Summary
- The best animal movies of all time bring heartwarming stories and unforgettable adventures for audiences of all ages.
- From animated classics like The Lion King to thrilling tales like Jaws, animal movies continue to captivate and entertain.
- Whether it’s the iconic twist in Planet of the Apes or the tearjerker moments in Bambi, these films showcase the beauty and power of storytelling through animals.
Animals tend to light up a screen, especially when they’re the main focus of the story as seen in some of the best animal movies of all time. Whether it’s an animated fantasy film featuring talking animals, or real-life critters engaging in spectacular adventures, they continue to entertain audiences. The best animal movies have a good story or message to go along with the on-screen hijinks. Audiences of all ages can discover, or rediscover these instant classics all over again, and enjoy their timeless charm. If nothing else, they can make people appreciate life in all its forms.
At one time, the best animal movies of all time were meant for little kids, with things like Air Buddies and even older movies with dogs like Lassie and Benji. However, in recent years, animal movies have been a little more geared toward adults, with many movies hitting every year about dogs and their relationship with the humans who love them. On top of those, there are also dangerous animal movies, which trace their history back to giant apes and radioactive lizards of all shapes and sizes.
Related The 60 Best Movies Of All Time
Screen Rant breaks down the best movies of all time, from old classics to modern masterpieces across multiple genres of cinema.
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35 Charlotte’s Web (1973)
A Pig And A Spider Bond
Though Charlotte’s Web got a sequel and a live-action remake years later, the best version of the story continues to be the 1973 animated version. Inspired by the book by E.B. White, the movie recounts the story of Wilbur, a pig who becomes friends with a spider named Charlotte on a farm.
While Wilbur is being raised by the farmer to be slaughtered, Charlotte continually saves his life by using her impressive weaving skills to write messages about him in her web. Wilbur becomes a favorite of the farmer’s family, and he grows up alongside the farmer’s daughter. Of course, as heartwarming as the movie sounds, it’s also a tearjerker. Spiders don’t tend to live as long as pigs, after all.
The animation might be dated by today’s standards, but the heart of the story remains. It’s certainly one that the audience will remember fondly. While White hated that his story was made into a musical, the movie has been finding new generations of fans for decades. It was even one of the best-selling VHS titles in 1994, despite having been released over 20 years earlier.
34 A Bug’s Life (1998)
Bugs Save The Day
A Bug’s Life G Where to Watch
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Created by Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures, A Bug’s Life is an animated adventure-comedy that follows a colony of Ants that must find a way to stop a group of grasshoppers from exploiting them. When a young inventor with a clumsy streak named Flik accidentally destroys the food offering to the grasshoppers, he heads off to gather a group of stronger bugs to fight against their oppressors and free the colony.
Director John Lasseter , Andrew Stanton Release Date November 25, 1998 Writers Andrew Stanton , Don McEnery , Bob Shaw Cast Dave Foley , Kevin Spacey , Julia Louis-Dreyfus , Hayden Panettiere , Phyllis Diller , Richard Kind Runtime 95 minutes
Insects aren’t exactly everyone’s favorite animal to see a movie about. In 1998, however, A Bug’s Life made audiences think twice about that. The animated movie is one of the joint ventures of Disney and Pixar, but it got lost in the shadow of Toy Story’s popularity for a while.
The movie follows Flik the ant as he tries to recruit other bugs to help him take on the grasshoppers that are terrorizing his colony. He inadvertently destroys all of the food promised to the grasshoppers, and when the grasshoppers demand twice their usual tribute, it’s Flick’s idea to find other bugs to help them. He’s essentially sent off on his mission to get him out of the way.
The bugs he ends up with are actually a traveling group of the bug version of circus performers. They don’t initially inspire confidence, but they band together in a heartwarming story about embracing differences and standing up to bullies.
33 Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
Three Lost Pets Take A Long Journey
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993) G
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey follows the adventure of three pets—a wise old Golden Retriever, a feisty American Bulldog, and a cautious Siamese cat—as they embark on a perilous journey across the wilderness to reunite with their owners. The 1993 family film captures their enduring friendship and determination amidst various challenges.
