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The Best Live Action Animal Movies for Kids

Updated February 10, 2021 11.2k votes 1.3k voters 155.0k views79 items

List RulesOnly children's films that feature live animals. No movies that are only animated.

What are the best animal movies for kids? This list of great live animal movies for children includes some of the most classic, iconic movies in cinema history. Many of them, not surprisingly, rank among the best children's movies and films of all time, and several are Disney live action movies, as well. Which ones are your favorites, and which ones do you believe are the most appropriate for youngsters? Time to vote! And, by all means, if you know of an outstanding (live action) animal movie that's great for the kiddos and isn't on the list right now, add it!

Many of the greatest animal movies ever made are geared, at least in part, towards children. From the loveable, wonderful, Academy Award-winning 'Babe' to the adventures of one of the cinema's greatest pooches, Benji, live action animal movies have entertained generations of children over the decades.

Obviously, any list of the best animal movies for children must include the animals (perhaps the greatest dog movies?) From 'Beethoven' to 'Air Bud' and Disney's 'The Shaggy Dog,' these pooches gave their all with their outstanding performances, all of our entertainment.

But it isn't just the dogs who should get all the credit: Several films on this list are among the best cat movies and cat movies for kids, including 'That Darn Cat!' and the campy classic 'The Cat From Outer Space.' Cats and dogs share the screen too, in excellent kids animal movies like 'Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey,' 'The Adventures of Milo & Otis' and the aptly titled 'Cats & Dogs.' You might also like our list of dog movies for kids and Disney animal movies.

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Babe
1995
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101 Dalmatians
1996
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Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
1993
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Free Willy
1993
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1999
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The Jungle Book
2016
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Lassie
1994
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Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco
1996
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102 Dalmatians
2000
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Old Yeller
1957
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Dolphin Tale
2011
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Air Bud
1997
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Because of Winn-Dixie
2005
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Black Beauty
1994
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Cats & Dogs
2001
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Babe: Pig in the City
1998
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A Dog's Way Home
2019
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Doctor Dolittle
1967
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Beethoven
1992
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The Adventures of Milo and Otis
1986
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Dr. Dolittle
1998
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Benji
1974
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Stuart Little 2
2002
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The Shaggy Dog [1959]
1959
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Lassie
2005
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