15 dog movies ranked by how much you’ll cry

15. Best In Show (2000)

Starting off with some actual humor. If Best In Show makes you cry, it will be with laughter, which is definitely preferable to the other kind. Written and directed by Christopher Guest, with comedian and star Eugene Levy co-writing, Best In Show is a dog movie about the idiocy of humans. That’s a theme of several dog movies, but this one approaches the subject with a level of humor that’s unparalleled.

Best In Show is a mockumentary that follows several canine contestants and their humans as they prepare for the annual Mayflower Dog Show. There are so many dogs, and they’re all adorable. The humans are… less adorable, but are all entertaining in their own ways. The cast is star-studded: Eugene Levy, Parker Posey, Fred Willard, Jennifer Coolidge, Catherine O’Hara, and Jane Lynch are just some of the actors that fill the ensemble cast.

This film explores the idea that our best (and worst) qualities are reflected in our pets. The tension among the various characters in Best In Show is palpable, especially as the show itself looms ever closer. The film falls into slapstick comedy from time to time but mostly sits in a comfortably uncomfortable place of humor that’s honestly hard not to laugh at.

By the end of the movie, it’s clear that absolutely none of these humans deserve to win anything, but their dogs should all win prizes just for being good dogs. Best In Show is a comedic dog movie in a sea of sad dog movies that doesn’t disappoint.

Likelihood of making you cry: 1/10