Director Duwayne Dunham Release Date February 3, 1993 Writers Caroline Thompson , Linda Woolverton , Jonathan Roberts Cast Michael J. Fox , Sally Field , Don Ameche , Robert Hays , Kim Greist , Veronica Lauren , Kevin Chevalia , Benj Thall Runtime 84 Minutes
…it’s the kind of story that gives kids, and even some adults, hope that they can be reunited with a beloved pet when the unthinkable happens.
What happens when animals are separated from their owners? In the case of Chance, Sassy, and Shadow, they work together to find their way home. The three pets end up on the journey of a lifetime as they try to find their way back to their home across cityscapes and wilderness after they are left at a ranch while the family they belong to is in the middle of moving.
The movie allows the animals a voice as Chance narrates (voiced by Michael J. Fox), Sassy complains (Sally Field) and Shadow (Don Ameche) is the voice of reason. The story might not be the most realistic of tales about lost animals, but it’s the kind of story that gives kids, and even some adults, hope that they can be reunited with a beloved pet when the unthinkable happens.
Many members of the audience don’t realize that the movie is actually a remake of a 1963 movie. This is one of the rare cases of the remake becoming even more beloved than the original.
32 The Land Before Time (1988)
Littlefoot Searches For The Great Valley
Close
Adults who were young children when The Land Before Time came out probably have some residual trauma from one of the saddest scenes in animation as Littlefoot, a young dinosaur, witnesses the death of his mother at the hands, or teeth, of a T-rex. Separated from his herd, he decides to try to find the Great Valley on his own, but he makes friends with a few other young dinosaurs along the way.
The movie is gorgeously animated and scored, and includes such memorable characters as Ducky, Petrie, Cera, and Spike, all different types of dinosaurs with very different personalities. They take a long road in prehistoric landscapes to find their families, and the road is pretty harrowing for the target audience of preschool-aged children.
Since its release, The Land Before Time has become something of a juggernaut in children’s programming. It spawned 13 direct-to-video sequels (that are decidedly not as dark as the original) and a 2007 television series.
31 Ratatouille (2007)
A Rat Teaches A Man To Cook
Ratatouille G Where to Watch
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Remy the rat dreams of becoming a great chef despite the world’s anti-rodent bias. After moving to Paris to follow his dream, he teams up with kitchen assistant Linguini and shows off his culinary skills in a professional kitchen. But can the pair convince the world’s most notorious food critic that anyone can be a chef?
Director Brad Bird Release Date June 29, 2007 Cast Patton Oswalt , Ian Holm , Lou Romano , Brad Garrett , Peter O’Toole , Janeane Garofalo , Brian Dennehy , Peter Sohn , Will Arnett Runtime 111 Minutes
There are few films that could make people actually like the idea of having a rat in the kitchen. In fact, Ratatouille might be the only one to achieve that. The movie, produced by Pixar and Disney, follows a rat who dreams of being a chef, and to achieve his dream, he forms a partnership with the young man who takes out the trash at a prestigious restaurant in Paris.
The movie maintains an impressive 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, and has one of the highest ratings on Metacritic of any Pixar film. Critics and audiences alike loved watching the story unfold. Though the movie was nominated for five Oscars, it only took home the award for Best Animated Movie, the same award it won at the Golden Globes. It also scored a slew of nominations at the Annie Awards, which recognize excellence in animation.
30 A Dog’s Journey (2019)
A Dog Is Reincarnated And Reunites A Family
A Dog’s Journey PG Where to Watch
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A Dog’s Journey is the sequel to the family film directed by Gail Mancuso and based on the novel by W. Bruce Cameron. Family dog Bailey’s life concludes after being separated from the little girl he saw grow up. Now on the verge of reincarnation, Bailey heads into new lives as he continues his never-ending journey.
