10 movies that dog lovers can't miss

Lassie Come Home

Release Date 1943

Rating : 7.1 Production Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Director: Alfred Raboch, Tom Andre, Fred M. Wilcox Stars: Roddy McDowall, Donald Crisp, May Whitty

Summary: Hard times come for the Carraclough family and they are forced to sell their dog, Lassie, to the rich Duke of Rudling. Lassie, however, is unwilling to remain apart from young Carraclough son Joe and sets out on a long and dangerous journey to rejoin him.

Turner & Hooch

Release Date 1989

Rating : 6.2 Production Companies: Silver Screen Partners III, Touchstone Pictures Director: Roger Spottiswoode Stars: Tom Hanks, Mare Winningham, Craig T. Nelson

Summary: Scott Turner has 3 days left in the local police department before he moves to a bigger city to get some 'real' cases—not just misdemeanors. When Amos Reed is murdered, Scott sets himself on the case, but the closest thing to a witness to the murder is Reed's dog, Hooch, which Scott has to take care of—to avoid Hooch being 'put to sleep'.

Old Yeller

Release Date 1957

Rating : 7.2 Production Companies: Walt Disney Productions Director: Robert Stevenson Stars: Tommy Kirk, Dorothy McGuire, Fess Parker

Summary: Young Travis Coates is left to take care of the family ranch with his mother and younger brother while his father goes off on a cattle drive in the 1860s. When a yellow mongrel comes for an uninvited stay with the family, Travis reluctantly adopts the dog.

Eight Below

Release Date 2006

Rating : 7.3 Production Companies: Walt Disney Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment Director: Frank Marshall Stars: Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood

Summary: In the Antarctic, after an expedition with Dr. Davis McClaren, the sled dog trainer Jerry Shepherd has to leave the polar base with his colleagues due to the proximity of a heavy snow storm. He ties his dogs to be rescued after, but the mission is called-off and the dogs are left alone at their own fortune. For six months, Jerry tries to find a sponsor for a rescue mission.

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Release Date 1993

Rating : 6.9 Production Companies: Touchwood Pacific Partners 1, Walt Disney Pictures Director: Duwayne Dunham Stars: Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, Don Ameche

Summary: Before the Seavers leave for a family vacation to San Francisco, they drop off their pets -- Chance, an adventurous American bulldog; Shadow, a wise golden retriever; and Sassy, a cautious cat -- at a friend's ranch. But when the animals start to worry that they've been left for good, the three embark together on a treacherous and thrilling journey to find their way back home through the California wilderness.

Hachi: A Dog's Tale

Release Date 2009

Rating : 8.1 Production Companies: Grand Army Entertainment, Scion Films Director: Lasse Hallström, Cara Giallanza, Robin Squibb Stars: Richard Gere, Joan Allen, Sarah Roemer

Summary: A drama based on the true story of a college professor's bond with the abandoned dog he takes into his home.

Fluke

Release Date 1995

Rating : 6.6 Production Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Director: Carlo Carlei Stars: Matthew Modine, Nancy Travis, Eric Stoltz

Summary: Workaholic Thomas Johnson dies in an auto accident and reincarnates as a dog. Remembering some of his previous being, he returns to his wife and son to protect them from the man who caused his accident. But, as time goes by, his memories return, and Thomas realizes he wasn't such a good husband and father.

Firehouse Dog

Release Date 2007

Rating : 5.5 Production Companies: New Regency Productions, Regency Enterprises Director: Todd Holland, Susan Marucci, Justin Klarenbeck Stars: Josh Hutcherson, Bruce Greenwood, Bill Nunn

Summary: Rexxx, Hollywood's top canine star, gets lost and is adopted into a shabby firehouse. He teams up with a young kid to get the station back on its feet.

Where the Red Fern Grows

Release Date 2003

Rating : 6.4 Production Companies: Yari Film Group Director: Sam Pillsbury, Lyman Dayton Stars: Joseph Ashton, Dave Matthews, Renee Faia

Summary: Set in the Ozark Mountains during the Great Depression, Billy Coleman works hard and saves his earnings for 2 years to achieve his dream of buying two coonhound pups. He develops a new trust in God as he faces overwhelming challenges in adventure and tragedy roaming the river bottoms of Cherokee country with "Old Dan" and "Little Ann."