Dogs have long been cherished characters in movies, both animated and live-action, capturing hearts with their loyalty, bravery, and comedic antics.
Recently, the super canine in Superman has become a beloved animal around the world. Krypto is so popular that, according to The Wrap, the movie led to a 500% surge in interest in dog adoption.
He’s not alone, though. Here are some of the most iconic pups in science-fiction movie history.
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10. Harvey in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Elliott (Henry Thomas) owns a big golden retriever mix named Harvey in E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. When they first meet, he is antagonistic toward E.T., but the alien uses his telepathy to subdue him. All that changed as Harvey got to know him. By the end of the movie, the pooch almost climbs into the spaceship to go home.
Sadly, there’s no information on the dog playing Harvey. Unlike the next dog on the list.
Buy or rent E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) on Amazon
9. Quark in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
When Quark shows up in the 1989 movie Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, he brings their mail into the house. After the kids are shrunk he hears the now-small children whistling and wants to go help them. But Spike, the Thompsons’ cat, chases him away. Additionally, he unintentionally disrupts one of Wayne’s efforts to locate them. But later he prevents Nick from being eaten by his dad. He’s a very good boy.
Quark is played by a Jack Russell Terrier named Sammy. Besides the 1989 movie and the follow-up, he was also in the 1990s television series. The next hound is even more helpful.
Watch it on Disney+
Buy or rent Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) on Amazon
8. Milo in The Mask (1994)
Directed By Chuck Russell
Stanley Ipkiss’s (Jim Carrey) Jack Russell terrier pet in The Mask is named Milo. He’s apprehensive about the enigmatic mask from the moment his master takes it home. But the faithful dog sticks by him and even assists him in making a cunning prison escape. Regretfully, the puppy’s natural need to fetch ultimately turns him into a violent cartoon character.
The mutt is played by Max. The actor wasn’t always a hit in movies. Although producers liked him, according to owner Joe McCarter, they frequently told him he was too big or too small for parts. His sole other appearance was in 1992’s “Mom and Dad Save the World” as a disguised space alien.
Buy or rent The Mask (1994) on Amazon
7. Poppy in Mars Attacks! (1996)
In the Tim Burton sci-fi comedy Mars Attacks! Nathalie Lake (Sarah Jessica Parker) is the host of a show called “Today in Fashion”. She has an insufferable pet chihuahua named Poppy that she takes everywhere. The wacky aliens connect her disembodied head to her body. The dog is even more annoying after that.
The actor playing Poppy was also named Poppy. Coincidence? I dunno. According to IMDb this is the dog’s one and only role.
Buy or rent Mars Attacks! (1996) on Amazon
6. Boomer in Independence Day (1997)
Boomer was the Labrador Retriever owned by Dylan Dubrow-Hiller, Jasmine Dubrow, and Steven Hiller. When the aliens began attacking major cities, Jasmine’s pet dog followed her and Dylan. He escaped the mayhem but was instrumental in finding First Lady Marilyn Whitmore, who was hurt in a helicopter crash, while looking for survivors in the destroyed city.
The very good boy was played by a dog named Dakota. This is also the pup’s only movie role.
Buy or rent Independence Day (1997) on Amazon
5. Frank The Pug in Men in Black (1997)
Mouthy. That’s the only word to describe the talkative dog in Men In Black. He’s much more than he appears to be, that is the first thing that springs to mind. Even when he, er, has to go number one. Frank, an alien on Earth, is constantly thinking about number one.
Played by Mushu in the first two films, the dog died before filming MIB III, but appears thanks to a photo on Agent J’s (Will Smith) desk. While Frank does appear in MIB International, it’s unknown who played the doggo.
Buy or rent Men in Black (1997) on Amazon
4. Dog in The Road Warrior (1981)
In the post-apocalyptic Australia depicted in The Road Warrior, people basically roam the wastelands looking for fuel and water. In a circumstance like this, a dog serves a purpose in addition to being a pet. Although calling a dog “Dog” may seem frigid, Max’s (Mel Gibson) survivalist mindset explains why he wouldn’t name his rifle or his jacket for the same reason.
When casting Max’s best friend for Mad Max, director George Miller decided to adopt rather than shop. He went to a dog pound in Yagoona, which sounds very Australian, and got the ideal puppy after trying more than 100 pups without success. The two-year-old Australian Cattle Dog, or Blue Heeler, is a cross between a sheep collie and a dingo. He was supposed to be put down when Miller discovered him, but the stunt coordinator adopted him and gave him a good home.
Buy or rent The Road Warrior (1981) on Amazon
3. Samantha in I Am Legend (2007)
It is up to Robert Neville (Will Smith) and his German Shepherd, Samantha, to save the world in I Am Legend. After a genetically modified virus wipes out the whole planet’s population, they have to discover a cure and bring civilization back. Sam remains by her master’s side during the difficulties, keeping him company and protecting him from Darkseekers. She paid the ultimate price.
A pair of German Shepherd dogs, Abbey and Kona, played her on film. Is it a coincidence that Will Smith has two pets on the list? The next dog is a little more helpful to the future of science.
Buy or rent I Am Legend (2007) on Amazon
2. Einstein in Back to the Future (1985)
We can all agree that Doc and Marty McFly are the major characters in this cult-favorite futuristic film. However, it’s equally reasonable to argue that without Einstein’s unwavering backing, none of them could have changed the course of history. Einstein, the cherished pet sheepdog of Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown (Christopher Lloyd), was the world’s first time traveler. Tiger, the dog that portrayed Einstein in the first movie of the trilogy, was too old to play the part again. A sheepdog named Freddie took over for Parts II and III.
Watch it on Disney+, Hulu
Buy or rent Back to the Future (1985) on Amazon
1. Krypto in Superman (2025)
Superman’s best friend, Krypto, is lovable, charming, and unquestionably faithful. He merely wants to watch the world burn, though, and he’s also a wild scene-stealer. If you watched the movie, then you know he’s the very best of good boys in the film.
Although it was primarily a computer-generated image, a real dog named Jolene was used on set as a stand-in to help the performers relate to the character and capture his lively spirit. Krypto’s appearance and motions were also modelled in 3D using Ozu, James Gunn’s real-life rescue dog.
Which is your favorite dog in sci-fi movies? Let us know in the comments below!
