Cascadian Nomads
  • Pet Adventure Blog
  • Cascadia- About Our Area
  • Nomads- About Us
    • Cascadian Nomads Advertising Opportunities
  • Humans
  • Canines
  • Psittacines
  • Felines
  • Contact

Scaredy Cats & Spooky Dogs: 13 Movies For Halloween With Dog & Cat Co-Stars

10/18/2014

12 Comments

 
Frankencorgi2012's Frankencorgi
Typist: Bethany
It must be the adventurer in me that enjoys surprises and little frights but I love a good, scary movie. Of course, just like a road trip, no twists and turns are as exciting without pets along for the ride. During the annual scary film fest Jason and enjoy surrounding Halloween, it struck that some of my annual Halloween film favorites have dogs or cats as costars. Apparently even when seeking some frightening fun in front of the TV with my tired, fit dogs and cat by my side, I get


Scaredy Cats & Spooky Dogs: 13 Movies For Halloween With Dog & Cat Co-Stars
extra comfort from seeing a pet or two or more on screen. "Life's no fun without a good scare" croons the title song of one of my favorite Halloween movies. A Halloween movie that also happens to have a ghostly dog character. In an adventure with pets from the couch, I set out to compile a list of Halloween movies that include dogs or cats in the spine-chilling tales. While not all family friendly, this list of movies frighten but don't sadden; the dog or cat* is not harmed despite the scary film chaos.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
A ghost dog that fetches jaw bones and has a glowing nose? Yeah. Zero is the perfect haunted best friend. I can never decide if The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie but since I love both holidays and this film, I just watch it a lot.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Elliot's furry and from Earth beat friend, Harvey, isn't just the typical scary movie barking dog. There are so many reasons that I have always wanted to live in the E.T neighborhood but one is that Harvey and other dogs enjoy trick or treating on Halloween. Bonus dog love: a pug was used as an inspiration for E.T.'s adorable face.
Frankencollie
Frankencollie
Rebecca
Jasper may be the original scary movie dog. And even if he isn't, he is awesome. The spunky black cocker spaniel adds a little extra suspense to an already on the edge of my seat Hitchcock classic. Jasper also adds some much needed warm cuddling to Rebecca as well.
The Amnityville Horror
The Lutz's loyal dog is another family member lured into the supposed perfection of the most haunted house ever filmed. What a lucky water loving dog to have a new home by the river. Wait. Scratch that. No! Not literally. Spoiler alert: What is most horrific in The Amnityville Horror to this dog lover is poor Harry's paws. And just when my throat is sore from shouting "stop letting the dog in the basement!" the dog saves the day.
Cat's Eye
Cat's Eye is a spooky film of three disturbing Stephen King stories intertwined by a psychic tabby cat eventually named General. Spoiler alert: While there are some scenes where the viewer fears for General's safety and life, the film is a rags to riches story for the brave, clairvoyant kitty. The movie doesn't end as well for Polly the budgie, though. While not a graphic demise, don't add this one to your Halloween movie list if one pet down is too many.
Frankenweenie
Frankenweenie
As the biggest Tim Burton fan on the planet, I love both the bull terrier Sparky in the live action short film and the reanimated puppet pup in the full length feature. Both Frankenweenie movies are Halloween favorites. Live action short film bonus: A fiesty dachshund named Raymond. Full length feature bonus: Cuddly, purring Mr. Whiskers, the premonition dreaming cat who "knows" the alphabet.
Poltergeist & Poltergeist II: The Other Side
The Freeling family dog, E Buzz, adds warmth, humor as well as dog smarts and instinct to both classic scary movies. There are points in Poltergeist that I would probably forget to breathe were it not for the adorable golden retriever's presence. The canine love continues in Poltergeist II with great canine comfort with lines like "E Buzz agrees. It's okay for now."
Coraline
Coraline not only visually delights and physically frights, but The Black Cat as well as "yapping" and angelic scottie dogs add the extra animal something I love in a film. How can a freaky fun movie that has a scene with woofs as applause not be a Halloween favorite?
The Lost Boys
Who wouldn't fall for a guy who introduces his dog right after he introduces himself? Thorn is such a sweet video store shop dog. (Yes. Video store. This movie is really, really old.) Then there is the gorgeous family malamute Nanook, who it is safe to say I had a bigger crush on than any of the boys in this movie when I was younger. That is still true today. I often wonder if it's scary movies from my childhood with hero dogs like Nanook in The Lost Boys that have made me the dog-always-by-my-side person I am today.
Cursed
Poor Zipper just does the usual horror movie dog job of warning his best friend that something is wrong and ends up cursed too. This films golden retriever made me smile from his first scene and was one of the only reasons I kept watching this mediocre fright flick. Aren't movie dogs great that way?
Hocus Pocus
I don't understand how anyone can be afraid of black cats when there are Halloween movie characters like Thackery Binx in Hocus Pocus. This feisty feline may *not technically be a cat but he is a main character of the film and often steals the show for this pet loving movie viewer.
Ghostbusters
I may be cheating by adding this one since it arguable The Gatekeeper and The Keymaster aren't really dogs. Yet
this movie is a Halloween must see with lines like "Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!" and "Our client - the nice lady, who paid us in advance, before she became a dog." Ah-ha! Ghostbusters character
Dr. Peter Venkman says those creatures are dogs! No one is more believable than an actor playing a doctor in a super fun ghost movie.
The Dog Who Saved Halloween
The most scary part of this straight to DVD movie is how bad it is. With talking dogs, cats and even a tarantula it is the kind of Disney Halloween fun a family could enjoy together. Anyone with a dog afraid of thunder, might appreciate seeing the title canine, Zeus, face his one and only fear.
Cockatoo Leo's Bonus: The Birds
Birds don't fair well in a couple of the other movies on this list so Leo wanted his favorite scary movie added. However, Leo knows this chilling Hitchcock classic, by reputation only. If I ever allowed Leo to watch The Birds it would likely be his favorite movie. Though such a viewing makes me truly afraid as Leo doesn't need any more world domination ideas. Bonus bonus: Director Alfred Hitchcock is seen in the film walking his own two pet dogs.
Halloween isn't everyone's favorite holiday and not everybody enjoys being frightened by a movie. Likewise, not all humans like or has pets. Wait. Who are these people? They sound incredibly scary! I need dogs and cats, quick; a good scare is always  better with pets.
What are your favorite Halloween movies or movies with dogs, cats and even birds?
Frankendoggies
2012's Frankendoggies
Share this post:

