Golden Retriever Movies

Golden Retrievers are so beloved by American dog owners that they have even appeared in many Hollywood movies. Golden Retriever movies include such family classics as Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey and its sequel, Air Bud and its sequels, and the film Fluke.

The Homeward Bound films, themselves a remake of a previous film and novel, The Incredible Journey, are certainly some of the greatest Golden Retriever movies. Shadow, the old and wise yet surprisingly tough Golden Retriever in the films, warmed the hearts of audiences young and old as he led a younger dog, Chance, and a cat, Sassy, through the wilderness to be reunited with their owners. The first film was such a success that it spawned the sequel, Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco. Though it did not earn as much money as the first movie, it was still thought to be a success financially and critically.

Fluke is another of the Golden Retriever movies. Though not as honored as other films, Fluke featured an interesting concept: what if a man is reincarnated as a dog? Fluke has vague memories of his past life, including those of his former wife and child whom he befriends again as a dog. Despite its PG rating, this film does deal with some difficult themes which might sadden some children and adults, but it is highly recommended by critics like Roger Ebert.

Air Bud, the king of Golden Retriever movies, has at least seven sequels and spin-offs, with more on the way. However, many consider the first film to be the best. The dog in the film, Buddy, has the uncanny ability to play basketball. His new owner, Josh, is a lonely kid who befriends Buddy and enjoys playing basketball with him. When his abusive former owner comes to claim Buddy, Josh struggles to keep his new dog and friend while trying to win his school's basketball championship.

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