25 Must-Watch Movies About Animals

Since cinema’s inception, animal movies have held a special place in the hearts of viewers, captivating us with tales of loyalty and adventure, intimating the unspeakable bond between humans and animals. And these enthralling stories have taken on so many different tones and energies. From the sprawling journey of a young cub destined to reclaim his rightful place as king to a stallion’s emotional bond with a shipwrecked boy, from the delightful escapades of a group of chickens plotting their escape from a farm to a young girl’s breathtaking trek guiding a flock of geese back home, from the tension of a seaside town under a fearsome predator’s threat to the quirky adventures of a cunning fox with a knack for getting into trouble, the options seem endless. So with so many great animal movies to choose from, where do you start?

This article aims to compile the absolute best of the best when it comes to animal movies. This wildly varied list hits on every emotion possible when it comes to the genre, offering a different kind of experience for each viewing. So if you’re a lover of animals, then get ready for a cavalcade of options from which to choose for your next movie night.

Top Animal Movies

All kinds of animals are featured in this list. From sharks to dogs, from horses to mice, from bears to bees, you can find scores of creatures flooding these great movies. These animals appear in every genre imaginable as well, including comedies, sports movies, dramas, horror movies, coming-of-age movies, documentaries, family movies, with several of those movies being animated.

It’s a tight race for the highest-grossing animal movie of all time. Jurassic World is currently in the lead with its $1.67 billion worldwide gross, with the live-action remake of The Lion King sitting closely behind with $1.66 billion. In terms of domestic gross, however, Jurassic World holds a much more comfortable lead with $653 million to The Lion King’s $543 million. After adjusting for inflation, Jaws takes the #1 spot on the domestic list with $1.17 billion. Second on that list is Jurassic Park with $839 million, and in third is the original The Lion King with $815 million.

Now onto the list. These movies are ranked by my personal tastes. I do account for historical significance and breadth along the way, but for the most part, these rankings are purely a reflection of how much I enjoy them. You’ll find several classics on this list, along with some lesser known movies I’m excited to shine a light on. Also, my criteria for eligibility is that animals must be one of the main characters, or the central focal point, of each story. Altogether, I think you’ll find this to be an eclectic list that offers all kinds of stories and genres for every kind of viewer.

25. The Rider (2017)

Meet Brady Blackburn, a young rodeo cowboy in South Dakota who is the star of the wonderful and underrated horse movie The Rider. A lover of animals and the sport, his world comes crashing down after he suffers a serious head injury during competition, forcing him to reconsider his career. With the rodeo central to his identity, Brady struggles in his day-to-day life to heal physically and mentally, aided by both his family and his animals. Brady’s bond with the horses he trains help him to regain a sense of purpose as he contemplates his place in a world that may no longer have room for his greatest passion. While praised by critics for its authentic portrayal of life in the American West, The Rider sadly failed to reach a wider audience upon release.

Directed by Chloé Zhao (who also produced the film) and produced by Bert Hamelinck and Sacha Ben Harroche, The Rider stars Brady Jandreau, Tim Jandreau, Lilly Jandreau, Cat Clifford and Lane Scott.

Here’s where you can stream The Rider.

24. Wolfwalkers (2020)

It’s 17th century Ireland, and young apprentice hunter Robyn Goodfellower, the main character of Wolfwalkers, moves to Kilkenny with her father, who’s been tasked with exterminating the last pack of wolves roaming the area. But Robyn soon discovers that these are no ordinary wolves—they are “wolfwalkers,” a.k.a. humans that transform into wolves when they sleep. Robyn befriends a young wolfwalker named Mebh, and before long Robyn develops the ability to become a wolfwalker herself. This creates immense tension with her father as Robyn navigates her new dual existence. Wolfwalkers received widespread acclaim for its stunning hand-drawn animation, along with rich cultural themes that appeal to children and adults alike.

Directed by Tomm Moore (who also produced the film) and Ross Stewart and produced by Paul Young and Nora Twomey, Wolfwalkers features the voices of Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whittaker, Sean Bean, Simon McBurney and Maria Doyle Kennedy.

Here’s where you can stream Wolfwalkers.

