The paparazzi have gone home, the red carpet has been rolled up, and the tuxes and gorgeous gowns have been stowed away till next year. Now that last Sunday’s Academy Awards extravaganza is over, we turn our attention to the films that really matter—the ones about the domesticated animals we share our lives with!
(Note: Countless wonderful films featuring animals have been made over the years. The following nominees and winners were selected in an entirely subjective manner involving no voting or independent tabulation whatsoever.)
Best Movie Starring a Dog
The Nominees:
My Dog Skip (2000)
A shy boy grows up in 1940s Mississippi with the help of his beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Skip.
Old Yeller (1957)
Texas farm boy Travis learns about the joy and heartbreak of dog ownership in one of the saddest movies ever made.
White Fang (1991)
Based on the Jack London novel, this tale of the Yukon delivers adventure and warmth as it recounts the growing bond between human and wolfdog.
And the winner is…
White Fang
Best Movie Starring a Cat
The Nominees:
Life of Pi (2012)
True, the “cat” in this film is a CGI Bengal tiger. But that does not detract from the excitement of this epic journey of a castaway who bonds with his fearsome fellow survivor.
A Street Cat Named Bob (2016)
What is most amazing about this feel-good story of how a recovering drug addict had his life transformed by a stray cat—is that it is true!
That Darn Cat (1965)
Here is a comedy-thriller involving the perfect mixture of bank robbers, kidnappers, an FBI agent with allergies…and a mischievous Siamese cat.
And the winner is…
Life of Pi
Best Dog-and-Cat Buddy Movie
The Nominees:
The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986)
This Japanese film, with English narration by Dudley Moore, documents the unlikely friendship between a pug and a ginger cat who are tragically separated.
Cats & Dogs (2001)
This comedy depicts the relationship between canines and felines as an intense rivalry in which both sides employ tactics reminiscent of human spies.
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
Two dogs and a cat escape from a California ranch in search of their owners in San Francisco.
And the winner is…
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
Best Movie Starring a Horse
The Nominees:
The Horse Whisperer (1998)
The mother of a severely traumatized daughter enlists the aid of a gifted horse trainer to help the girl’s equally traumatized horse.
Hidalgo (2004)
The legendary American distance rider and his mustang Hidalgo travel to Arabia in 1891 to compete in a deadly cross-desert horserace.
Seabiscuit (2003)
This inspiring story tells how an undersized racehorse rode to victory and lifted the spirits of a nation.
And the winner is…
Hidalgo
Best Animated Film Featuring Domesticated Animals
The Nominees:
101 Dalmations (1961)
In this Disney classic, Pongo and Perdita thwart the nefarious plans of Cruella de Vil to turn their litter of pups into fur coats.
Animal Farm (1954)
George Orwell’s parable of tyranny comes to life in this tale of a farmyard revolution that goes terribly wrong.
Charlotte’s Web (1973)
A wise spider saves a young pig from the butcher.
And the winner is…
101 Dalmations
