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.

We Bought a Zoo

1. We Bought a Zoo

Drama Comedy Family Parody Animal Companion Family
7.0
20112h 4min

Overview

Benjamin has lost his wife and, in a bid to start his life over, purchases a large house that has a zoo – welcome news for his daughter, but his son is not happy about it. The zoo is in need of renovation and Benjamin sets about the work with the head keeper and the rest of the staff, but, the zoo soon runs into financial trouble.

Themes

Grief and renewal, Generational tension, Financial strain, Family resilience, Caretaking of animals, Community effort

Available on

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

Happy Feet Two

2. Happy Feet Two

Animation Comedy Family Family Animation Animal Companion Family
5.8
20111h 39min

Overview

Mumble the penguin has a problem: his son Erik, who is reluctant to dance, encounters the Mighty Sven — a penguin who can fly! Things get worse for Mumble when the world is shaken by powerful forces, causing him to bring together the penguin nations and their allies to set things right.

Themes

Leadership under crisis, Trust and deception, Duty to family, Collaborative resilience, Intergenerational guidance, Belonging through skill

Available on

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

Puss in Boots

3. Puss in Boots

Animation Family Fantasy Adventure Comedy
6.6
20111h 30min

Overview

Long before he even met Shrek, the notorious fighter, lover and outlaw Puss in Boots becomes a hero when he sets off on an adventure with the tough and street smart Kitty Softpaws and the mastermind Humpty Dumpty to save his town. This is the true story of The Cat, The Myth, The Legend... The Boots.

Themes

Wealth as lure, Loyalty under pressure, Betrayal and alliance, Revenge as motive, Deception within alliances, Fugitive status and public gaze

Available on

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

Mr. Popper's Penguins

4. Mr. Popper's Penguins

Comedy Family Animal Companion Family Buddy Comedy
6.0
20111h 34min

Overview

Tom Popper is a successful businessman who’s clueless when it comes to the really important things in life...until he inherits six “adorable” penguins, each with its own unique personality. Soon Tom’s rambunctious roommates turn his swank New York apartment into a snowy winter wonderland — and the rest of his world upside-down.

Themes

Parent-child bonds, Work life balance, Responsibility under pressure, Deception and manipulation, Change of priorities, Coexistence with animals, Loyalty under strain

Available on

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

Kung Fu Panda 2

5. Kung Fu Panda 2

Animation Family Comedy Family Animation Buddy Comedy
7.3
20111h 31min

Overview

Po and his friends fight to stop a peacock villain from conquering China with a deadly new weapon, but first the Dragon Warrior must come to terms with his past.

Themes

Power and responsibility, Teamwork under pressure, Mentors and doubt, Heritage and destiny, Belief over fear, Past betrayal and trust

Available on

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

Winnie the Pooh

6. Winnie the Pooh

Animation Family Comedy Adventure Family Animation
7.1
20111h 3min

Overview

During an ordinary day in Hundred Acre Wood, Winnie the Pooh sets out to find some honey. Misinterpreting a note from Christopher Robin, Owl convinces Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Kanga, Roo, and Eeyore that their young friend has been captured by a creature named "Backson" and they set out to rescue him.

Themes

Group solidarity under pressure, Honey as motivation, Note misread, Small acts of bravery, Playful collaboration, Uncertainty and fear

Available on

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

Rio

7. Rio

Animation Adventure Comedy Family Family Animation
6.9
20111h 36min

Overview

Captured by smugglers when he was just a hatchling, a macaw named Blu never learned to fly and lives a happily domesticated life in Minnesota with his human friend, Linda. Blu is thought to be the last of his kind, but when word comes that Jewel, a lone female, lives in Rio de Janeiro, Blu and Linda go to meet her. Animal smugglers kidnap Blu and Jewel, but the pair soon escape and begin a perilous adventure back to freedom -- and Linda.

Themes

Freedom vs captivity, Domestication vs wild, Cross species friendship, Exploitation and rescue, Spectacle as cover, Sanctuary stewardship

Available on

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

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

8. Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

Animation Adventure Family Fantasy Family Animation
6.9
20101h 37min

Overview

When a young owl is abducted by an evil Owl army, he must escape with new-found friends and seek the legendary Guardians to stop the menace.

Themes

Loyalty under threat, Betrayal within ranks, Collective resilience under threat, Duty and guardian responsibility, Sibling rivalry drives violence, Glory obsession in leadership

Available on

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

Fantastic Mr. Fox

9. Fantastic Mr. Fox

Adventure Animation Comedy Family Adventure Epic
7.9
20091h 27min

Overview

The Fantastic Mr. Fox, bored with his current life, plans a heist against the three local farmers. The farmers, tired of sharing their chickens with the sly fox, seek revenge against him and his family.

Themes

Family resilience under threat, Survival through cleverness, Deception in conflict, Cooperation under pressure, Class tension with landowners, Territorial expansion through adaptation

Available on

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

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

10. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Animation Comedy Family Adventure Family Animation
6.9
20091h 34min

Overview

Times are changing for Manny the moody mammoth, Sid the motor mouthed sloth and Diego the crafty saber-toothed tiger. Life heats up for our heroes when they meet some new and none-too-friendly neighbors – the mighty dinosaurs.

Themes

Leadership under pressure, Protective parenting, Found family in adversity, Survival under external threat, Trust under stress, Birth amid crisis

Available on

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