Director Gail Mancuso Release Date May 17, 2019 Runtime 109 minutes Cast Kathryn Prescott , Dennis Quaid , Marg Helgenberger , Betty Gilpin , Ian Chen , Abby Ryder Fortson , Josh Gad , Henry Lau
There have been a lot of movies about dogs running away from home and somehow finding their way back. A Dog’s Journey added a supernatural touch as the dog ended up reincarnated throughout the years, always trying to find his way back home. Dennis Quaid stars as a man estranged from his daughter-in-law after his son’s death and never allowed to see his granddaughter. However, when the dog he lost as a child is reincarnated throughout the years and ends up with his granddaughter in college, both finally find the family they lost so many years before.
It is a charming and moving family story that shows how big a role pets can play in the lives of people. Seeing how this one dog impacted the lives of so many people while also helping to reconnect this family is a very heartwarming story.
29 Eight Below (2006)
Sled Dog Must Survive A Journey Home In Antarctica
Eight Below PG Where to Watch
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*Availability in US Release Date February 17, 2006 Cast Paul Walker , Bruce Greenwood , Moon Bloodgood , Wendy Crewson , Gerard Plunkett , August Schellenberg Runtime 120 minutes Director Frank Marshall
One of many dog movies based on a true story, Eight Below is a thrilling survival story about a team of sled dogs who have to be left behind in the Antarctic to fend for themselves. When their human master is rescued from a perilous situation, there is no way to bring the dog with him and they are forced to it home through the brutal landscape.
Makes for an inspiring and incredible true story, with some excellent canine performers selling the movie’s epic adventure as well as the tragedy, as not all of the dogs survive the treacherous journey.
While the movie marks one of Paul Walker’s better roles as their trainer, the main story focuses on the incredible journey these dogs go on which is filled with thrills, heartbreaking moments, and bravery. It makes for an inspiring and incredible true story, with some excellent canine performers selling the movie’s epic adventure as well as the tragedy, as not all of the dogs survive the treacherous journey.
Eight Below
is available to stream on Disney+
28 Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
A Dog Deals With Losing His Friend
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009) G
Based on a true story, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale tells of Hachiko, an Akita dog in Japan, and his remarkable loyalty to his owner, Professor Parker. After Hachiko is adopted by Parker, he begins to wait for him daily at the train station. Even after a tragic event prevents Parker from returning, Hachiko maintains in wait for years, becoming a symbol of loyalty and love to those who live in the town.
Release Date June 13, 2009 Cast Richard Gere , Joan Allen , Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Runtime 93 minutes Director Lasse Hallström
This 2009 film stars Richard Gere in an uncharacteristically different kind of film for the actor, telling the story of a professor who finds an abandoned Akita, and decides to take it home. Unfortunately, the professor suffers a fatal stroke and dies, leaving Hachi to pine for his best friend. The movie is full of symbolism centering around the concepts of loyalty, love, and friendship, but its main staying power is its emotional weight.
It is not uncommon for animal movies to be sad with many of them dealing with the deaths of these adorable creatures. However, Hachi is heartbreaking in an unexpected way as it shows the animal dealing with the grief of losing his friend while also being a love letter to the bond between dog and owner. Like many dog films, Hachi is based on a true story — which makes its tear-jerk potential even greater.
27 The Adventures Of Milo & Otis (1986)
A Dog And Cat Maintain A Friendship Over The Years
The Adventures Of Milo & Otis (1986) G
The Adventures of Milo & Otis is an adventure film that follows Milo, a curious orange tabby cat, and Otis, a pugnacious pug. The duo accidentally strays far from home, triggering events that see them facing new challenges and grand adventures across lush countryside and bustling farms as they encounter new friends along the way.
Release Date July 12, 1986 Cast Dudley Moore , Shigeru Tsuyuki , Kyôko Koizumi Runtime 75 minutes Director Masanori Hata
The Adventures Of Milo & Otis has cuteness in spades and a heartwarming story to make it all the more appealing. The film centers on a “curious cat and a pug-nosed pup” who get separated and set out to reunite with one another. Along the way, both kitten and puppy mature into adults, while taking a few hard knocks along the way. The movie was initially released as a Japanese feature before being re-released with an English narration from Arthur star Dudley Moore.
