Directed by Chris Sanders and starring Harrison Ford, The Call Of The Wild is Hollywood's most recent effort to give us a fun adventure film starring a man's best friend. Throughout the years, we have received countless live-action films with devastating endings, crazy adventures, or just heartfelt stories with one of the main characters being a dog.
Sometimes our four-legged friends may give us classic films that we can watch for years to come, while others may make us regret turning the screen on. Here are five great live-action dog movies, and five that are downright terrible.
Best: Benji (1974)
How could a film that was nominated for an Oscar not be on the list? Sure it may not have been nominated for Best Picture but they don't give Best Original Song nominations to bad movies.
After being turned down for distribution by every studio in Hollywood, the film's writer, director, and producer, Joe Camp, decided to create his own distribution company and we are glad he did. Audience and Critics loved the film. The film is the first in a series of five theatrical features. The sequels were not as beloved as the first, but they still have a large audience of fans.
Worst: Marmaduke (2010)
With a 9% on Rotten Tomatoes, you can not expect this film to be on anyone's best of anything list. The film stars Owen Wilson, who appears twice on this list, as Marmaduke. Marmaduke has a best friend named Carlos, who is a cat, voiced by George Lopez. Marmaduke overhears his owner talking about moving to California, and this is where the adventure begins.
The film is based on the classic comic strip of the same name. Children may find this movie enjoyable, due to the slapstick style of comedy, but adults will be the ones asking to turn the channel this time around.
Best: Marley & Me (2008)
Marley & Me is one of the more recent examples of how to do a film with one of the leads being a dog. The film stars Owen Wilson as John and Jennifer Aniston as Jenny as our lead humans. While Jenny is contemplating motherhood, John's friend suggests adopting a dog, who they name Marley. At first, it seems the dog they chose is the worst dog in the world.
As most films do, the characters and audience fall in love with this terrible dog, which leads to laughter and heartache throughout. The film received mixed to positive reviews, but it seems to still be a family favorite until this day. It once held the record for the largest Christmas Day box-office.
Worst: Marley & Me: The Puppy Years (2011)
Marley & Me might have been a good example of what to do with dog films, but its prequel, Marley & Me: The Puppy Years, is not. The film isn't the worst movie ever, but it seems it was created just to cash in on the success of its predecessor.
Unlike the original film, Marley has a human speaking voice. Some films with human speaking dogs are cute and enjoyable while others, it feels weird and off-putting. Especially if it's in a series of films where we haven't seen it before.
Best: The Call Of The Wild (2020)
Adapting a classic story, such as The Call Of The Wild, isn't an easy thing to do. With devoted fans and beloved source material, it is very risky if you mess up on a simple storyline. Set in the 1890s, Buck is a dog who gets stolen from his home and sent to Yukon. He befriends an old man and their adventure begins.
The film received mixed to positive reviews, with an entertaining adventure and good performances to carry the film. Although, some iffy CGI may distract you from the story. The film is currently sitting on a box-office of $42 million with a budget over $135 million.
Worst: Snow Dogs (2002)
Snow Dogs is a children's film filled with cliched dialogue and jokes that don't land throughout. It stars Oscar winner Cuba Gunning Jr. as Ted, who tries to be musher like his mother and prove to his father that he is not a city-slicker.
Similar to other Disney films, the main audience is to target a family. Kids may get a laugh out of this film, but it isn't anything people will be recommending to their friends anytime soon.
Best: Togo (2019)
Unlike Snow Dogs, this is how you do a movie about sled dogs. It stars Willem Dafoe as Leonhard Seppala on a dangerous trip to deliver serum to help a town in Alaska. The film is based on a true story and focuses on the lead sled dog, Togo, as he helps lead Seppala.
With great reviews and being one of the first full-length features to appear on Disney+, many fans enjoyed this classic tale. If you want to watch an exciting true story with great performances from humans and our four-legged friends, then you should grab some popcorn and turn this movie on!
Worst: Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008)
With a title like Beverly Hills Chihuahua, you know this film is going to be a little different. Now by no means is this the worst film ever created. It's a children's comedy film and maybe a guilty pleasure for some adults, but it definitely isn't Disney's best idea. When a film has talking dogs as the lead characters, it kind of makes the film seem a bit weird.
Unlike other films with human leads, it is hard to relate to a speaking animal. With a strong female cast of voice actors, and once again, George Lopez, we get a movie with a generic story, but your family may get a few laughs out of this one.
Best: Old Yeller (1957)
Old Yeller is the oldest film on this list, but it still holds up to this day. With a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, many fans may consider this the best and most devastating story involving a dog. Considering the ending, its hard to argue against it. Similar to The Call Of The Wild, this film is based on a book of the same name. The story starts out with a father who goes to check on his cattle and discovers a dog, later named Old Yeller, who has been damaging his farm.
As he tries to carry him away, his kids start to get attached to him and the story begins. Old Yeller has a lot of adventure elements to draw you in and get you attached to Old Yeller but will make you need a box of tissues by the end. Old Yeller is a must-see for dog lovers, but don't go in expecting a happy ending.
Worst: Show Dogs (2018)
Does anyone remember this movie? If you do, then you probably only remember for the controversy and inevitable re-cut of the film. The film's premise is about a police dog and an FBI agent who must pose as a show dog and dog trainer at a dog show.
It was attempting to go for a buddy cop comedy for families, but it ultimately failed at being a comedy, and some would say it failed at being for families. The film did not gain much love from audiences, and it most definitely didn't from critics. At the 39th Golden Raspberry Awards, also known as The Razzies, the film was nominated for "Worst Supporting Actor."