23. EO (2022)

This humble film tells the tale of titular character EO, a donkey who is taken from his peaceful life at a Polish circus and transported between various owners throughout Europe. From therapy animal to farm aid to drifting wanderer, EO inhabits several roles and experiences many vignettes that depict the different lives of humans and other animals. As EO travels the continent a passive observer, the story highlights his resilience and adaptability in the face of change—of both human kindness and human cruelty. While an ultimately tragic and bleak story, the film nonetheless offers an incisive depiction of humanity’s complicated makeup. Praised by critics for its unique storytelling approach, EO was lauded for its humble visual style reminiscent of Robert Bresson’s legendary film Au Hasard Balthazar.

Directed by Jerzy Skolimowski (who also produced the film) and produced by Ewa Piaskowska, EO stars Sandra Drzymalska, Isabelle Huppert, Lorenzo Zurzolo, Mateusz Kosciukiewicz and Tomasz Organek.

Here’s where you can stream EO.

22. Ernest & Celestine (2012)

One of the more unlikely friendships in animal movie history, Ernest & Celestine tracks the relationship between Ernest, a large bear struggling to become a musician and poet, and Celestine, a young orphaned mouse who is training to become a dentist. In this world, where bears live above ground in a structured society while mice hide away underground, these two defy societal expectations and form a deep bond. As a result, they must flee from authorities on both sides of society, finding themselves caught in a series of adventures that challenge the rigid boundaries between their worlds. Critics loved this film almost universally, praising its hand-drawn animation, its heartwarming story, the electric and lovable chemistry between its characters.

Directed by Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar and Benjamin Renner and produced by Didier Brunner, Ernest & Celestine features the voices of Lambert Wilson, Pauline Brunner, Anne-Marie Loop, Patrice Melennec and Brigitte Virtudes.

Here’s where you can stream Ernest & Celestine.

21. Honeyland (2019)

The compelling documentary Honeyland, which won over critics in scores upon its release back in 2019, focuses on the life of Hatidze Muratova, a traditional beekeeper who lives with her ailing mother in a remote mountain village in North Macedonia. Hatidze harvests honey sustainably, taking care only to collect what she needs and leaving enough for the bees to thrive. Her simple, harmonious life is disrupted when a nomadic family moves in nearby and begins to harvest honey aggressively, defying Hatidze’s quid pro quo policy. The film chronicles the tensions between the two families, highlighting the environmental consequences of the feud and the delicate balance between humans and nature.

Directed by Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov (who also produced) and produced by Atanas Georgiev, Honeyland stars Hatidze Muratova, Nazife Muratova and the villagers of Bekirlija.

Here’s where you can stream Honeyland.

20. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

In the Viking village of Berk, the inhabitants have been at war with dragons for generations, and young Hiccup, the awkward son of the village chief, is anxious to prove himself as a dragon slayer to make his father proud in How to Train Your Dragon. But during a raid in which Hiccup participates, he injures a rare Night Fury dragon and cannot bring himself to kill it. Instead, he befriends the dragon and names it Toothless. Soon enough, Hiccup learns that dragons are not the fearsome creatures his people believe them to be, and takes on the tasks of domesticating Toothless while also challenging his village’s perceptions of the creatures—all of which complicates his relationship with his father and peers. This box office juggernaut was the biggest critical hit of 2010, sporting a dazzling 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois and produced by Bonnie Arnold, How to Train Your Dragon stars Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera and Jonah Hill.

Here’s where you can stream How to Train Your Dragon.

19. Paddington 2 (2017)

The cult surrounding Paddington 2 is quite the force, as its members will go to bat for the polite, kindhearted bear from Peru who moves to London to live with the Brown family. After receiving that origin story in Paddington, the talking bear’s story continues as Paddington prepares for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, hoping to find the perfect gift: a rare pop-up book of London. However, when the book is stolen by washed-up actor Phoenix Buchanan, Paddington is wrongly accused of theft and sent to prison. The film follows our hero, with his charm and good nature leading the way, as he tries to clear his name, all with the help of his new friends in prison and the Brown family. The critical reaction to Paddington 2 was intense, with many writers claiming it was perhaps the greatest family film of all time.

Directed by Paul King and produced by David Heyman, Paddington 2 stars Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson and Ben Whishaw (as the voice of Paddington).

