One of the best parts of Halloween — besides dressing your dog in a costume — is watching scary movies. We’ve compiled a list of five Halloween movies with scene-stealing doggie costars for you to sink your fangs into this season. Some are not for the faint of heart, so applicable trigger warnings are included.
Check out our list below.
Cujo (1983)
Rating: R
Dog: Cujo the Saint Bernard
An adaptation of a Stephen King novel, “Cujo” is a perfect meeting of camp and classic horror.
When the titular dog, a sweet Saint Bernard, is bitten by a rabid bat, he becomes a threat to a small town. While parents of this breed know that their most dangerous trait is their belief that they are a lap dog, the rewiring of Cujo’s brain makes his size a weapon.
Perhaps the best part of this film is knowing that renowned animal trainer Karl Lewis Miller, who went on to train Beethoven, worked with the four Saint Bernards who played the rabid pup. If you are a fan of ridiculous ‘80s special effects and impressive dog acting, “Cujo” is for you.
Trigger Warning (Spoilers): Cujo does not survive.
Frankenweenie (2012)
Rating: PG
Dog: Sparky the Bull Terrier
Tim Burton’s stop-motion masterpiece “Frankenweenie” is a classic tale of a boy and his (undead) dog.
The film follows young Victor Frankenstein and his dog, a Bull Terrier named Sparky. Early on in the film, Sparky is killed by a car. Brilliant Victor reanimates him, and shenanigans ensue. For fans of “Corpse Bride” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Frankenweenie” is a definite must-watch. Sparky is also perhaps the cutest stop-motion pup ever made.
I Am Legend (2007)
Rating: PG-13
Dog: Samantha the German Shepherd
“I Am Legend” begs the question, “What if a zombie movie staring Will Smith made you the saddest you’ve ever been in your whole life?”
After 99 percent of the Earth’s population becomes infected with a virus that turns them into zombie-like, bloodthirsty creatures, U.S. Army Virologist LTC Robert Neville (Smith) takes it upon himself to find the cure. He lives in an abandoned Manhattan with his German Shepherd, Samantha (Sam, for short), hiding from the “Darkseekers” and carrying out his mission. Sam, in true German Shepherd fashion, takes on the role as trusty sidekick and well-trained companion. You’ll scream, you’ll cry, and you’ll cry some more.
Trigger Warning (Spoilers): Sam does not survive.
Coco (2017)
Rating: PG
Dog: Dante the Xoloitzcuitli
Like many Disney movies, “Coco” is a beautiful story with the power to bring full-grown adults to tears.
This Pixar film follows a young Miguel and his dog Dante, a former stray, as the latter tries to find his great-great grandfather in the Land of the Dead. The movie takes place during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a traditionally Mexican holiday that coincides with Halloween.
Dante is a Xoloitzcuintli (sometimes shorted to Xolo), an ancient breed associated with the holiday. The Aztecs, Mayans, and Toltecs all considered the Xolo sacred. They believed this striking dog had the power to guide souls through the underworld. As Miguel’s goofy, clumsy guide, Dante hilariously maneuvers the two of them through the Land of the Dead.
Scooby-Doo (2002)
Rating: PG
Dog: Scooby-Doo the Great Dane
Although not initially a hit with critics, this live-action Scooby-Doo quickly became a fan favorite.
An all-star cast leads this ridiculous romp, with Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, and Linda Cardellini as Fred, Daphne, Shaggy, and Velma, respectively. The Great Dane himself is unfortunately CGI, but he’s still pretty endearing. In the film, the gang finds themselves solving a mystery at a resort on the fictitious Spooky Island. Complete with booby traps and Scooby snacks, this “Scooby-Doo” installation is a can’t-miss cult classic.
