The 12 Greatest Movies Featuring Talking Dogs We've Ever Watched

      Movies featuring talking dogs are simply charming.

      Bow down to these: the finest talking dog films we've ever encountered.

      **Strays (2023)**

      This is the first of two Will Ferrell movies on this list; it's an R-rated film centered on a dog (Ferrell) who gathers a group to seek revenge after his owner betrays him.

      Just to reiterate: This is not suitable for children!

      **Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)**

      In this remake of Disney's 1963 classic, two dogs and a cat, voiced by Don Ameche, Michael J. Fox, and Sally Field, become separated from their human family and must traverse the wilderness to reunite.

      The conclusion is one of the greatest in talking dog film history, and in cinema as a whole.

      **Balto (1995)**

      Based on a true story, Balto is a lightly fictionalized account of a half-wolf, half-dog who transports a vital serum from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska, during a 1925 diphtheria outbreak.

      The film features outstanding voice performances from Kevin Bacon, Bridget Fonda, Bob Hoskins, and Phil Collins (with Hoskins voicing a goose and Collins portraying polar bears). It's also noteworthy to hear Jim Cummings, known for voicing Winnie the Pooh, take on the role of the vain antagonist Steele.

      **Balto II: Wolf Quest** showcases Balto and Jenna’s daughter on a vision quest, making it one of the most adventurous films both within and outside of the talking dog genre.

      **Air Buddies (2007)**

      One criticism of the beloved Air Bud series is its initial omission of Buddy's voice, the heroic Golden Retriever who finds success in basketball, as there was no rule barring dogs from the game.

      Released nearly a decade after 1997’s Air Bud, Air Buddies rectifies this oversight by allowing Buddy's five puppies, the Air Buddies, to finally speak. No explanation is provided, nor is one necessary. The poster triumphantly states, “They Shoot. They Score. They TALK!”

      This film is also notable as the last to feature Don Knotts, further cementing its significance in film history.

      **Scooby Doo (2002)**

      This quintessential Gen X live-action/CGI blend offers a captivating experience for various reasons. Co-written by James Gunn, who would later create the acclaimed Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy, it features a talented cast including Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini, and Neil Fanning as Scooby Doo.

      It beautifully retains the funky '70s essence of the cartoon that Gen X grew up with and, like the best episodes of Scooby Doo, has a scary twist. Additionally, 2004's **Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed** remains a highly memed film to this day.

      **Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023)**

      An intriguing reimagining of the Paw Patrol: Mighty Pups special episode, this latest entry in the talking dog movie franchise involves a meteor granting superpowers to Chase, Marshall, Rocky, Skye, Rubble, Zuma, and, eventually, Liberty.

      It also introduces a new wave of hero pups: Nano, Mini, and Tot. Featuring a star-studded lineup including Kristen Bell, James Marsden, and Taraji P. Henson, the film is highlighted by a soaring Christina Aguilera song that showcases Skye's remarkable journey: Her realization that no meteor is too large and no pup too small.

      **A Dog’s Purpose (2016)**

      The frequently reincarnated dog at the center of this Lasse Hallström masterpiece may not speak in the film, but he communicates with us through Josh Gad's voiceover.

      Combining reflections on life's meaning with humorous food commentary (“Why does food taste so much better in the trash?”), **A Dog’s Purpose** exists solely to evoke tears.

      **Isle of Dogs (2018)**

      Finally, the talented Wes Anderson brings his distinctive vision to the realm of talking dogs in **Isle of Dogs**. However, the narrative unfolds in a fictional Japanese city, Megasaki, where dogs have been exiled to a place called Trash Island.

      Despite its name, it still sounds preferable to a dog-free environment. The film boasts an impressive voice cast, including Courtney B. Vance, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Yoko Ono, and other notable actors… for humans.

      **101 Dalmatians (1961)**

      Regarded as the ultimate talking dog film, perhaps second only to **Lady and the Tramp**, **101 Dalmatians** tells the love story of Pongo and Perdita, the arrival