25 Sad Movies That Will Make Want to Hug Your Dog

Sometimes we all need a movie that will bring us back to reality, touch our hearts, and even let a tear drop down our faces. Movies with dogs are serious tear-jerkers that will make you appreciate the little things in life like hugging and walking your dog, they remind you to slow down and smell the roses.

There are many movies about dogs, most of them will make you burst into tears multiple times like Marley & Me, A Dog’s Purpose, and Hachi: A Dog’s Tale. These sad dog movies will not disappoint if you’re looking for a good cry, or to just simply feel closer to your pet or animals in general. Onscreen canine companions add a layer of reliability for moviegoers, truly catering to the entire family, including the furry ones. Most movies follow the golden rule of not killing the dog, while others are left with no option, making the watch an even more emotional experience. From based on true stories to literary classics, the saddest movies that prompt viewers to track down their four-legged companions are undoubtedly worth the heartbreak.

25

‘Rescued by Ruby’ (2022)

Directed by Katt Shea

This Netflix original depicts the emotional, tear-jerking journey of the dog distribution system; the right dog finding you at the right time. Dan (Grant Gustin) is a Rhode Island state trooper determined to join the K9 Search & Rescue Team, while Ruby, an unlucky shelter dog, is losing hope of finding a home. The pair are brought together by fate, and it becomes a story of who saved who. Rescued by Ruby is based on the true story of Trooper Daniel O’Neil and his rescue dog Ruby.

The movie hits home for a lot of viewers who stand behind the “adopt don’t shop” mentality, looking at the world of animal shelters through a dog’s eyes. Whether Netflix subscribers hug their current pup, foster dog, or get in the car to the nearest animal shelter, Rescued by Ruby brings the whole family together, paws included.

24

‘A Dog’s Way Home’ (2019)

Directed by Charles Martin Smith

A Dog’s Way Home is an adventure drama released in 2019. It is very similar to the story of Lassie, except the dog (Shelby) can speak to viewers. She is sent miles away from her owner, who is supposed to meet her there soon after. However, Shelby does not know this and escapes to find her hometown and owner again.

A Dog’s Way Home is extremely emotional from the start, showing her desperate travels to find her owner, but it has a happy ending that will leave you appreciating a dog’s love and loyalty. A Dog’s Way Home was directed by Charles Martin Smith and is a soul-hugging movie to watch with family and friends.

23

‘Balto’ (1995)

Directed by Simon Wells

Loosely based on the true story of the 1925 diphtheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska, the titular canine is credited for delivering the anti-toxin to save the town’s children. Balto is an animated version of the story of Balto (voiced by Kevin Bacon), an outcast for being half-wolf, and his determination to save the sled dog team carrying the medicine after its musher is injured. The children’s movie takes multiple creative liberties, telling the story through the perspective of its canine characters and making Balto a hybrid.

The movie opens with a live-action look at the real statue erected in Balto’s honor, as Grandmother Rosy (Miriam Margolyes) recounts to her granddaughter (Lola Bates-Campbell) how a special dog saved her life. Balto touches the emotions of children and dog lovers, creating a heartfelt illusion of what our pets would do for us in dire circumstances.

22

‘My Dog Skip’ (2000)

Directed by Jay Russell

My Dog Skip is a nostalgic film reminding viewers of their first pet and the pain of losing that pet with time and age. The movie includes a star-studded cast that includes Kevin Bacon, Diane Lane, Luke Wilson, and Frankie Muniz starring as Willie, a young boy who convinces his parents to let him keep a terrier puppy he names Skip. The pair go on whirlwind adventures as Willie learns the unconditional love of a dog.

An underrated installment in the dog genre, My Dog Skip possesses the power to uplift audiences while simultaneously moving them to tears with the simple premise of a boy who finds a best friend in his dog. While the driving premise isn’t overtly sad, the film’s power to illicit that emotion earns it a rightful spot among the saddest of dog movies.

