Dog movies have always occupied a slightly dangerous corner of cinema. They look harmless enough at first. But the moment a dog becomes the emotional center of a film, there's a very good chance viewers are heading toward an ending that will leave them shattered. Owen Wilson is a big fan of dog movies, even if his faves happen to be some of the most heartbreaking stories ever put on screen.
WATCH: Owen Wilson Is PROUD of His 3 Favorite Dog Movies!
"I guess I love Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows and then the movie Sounder," Wilson told JustWatch while promoting his 2025 animated feature Charlie the Wonderdog. He paused before pointing out that he managed to name more than one without missing a beat. "I just rattled off three of 'em," he said. "I don't know why I would ever have to apologize for loving a dog movie."
Old Yeller (1957), Where the Red Fern Grows (1974), and Sounder (1972) are about as far as you can get from the goofy chaos of a lighthearted family comedy dog movie like 1992's Beethoven. These are stories about companionship, resilience, and the complicated reality of loving a pet, which often means accepting that one day you'll have to say goodbye.
Owen Wilson's Favorite Dog Movies Will Destroy You
Old Yeller follows a young boy living on the Texas frontier who forms a powerful bond with a stray dog that wanders onto the family farm. What starts out as a slightly scrappy, reluctant friendship slowly turns into something much deeper as the dog becomes part of the family. And then it delivers an ending that has been making audiences cry for generations.
In Where the Red Fern Grows, a determined boy works tirelessly to earn enough money to buy two hunting dogs he's dreamed of owning for years. When he finally gets them, the trio becomes inseparable as they head out into the woods together. And yes, it's another one that tends to leave viewers quietly wiping their eyes by the end.
Then there's Sounder, a deeply moving story about a family in the rural American South and their loyal dog that holds them together during difficult times. When the family's father is arrested and sent away, life becomes harder for everyone left behind. The dog's story unfolds alongside the family's struggles, turning the film into something much more emotional than it first appears.
Why Dog Movies Hit So Hard
If there's one unspoken rule of television and film audiences, it's this: Viewers can handle a lot of things on screen, but they really don't want to see animals suffer. Over the years, entire websites and online communities have popped up simply to warn viewers about whether a dog survives a movie. It's one of the few storytelling tropes that can instantly change how people feel about a film.
Part of the reason dog movies affect us so much is because the emotion feels (and is) universal. Dogs represent innocence and unconditional love in a way that few other characters can. When something happens to them on screen, the reaction from viewers is often immediate and visceral. And yet, despite that emotional risk that comes with watching them, dog movies remain incredibly popular.
Over the years, Hollywood has produced a long list of memorable dog-centric films. Movies like Marley & Me (2008) chronicle the joy of raising a lovable but unpredictable dog. And even animated films like Bolt (2008) manage to capture the same sense of devotion and companionship. The genre also includes lots of lighter entries designed purely for fun, like Air Bud (1997).
Why To Watch 'Old Yeller' (And What To Watch After)
Few films capture the power of a dog story quite like Old Yeller. What makes the classic film work so well is the way it spends its entire runtime building a believable relationship between the boy and his dog. By the time the story reaches its final act, audiences understand exactly why that bond matters so much. If you're planning to revisit the film, though, it's not a bad idea to line up something a little lighter afterward.
As a kind of emotional reset, fun dog movies like Beethoven or even the silly Scooby-Doo (2002) offer a much more playful look at canine adventures. They might not leave you reaching for your emotional support blanket the way Old Yeller does. But after a movie that emotional, a little lighthearted madness from a lovable dog might be exactly what you need.
