The Greatest Animal Movies Ever Made

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Updated September 16, 2023 73.8K votes 7.9K voters 759.8K views
Over 7.9K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Greatest Animal Movies Ever Made
Voting Rules
Vote up your favorite movies that feature animals as main characters, live action or animated.

The top animal movies on this list feature cute pets, barnyard critters, jungle animals, and dangerous beasts. But which one is the best animal movie of all time? This is a crowdranked list of great movies that star real, animated, or animatronic animals. Pet movies aren't just for the dogs anymore. What's the best movie about animals? If a movie makes you cry or cheer or feel unusually invested... odds are good that there's a plucky animal involved. If a film makes you grip your arm rests, cover your eyes, and feel like something's crawling on you, there might just be an animatronic shark or CGI spider on the screen. (But we'd rather look at cute baby animals.)

Some of the most heart-wrenching scenes in movies involve children or strong heroic lead men losing their beloved dogs or horses. The best funny talking animal movies have a diverse mix of animal actors, including cats, dogs, birds, monkeys, and sea mammals. Voice talent from famous A-list actors provides laughs and quotable lines for both children and adults.

These are the best movies with animals either as the main characters or as the main focus. Vote up your favorites to move them higher on the list, or do a full re-rank to create a list of your favorite animal movies. If you see your favorite animal films are missing, go ahead and add them!

Most divisive: King Kong
Ranked by
  • The Lion King
    1

    The Lion King

    Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones
    2,481 votes
    • Released: 1994
    • Directed by: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
    In The Lion King, a young lion prince named Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas when young and Matthew Broderick as an adult) is destined to become king of the Pride Lands. His wicked uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons), however, has other plans. The film, an animated musical drama produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, presents a tale of betrayal, exile and ultimately redemption. Aided by a meerkat Timon (Nathan Lane) and a warthog Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella), Simba reclaims his birthright. It won two Academy Awards in 1995 for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.

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  • Finding Nemo
    2

    Finding Nemo

    Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould
    1,783 votes
    • Released: 2003
    • Directed by: Andrew Stanton
    Dive into the vibrant, underwater world of Finding Nemo, a Pixar-animated adventure brimming with humor and heart. Marlin (Albert Brooks), an overprotective clownfish, embarks on a daring rescue mission across the ocean when his son, Nemo (Alexander Gould), is captured by a diver and placed in a fish tank in a dentist's office. Alongside Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a forgetful but friendly blue tang, Marlin faces dangerous waters, meeting eccentric sea creatures along the way. This film, awarded the Best Animated Feature at the 76th Academy Awards, masterfully combines compelling storytelling with stunning visual artistry.

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  • Lady and the Tramp
    3

    Lady and the Tramp

    Peggy Lee, Barbara Luddy, Larry Roberts
    1,060 votes
    • Released: 1955
    • Directed by: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
    In the charming Disney classic, Lady and the Tramp, Lady (Barbara Luddy), a refined Cocker Spaniel, finds her comfortable life upended. Enter Tramp (Larry Roberts), a street-smart mutt with a heart of gold. As their worlds collide, an unlikely love story unfolds against the backdrop of bustling turn-of-the-century America. This animated romance/adventure film, brimming with memorable songs and endearing characters, won hearts globally. It explores themes of class disparity and acceptance without veering into grim territory. A timeless tale that continues to delight generations, 'Lady and the Tramp' is a testament to Disney's storytelling prowess.

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  • 101 Dalmatians
    4

    101 Dalmatians

    Rod Taylor, Betty Lou Gerson, Cate Bauer
    657 votes
    • Released: 1961
    • Directed by: Wolfgang Reitherman, Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi
    In 101 Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, two dalmatians living in London, become proud parents to a litter of adorable puppies. However, their joy quickly turns to concern when the infamous Cruella De Vil (Betty Lou Gerson), driven by her obsession with fur fashion, kidnaps the pups for her next fur coat. With the aid of various animals across the countryside, the dalmatians embark on a daring mission to rescue their stolen brood from Cruella's clutches.

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  • The Fox and the Hound
    5

    The Fox and the Hound

    Mickey Rooney, Kurt Russell, Pearl Bailey
    1,035 votes
    • Released: 1981
    • Directed by: Ted Berman, Richard Rich, Art Stevens
    In the heart of Disney's animated feature, The Fox and the Hound, we follow Tod (Mickey Rooney), a red fox kit, and Copper (Kurt Russell), a hound dog puppy. The two forge an unlikely friendship that defies their natural instincts. As they grow, societal expectations force them onto diverging paths, testing their bond. This family-friendly drama, with its narrative rooted in loyalty and friendship, won acclaim for its storytelling. It is a compelling exploration of nature versus nurture, where characters are pitched against the world's harsh realities.

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  • Jurassic Park
    6

    Jurassic Park

    Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum
    1,439 votes
    • Released: 1993
    • Directed by: Steven Spielberg
    In the thrilling film, Jurassic Park, eccentric billionaire John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) invites a team of experts to visit an island theme park populated by dinosaurs created from prehistoric DNA. The team comprises of paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), paleobotanist Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and mathematician Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum). When the park's security system fails, these prehistoric creatures start roaming free, causing chaos for the visitors. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this groundbreaking sci-fi adventure won three Academy Awards for its stunning visual effects and sound design.

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