Seeing the bond between these two characters is moving and very entertaining
Seeing the bond between these two characters is moving and very entertaining, while the adventures they are taken on make for an exciting and thrilling ride for audiences. The only downsides to the film are allegations of animal abuse during filming (from more than one Australian newspaper), none of which have been fully confirmed to date. It’s a shadow looming over an otherwise excellent film.
26 The Bear (1988)
Two Bears Form A Bond In The Wilderness
The Bear (1988) PG
The Bear is a drama film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud that was released in 1988. The film follows an orphaned bear cub and an adult male grizzly who form an unlikely duo in the wilderness of the French Alps. After the cub’s mother is killed, the two bears embark on a perilous journey to evade hunters, facing natural threats, and slowly begin to bond.
Release Date January 1, 1988 Cast Tchéky Karyo , Jack Wallace , André Lacombe Runtime 98 minutes Director Jean-Jacques Annaud
Director Jean-Jacques Annaud crafted one of the best animal movies of all time with 1988’s The Bear,a film centering on an orphan bear cub who tumbles his way from one misadventure to another. The use of live-action bears made for some truly astonishing shots, lending the film a feeling of authenticity unmatched by its peers. The Bear also featured the enormous Alaskan Kodiak Bear known as Bart, who served as the father figure to the young cub.
The film is notable for an incredible and nerve-wracking scene showing the large Kodiak threatening the life of a hunter, only to spare him and teach him a beautiful and valuable lesson about respect for nature. It is a great example of the stunning work that can be done in the genre of animal movies with simple yet powerful stories.
The Bear
is available to stream on Peacock.
25 Cujo (1983)
A Dog Rabid Terrorizes A Mother And Her Son
Cujo R Where to Watch
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Based on the novel by Stephen King, Cujo is a horror film that centers on a St. Bernard that becomes the terror of a local town. When the friendly Cujo is bitten by a bat with rabies, Cujo begins to slowly change into something almost demonic as he begins to viciously attack those around him, leaving a mother and son trapped by an ever-growing threat.
Director Lewis Teague Release Date August 12, 1983 Cast Dee Wallace , Daniel Hugh Kelly , Danny Pintauro , Christopher Stone , Ed Lauter Runtime 93 minutes
While dogs are usually the lovable heroes in animal movies in which they appear, leave it to horror icon Stephen King to make a scary movie about a cute canine. The tense and contained thriller follows a mother and her young son who find themselves trapped inside a car as a vicious rabid Saint Bernard dog stalks them outside.
While it is entirely possible to feel sorry for the animal as it is infected and not able to control itself, it does make for an effective movie monster as it terrorizes the small family.
While it is entirely possible to feel sorry for the animal as it is infected and not able to control itself, it does make for an effective movie monster as it terrorizes the small family. It is a horror movie that makes great use of its simple setting with most of the action taking place inside the stranded car yet still made to feel thrilling. The dog’s increasingly grotesque appearance also sees it transform from a lovable animal to a terrifying beast.
Cujo
is available to stream on Max.
24 Free Willy (1993)
A Young Boy Seeks To Free An Orca From Captivity
Free Willy PG Where to Watch
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Free Willy (1993) follows the story of a young boy named Jesse who forms an unlikely bond with an orca whale named Willy. When Jesse learns that Willy’s life is in danger, he devises a plan to set the whale free. The film explores themes of friendship, freedom, and activism, and is directed by Simon Wincer.
Director Simon Wincer Release Date July 16, 1993 Cast Jason James Richter , Lori Petty , Jayne Atkinson , August Schellenberg , Michael Madsen Runtime 112 minutes Writers Keith Walker , Corey Blechman
The controversy of keeping orca whales in captivity is a message at the center of the classic family movie Free Willy. The movie follows a young boy who moves into a new foster home and is given the task of cleaning up an old aquarium where he meets and forms a bond with an orca whale named Willy. Seeing the pain the whale is experiencing living in captivity, the boy makes plans to help his friend escape.
