Strangers often don't have a lot in common but the one thing most people agree on is that movies with animals are the best. Over the years Hollywood has given us some pretty amazing animal films full of the cutest and sometimes scariest animals.
From real-life dogs and cats to animated mice, sloths, and a giant panda there seems to be no animal left behind when it comes to animal films in Hollywood. With hundreds of films with animals in it over the last thirty years alone, it can be hard to narrow down a list of ten of the best films. Luckily, IMDb ratings made things easy for us!
The Rescuers Down Under (1990) - 6.9
Walt Disney Animation Studios is no stranger to creating animated animal films, which is why it's not surprising that one of their films kicks off the list. The Rescuers Down Under is a sequel to the 1977 classic The Rescuers, and it follows Bianca and Bernard -- two members of the Rescue Aid Society -- who must travel to Australia to save a young boy who has been kidnapped.
While not the most famous Disney movie, The Rescuers Down Under is a bit of a cult classic among Disney fans. In addition to being one of the best animal films of the last 30 years, the film is also the first fully digital feature film to be released in theaters.
Marley & Me (2008) - 7.1
Based on the bestselling memoir by John Grogan, Marley & Me quickly became one of the best and most realistic animal films of the last three decades and of all time. The film stars Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston as a newlywed couple who, after purchasing their first home, decide to adopt a Labrador puppy named Marley
Unlike some animal films which only follows a portion of an animal's life, Marley & Me followed Marley's life with the Grogan family from beginning all the way to the end. Anyone who has ever owned a dog will relate to this heartfelt and authentic movie about a man and his best friend.
We Bought A Zoo (2011) - 7.1
Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) has no idea what he was getting himself into when he purchased a zoo in We Bought A Zoo. The film follows Benjamin, who's a recent widower and father of two, when he buys and moves into the rundown Rosemoor Wildlife Park.
Benjamin is determined to turn the zoo around for his family and for the devoted staff who have stuck around for the animals despite the fact that the zoo has been closed for years. Whether this is just Benjamin's midlife crisis talking or a way to restart his life for the better is something audiences get to discover over the course of the film.
Eight Below (2006) - 7.3
Fast & Furious star Paul Walker starred as Jerry Shephard in the Disney film Eight Below. After an accident and dangerous weather conditions, Shephard must leave behind his team of sled dogs in order to seek better shelter and get medical attention for their friend. With Shephard and the rest of the humans gone, the film centers on the eight dogs who attempt to survive an Antarctic winter on their own.
This heartfelt story is not for the faint of heart but one thing that is guaranteed is that by the end, everyone will be rooting for these eight dogs to succeed.
Ice Age (2002) - 7.5
Against all odds, Blue Sky Studios got audiences to fall in love with a clueless sloth, an introverted mammoth, and a deceitful saber-toothed tiger when Ice Age hit theaters. The first film centered on this unlikely trio as they attempt to return a human child to his family after his mother drowns in the river.
Ice Age quickly became a hit for Blue Sky Studio and launched an impressive and popular franchise that included four full-length film sequels and several shorts and specials.
Kung Fu Panda (2008) - 7.5
Animated films have the power to make audiences fall in love with a wide range of animals that would otherwise be difficult to accomplish by filming in live-action. This freedom allowed the animation team at Dreamworks to create the popular film Kung Fu Panda, which launched a franchise of its own.
The original Kung Fu Panda centers on Po, a clumsy panda who loves to eat but secretly dreams of being a kung fu legend. When his village is threatened, Po begins training with Master Shifu in the hopes of living out his dream and saving his village.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) - 7.9
Not only does Fantastic Mr. Fox have the honor of being fourth on this list, but it is also the only stop-motion animated film to make it here. Written and directed by Wes Anderson, the adaptation of Roald Dahl's book of the same name centers on Mr. Fox who puts his family in jeopardy when he decides to steal from his human neighbors.
The film had a star-studded voice cast that included George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Bill Murray. It went on to receive two Academy Award nominations including a nomination for Best Animated Feature.
Life of Pi (2012) - 7.9
Based on Yann Martel's beloved novel of the same name, Life of Pi follows Pi, a teenager who becomes the only human survivor after his family's freighter ship sinks. Pi's only companion is a Bengal tiger who managed to stow away on his lifeboat. Together, the two learn to coexist in order to survive the journey ahead of them.
Life of Pi was a massive commercial and critical success, and it went on to win four out of eleven Academy Award nominations. However, the film faced staunch criticism not for its content, but its production. Rhythm and Hues Studios, the visual effects team, felt their work wasn't valued and paid fairly. The studio filed for bankruptcy three months after Life of Pi premiered. Meanwhile, animal rights activists protested after learning that King, the lion on set, was mistreated.
Ratatouille (2007) - 8.0
Pixar makes it to number two with Ratatouille, which centers on the life of Remy, an adolescent rat who dreams of being a chef much to the chagrin of his father and the rat community. Determined to prove his father wrong, Remy befriends Linguini, a garage boy, and together the two are able to transform the once-popular Gusteau restaurant.
Ratatouille was a critical and commercial success for Pixar and Disney and is still a fan favorite to this day.
The Lion King (1994) - 8.5
Coming in as number one is none other than the animated classic The Lion King. This epic followed Simba, a young lion, who is run out of his kingdom after his uncle Scar blames him for his father's death. Simba is then raised by a Timon and Pumbaa before he goes back home to reclaim the throne and save Pride Rock from Scar.
The Lion King is one of Walt Disney Animation Studios' most successful films of all time. It earned the honor of being the highest-grossing film of 1994 and is the highest-grossing traditionally animated film of all time.