Rover Unveils the Nation’s Dogs’ Top Ten Favourite Films
London, March 2026: As the spotlight turns to this year’s Oscars, Rover.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care, has revealed the films that gets dogs’ tails wagging the most. It’s not just canine classics making the cut – Jurassic Park (48%) emerged as the runaway favourite among the nation’s pups, with dogs showing a surprising taste for blockbuster hits.
From action-packed adventures like Spider-Man (35%) to heartfelt dramas such as Forrest Gump (39%), it seems our four-legged friends enjoy a mix of animal antics and big-screen drama – proving their viewing habits are anything but paw-dictable.
Dog’s Top 10 Favourite Films
- Jurassic Park (48%)
- 101 Dalmatians (41%)
- Forrest Gump (39%)
- Spider-Man (35%)
- Star Wars (33%)
- Dirty Dancing (33%)
- Scream (32%)
- Titanic (32%)
- Harry Potter (31%)
- The Lion King (29%)
According to the survey, three quarters (75%) of pet parents believe their dog genuinely enjoys watching movies, with 60% saying they use films as a way to keep their pooch entertained. To fetch a five-star review, owners say their pup’s must-haves include other dogs (56%) or animals (44%) on the screen, vibrant colours (39%), and upbeat music (30%).
When it comes to movie night, 71% see this as a chance to enjoy some quality time with their pooch – with nearly half (44%) watching as many as two films a week alongside their four-legged film critic. In fact, the same amount admit they’d rather share the sofa for a screening with their dog than their children – and even their partner (43%).
As for dogs’ favourite genre, animation takes home the Oscar (31%) with comedies (22%) and action (18%) also proving pup-ular at the canine box office. According to pet parents, tell-tail signs of a favourite include wagging their tail (54%) watching the screen intently (53%) and barking at the screen (40%). Sci-fi (4%) films, however, were firmly panned – crowned the least favourite genre.
No awards ceremony would be complete without its nominees. Favourite on-screen characters include Scooby Doo (56%), Kung Fu Panda’s Po (26%) and Woody from Toy Story (24%). And of course, every great film needs a villain. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Cruella de Vil (42%) was voted the most disliked character by pups nationwide, however Darth Vader (35%) and Scar from Lion King (32%) also earnt a reputation as top antagonists.
Despite over half (56%) of Brits* voting the cinema as one of their favourite pastimes – outshining music concerts (52%) and even sports (57%) – nearly one in two (47%) confess they often skip trips to the big screen, reluctant to leave their dog home alone.
However, 69% insist the trade-off is more than worth it for the companionship of their beloved pet. That said, the same amount (69%) would welcome more dog-friendly options, enabling them to enjoy their favourite pastimes without having to choose between a night out and a night in with their four-legged friend.
Adem Fehmi, Rover’s Canine Behaviourist comments:
“Movie nights can be a great way to relax and spend quality time with your dog. However, with modern technology and highly observant breeds, the type of film you choose can affect both your and your dog’s relaxation. Flashing images, sudden loud noises, fast-moving objects, or other animals on screen can sometimes provoke reactions. For some dogs, this may just mean focused watching; for others, it can trigger barking, lunging, or jumping at the screen.
To encourage calm over reaction, I’d recommend exercising your dog first to help them settle. Choose films with gentle soundtracks, steady visuals, and low, consistent volume. Start with some distance from the screen and closely observe their body language – tension, restlessness, or excitement can signal the film is too stimulating. By setting your dog up to succeed and progressing at their pace, movie nights can become a relaxed, enjoyable experience for everyone in the household, including your four-legged family members.
For dogs who don’t share your passion for watching films, you can explore pet-sitting options like Rover, so you can still enjoy trips to the big screen, while knowing your dog is in safe hands.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
A Rover survey of 2,000 UK dog parents conducted via Pollfish in February 2025.
*For the purpose of this press release, Brits refers to dog owners only
About Rover:
Founded in 2011 and operating in 18 countries, Rover® is the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care. Rover connects dog and cat owners with loving pet care whenever they need it. Millions of services have been booked on Rover, including pet sitting, dog walking, in-home boarding, drop-in visits, and doggy day care. To learn more about Rover, please visit https://www.rover.com/uk/ or see our press room here: https://www.rover.com/uk/blog/press/
For more information, please contact: Rover@brands2life.com