Animal Companion Family backdrop

Animal Companion Family movies

Family movies where a pet is central, driven by loyalty, caretaking, home life, and the human-animal bond.

Mr. Peabody & Sherman

1. Mr. Peabody & Sherman

Animation Adventure Family Family Animation Animal Companion Family
6.7
20141h 32min

Overview

A young boy and his dog, who happens to have a genius-level IQ, spring into action when their time-machine is stolen and moments in history begin to be changed.

Themes

Time travel ethics, Intergenerational bonds, Adoption and belonging, Roles and identity, Parenting under scrutiny, History invading daily life

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Nut Job

2. The Nut Job

Animation Comedy Family Adventure Family Animation
5.7
20141h 25min

Overview

Surly, a curmudgeon, independent squirrel is banished from his park and forced to survive in the city. Lucky for him, he stumbles on the one thing that may be able to save his life, and the rest of park community, as they gear up for winter - Maury's Nut Store.

Themes

Villain leadership challenge, Heist as social conflict, Park resource competition, Squirrel outsider resilience, Community rebuilding after exile, Deception within criminal world

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The House of Magic

3. The House of Magic

Family Fantasy Animation Adventure Family Animation
6.2
20131h 25min

Overview

Thunder, an abandoned young cat seeking shelter from a storm, stumbles into the strangest house imaginable, owned by an old magician and inhabited by a dazzling array of automatons and gizmos. Not everyone welcomes the new addition to the troupe as Jack Rabbit and Maggie Mouse plot to evict Thunder. The situation gets worse when the magician lands in hospital and his scheming nephew sees his chance to cash in by selling the mansion. Our young hero is determined to earn his place and so he enlists the help of some wacky magician's assistants to protect his magical new home.

Themes

Automatons and gizmos, Greedy relative vs guardianship, Old magician protection, Abandoned young cat, Plot to evict, Selling the mansion

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
The Roku Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Walking with Dinosaurs

4. Walking with Dinosaurs

Animation Family Adventure Family Animation Coming-of-Age Adventure
5.2
20131h 27min

Overview

In a time when dinosaurs rule the Earth, the smallest dinosaur of the herd, a playful Pachyrhinosaurus named Patchi, embarks on the biggest adventure of his life. As he tries to find his place in a spectacular world filled with fun-loving friends and a few dangerous foes, Patchi will discover the courage he needs to become the leader of the herd and a hero for the ages.

Themes

Loss and resilience, Loyalty under threat, Survival through cooperation, Mentor-mentee dynamics, Leadership pressure, Inter-group conflict

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Planes

5. Planes

Animation Family Adventure Comedy Family Animation
5.7
20131h 31min

Overview

Dusty is a cropdusting plane who dreams of competing in a famous aerial race. The problem? He is hopelessly afraid of heights. With the support of his mentor Skipper and a host of new friends, Dusty sets off to make his dreams come true.

Themes

Mentorship and growth, Deception in alliances, Sportsmanship under pressure, Rival competition dynamics, Collective support and resourcefulness

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Overview

A half-striped zebra is blamed for the drought and leaves his herd in search of his missing stripes. He is joined on his quest by an overprotective wildebeest and a flamboyant ostrich; they defeat the tyrannical leopard and save his herd.

Themes

Unlikely alliances, Collective resilience, Leadership and responsibility, Ostracism and belonging, Diversity as strength, Self-discovery through journey

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
The Roku Channel
Fandango at Home Free
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Turbo

7. Turbo

Animation Family Family Animation Animal Companion Family
6.4
20131h 36min

Overview

The tale of an ordinary garden snail who dreams of winning the Indy 500.

Themes

Risk and resilience, Speed as identity, Underdog ambition, Competition and deception, Spectacle-driven commerce, Community versus ambition

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Frankenweenie

8. Frankenweenie

Animation Comedy Family Stop-Motion Animation Dark Comedy
6.9
20121h 27min

Overview

Young Victor just wants his best friend Sparky back, so he secretly brings his dead dog to life in the attic — but once Sparky bolts into the neighborhood and the other kids start copying Victor’s experiment, the whole town’s quiet little world twists into something monstrous.

Themes

Isolation and belonging, Authority and accountability, Fear of the unfamiliar, Consequences of tinkering, Peer influence and imitation, Communal heroism and revival

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Ice Age: Continental Drift

9. Ice Age: Continental Drift

Animation Comedy Adventure Family Family Animation
6.5
20121h 28min

Overview

Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world.

Themes

Leadership under crisis, Overprotective parenting, Shifting loyalties, Pirate threat, Survival under displacement, Fragile alliances

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Zambezia

10. Zambezia

Comedy Animation Adventure Family Family Animation
5.7
20121h 23min

Overview

Set in a bustling bird city on the edge of the majestic Victoria Falls, "Zambezia" is the story of Kai - a naïve, but high-spirited young falcon who travels to the bird city of "Zambezia" where he discovers the truth about his origins and, in defending the city, learns how to be part of a community.

Themes

Intergroup alliance, Belonging through community, Leadership under threat, Deception within families, Founder legacy and origins, Parental boundary control

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.