The movie is a typical heartwarming tale of a misunderstood child finding friendship with a kind animal, but the thrill of the story comes from the young boy’s attempts to set Willy free. Although the title gives away the ending, the image of the whale jumping over the young boy and escaping into the open ocean is one of the most iconic movie images from the 1990s.
23 Lady And The Tramp (1955)
A Pampered Dog And A Mutt From The Streets Fall In Love
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Director Clyde Geronimi , Wilfred Jackson , Hamilton Luske Release Date June 22, 1955 Cast Barbara Luddy , Larry Roberts , Bill Thompson , Dallas McKennon , Bill Baucom , Verna Felton , Peggy Lee Runtime 76 Minutes
One of Disney’s best animal movies of all time is Lady And The Tramp, featuring some of the company’s best animation work, and married to a timeless story about love. The movie uses some adorable dogs to tells a classic story of a romance developing between two partners who are from very different worlds. Lady is a pampered pet of wealthy owners while Tramp is a mutt living on the street. After meeting, embark on adventures together, and fall in love through the course of the story.
The spaghetti and meatball dinner scene alone has cemented itself as one of the most iconic moments in Disney’s long animated history.
It is a recognizable story elevated through some classic Disney storytelling that is still with memorable songs, comedic moments, and heartwarming sequences that stay with audiences. The spaghetti and meatball dinner scene alone has cemented itself as one of the most iconic moments in Disney’s long animated history.
Related Disney Live-Action Remakes Ranked Worst To Best
Recently, Disney has cashed in on nostalgia and is making many live-action remakes of some of their animated classics. Letterboxd ranks the best here.
22 Rango (2011)
A Neurotic Chameleon Becomes An Unlikely Hero
Rango PG Where to Watch
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Rango is an animated comedy that stars Johnny Depp as a pampered pet chameleon named Rango, who finds himself lost in the desert when he falls out of his family’s truck. Rango accidentally stumbles into the role of a sheriff for a town under control by a greedy baron who limits access to water for his citizens to make more money. When Rango meets a young woman that catches his fancy, he’ll utilize his acquired knowledge of Hollywood westerns to assume the role of a Sheriff to win her heart and save the town – if he isn’t found out first.
Director Gore Verbinski Release Date March 4, 2011 Cast Johnny Depp , Isla Fisher , Timothy Olyphant , Abigail Breslin , Ned Beatty , Alfred Molina , Bill Nighy , Stephen Root , Harry Dean Stanton , Ray Winstone , ian abercrombie , Blake Clark Runtime 107 Minutes
Blending a children’s animated animal story with a surreal Western makes for a wild and fun ride in Rango. After teaming up in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Johnny Depp and director Gore Verbinski deliver this story of a neurotic chameleon who finds himself in a town filled with nefarious outlaws where he is mistaken for a hero come to rescue the town’s people.
The unusual animation and wacky humor make for a wonderfully unique family movie with the animal characters of the story coming to life with interesting character designs. It is also a charming homage to the Western genre with plenty of tropes and cliches explored in fun ways. There is even a figure in the movie known as The Spirit of the West (voiced by Timothy Olyphant) who turns out to be Hollywood Western legend Clint Eastwood himself.
21 Paddington (2014) / Paddington 2 (2017)
A Young Bear Makes A New Home In London
Paddington PG Where to Watch
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The 2014 family movie Paddington centers around a Peruvian bear who travels to London in search of a new home. The Brown family find him and adopt him, but they soon discover that he has a talent for getting into trouble. Meanwhile, a taxidermist named Millicent (Nicole Kidman) is determined to capture him in order to add him to her collection.
