Some of cinema’s most memorable moments didn’t come from conventional actors, but rather from their furry companions. From heroic dogs to majestic sea creatures, animals have long been some of Hollywood’s biggest box-office draws, leaving their paws all over film history. On this list, we’ll revisit some of the goodest boys and most loyal buddies, as we take a look at 10 animals that became Hollywood sensations.
10. Indy (Good Boy)
Most dogs protect their owners, but Indy goes a step beyond – to the Great Beyond, you could say. In Good Boy, this brave Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever protects his owner from otherworldly forces, no Scooby Snacks required.
9. Stuart Little
While not a “real” animal, Stuart Little’s undeniable charm (thanks to Michael J. Fox’s voice acting) turned him into a massive pop culture phenomenon at the turn of the millennium. I mean, just look at his tiny sweaters: completely adorable!
8. Hooch (Turner & Hooch)
This slobbery Dogue de Bordeaux partnered up with Tom Hanks to solve a crime. In the film, Hanks plays a detective obsessed with keeping things as tidy as possible, who gets the worst kind of partner he could ever dream of.
7. Flipper
Whether you’re watching the 1963 original, the TV show, or the 1996 remake, Flipper remains the most adorable dolphin ever put on film. While the critics never showered him with love, Flipper has earned an enduring place in pop culture.
6. Beethoven
Not to be confused with the almost as popular German composer, Beethoven is a chaotic Saint Bernard who inadvertently exposes a cruel veterinarian who experiments on animals. He also kick-started a veritable media empire, spawning eight movies.
5. Marley (Marley & Me)
For any animal lover, Marley & Me is both one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking representations of being a pet owner. Marley & Me is a love letter to every pet owner who’s ever laughed, cried, and grown alongside their furry companion.
4. Bud (Air Bud)
Bud is easily the most athletic golden retriever who’s ever lived. From playing basketball in Air Bud to dabbling in volleyball and crime-solving in Air Bud: Spikes Back, Bud did it all. In real life, Buddy could actually “play” those sports, with his owner training him since he was a puppy.
3. Babe
1995’s Babe proves that, with the right voice actors, you don’t need gifted actors to tell a heartwarming story – just one little pig with big dreams. In both the original film and its sequel, Babe remains the most adorable piglet ever to become a box office hit.
2. Toto (The Wizard of Oz)
A lovely Cairn Terrier who apparently can tell whether or not their owner is in close proximity to Kansas. Toto was one of the earliest “good boys” of Hollywood, and he became as legendary as The Wizard of Oz itself.
1. Lassie (Lassie Come Home)
Appearing in movies since 1943, Lassie is one of the most iconic dogs in film history. The legendary Rough Collie is famous for its gorgeous coat, numerous media appearances, and uncanny ability to rescue kids from wells.
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