Audiences know that any movie with a dog as the star or sidekick means there's going to be some crying involved. After all, is there anything that's more gut-wrenching or adorable than these beloved pets? Many moviegoers can admit that the tears come quicker when anything harmful or heartwarming happens involving a dog.
From action movies to romantic comedies, these 10 dogs are some of the best of the best. While dogs like Lassie (Lassie Come Home), Skip (My Dog Skip), and Hooch (Turner & Hooch) are some crowd favorites, here's a look at 10 other dogs who have stolen viewers hearts as on-screen companions.
Marley (Marley & Me)
Marley and Me was released in 2008 and starred Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson as the leads. In the film, the lovely couple adopts a golden Labrador as their family pet, naming him Marley. Through the years, Marley is an adorable handful that's always by the Grogans' side. Even when Marley gets up to no good, the Grogans can't stay mad at him for long. As always with dog movies, Marley eventually has some health issues, causing the family to make the hardest decision of their life.
Bruiser (Legally Blonde)
Legally Blonde is one of those feel-good movies that remind audiences not to judge a book by its cover. Reese Witherspoon plays sorority gal Elle Woods who has it all — a wealthy family, a gorgeous boyfriend, and she attends a great school.
But when her boyfriend breaks up with her because he doesn't take her seriously, Elle applies to Harvard Law and ironically gets accepted. Helping Elle through the ups and downs of her new mature life is her chihuahua, Bruiser. She cherished him as he joined her on many adventures.
Petey (The Little Rascals)
The Little Rascals is a film that's adorable for the whole family. The family comedy was released in 1994 but is still a fan favorite today. The story takes place from the views of both adolescent boys and girls. The boys are in a He-Man Woman Haters Club while the girls think the boys are gross. Things get tricky when Alfalfa realizes he has a crush on a girl named Darla and has to choose between her and his friends. Joining the group of boys is their dog, Petey. Petey is an American bulldog who has a funny circle around its eye and is adorably loyal to this group of silly boys.
Sam (I Am Legend)
In I Am Legend, Will Smith portrays a man named Robert Neville who has found himself to be the only person alive in New York City after a horrible apocalyptic experience hits America. As the last man alive in the city, he must escape the Darkseekers, which are more or less zombies. The only thing Robert has left is his German Shepherd, Samantha (Sam).
They're best friends and each other's protectors. Sadly, things take a turn for the worse when Sam is bitten by a Darkseeker and Robert has no choice but to do what's best to keep him alive.
Puffy (There's Something About Mary)
Starring Ben Stiller and Cameron Diaz, There's Something About Mary is about a man named Ted who tries to run into his former crush, Mary. The movie released in 1998, so this was a time before dating apps and social media profiles. Ted tries to act like running into Mary was a coincidence but he actually hired a professional to track her down for him.
While Ted is trying to woo Mary, viewers meet Puffy, a border terrier. The poor four-legged guy gets himself into a lot of unnecessary trouble and even ends up in a full-body cast. Puffy makes a full recovery, of course, but he's a hilarious addition to the movie.
Toto (Wizard Of Oz)
Toto might be the original doggie sidekick. The Wizard of Oz came out in 1939 and was one of the first motion pictures filmed in Technicolor. The vibrant colors and wonderful music made Wizard of Oz a hit, but so did Dorothy's sidekick, Toto. Hailing from Kansas, this little Cairn Terrier was Dorothy's best friend. She didn't go anywhere without the little guy. In fact, "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore," is one of the most recognized lines of any movie.
Max (The Grinch)
Max truly is one of the most underrated canine characters. He's the Grinch's sidekick who's just happy to be there. No matter how crooked and cruel the Grinch can be, Max is always by his side wagging his tail. He tries his best to get the Grinch to do the right thing but at the end of the day, the Grinch is going to Grinch. Seeing Max finally have appreciation and admiration from Cindy Lou Who was exactly what fans needed to see.
Bolt (Bolt)
You know Bolt is legit because the movie is literally named after him. This 2008 Disney animated film is about a white-haired German Shepherd named Bolt who's a star on camera but a normal dog off-screen. The problem is, Bolt doesn't realize this. He thinks his amazing powers and strength are the real deal. After a wrongful shipping accident, Bolt is separated from his owner Penny and will do anything to find her again. Seeing the connection between Penny and Bolt is relatable for most pet owners, and was an adorable watch for members of the whole family.
Buddy (Air Bud)
Besides Lassie, is there another dog companion that's more popular than Air Bud's Buddy? The 1997 classic is about a young boy named Josh who is going through a hard time in a new town. When he adopts a Golden Retriever he found, he names him Buddy and the two help each other in hard times. Things take an unusual turn when Josh finds out Buddy is an incredible basketball player and he becomes famous for his skills. But when Buddy's abusive first owner comes back for him, viewers scream at their TVs for Buddy's safety. Don't worry, he and Josh have a happy ending.
Scooby (Scooby-Doo)
Scooby-Doo became a huge hit in 1969 when the animated series hit TV airwaves. Scooby was Shaggy's best friend and closest companion as they solved mysteries in their Mystery Machine. The Scoobies couldn't do what they do without the help of their canine pal. Fast forward to 2020, and the Scooby-Doo franchise includes various shows, movies, books, and beyond. Even those who have never seen the series are familiar with Scooby and the Scooby Gang.