Dogs on Film

Cert

Age group8–12

Duration89 mins

The Cave Of The Yellow Dog(2005)

A touching story backdropped by beautiful Mongolian scenery, as little Nansal befriends a stray dog.

A beautiful insight into the nomadic way of life centring on a young girl forming a bond with a dog that her father worries may be a threat to the sheep that they rely on. A film that highlights how a dog can become an important member of any family unit.

Cert

Age group5–12

Duration96 mins

Oddball and the Penguins(2015)

Charming adventure about an eccentric farmer and his wayward dog who come up with a plan to help protect their town’s endangered penguins.

With Libby being so attached to her grandfather’s out-of-control but sweet-natured sheepdog, this film largely revolves around her desperation to find a way to get him out of trouble so he won’t be taken away by the dog-hating animal control officer. A story about finding your place in the world seen through the eyes of a pet.

Cert

Age group12–16

Duration96 mins

Belle et Sébastien (Belle & Sebastian)(2013)

An epic tale of the friendship between a boy and a dog.

Based on a French novel, this film follows a boy who befriends ‘the beast’ (a dog that his townsfolk are afraid of) and concentrates on the lengths that friends will go to in order to protect each other, showcasing the noble and protective nature of a dog and its owner.

Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie

Cert

Age group5–12

Duration74 mins

Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie(2015)

Much-loved Charlie Brown attempts to navigate school life and falls in love with the new girl as Snoopy embarks upon an adventure of his own.

We witness one of fiction's greatest examples of a kid and his dog in this nostalgic exploration of the trials and tribulations of the insecure and accident-prone Charlie Brown. His pet dog Snoopy (who has an adventurous internal life) often pushes Charlie into situations that are out of his comfort zone.

Cert

Age group8–15

Duration83 mins

Frankenweenie(2012)

When Victor loses his beloved pet, he conducts an experiment to bring him back to life. When he succeeds, things escalate beyond Victor's control.

Losing a pet of any kind is a difficult thing for anyone to face, so young Victor takes it into his own hands to try and get his pet dog Sparky back. Tim Burton’s inventive animation is typically creepy but also highlights the importance of introducing life, death and grief to young people.

Cert

Age group5–12

Duration92 mins

Mr Peabody & Sherman(2014)

Using his most ingenious invention, Mr. Peabody and his adopted boy Sherman hurtle back in time to experience world-changing events first-hand.

A new twist on the ‘boy and his dog’ trope, this time using a time travel framing device to tell the story of a genius dog who has adopted a boy and now has to work hard to prove himself as a suitable parent to his human peers.

Cert

Age group8–12

Duration79 mins

Boule Et Bill (Boule & Bill)(2013)

A quaint period comedy about the friendship between a boy and his beloved Cocker Spaniel, based on a popular and long running French comic strip.

When Boule rescues Bill from the dog pound, a bond forms that gives Boule freedom from his bickering parents as he and his new canine pal get into all sorts of scrapes. Seen from the point of view of cocker spaniel Bill, this film explores the nurturing importance of friendship between children and their pets.

Cert

Age group5–12

Duration86 mins

The Secret Life of Pets 2(2019)

An overprotective family dog must learn to conquer his fears when his family takes him on holiday to the countryside.

Ever wondered what our pets get up to when we’re not around? This much-loved animated sequel contemplates that question whilst also telling an insightful story about the protective nature of dogs and how they might fit into an ever-growing family unit.

Cert

Age group8–15

Duration81 mins

Pick of the Litter(2018)

Canine documentary following five Labrador puppies as they train for two years to become guide dogs for the blind and partially sighted.

By taking a detailed and insightful look at the skills that dogs can be taught in order to help humans throughout their lives, Pick of the Litter is a celebration of how lucky we are to have these intelligent, resourceful animals by our side.

CertUnclassified

Age group8–15

Duration5 mins

The Present(2014)

A teenage boy is gifted a puppy by his mother, but it isn’t to his liking.

This sweet-natured and beautifully animated short film aims to build empathy and understanding, using the relationship between a lonely boy and his new-three legged dog to showcase that there is no such thing as the perfect pet.