21

‘Dog’ (2022)

Directed by Reid Carolin and Channing Tatum

A truly heartwarming and sensitive film, Dog explores the relationship between grief and how an unlikely bond can heal both man and animal. Army Ranger Briggs (Channing Tatum) is forced to take a difficult Belgian Malinois named Lulu across the country to make it to the funeral of her former ranger handler. Along the way, both Briggs and Lulu discover that they need each other more than they thought.

The movie is inspired by Tatum’s real-life bond and cross-country trek with his late pitbull-Catahoula mix named Lulu. In his directorial debut, Tatum and his co-director Reid Carolin operated by one golden rule in the animal genre: the dog can’t die. While Lulu makes it to the end credits, that won’t stop audiences from shedding tears about the deep-rooted connection between two lost souls.

20

‘Where the Red Fern Grows’ (2003)

Directed by Lyman Dayton and Sam Pillsbury

One of the multiple live-action movie adaptations of the classic Wilson Rawls novel, Where the Red Fern Grows is a heartfelt story of determination and the bond between man and dog. Based on Rawls’ childhood in the Ozarks, this is the story of a boy named Billy (Joseph Ashton) who scraps and saves his money to buy a pair of Redbone Coonhounds he names Old Dan and Little Ann. The trio spend their days hunting, earning a reputation as the finest hunting team around. When their bond is tested in a near-death encounter, Billy learns the true meaning of love and sacrifice.

Where the Red Fern Grows instantly cues the waterworks, from the cuteness of those puppies to the devastating third act. This adaptation is a foundational film in the sad dog movie genre. Audiences alongside Billy are taken on a rollercoaster of love, loss, and companionship. The movie mirrors the thematic experience of working hard to own your first dog while also coping with the loss of that dog. Where the Red Fern Grows will make any dog lover reach for their pet and hold them a bit tighter.

19

‘Lassie’ (2005)

Directed by Charles Sturridge

Lassie is a family adventure movie released in 2005. It is about a dog, Lassie, who is reluctantly sold by her family. This heartbroken pup is moved hundreds of miles away from her family, however, she makes it her mission to find them against all odds. It is heartbreaking watching this confused pup try to find her way home, but thankfully has a happy ending, as our hearts couldn’t have taken a sad one.

Lassie was directed by Charles Sturridge and introduces many friends that Lassie meets along the way, including the actor Peter Dinklage from Game of Thrones. This movie also includes many beautiful scenic shots that will take your breath away. It is an all-around amazing movie, as long as you’re able to hold in the tears long enough to see it.

18

‘Shiloh’ (1996)

Directed by Dale Rosenbloom

There’s no greater lesson of responsibility for a young boy than the love and care for a dog. Based on the Newberry Award-winning novel by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh is the harrowing tale of Marty Preston (Blake Heron) and his efforts to rescue a beagle named Shiloh (Frannie the Dog) from his abusive owner, Judd (Scott Wilson) by striking a deal to work off the price of the dog in exchange for keeping her. When Judd goes back on his word, Marty will stop at nothing to save Shiloh.

Shiloh may be a forgotten classic among other canine films, but it earned a well-respected review from acclaimed critic Roger Ebert, with the critic praising the film for its tough lessons on property, responsibility, honesty, and kindness. While it’s about Marty’s coming-of-age story and growing up, Shiloh is the ultimate sad dog movie for its representation of owners who truly don’t value their dog and how helpless those who do feel. This adaptation is sure to bring audiences and their dogs closer.

17

‘Max’ (2015)

Directed by Boaz Yakin

Max is an adventure drama movie released in 2015 about a military dog called Max. Max helps American Marines in Afghanistan with his owner. After his handler died in the field Max is adopted by his family. Max is a loyal dog that needs patience to trust, and finds it in his late handler’s little brother.

This heartfelt movie shows the highs and lows of gaining a loyal, but scared dog’s trust. This movie was directed by Boaz Yakin. It breaks you into tears at the grief this dog experiences from the death of his handler, but puts a smile on your face as you see Max move on and learn to love again. It uniquely shows a dog’s side of working in the military.

