature. It is a great example of the stunning work that can be done in the genre of animal movies with simple yet powerful stories.

The Bear is available to stream on Peacock.

25 Cujo (1983)

A Dog Rabid Terrorizes A Mother And Her Son

While dogs are usually the lovable heroes in animal movies in which they appear, leave it to horror icon Stephen King to make a scary movie about a cute canine. The tense and contained thriller follows a mother and her young son who find themselves trapped inside a car as a vicious rabid Saint Bernard dog stalks them outside.

While it is entirely possible to feel sorry for the animal as it is infected and not able to control itself, it does make for an effective movie monster as it terrorizes the small family.

While it is entirely possible to feel sorry for the animal as it is infected and not able to control itself, it does make for an effective movie monster as it terrorizes the small family. It is a horror movie that makes great use of its simple setting with most of the action taking place inside the stranded car yet still made to feel thrilling. The dog's increasingly grotesque appearance also sees it transform from a lovable animal to a terrifying beast.

Cujo is available to stream on Max.

24 Free Willy (1993)

A Young Boy Seeks To Free An Orca From Captivity

The controversy of keeping orca whales in captivity is a message at the center of the classic family movie Free Willy. The movie follows a young boy who moves into a new foster home and is given the task of cleaning up an old aquarium where he meets and forms a bond with an orca whale named Willy. Seeing the pain the whale is experiencing living in captivity, the boy makes plans to help his friend escape.

The movie is a typical heartwarming tale of a misunderstood child finding friendship with a kind animal, but the thrill of the story comes from the young boy’s attempts to set Willy free. Although the title gives away the ending, the image of the whale jumping over the young boy and escaping into the open ocean is one of the most iconic movie images from the 1990s.

23 Lady And The Tramp (1955)

A Pampered Dog And A Mutt From The Streets Fall In Love

One of Disney's best animal movies of all time is Lady And The Tramp, featuring some of the company's best animation work, and married to a timeless story about love. The movie uses some adorable dogs to tells a classic story of a romance developing between two partners who are from very different worlds. Lady is a pampered pet of wealthy owners while Tramp is a mutt living on the street. After meeting, embark on adventures together, and fall in love through the course of the story.

The spaghetti and meatball dinner scene alone has cemented itself as one of the most iconic moments in Disney's long animated history.

It is a recognizable story elevated through some classic Disney storytelling that is still with memorable songs, comedic moments, and heartwarming sequences that stay with audiences. The spaghetti and meatball dinner scene alone has cemented itself as one of the most iconic moments in Disney's long animated history.

The Lady and the Tramp is available to stream on Disney+

22 Rango (2011)

A Neurotic Chameleon Becomes An Unlikely Hero

Blending a children’s animated animal story with a surreal Western makes for a wild and fun ride in Rango. After teaming up in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Johnny Depp and director Gore Verbinski deliver this story of a neurotic chameleon who finds himself in a town filled with nefarious outlaws where he is mistaken for a hero come to rescue the town’s people.

The unusual animation and wacky humor make for a wonderfully unique family movie with the animal characters of the story coming to life with interesting character designs. It is also a charming homage to the Western genre with plenty of tropes and cliches explored in fun ways. There is even a figure in the movie known as The Spirit of the West (voiced by Timothy Olyphant) who turns out to be Hollywood Western legend Clint Eastwood himself.

Rango is available to stream on Paramount+

21 Paddington (2014) / Paddington 2 (2017)

A Young Bear Makes A New Home In London

When Paddington hit theaters in 2014, it surprised many people by how good it was and by kicking off a wildly acclaim franchise. Based on a classic children's book about a small bear searching for a home in London, it was full of heart and laughs. A sequel in any genre rarely manages to surpass the original film upon which it was based, but that's exactly what happened with Paddington 2.

Both Paddington movies were box office success stories

It takes all the best elements of the original and churns out another lovable chapter in the franchise while also including great new cast members like Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson. Both Paddington movies were box office success stories, but the Oscars mostly ignored the releases. However, they have become some of the best-reviewed movies of all time which makes it no surprise that the franchise will continue with the upcoming third movie Paddington in Peru.

Paddington is available to stream on Netflix.