Here’s where you can stream Paddington 2.

18. Jane (2017)

There are few primatologists as well respected as Jane Goodall, whose groundbreaking research on chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania is chronicled in exquisite detail in Jane. This documentary uses never-before-seen footage from the National Geographic archives to show how Jane’s observations and interactions with the animals led to significant discoveries regarding their behavior and social structure, all while exploring Jane’s personal life and her relationship with wildlife photographer Hugo van Lawick. The film showcases Goodall’s dedication to understanding and protecting these animals, as well as the challenges she faced as a young woman in a male-dominated field. This documentary was met with universal acclaim for its intimate and inspiring portrayal of the legendary researcher’s early years.

Directed by Brett Morgen (who also produce the film) and produced by Bryan Burk and Tony Gerber, Jane stars Jane Goodall and Hugo van Lawick.

Here’s where you can stream Jane.

17. Au Hasard Balthazar (1966)

A hero of the French New Wave, Robert Bresson opposed the established tropes of pre-war French cinema and opted for an austere, minimalist approach to investigating the internal lives of characters. One result of this approach was what critics now laud as a masterclass of world cinema, as well as one of the most well-respected arthouse animal movies of all time: Au Hasard Balthazar. This classic film follows the life of a donkey named Balthazar, from his birth to eventual demise, as he passes through the hands of various owners. Experiencing different levels of care, from love to neglect to abuse, Balthazar’s journey is paralleled with the life of Marie, a young girl who cares for Balthazar in her childhood and faces many hardships and traumas as she grows. Their shared story becomes a meditation on the human condition, on the tenacity required to remain strong in a constantly changing world.

Directed by Robert Bresson and produced by Mag Bodard, Au Hasard Balthazar stars Anne Wiazemsky, François Lafarge, Philippe Asselin, Nathalie Joyaut and Walter Green.

Here’s where you can stream Au Hasard Balthazar.

16. Kedi (2016)

One of the more eccentric animal documentaries ever made, Kedi, which follows the lives of several stray cats and the people who care for them in the city of Istanbul, Turkey, was met with widespread critical acclaim for its daring, unconventional approach to the documentary form. Through the eyes of these cats—from Sari, a resourceful tabby who hunts for her kittens, to Psikopat, a fiercely protective feline who dominates her territory—as they navigate the city’s streets, markets and neighborhoods, the film provides a glimpse into the daily ebb and flow of Istanbul, all while highlighting the unique relationship between human beings and their feline counterparts, showing how their shared connection has become a crucial thread in the fabric of the community.

Directed by Ceyda Torun (who also produced the film) and produced by Charlie Wuppermann, Kedi stars various Istanbul residents and the cats they care for.

Here’s where you can stream Kedi.

15. Wiener-Dog (2016)

Leave it to Todd Solondz, a master of dark humor and emotional brutality, to explore the quiet-yet-overpowering bleakness of life through a Dachshund hound. The star of this strange, ultimately profound film known as Wiener-Dog is this titular creature, who experiences the various facets of humanity as he passes between various owners. From a young boy who is recovering from a serious illness to a veterinary technician on a road trip, from a failed screenwriter attempting to find inspiration to an elderly woman who reflects on her life near its end, this Dachshund affects the journeys of its owners in many ways, all while remaining a silent companion as people try to make it through the mess known as life. Thanks to its inherently grim and dreary mood, Wiener-Dog was met with mixed reviews that largely trended towards the positive.

Directed by Todd Solondz and produced by Megan Ellison, Christine Vachon and David Hinojosa, Wiener-Dog stars Greta Gerwig, Kieran Culkin, Danny DeVito, Ellen Burstyn and Julie Delpy.

Here’s where you can stream Wiener-Dog.

14. Chicken Run (2000)

Welcome to the Yorkshire countryside in the 1950s, where the chickens that populate a farm, fronted by their leader Ginger, are determined to escape before they are turned into pies by their tyrannical owners, Mr. and Mrs. Tweedy—hence the title, Chicken Run. In this movie that was met with near universal critical acclaim (it owns a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes), these poor chickens’ pleas appear seemingly hopeless until a rooster named Rocky arrives, claiming he can teach them to fly and lead them to freedom. With Rocky’s help, the chickens devise an escape plan, which becomes all the more time-sensitive once Mrs. Tweedy accelerates her system by purchasing a pie-making machine. This intended flight takes on new heights as the chickens, who have trouble learning to fly, realize they must build an aircraft in order to get free.