16

‘Turner & Hooch’ (1989)

Directed by Roger Spottiswoode

An underrated and comedic Tom Hanks movie, Turner & Hooch is a buddy cop film where the buddy is a dog named Hooch. Detective Scott Turner (Hanks) is initially hesitant and disappointed to be working with the mischievous and slobbery dog, but soon discovers that Hooch’s skills and surprising intelligence can help him catch a killer at large.

It may be a comedy film, but audiences will find themselves becoming increasingly invested in the touching bond that develops between the two protagonists. As they continue to work the case together, they become inseparable. Of course, this all leads to an emotional ending that highlights how far Hooch will go to protect his owner from harm.

15

‘Alpha’ (2018)

Directed by Albert Hughes

The bond between man and canine goes back to prehistoric times in this dramatic adventure movie. Alpha stars Kodi Smit-McPhee as Keda, a Cro-Magon young man separated from his tribe during his first hunt and left for dead. Determined to make it back before winter, Keda isn’t alone as he bonds with a wolf he calls Alpha, abandoned by his pack. The pair trek across the brutal prehistoric landscape and its dangerous creatures, relying on each other to survive.

Alpha is an underrated movie in the man’s best friend genre as it showcases the complicated relationship between Keda and Alpha and the emotional journey they embark upon to gain the other’s trust. For any viewer who has rescued a dog and had to nurse it back to health, teach it to be a dog, and restore its faith in humanity, Alpha is sure to bring them and their canine counterpart closer together.

14

‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ (2019)

Directed by Simon Curtis

The Art of Racing in the Rain is a romance drama released in 2019 starring Milo Ventimiglia and Amanda Seyfried. This movie follows the life of a dog called Enzo who was taken in as a puppy by an aspiring Formula One driver. This golden retriever believes he was born to be a race car driver and can see the techniques used on the track should also be used in life’s journey.

The Art of Racing in the Rain directed by Simon Curtis uses the dog to tell the story in a voice-over from Kevin Costner. This is a unique movie involving both adorable puppies and action-packed race car driving. It will make you laugh and cry all in one and will leave you with an important message that you should achieve your dreams no matter what stands in your way.

13

‘Red Dog’ (2011)

Directed by Kriv Stenders

A sad dog movie based on an unbelievable true story, Red Dog is a moving Australian drama about the titular character, a friendly and loyal dog who’s adopted by the residents of a local mining town. Over time, Red Dog forms a special bond with the community, and becomes a staple figure – up until he gets sick.

Red Dog’s incredible story will make audiences feel a deep connection with the endearing canine, who reminds everyone around him why dogs are such beloved creatures. Its unforgettable conclusion further emphasizes the remarkable loyalty dogs can have for their owners, and viewers can expect to be crying real tears as Red Dog demonstrates this level of love and devotion in one of the saddest dog movies ever.

12

‘Air Bud’ (1997)

Directed by Charles Martin Smith

When audiences think of dog movies that make them cry, it’s impossible not to name Air Bud. The franchise begins when Buddy, a former circus dog, escapes his master, becoming a stray until he finds Josh (Kevin Zegers), a young teen struggling to cope with his new home following his dad’s death. The pair bond over basketball when Josh joins the school team and discovers Buddy can play, but trouble starts when Buddy’s owner (Michael Jeter) comes calling.

It doesn’t matter how many times millennial audiences watch this Disney movie, they’re breaking out the tissues at every turn. Air Bud is symbolic of how dogs can fill an emotional and physical gap in life, always arriving when we need them most. The popularity of the athletic Golden Retriever garnered multiple sequels with different sports and a puppy spin-off with his puppies, The Buddies; however, the original film will always be the best.

11

‘I Am Legend’ (2007)

Directed Francis Lawrence

This apocalypse movie had audiences hinging their review on whether the dog lived. I Am Legend stars Will Smith as the brilliant scientist Robert Neville, seemingly the sole survivor in New York City following a viral plague that turns patients into bloodthirsty beings. Joined by his German Shepherd Samantha, Neville studies his immunity in search of a cure. When audiences are first introduced to Sam in a flashback sequence, she’s a puppy, but years later they grow attached to the full-grown protector.