20 Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (2011) / Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes 2014) / War For The Planet Of The Apes (2017)

Caesar The Ape Leads A Rebellion For Supremacy Over Humans

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is the 2011 sci-fi entry to the franchise started by the iconic 1968 original. It created some of the best animal movies of all time. The story of the first film sees a geneticist trying to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, who inadvertently sets off a chain of events that will have devastating consequences for all of humanity. However, the real story is how the intelligent ape named Caesar becomes the leader of the ape rebellion.

Matt Reeves took over as director on the second film in the trilogy and delivered sequels that eclipsed all but the original Planet of the Apes concerning both critical and commercial success. The sequels followed Caeser in the new world where he grappled with the future of his species. The three movies made $1.6 billion worldwide (via Box Office Mojo) and earned five Oscar nominations. The franchise will continue on with the upcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and War for the Planet of the Apes are available to stream on Hulu.

19 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)

The Ninja Turtles Meet New Mutants

The latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie proved to be possibly the best of the franchise and also the first to really treat these main characters like teenagers. The movie follows the four turtle brothers as they struggle with growing up in the sewers with a father who fears what the human world would do to them. However, when the turtles discover another group of animal mutants, they are forced to reckon with being accepted or saving the world.

The film has a great energy and sense of humor that older and younger audiences will enjoy, as well as a fun grossness with all the disgusting critters that populate the story.

The film has a great energy and sense of humor that older and younger audiences will enjoy, as well as a fun grossness with all the disgusting critters that populate the story. The slick animation style lends itself well to the chaotic action sequences, which are further backed up by a terrific soundtrack. It makes for a wonderful new look at the beloved franchise.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is avaialble to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Paramount+

18 Life Of Pi (2012)

A Young Boy Is Stranded On A Life Boat WIth A Tiger

Life of Pi was based on Yann Martel's award-winning novel of the same name and helmed by award-winning director Ang Lee in one of his most ambitious projects. The fantastical yet cryptic Life of Pi story follows a teenager named Pi, whose boat carrying his family and their animals from India to Canada sinks. Pi is the only human survivor alongside his Bengal tiger, an orangutan, a zebra, and a hyena. Eventually, the Tiger consumes most of the others, leaving only Pi to find a way to reconcile their situation and work together to survive the terrible ordeal.

The movie is a visually stunning piece of filmmaking, achieving so much despite a large majority of the movie taking place on a small boat. It also packs a powerful punch in the end with the suggestion that the story audiences saw might not have been the whole truth. It picked up 11 Oscar nominations, and won four, including a Best Director win for Ang Lee.

Life of Pi is available to stream on Hulu.

17 The Jungle Book (2016)

A Boy Raised By Wolves Attempts To Prove Himself In The Jungle

Thanks to Disney+ providing a guaranteed platform, there have been several live-action remakes of classic Disney animated movies in recent years, but fans dismissed most of them as inferior to the originals. There was one exception. In 2016, Jon Favreau directed the live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book, retelling the story of young human Mowgli who was raised by wolves only to be forced to venture to the land of humans when his life in the jungle is threatened.

The live-action Jungle Book remake took the fun of the original animated version and added photorealistic animal characters, providing awe to the movie that none of the remakes that followed could muster.

The live-action Jungle Book remake took the fun of the original animated version and added photorealistic animal characters, providing awe to the movie that none of the remakes that followed could muster. It also features a star-studded voice cast, including Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, and Bill Murray. The movie was a commercial success, making $966 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo), and it won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.

The Jungle Book is available to stream on Disney+

16 Zootopia (2016)

A Rabbit Cop And Fox Con Artist Team Up To Solve A Conspiracy

Zootopia explores the lives of a population of anthropomorphized animals in the city of the same name, focusing specifically on a police rabbit named Judy Hopps. She teams up with Nick Wilde, a scheming fox, to prove that she can make it as a cop in the big city. Together, they find themselves at the center of a conspiracy within their city with them forming an unlikely friendship along the way.