Directed by Peter Lord and Nick Park (who both produced the film) and produced by David Sproxton, Chicken Run features the voices of Mel Gibson, Julia Sawalha, Phil Daniels, Tony Haygarth and Miranda Richardson.

Here’s where you can stream Chicken Run.

13. Watership Down (1978)

You can definitely count Watership Down, which critics praised for its mature storytelling and entrancing animation, amongst the “adult animal movies” crowd. The film follows a group of rabbits that flee their warren in southern England after one of its own, Fiver, has a vision of his pack’s imminent destruction. Led by Fiver and his brother, Hazel, the rabbits embark on a perilous journey across the countryside in search of a new home, along the way encountering various dangers, from predators to hostile warrens to cruel human beings. The film chronicles their struggles as they fight to survive and eventually seek refuge on Watership Down, a hill that promises safety, and a new home they must defend from impending threats like the tyrannical General Woundwort.

Directed and produced by Martin Rosen, Watership Down features the voices of John Hurt, Richard Briers, Ralph Richardson, Michael Graham Cox and Zero Mostel.

Here’s where you can stream Watership Down.

12. Okja (2017)

Mija is the focus of Okja, which follows her journey after she discovers a modified super-pig named Okja in the mountains of South Korea. When the multinational corporation that created this poor creature tries to reclaim it for their own purposes, Mija sets out on a rescue mission that takes her from her rural South Korean home to urban American soil in New York City, where she encounters everyone from animal rights activists to corporate executives. Mija is out to prove that the bond between pig and girl is much stronger than any capitalistic venture, culminating in a high-stakes showdown to determine Okja’s fate. This film from director Bong Joon-ho, who would go on to find immense success with the Best Picture winner Parasite, was what put the filmmaker on every critic’s radar.

Directed by Bong Joon-ho and produced by Dooho Choi, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, Okja stars Ahn Seo-hyun, Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Lily Collins and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Here’s where you can stream Okja.

11. Wildcat (2022)

Harry Turner is a young British soldier who struggles with PTSD and suffers from depression after serving in Afghanistan. To find a new purpose, he travels to the Peruvian Amazon to meet wildlife rehabilitation specialist Samantha Zwicker, who introduces Harry to an orphaned ocelot cub named Khan in the documentary Wildcat—a film adored by critics for its touching, vulnerable take on on personal healing and wildlife conservation. Harry helps Samantha introduce Khan back into the wild, teaching the young animal how to fight for survival, all while aiding his own emotional rehabilitation as he connects with the cub and confronts his inner demons. This examination of day-to-day survival in the wild details the intricate process of the mental determination required to survive in a world that feels like its constantly on the attack.

Directed by Trevor Frost and Melissa Lesh (who both produced the film) and produced by Alysa Nahmias and Joshua Altman, Wildcat stars Harry Turner and Samantha Zwicker.

Here’s where you can stream Wildcat.

10. Fly Away Home (1996)

After her mother dies, Amy moves in with her estranged father, Tom, in rural Ontario. While exploring the countryside, Amy discovers a nest of abandoned goose eggs and decides to hatch and raise the goslings herself. As these babies grow, Amy and her father realize the birds must migrate south for the winter, but have no mother to teach them how to get there. Hence the title Fly Away Home, as Tom, an inventor, builds an ultralight aircraft that he and Amy use to guide the geese south on a journey from Canada to the southern United States. This film follows their adventure as they battle weather and fatigue, all while strengthening their father-daughter bond. Critics, who praised the film resoundingly, were won over by its incredibly heartfelt story that didn’t shy away from life’s bitter difficulties.

Directed by Carroll Ballard and produced by Carol Baum, John Veitch and Vince McKewin, Fly Away Home stars Jeff Daniels, Anna Paquin, Dana Delany and Terry Kinney.

Here’s where you can stream Fly Away Home.

