Pro Tip: Don't Watch These 11 Dog Movies Unless You're Ready to Cry Your Eyes Out

Published on 8/9/2019 at 2:25 PM

The new movie The Art of Racing in the Rain already looks like another entry in the "sad dog movie" genre, with an adorable dog narrating the story and an emotional roller coaster of a plot. But let's be honest here: Who among us hasn't been mildly traumatized by one, if not more, of those movies with a sweet dog and a tough ending? Just the mere presence of a dog in a movie is often enough to signal that we're going to be crying by the end. So if you decide to watch any of the following movies, you're sure to see a heartwarming story — but make sure you've got a box of tissues nearby.

All Dogs Go to Heaven

For an animated kids' movie, this one gets pretty dark: a dog who's been murdered turns down a chance at heaven to get revenge back on earth, but then he meets a young girl who makes him reconsider what really matters.

A Dog's Purpose

"The dog dies" is one of the worst spoilers a movie can have — and this movie does it over and over again. Even though the movie's premise is that the dog keeps being reincarnated in new bodies, it's still tough to watch.

Eight Below

It's a movie about a sledder who's saved by his dogs — only to have to leave them behind and frantically go back to rescue them later. How can it not break your heart?

The Fox and the Hound

What starts out as a heartwarming tale of friendship between "natural" enemies turns heartwrenching by the time you get to the bittersweet ending.

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Thankfully, this is one sad dog movie that doesn't have a sad ending, but the tale of lost dogs trying to find their way home will definitely hit you in the feels along the way.

Marley and Me

By this point, we all know how this movie ends, but it doesn't make it any easier (even though Marley's antics are always good for a laugh before the crying starts).

My Dog Skip

There's nothing like the bond between a young boy and his dog, growing up together — until the dog protects his human and pays for it dearly. Just try not to cry.

Old Yeller

If there was a picture in the dictionary next to "sad dog movie," it would be of Old Yeller, the ultimate cry-about-a-dog movie about a boy and his beloved pet.

Turner and Hooch

For the most part, it's a fun buddy comedy about a detective and his trusty — if incorrigible — dog partner. That's what makes the final twist even more gut-wrenching and unexpected.

Wendy and Lucy

It's hard enough to watch our protagonist struggle to get her life together, but it's even harder when she's forced to separate from her loyal, beloved dog.

Where the Red Fern Grows

Most of us were traumatized in middle school when we had to read the book this movie is based on. There's nothing like the bond between a boy and his loyal hounds, until tragedy strikes and the meaning of the title becomes clear.