The film is both hilarious and full of fun animated action. There is a genuinely interesting mystery at the center of the movie while it also delivers a lighthearted and non-preachy morality tale about acceptance and judging people based on the content of their character. It's a reminder that is incredibly poignant for all age groups, not just children, winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

Zootopia is available to stream on Disney+

15 Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

The Origins Of Rocket Raccoon Are Explored

While Rocket’s involvement in the MCU has included a number of other movies, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the one that can really be considered to be about animals. Along with being the closing chapter for this version of the Guardians of the Galaxy, it also serves as the origin story for Rocket. The flashbacks reveal Rocket's tragic beginnings as a captive of the cruel High Evolutionary as well as the friendship he builds with some of his fellow captive animals.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is incredibly emotional for a superhero film

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is incredibly emotional for a superhero film, as there are some moments of heartbreaking pain as the High Revolutionary’s cruelty towards animals in the movie helped to cement him as the most hated MCU villain in a long time. However, it is ultimately a beautiful story and one that makes for a fitting conclusion for one of the MCU's best standalone franchises.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is available to stream on Disney+

14 March Of The Penguins (2005)

A Documentary About Penguins' Struggle For Survival

Sometimes the best story is a real one, as was the case with March of the Penguins, the 2005 documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman. The film follows the life of a group of emperor penguins beginning at the end of summer in Antarctica. As the penguins travel to their breeding grounds, viewers are treated to scenes of their natural mating rituals, and the journey from egg to hatchling.

It is a fascinating and eye-opening look at a species still shrouded in a lot of mystery. The movie won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature and made $127 million on an $8 million budget (via Box Office Mojo), becoming one of the highest-grossing documentaries of all time. It also helped to popularize the big theatrical releases of these nature documentaries that prove animal movies can inform as well as entertain.

13 Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

A Fox Balances His Family With Returning To His Life As A Thief

Wes Anderson’s visual style seems tailor-made for stop-motion animation, so it was a real treat to see the filmmaker step into that world in Fantastic Mr. Fox. Based on the book by Roald Dahl, the movie follows a mischievous Fox who struggles with maintaining his quiet family life and embracing his wild animal nature as a chicken thief. This leads to a decision that puts him and his entire community in jeopardy.

The wonderful animated characters are brought to life thanks to the typically star-studded cast of a Wes Anderson movie

The wonderful animated characters are brought to life thanks to the typically star-studded cast of a Wes Anderson movie, including George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Willem Dafoe. The movie mixes elements Anderson has touched on before, from a crime comedy to a story of a dysfunctional patriarch, all brought to life with these beautiful stop-motion animals which are a work of art themselves.

Fantastic Mr. Fox is available to stream on Max.

12 Finding Nemo (2003) / Finding Dory (2016)

A Clownfish Goes In Search Of His Missing Son

Finding Nemo continues to be one of Pixar's crowning achievements; a charming and timeless tale of family and friendship, and the bonds that tie them together. The story centers around Marlin, a neurotic clownfish who has to embark on a dangerous journey through the ocean when his son is taken. He is joined on the journey by the forgetful but kind fish Dory.

The film also bears Pixar's trademark humor, making for plenty of laugh-out-loud moments amidst the emotional and moving narrative. It was such a good film that it spawned a sequel in the form of Finding Dory, which centered on Ellen Degeneres' scene-stealing fish attempting to find her long-lost parents. Finding Nemo was the first Pixar movie to ever win Best Animated Feature at the Oscars with both movies proving box office hits for the animated studio.

Finding Nemo is available to stream on Disney+

11 Old Yeller (1957)

A Young Boy Takes In A Stray Dog On His Family's Farm

As one of the oldest movies with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, Old Yeller is a great movie for anyone to check out regardless if they are looking for an animal story. However, it is also one of the great stories of a boy and his dog. The film is set in the 1860s focusing on a young teenage boy who takes in a stray dog to help care for his family home and follows the gradual bond between the boy and the dog in a very sweet coming-of-age story.

While the movie’s ending is iconic at this point, it still packs an emotional punch all these years later.

While the movie’s ending is iconic at this point, it still packs an emotional punch all these years later. Along with being a story of friendship, it is also a tragic tale of the unfair way life can also be, and at the same time highlights the harshness of the era in which the story takes place.

Old Yeller is available to stream on Disney+