A list of the best family animal films ever made. From Bambi to White Fang, on this page you’ll find an animal film that every member of the family will love.
How many have you seen?
Best Animal Films: Top Choices
Below are our five favorite films from the list. If you’re in a hurry, check out any of the films below for some top-drawer family entertainment!
| White Fang | Two Brothers | Far From Home | March Of The Penguins | Bambi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  |   |   |   |   |
| Film adaptation of Jack London's classic novel. | Filmed with real tigers, an amazing adventure story about two tiger cubs who become separated. | An awesome survival story set in the Canadian wilderness. | An amazing feature-length documentary about emperor penguins. | The classic animal film ... (sniff) is someone cutting onions? |
 | | | | |
About The Films In This List
Films with animals will always be popular, and on this page we’ve rounded up a collection of movies that represent the very best of the genre.
In this round-up we’ve tried to include films that are more ‘entertainment’ than ‘documentary’, (although some on this list may be a mixture of both).
We’ve also tried to keep the number of C.G.I. movies to a minimum, only choosing what we consider to be the best of the ‘cartoon-style’ animal movies.
Animal films tend to be timeless, and we’ve included several films Because we’ve included films Many of the films listed on this page can be purchased for under $5, making them excellent vaule.
Beware, many of the films on this list should come with a warning; they’re likely to make even the most macho of men reach for the tissues!
A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures
A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures tells the story of a young sea turtle and his quest to find a childhood friend. On the course of his journey he meets a number of colorful characters who are both friendly and unfriendly.
The film has a conservation message, but isn’t overly preachy. The storyline follows the life cycle of a real sea turtle, so the kids might actually learn something!
A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures may not be the greatest animal film ever made, but it offers good solid family entertainment. It also provides plenty of food for thought about the state of the world’s oceans.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Babe
Babe tells the story of an orphan pig who sets his mind on becoming a sheep dog. The film is shot using a mix of real animals and animatronics. The actors (both human and animal) are superb, and the film looks wonderful. Babe manages to get the balance between realism, humor and sentimentality just right.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Bambi
Get your tissues at the ready, the onion-cutting ninjas are about to make an appearance! Now over 60 years old, Bambi still manages to tug at the heart strings like few other animal films. In this classic coming-of-age story, Bambi is a young deer who faces tragedy and adversity on his way to adulthood.
It’s testament to the skill of the film’s producers that Bambi remains so powerful and so well-loved. One of the all-time great animal films.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Beethoven
This much-loved film features Beethoven, a St. Bernard with a heart of gold. At face value, the film has a rather dark storyline, with animal experimentation a major theme. However, Beethoven isn’t a deep movie. It’s played for laughs and the rather sinister elements of the story fly safely over the heads of young children.
Followed by a string of sequels of varying quality, the original Beethoven remains a fun and enjoyable movie.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar
Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar follows the familiar theme of an orphan animal having to win over doubters after having been taken in by strangers. The film is set in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State and features a real puma (okay, according to Wikipedia, 4 pumas).
Made in 1967, the film is visually a little dated. However, Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar comes from an era in which children’s entertainment meant just that. It doesn’t spend half its time trying to drop wisecracks for so-called adults to smirk at. Good, clean family entertainment for a rainy afternoon.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Dolphin Tale
Based on a true story, Dolphin Tale is a film about a dolphin named Winter, who is injured after getting entangled in a crab trap. The film combines Winter’s predicament with that of a returning soldier, similarly injured and in need of a prosthetic limb. The subject matter may be somewhat gritty for a family film, but dolphin Tale is nevertheless inspiring and moving.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Duma
Duma is the Swahili name for “cheetah”. In this movie, a young South African boy undertakes a long journey in order to save his beloved Duma – an orphan cheetah taken in by the boy’s family. Rather sentimental, but beautifully shot, Duma is a film that all lovers of big cats will enjoy.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Far From Home – The Adventures Of Yellow Dog
Far From Home – The Adventures Of Yellow Dog is a story of wilderness survival and the friendship between a teenage boy and his dog. Stranded in the Canadian wilderness, 14-year old Angus relies on survival skills taught to him by his father, and the faithful friendship of his golden retriever.
It’s a gripping and moving tale, and a wonderful film about the bond between that can form between humans and animals.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Finding Nemo
In this list of the best animal films, we’ve tried to avoid including too many that rely on C.G.I. . In general, we think the very best films with animals are those made with, well, real animals. However, we’ve included Finding Nemo because it’s one of the classics in the genre.