Director Paul King Release Date January 16, 2015 Cast Hugh Bonneville , Ben Whishaw , Nicole Kidman , Sally Hawkins Runtime 95minutes Writers Paul King
When Paddington hit theaters in 2014, it surprised many people by how good it was and by kicking off a wildly acclaim franchise. Based on a classic children’s book about a small bear searching for a home in London, it was full of heart and laughs. A sequel in any genre rarely manages to surpass the original film upon which it was based, but that’s exactly what happened with Paddington 2.
Both
Paddington
movies were box office success stories
It takes all the best elements of the original and churns out another lovable chapter in the franchise while also including great new cast members like Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson. Both Paddington movies were box office success stories, but the Oscars mostly ignored the releases. However, they have become some of the best-reviewed movies of all time which makes it no surprise that the franchise will continue with the upcoming third movie Paddington in Peru.
20 Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (2011) / Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes 2014) / War For The Planet Of The Apes (2017)
Caesar The Ape Leads A Rebellion For Supremacy Over Humans
Rise of the Planet of the Apes pg-13 Where to Watch
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A prequel and reboot to the Planet of the Apes franchise, Rise of the Planet of the Apes stars James Franco as pharmaceutical chemist Will Rodman. While working with apes, Rodman befriends Caesar (Andy Serkis), a particularly intelligent chimpanzee. Not all humans are as gentle with the apes as Rodman, however, and Caesar is destined to start the line of super-intelligent apes that will one day inherit the Earth.
Director Rupert Wyatt Release Date August 5, 2011 Cast James Franco , Andy Serkis , Tom Felton , John Lithgow Runtime 105 Minutes
Rise of the Planet of the Apes is the 2011 sci-fi entry to the franchise started by the iconic 1968 original. It created some of the best animal movies of all time. The story of the first film sees a geneticist trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, who inadvertently sets off a chain of events that will have devastating consequences for all of humanity. However, the real story is how the intelligent ape named Caesar becomes the leader of the ape rebellion.
Matt Reeves took over as director on the second film in the trilogy and delivered sequels that eclipsed all but the original Planet of the Apes concerning both critical and commercial success. The sequels followed Caeser in the new world where he grappled with the future of his species. The three movies made $1.6 billion worldwide (via Box Office Mojo) and earned five Oscar nominations. The franchise will continue on with the upcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
19 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)
The Ninja Turtles Meet New Mutants
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem PG Where to Watch
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is an animated film in the enduring action-comedy franchise. Directed by Jeff Rowe, the movie follows the iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael—alongside their mentor Splinter, as they confront new adversaries and navigate their teenage years. The film combines humor and action while maintaining the core themes of the beloved series.
Director Jeff Rowe Release Date August 4, 2023 Cast Nicolas Cantu , Micah Abbey , Shamon Brown Jr. , Brady Noon , Jackie Chan , Ayo Edebiri , Seth Rogen , John Cena Runtime 100 Minutes Writers Brendan O’Brien
The latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie proved to be possibly the best of the franchise and also the first to really treat these main characters like teenagers. The movie follows the four turtle brothers as they struggle with growing up in the sewers with a father who fears what the human world would do to them. However, when the turtles discover another group of animal mutants, they are forced to reckon with being accepted or saving the world.
The film has a great energy and sense of humor that older and younger audiences will enjoy, as well as a fun grossness with all the disgusting critters that populate the story.
The film has a great energy and sense of humor that older and younger audiences will enjoy, as well as a fun grossness with all the disgusting critters that populate the story. The slick animation style lends itself well to the chaotic action sequences, which are further backed up by a terrific soundtrack. It makes for a wonderful new look at the beloved franchise.
18 Life Of Pi (2012)
A Young Boy Is Stranded On A Life Boat WIth A Tiger
Life Of Pi pg Where to Watch
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Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, Life of Pi tells the story of Pi Patel, a young Indian boy who, after being shipwrecked, becomes stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. With no one but the tiger for company, Pi must fight to stay alive and reach safety. Suraj Sharma stars as Pi Patel, and the film is directed by Ang Lee.
