Sometimes, we all need a dose of emotion, and sad dog movies have a special way of reminding us about love, loss, and the deep bond between humans and animals. These films aren’t just tearjerkers; they help us reflect, reconnect with our emotions, and appreciate the loyalty of our four-legged friends.
That’s why I’ve carefully put together a list of the most heart-wrenching and unforgettable sad dog movies, featuring a mix of animated classics and powerful live-action stories.
So, if you’re ready for a good cry or want to experience the emotional side of pet companionship, these movies are sure to leave a lasting impact. Keep tissues handy—these stories hit right in the heart.
17 Saddest Dog Movies (2025 Overview)
For a quick glimpse into the list, here is an overview of the top 17 sad dog movies featuring their IMDb rating.
| Sr. No. | Sad Dog Movies | IMDb Rating | Watch Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | The Art of Racing in the Rain | 7.6/10 | Disney+ & Prime Video |
| 2. | A Dog’s Way Home | 6.7/10 | Hulu, Prime Video, & Disney+ |
| 3. | Red Dog | 7.3/10 | Prime Video & Netflix |
| 4. | I Am Legend | 7.2/10 | HBO Max & Prime Video |
| 5. | A Dog’s Purpose | 7.2/10 | Prime Video, HBO Max & Netflix |
| 6. | Frankenweenie | 6.9/10 | Disney+ & Prime Video |
| 7. | My Dog Skip | 7/10 | Prime Video & Apple TV |
| 8. | All Dogs Go to Heaven | 6.7/10 | Prime Video & HBO Max |
| 9. | Marley & Me | 7/10 | Disney+ & Prime Video |
| 10. | Hachi: A Dog’s Tale | 8.1/10 | Prime Video |
| 11. | Where the Red Fern Grows | 6.8/10 | Prime Video & Peacocktv |
| 12. | Eight Below | 7.3/10 | Prime Video & Disney+ |
| 13. | Old Yeller | 7.2/10 | Disney+ & Prime Video |
| 14. | Turner & Hooch | 6.2/10 | Disney+ & Prime Video |
| 15. | Year of the Dog | 6/10 | Prime Video |
| 16. | Alpha | 6.6/10 | Netflix |
| 17. | Max (2015) | 6.6/10 | Prime Video |
1. The Art of Racing In The Rain (2019)
Inspired by Garth Stein’s book of the same name, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a 2019 Simon Curtis film starring Milo Ventimiglia.
Ventimiglia plays Denny in this piece, a guy whose Golden Retriever puppy, Enzo, is guiding while he pursues a career as an automobile racer.
2. A Dog’s Way Home (2019)
The adventure drama A Dog’s Way Home was released in 2019. Except that Shelby, the dog, can communicate with viewers, the plot is remarkably similar to that of Lassie.
Her owner is meant to see her there shortly after being sent far away. However, Shelby is unaware of this and flees in search of her hometown and owner.
3. Red Dog (2011)
Red Dog, a 2011 film directed by Kriv Stenders, is based on the true story of a stray dog that finds refuge in Australia’s Pilbara region and develops relationships with several people who take him in as a temporary pet.
In addition to Josh Lucas, Rachel Taylor, John Batchelor, Noah Taylor, and dog actor Koko also star in this performance. Red Dog’s success led to the creation.
4. I Am Legend (2007)
Among Will Smith’s most recognizable movies is I Am Legend. The third adaptation of Richard Matheson’s eponymous novel was directed by Francis Lawrence in 2007.
Smith plays scientist Robert Neville, one of the few humans to survive a plague that transformed nearly all of humanity into mutant animals, in the movie. Thus, he avoids the infected who wish to murder him as he roams New York City with his dog Sam in search of other survivors.
5. A Dog’s Purpose (2017)
When you’re a dog, what does life mean? The main character of this 2017 movie seeks to find the answer to that issue as he repeatedly reincarnates to keep his many owners company.
Based on the same-titled novel by W. Bruce Cameron, this production’s enormous box office success led to the creation of a 2019 sequel.
6. Frankenweenie (2012)
Another film that emphasizes the value of pets in childhood and the things humans may do to keep them around longer is Frankenweenie.
In this Tim Burton animated picture, which also pays homage to the horror classic Frankenstein, we are introduced to Victor.
He is a bright young man who, without realizing the horrible ramifications of his actions, uses science to bring his dog Sparky back to life after he passes away.
7. My Dog Skip (2010)
Having a pet during childhood can be quite beneficial, particularly for youngsters who struggle to socialize with their peers or are shy.
My Dog Skip centers on Willie, a lonely youngster whose life takes a sharp turn when his mother gives him a puppy named Skip.
From that point on, Willie and Skip are inseparable, and the audience follows them as they go through several phases of life, seeing Skip’s impact on the young man.
8. All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)
In this 1989 film, Charlie, a German Shepherd who is a con artist, finds his way to heaven after being killed by his former business partner and friend, Carface Caruthers.
Charlie decides to take his revenge, for which he manages to postpone his death and come back to Earth.
Along the way, he encounters an orphan girl named Anne-Marie, who challenges him to rethink everything he has ever believed in and teaches him valuable life lessons.
9. Marley & Me (2008)
David Frankel is the movie’s director, drawing inspiration from the same-titled novel by John Grogan. In Marley & Me, we follow John and Jenny, a recently married couple who grow their family by bringing Marley home.
Marley is a naughty Labrador who ends up becoming their most devoted friend. This movie won over the audience and became a huge box office blockbuster, stars Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson.
10. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
Another movie on this list that is based on a true story is Hachi: A Dog’s Tale. This movie is also added in our best dog movies of all time list.
This 2009 film, which was directed by Lasse Hallström and starred Richard Gere as the principal actor and producer, explores the relationship between college lecturer Parker Wilson.
Furthermore, Hachi, an Akita dog he rescues at the train station, stays by his side even after he dies.
of a follow-up and a documentary released in 2016 and 2019, respectively.
11. Where The Red Fern Grows (1974)
The 1974 movie Where the Red Fern Grows is based on the same-titled novel by Wilson Rawls. Some of the movie’s features include James Whitmore, Stewart Petersen, Jack Gin, and Beverly Garland.
Petersen portrays Billy, a young child who enjoys raccoon hunting with Little Ann and Old Dan, two puppies he acquired after putting in much effort.
A version of this show starring Joseph Ashton, Dabe Matthews, and Dabney Coleman was released by Walt Disney in 2003.
12. Eight Below (2006)
Under the direction of Frank Marshall, Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood, and Jason Biggs feature in this gloomy 2006 Disney survival movie.
The 1983 Japanese film Antarctica was remade as Eight Below, which centers on a group of scientists who are forced to cancel an Antarctica expedition due to a weather-related mishap.
The team will go to tremendous measures to locate the group’s sled dogs, who are stuck there and attempting to survive, so this is not the end of their quest.
13. Old Yeller (1957)
Robert Stevenson’s 1957 Walt Disney picture Old Yeller, starring Dorothy McGuire, Tommy Kirk, Fess Parker, and Kevin Corcoran, debuted.
Based on the same-titled novel by Fred Gibson, this play centers on the Coates, a Texas family whose father leaves the family to go to a distant job, leaving their teenage son in their care.
Later in the story, they meet Old Yeller, a stray dog with a tendency towards getting into mischievousness, and he becomes the new family member.
14. Turner & Hooch (1989)
Canine and owner relationships frequently get off to a bad start. In Roger Spottiswoode’s 1989 buddy police film Turner & Hooch, starring Tom Hanks and Beasley the Dog, that’s just what happens to the major characters.
In this story, Hanks plays police inspector Scott Turner from California, who is not pleased to accept a friend’s dog after his death.
However, they immediately become the best of friends and even solve many criminal cases together.
15. Year Of The Dog (2007)
This 2007 movie emphasizes the deep influence of pets on our lives.
Molly Shannon, who plays Peggy, is an administrative secretary who lives with her dog Pencil and doesn’t have many friends and love in her life.
Hence, Peggy is overwhelmed by the sudden death of her pet dog while searching for a reason to move on in life. This journey takes her to a path she never imagined going on.]
16. Alpha (2018)
In this visually stunning 2018 film, Alpha tells the story of Keda, a young hunter in the Ice Age, who is left for dead after a hunting expedition goes wrong.
Struggling to survive in the harsh prehistoric wilderness, Keda forms an unlikely bond with an injured wolf he names Alpha. As the two learn to trust each other, they embark on a powerful journey home, navigating treacherous terrain, wild predators, and unforgiving weather.
Their bond grows stronger as they rely on each other for survival, turning what began as a chance encounter into the origin of the human-dog relationship.
17. Max (2015)
In this emotional 2015 film, Max, a highly trained military dog, returns home from service in Afghanistan after his handler and best friend, Kyle, is tragically killed during a mission.
Struggling with trauma and unable to continue working with the Marines, Max is adopted by Kyle’s grieving family. He soon forms a fragile bond with Kyle’s younger brother, Justin, who is reluctant to take responsibility for the troubled dog.
As the two slowly learn to trust each other, Max helps Justin uncover the truth behind his brother’s death, leading them both on a journey of healing, courage, and loyalty. Through their growing connection, Max becomes more than just a hero—he becomes family.
Take Your Emotional Journey To The Next Level!
A month ago, my friend lost her beloved dog, and since then, she began watching sad dog movies to help cope with the immense loss. While these films brought her some comfort, they also left her in a deeper emotional state, and she found herself struggling to manage the overwhelming sadness.
Realizing she needed additional support, she enrolled in Mindvalley Membership Programs to help her navigate her emotions and heal. One powerful way to do so is by exploring the transformative resources offered by Mindvalley Membership Programs, and you can access these programs at a huge discount, too.
With a variety of programs designed to enhance emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and personal development, Mindvalley provides the tools you need to nurture your emotional well-being and unlock your fullest potential.
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Conclusion: Red Dog is the most heart-touching!
For me, the sad dog movies listed above aren’t just films—they’re emotional journeys that remind us of the unbreakable bond between humans and dogs. They make us laugh, cry, and reflect on the unconditional love our pets bring into our lives.
Among them, Red Dog stands out as the most heart-touching and unforgettable. It’s a film that truly broke my heart, and that’s why it holds a special place on my list. If you haven’t seen it, be prepared for a powerful story that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Other emotional favorites like Marley & Me, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, and The Art of Racing in the Rain also show us how deeply dogs become part of our families—and how their love continues to shape us, even after they’re gone.
These movies go beyond sadness. They celebrate the loyalty, joy, and emotional connection we share with our furry companions—and that’s what makes them truly timeless.
So, if you want to feel moved and understand more about dogs, these movies are perfect.
Did I miss any of your favorite movies? Let me know in the comments below!