9. The Black Stallion (1979)

Director Carroll Ballard makes back-to-back appearances on this list with his greatest film, the magical and entrancing The Black Stallion—a beautifully shot film that was praised by critics back in 1979. The story begins with a shipwreck off the coast of North Africa, where just two passengers have survived: a young boy named Alec Ramsey and a wild black stallion. Over time, Alec and the stallion, whom he names “The Black,” form a deep bond as they fight to survive on their own. After being rescued and brought back to the United States, Alec recognizes the stallion’s potential as a racehorse and enlists the help of a retired jockey named Henry. Despite skepticism from the racing community, Alec and Henry train The Black for an upcoming competition, which tests the limits of Alec and his horse’s emotionally rich relationship.

Directed by Carroll Ballard and produced by Fred Roos, Tom Sternberg and Francis Ford Coppola, The Black Stallion stars Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr and Clarence Muse.

Here’s where you can stream The Black Stallion.

8. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

There are few creatures in animal movie history as cunning and charismatic as Mr. Fox, the star of Wes Anderson’s wonderful adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s novel “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” The book’s critically lauded cinematic companion focuses on Mr. Fox, who lives an idyllic life with his family in a tree. Yet, he cannot resist his animal instincts to steal, which in turn makes him the target of three wealthy, cruel farmers: Boggis, Bunce and Bean. The film follows Mr. Fox, whose actions have put his family and the entire animal community in danger, as he outwits the farmers at every turn. These villains, angered by the thefts, try to kill Mr. Fox, but he leads the animals on a successful raid of the farms. However, when his nephew Kristofferson is captured, Mr. Fox orchestrates a rescue mission that results in an ultimate showdown between man and beast.

Directed by Wes Anderson (who also produced the film) and produced by Allison Abbate, Scott Rudin and Jeremy Dawson, Fantastic Mr. Fox features the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray and Willem Dafoe.

Here’s where you can stream Fantastic Mr. Fox.

7. Jurassic Park (1993)

Not all animals live right here, right now. Some, like dinosaurs, are extinct. But… what if they weren’t? That’s the premise of massive critical and commercial success Jurassic Park, in which a new theme park featuring cloned dinosaurs serves as our setting. The story follows paleontologists Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler, along with mathematician Dr. Ian Malcolm, who are invited by billionaire John Hammond to preview the park before it opens to the public. However, when the park’s security systems fail, the dinosaurs escape, forcing everyone to hide from the dangerous creatures—including a Tyrannosaurus rex and a pack of velociraptors. This blockbuster classic explores the consequences of playing with nature and the chaos that ensues when man tries to control it.

Directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Gerald R. Molen, Jurassic Park stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough and Samuel L. Jackson.

Here’s where you can stream Jurassic Park.

6. Playing With Sharks (2021)

In what many critics believe to be one of the best animal documentaries ever made, Playing With Sharks tells the story of the pioneering underwater filmmaker and shark conservationist Valerie Taylor, as she passionately advocates for the seriously misunderstood underwater hunters. Through archival footage and interviews, this documentary traces her adventures with sharks around the world, including her work on the 1975 film Jaws, which brought sharks into the public consciousness with great force—albeit in a negative light. She then commits herself to changing the unfavorable perception of sharks through her revolutionary underwater filming, all while highlighting the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field and her enduring legacy in marine conservation.

Directed by Sally Aitken and produced by Bettina Dalton and Anna Howard, Playing with Sharks stars Valerie Taylor, Ron Taylor and Rodney Fox.

Here’s where you can stream Playing with Sharks.

5. Babe: Pig in the City (1998)

We all know the film Babe, which was nominated for Best Picture after its release in 1995. But the much lesser known sequel—the bizarre fever-dream-of-a-movie that split critics was known as Babe: Pig in the City—should not be ignored. Directed by none other than the Mad Max franchise’s creator George Miller, this surreal fantasy owns a dark and whimsical tone that carries the original film’s story to greater heights—or, perhaps I should say, to murkier depths. The story continues with Babe, an award-winning sheep-pig who must rescue his farm after its owner, Farmer Hoggett, is injured and unable to work. Leaving their idyllic rural life behind, Babe and Mrs. Hoggett travel to the strange and dangerous city to raise money. As they traverse this new urban environment, they encounter many people and animals, some friendly, other hostile, in their attempt to save the farm.