Director Ang Lee Release Date September 11, 2012 Cast Suraj Sharma , Irrfan Khan Runtime 127 minutes Writers David Magee
Life of Pi was based on Yann Martel’s award-winning novel of the same name and helmed by award-winning director Ang Lee in one of his most ambitious projects. The fantastical yet cryptic Life of Pi story follows a teenager named Pi, whose boat carrying his family and their animals from India to Canada sinks. Pi is the only human survivor alongside his Bengal tiger, an orangutan, a zebra, and a hyena. Eventually, the Tiger consumes most of the others, leaving only Pi to find a way to reconcile their situation and work together to survive the terrible ordeal.
The movie is a visually stunning piece of filmmaking, achieving so much despite a large majority of the movie taking place on a small boat. It also packs a powerful punch in the end with the suggestion that the story audiences saw might not have been the whole truth. It picked up 11 Oscar nominations, and won four, including a Best Director win for Ang Lee.
17 The Jungle Book (2016)
A Boy Raised By Wolves Attempts To Prove Himself In The Jungle
The Jungle Book PG
Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book brings the original Rudyard Kipling story to life, telling the story of Mowgli the Man-Cub (Neel Sethi) as he is cared for by the animals of the jungle. Raised by wolves and taught to hunt by the panther Bagheera (Ben Kingsley), Mowgli also befriends the carefree bear, Baloo (Bill Murray). However, the tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) wants to kill Mowgli, forcing him to assess whether or not the jungle is a safe place for a human.
Director Jon Favreau Release Date April 15, 2016 Cast Idris Elba , Ralph Ineson , Giancarlo Esposito , Lupita Nyong’o , Christopher Walken , Scarlett Johansson , Emjay Anthony , Neel Sethi , Bill Murray , Ben Kingsley , Hannah Tointon Runtime 106 Minutes Writers Justin Marks
Thanks to Disney+ providing a guaranteed platform, there have been several live-action remakes of classic Disney animated movies in recent years, but fans dismissed most of them as inferior to the originals. There was one exception. In 2016, Jon Favreau directed the live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book, retelling the story of young human Mowgli who was raised by wolves only to be forced to venture to the land of humans when his life in the jungle is threatened.
The live-action
Jungle Book
remake took the fun of the original animated version and added photorealistic animal characters, providing awe to the movie that none of the remakes that followed could muster.
The live-action Jungle Book remake took the fun of the original animated version and added photorealistic animal characters, providing awe to the movie that none of the remakes that followed could muster. It also features a star-studded voice cast, including Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, and Bill Murray. The movie was a commercial success, making $966 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo), and it won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
16 Zootopia (2016)
A Rabbit Cop And Fox Con Artist Team Up To Solve A Conspiracy
Zootopia PG Where to Watch
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Disney’s Zootopia takes place in the titular city, a place where anthropomorphic animals peacefully coexist. Following Officer Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), a rabbit, as she strikes up an unlikely partnership with a con artist fox (Jason Bateman). Working together, the pair discover a criminal conspiracy that involves the disappearance of predators, and follow it all the way to the heart of the city.
Director Jared Bush , Rich Moore , Byron Howard Release Date March 4, 2016 Cast Octavia Spencer , Bonnie Hunt , Maurice LaMarche , Idris Elba , John DiMaggio , Jason Bateman , Alan Tudyk , Nate Torrence , Katie Lowes , Ginnifer Goodwin , Tommy Chong , Shakira , J. K. Simmons , Jenny Slate , Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister Runtime 108 Minutes Writers Phil Johnston , Jared Bush Expand
Zootopia explores the lives of a population of anthropomorphized animals in the city of the same name, focusing specifically on a police rabbit named Judy Hopps. She teams up with Nick Wilde, a scheming fox, to prove that she can make it as a cop in the big city. Together, they find themselves at the center of a conspiracy within their city with them forming an unlikely friendship along the way.
The film is both hilarious and full of fun animated action. There is a genuinely interesting mystery at the center of the movie while it also delivers a lighthearted and non-preachy morality tale about acceptance and judging people based on the content of their character. It’s a reminder that is incredibly poignant for all age groups, not just children, winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.