Every horror movie fan knows that the sight of a furry friend is usually a premonition of doom. From Cujo to Pet Sematary, the canine death toll in the horror genre is disturbingly high. Why does it seem there are so few horror movies where the dog survives?
Fear not, fellow dog lovers, for there are some movies out there where man’s best friend manages to make it out alive – and we’ve plucked out some of the best. Here are ten frightening films where the dog doesn’t die!
Meg (2018) – Pippin
In this high-octane thriller, a team of researchers (led by Jason Statham) sets out to explore the uncharted depths of the ocean, only to discover that they are not alone. As they come face-to-face with a prehistoric Megalodon shark, they must fight for their lives and race against time to save themselves from becoming fish food. But fear not, even amidst all the chaos, Pippin the faithful pup manages to survive the ordeal.
Crawl (2019) – Sugar
In Crawl (2019), a young woman must brave a Category 5 hurricane to rescue her trapped father from his flooded home – but they soon realize they’re not alone. A pack of hungry alligators has decided to make the dwelling their new hunting ground. Will they survive the watery onslaught and avoid becoming gator food? And most importantly, will Sugar the dog make it out alive? Fear not, this is one of the rare scary movies where the dog doesn’t die – Sugar makes it through unscathed!
Friday the 13th: Part 2 (1981) – Muffin
It’s just another Friday the 13th, and the counselors at Camp Crystal Lake are ready for a fun-filled summer. But wait, there’s a new killer in town, and he’s out for revenge.. from beyond the grave! As the counselors scramble to stay alive, one brave soul stands out amongst the chaos: Muffin the dog. This furry friend navigates the terror with ease, proving that even in the face of danger, a little bit of optimism and a wagging tail can go a long way.
Prey (2022) – Sarii
In Prey (2022), Naru (Amber Midthunder) is not your average warrior – she’s a force to be reckoned with. When a highly-evolved Predator lands on Earth and sets its sights on her tribe, Naru must use all of her skills to protect her people. With her trusty dog Sarii by her side, Naru faces off against one of the deadliest creatures in the universe. But this isn’t just any fight – it’s a battle for the survival of her people and their way of life. And while the odds may be against her, Naru is determined to come out on top. Oh, and don’t worry, Sarii makes it out alive too.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) – Precious
In The Silence of the Lambs, FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is tasked with interviewing the notorious cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) in hopes of gaining insight into a serial killer on the loose. Â With the help of Lecter, Clarice is able to track down the elusive Buffalo Bill and rescue his latest victim, but not without a high-stakes chase and a few bumps along the way. Thankfully, through all the chaos, the sweet pup Precious manages to survive unscathed, and even gets an owner upgrade in the process.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) – Brandy
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a wild ride through late 1960s Los Angeles, where fading TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his trusty stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) navigate the changing tides of the entertainment industry. Along the way, they cross paths with real-life figures like Sharon Tate and Charles Manson. But the true hero of the story is Brandy, Cliff’s loyal pit bull, who survives all the chaos and bloodshed to emerge as the only truly innocent character in a world gone mad.
The Rental (2020) – Reggie
In The Rental, two couples rent a picturesque vacation home for a weekend getaway, but things quickly turn sinister when they discover hidden surveillance cameras and a creepy landlord. The group soon realizes they are being watched, and their vacation takes a deadly turn as they try to uncover the truth behind their mysterious landlord. Amidst the chaos is the adorable dog Reggie, who manages to survive all of the horrors that unfold.
Poltergeist (1981) – E. Buzz
When the Freeling family moves into their new home, strange things start happening. Their daughter, Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke), starts talking to the TV, furniture moves on its own, and objects fly across the room. Soon, the family discovers that their house is haunted by malevolent spirits. With the help of a team of paranormal investigators, they attempt to rid their home of the poltergeists. However, things take a turn for the worse when Carol Anne is sucked into a supernatural portal. In a race against time, the family must find a way to rescue her before it’s too late. Despite all of the chaos, the family’s loyal dog E. Buzz (named after a Dan Akyroyd character from a Saturday Night Live sketch) manages to avoid most of the chaos and make it out alive.
Dawn of the Dead (2004) – Chips
In Dawn of the Dead (2004), a group of survivors hole up in a shopping mall as a zombie apocalypse rages outside. Along the way, they battle the undead and confront their own morality. Meanwhile, a brave little dog named Chips manages to survive the horde and is seen wagging his tail as the credits roll. Because let’s face it, in a world gone mad, who doesn’t love a happy ending for man’s best friend?
The Lost Boys (1987) – Nanook
When a family moves to a small town in California, older son Michael (Jason Patric) falls in with a group of young vampires, led by the charismatic David (Kiefer Sutherland). As Michael is slowly seduced by the vampire lifestyle, his brother Sam (Corey Haim) teams up with a pair of eccentric ‘vampire hunters’ to save him. Happily, the family’s trusty dog Nanook manages to survive all the supernatural chaos unscathed. Vampires beware; man’s best friend is here.
I love a happy ending, don’t you?
Hopefully, you found some solace in these Ten horror films where our four-legged friends survive the terror. From the alligator-infested waters of Crawl to the zombie apocalypse of Dawn of the Dead, these movies prove that it’s possible to scare the pants off of audiences without harming our furry companions. So grab your pup and a bowl of popcorn, and settle in for a night of scary (but safe-for-dogs) cinema.
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