Directed by George Miller (who also produced the film) and produced by Doug Mitchell and Bill Miller, Babe: Pig in the City stars Magda Szubanski, Elizabeth Daily, Mickey Rooney and James Cromwell.

Here’s where you can stream Babe: Pig in the City.

4. Best in Show (2000)

The “mockumentary” has a storied history that can be traced back to cinema’s early roots. But, arguably, the genre didn’t become popular until Christopher Guest created a string of mockumentaries (starting with This is Spinal Tap in 1984), which included what many critics believe to be his greatest effort: Best in Show. This hilarious film follows a group of quirky dog owners who are training their pups for the fictional Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show. This classic comedy becomes incredibly intimate with the contestants, including a high-strung yuppie couple with a neurotic Weimaraner, a Southern couple with a bloodhound, a flamboyant dog handler with a Shih Tzu, a married couple who sing to their terrier and a fishing-loving man with a Norwich Terrier. As they each compete for the top prize, we simply enjoy such the preposterous, unpredictable, side-splitting show it becomes.

Directed by Christopher Guest (who also stars in the film) and produced by Karen Murphy, Best in Show stars Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Parker Posey, Michael Hitchcock and Jennifer Coolidge.

Here’s where you can stream Best in Show.

3. The Birds (1963)

The Birds begins with a chance meeting between socialite Melanie Daniels and lawyer Mitch Brenner in a San Francisco pet shop. Intrigued by Mitch, Melanie buys a pair of lovebirds and secretly delivers them to his family’s home in the picturesque coastal town Bodega Bay—where she is suddenly attacked by a seagull. This is what begins the film’s epic avian barrage, and as bird attacks continually escalate, it forces everyone in town to run for cover. All the while, the mystery looms: why are birds doing this? This classic film from the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, symbolically reflects our deep-seated fear of breaking social rules, as well as our anxieties rooted in environmental degradation, serving as a revealing window into our collective consciousness as an ecosystem we desperately wish to control suddenly turns around and punishes us. Critics almost universally loved the film, with some writers at odds with its cryptic, but undeniably haunting, ending.

Directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, The Birds stars Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette and Veronica Cartwright.

Here’s where you can stream The Birds.

2. The Lion King (1994)

In what is, without a doubt, the most timeless and critically lauded tale in Disney’s oeuvre, a young lion cub named Simba is destined to become leader of the Pride Lands in The Lion King. This young prince idolizes his father, King Mufasa, but struggles with the prospect of becoming the supreme leader to thousands of animals. However, after a tragic accident orchestrated by his uncle Scar, Simba flees the Pride Lands. Believing he is the one responsible for his father’s death, Simba grows up in exile with a meerkat named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa, who teach him to live a carefree life. As an adult, Simba is confronted with the reality of Scar’s oppressive rule and must reclaim his rightful place as king of the animals in order to return balance to the land.

Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff and produced by Don Hahn, The Lion King stars Matthew Broderick, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Moira Kelly, Ernie Sabella and Nathan Lane.

Here’s where you can stream The Lion King.

1. Jaws (1975)

No animal movie is more terrifying or more entertaining—and, by 1975, was more critically acclaimed or financially lucrative—than Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, which effectively ushered in the age of blockbusters in Hollywood. Set in the small seaside town of Amity Island, a shark suddenly swoops in and starts attacking swimmers near the shore. The three main who take charge in stopping the beast—newly hired police Chief Martin Brody, eccentric shark hunter Quint and oceanographer Matt Hooper—are not superheroes but everyday men who each have their own personal motivations for stopping the deadly predator before it strikes again. The film chronicles their tense, perilous journey at sea as they face the formidable shark, leading to a climactic confrontation that serves as one of the greatest and most suspenseful set pieces in movie history.

Directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown, Jaws stars Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary and Murray Hamilton.

Here’s where you can stream Jaws.

Bottom Line

If you’re a lover of animals or fascinated by animal-led stories, then this list contains all the most important animal movies you should watch. These films cover a range of genres and capture the role of animals in this world and how we interact with them.