I Am Legend is an exemplary film portraying the bond between a dog and its human companion. At every turn, audiences are rooting for Sam to avoid getting bit by the infected while simultaneously providing comfort to Neville’s otherwise solitary existence. The film’s ending for Sam is one that left audiences devastated, wishing for a different outcome.

10

‘Umberto D.’ (1952)

Directed by Vittorio De Sica

Heartbreaking from start to finish, Umberto D. depicts the power of canine companionship, striking a chord with audiences and asking them, “What would you do?” The Italian neorealist film is the story of Umberto Domenico Ferrari (Carlo Battisti) and his struggle to live on a meager pension in Rome, facing eviction from his landlady. His dog, Flike, is Umberto’s only source of companionship, providing emotional support during his desperate situation.

Without Flike, Umberto faces total isolation as he lacks family or close friends to lean on. His financial woes threaten his living situation, therefore raising the question of how he will provide for Flike. The notion of being unable to care for our furry family members touches a nerve with viewers, highlighting the unimaginable despair of losing the creatures that love unconditionally.

9

‘The Plague Dogs’ (1982)

Directed by Martin Rosen

A sad movie all the way around, The Plague Dogs is an adult-geared animated feature based on the novel of the same name by Richard Adams. Snitter (voiced by John Hurt) and Rowf (voiced by Christopher Benjamin) are two laboratory dogs who escape their abusive testing facility, going on the run but finding continuous struggles to live in the wild despite the help of a fox named The Tod (voiced by James Bolam). As they pursue life outside the lab, the government begins spreading rumors the dogs carry a deadly plague virus.

The Plague Dog is an unfiltered look at the cruelty and conditions of animal testing, forcing its viewers to unflinching confront reality. Not meant for children and family viewing, this animated feature still induces tears from its adult audiences as they look at their own pups, never wishing that dreadful fate onto them.

8

‘All Dogs Go to Heaven’ (1989)

Directed by Don Bluth

A bittersweet animated classic that some fans may remember watching on VHS, All Dogs Go to Heaven is a film that deserves more attention. The comedy-drama by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman follows the story of the German Shepherd Charlie B. Barkin (Burt Reynolds), who ends up in Heaven after being murdered by his best friend. He soon finds a way to escape the afterlife to seek revenge, but forms an unexpected bond with a young girl.

Heartwarming, humorous, and emotional at the same time, All Dogs Go to Heaven is a touching tale of friendship and a hard lesson about the connections that can hurt and heal individuals. Plus, it has some catchy songs that perfectly complement Charlie’s journey.

7

‘Marley & Me’ (2008)

Directed by David Frankel

Marley & Me is a romantic comedy released in 2008. To categorize this movie as a family comedy is very deceiving as it will leave you with swollen eyes. You will have many laughs throughout this movie, but you should be prepared for the film’s notoriously heartbreaking ending. This movie stars Owen Wilson who brings a dog home to his wife, Jennifer Aniston, in hopes to stall time for having children. Little did they know this adorable, yet naughty and neurotic puppy would cause more havoc than any child.

Fans watch Marley grow into a senior dog, developing an emotional bond with the pup, which all comes crashing down once he gets sick. This movie shows viewers what unconditional love truly is in its most beautiful form. It shows the stresses and problems in a family, but replaces the children with a fluffy four-legged mischief. Be prepared for a good cry, but it does guarantee a newly built appreciation for your pets.

6

‘A Dog’s Purpose’ (2017)

Directed by Lasse Hallström

This movie series will have you wailing a cycle of tears every 10 minutes. It has a happy ending all in all, but it’s a journey to get there. A Dog’s Purpose follows a dog called Bailey going through many lifetimes and owners. This movie starring K.J. Apa allows you to hear what Bailey is thinking throughout the movie, which only breaks your heart more.

The second movie is called A Dog’s Journey, both endings are happy and heartfelt, but you need to be strong to make it to the end. The best part about this movie series is seeing the different dogs’ and owners’ lives. Both movies follow the same loyal dog in all his contrasting, exotic lives. These movies will make you want the best life for your pup, filled with adventures, love, and snacks.