This Oscar-winning movie tells the story of an ocellaris clownfish who travels the world’s oceans searching for his son. Finding Nemo is funny, moving, and at times scary; you may need to cover the eyes of your youngest when the sharks make an appearance! Otherwise, an excellent family animal film.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Fly Away Home
Fly Away Home is based on the incredible story of inventor Bill Lishman and naturalist William J.L. Sladen who taught Canada Geese to migrate by leading them in a microlight aircraft. The film dramatizes events, involving a girl who has recently suffered a family tragedy. The result is a powerful, inspiring family movie.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Free Willy
No list of the best animal movies would be complete without Free Willy. This much-loved film tells the story of the relationship between a foster child and a captive killer whale. Not only is the story heartwarming, it also raises interesting moral discussions about captive cetaceans.
A 4-movie set, which features the original film and three sequale of varying quality, is avilable.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale is a remake of a Japanese movie, which itself was based on a true story. hachi is an Akita (a large Japanese breed of dog). The film tells of the dog’s relationship with its owner, as told by the man’s grandson.
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale reminds us of the great love that can form between human and animal. Be warned, this is a film that can melt the hardest of hearts.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Homeward Bound – The Incredible Journey
Based on Sheila Burnford’s classic animal story, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey follows three animals on a quest to find their human family, whom the animals belive to be in danger. This is a timeless story of friendship and adventure, and one the whole family will enjoy.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Iron Will
In Disney’s Iron Will, a father enters a dangerous sledding race in order to save the family farm, but is tragically killed before the race begins. His son steps in to take his father’s place in the gruelling cross-country race. An exciting and well-made family drama that is based on a true story.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
March of the Penguins
March of the Penguins is a film-length documentary about the life of the emperor penguin. This Oscar-winning film manages both to captivate and entertain. It features breathtaking photography that really brings home the hardships endured by these quite extraordinary birds.
Highly recommended.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
The Bear
Director Jean-Jacques Annaud’s The Bear tells the story of an orphan bear cub who is befriended by an adult grizzly bear. The pair are then pursued by a group of hunters.
Take note: The Bear isn’t standard Hollywood fare: the film features real bears and there is little or no dialogue. The film represents a true filmmaking feat, and features both spectacular scenery and superlative animal photography.
(If you don’t fall in love with the bear cub then your heart must be made of stone!)
A beautiful film that every member of the family will love. Heart moving (and very sad in places), The Bear comes highly recommended.
Two Brothers
Two Brothers tesll the story of two tiger cubs who lose their parents and become separated from one another. Once reunited, they embark on an adventure to return home.
Two Brothers was directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, who was also responsible for The Bear. Like The Bear, it uses real animals rather than C.G.I., and is all the better for it. Using real animals to tell the story so effectively is a true feat of filmmaking.
Two Brothers is a gripping and moving adventure. It has a PG certificate, so parents of younger children may want to watch it through themselves to ensure its suitabillity.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Where the Red Fern Grows
Where the Red Fern Grows is the second film adaptation of the classic 1961 children’s book by Wilson Rawls. It is a coming-of-age story about a boy who works hard in order to be able to buy two hunting dogs. A classic animal film that the whole family will enjoy.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Watership Down
Watership Down is the animated film adaptation of Richard Adams’ famous novel of the same name. It tells the story of a group of rabbits who, after one of their number receives terrible premonitions, decide to leave their home in search of another.
Although Watership Down may look a little dated compared to the latest animated films, it possesses what many of the newer films lack: a heart. Although the story is harrowing (and may not be suitable for young children) you’ll feel a true connection to the rabbits and their world.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
White Fang
Disney’s White Fang is based on the classic Jack London novel of the same name. It follows the adventures of a young gold prospector and a wolf-dog named White Fang. As one might imagine, being set in Alaska the scenery is beautiful, and wonderfully filmed. The acting is also top-notch, the lead role being taken by a fresh-faced Ethan Hawke.
Although not as gritty as London’s novel (this is Disney, after all), the film adequately portrays the hardships endured by the prospectors and their animals.
With spectacular scenery, a moving story and enough excitement to ensure the whole family will be thoroughly entertained, White Fang deserves its place among the best animal films.
Click here to see reviews and prices at Amazon
Best Family Animal Films: Conclusion
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our list of the best family animal films. If you get the chance to watch any of the films on this list, let us know what you thought. If we’ve missed out your favorite animal film, then please let us know – we’d love to check it out. If we like it, we’ll include it in the list!
Yours,
The Wild Gateway Team.