Tweet

12 Comments
Molly The Wally link
10/17/2014 08:02:08 pm

Great selection and we noted some of those we haven't seen down and will try and watch them. Have a super Saturday.
Best wishes Molly

Reply
Bethany
10/21/2014 04:39:01 am

Thanks Molly. I hope you enjoy your scarey movie fest with pets this season!

Reply
Elizabeth link
10/18/2014 05:47:24 am

It should be no surprise that I'm also a huge Tim Burton fan. :) The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favorite movies, not just for Halloween!

As far as the genre goes, I think The Omen is a pretty good one with a bird in it. Albeit a bad bad bad BAD bird. :)

Love those Frankendog costumes!

Reply
Bethany
10/21/2014 04:41:09 am

The Nightmare Before Christmas is good at any time of year! I haven't seen The Omen in way too long. Hooray! Another scary movie to watch in the coming weeks... after Leo goes to bed, of course.

Reply
Marquie link
10/18/2014 12:34:42 pm

I LOVE Hocus Pocus! I grew up watching it every year on Halloween, it's my family's Halloween tradition. We also quote the movie year round. We're just that dedicated. ;)

Coraline is also a great movie! And I need to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas and Ghostbusters again because it has been too long. And I'm sad to say I haven't seen Frankenweenie, so I'll have to watch that too.

Great list! Also, I love your Frankendogs. ;)

Reply
Bethany
10/21/2014 04:44:14 am

My mom loves Bette Midler so Hocus Pocus was a family favorite of ours too. I saw Frankenweenie seven times when it was in theaters in 3D so I am glad this list reminded you you should see it. Happy haunted viewing!

Reply
Amy link
10/19/2014 09:37:07 am

What a great idea to put together this list guys! I LOVE Coraline and Nightmare before Christmas. Frankenweenie is very touching and I'm not afraid to say I cried!!

There's a few others I haven't seen. Also on the note about ET, you can totally see where the pug face came from although I love pug faces but find ET terrifying!! :)

Reply
Bethany
10/21/2014 04:49:10 am

Thanks, Amy. Finally my university film studies classes have come in handy! Frankenweenie is a tear jerker... I hadn't been able to watch it again until very recently after Gryphon died on November 1st last year. The terrifying part of ET's face must be the Albert Einstein or Carl Sandburg influenced parts; there must not be enough pug cute! :)

Reply
Jackie Bouchard link
10/21/2014 09:00:52 am

Wow - great list! I LOVE "Rebecca" but haven't seen it in ages (love the book too). Forgot about Jasper! Also love N.B. Christmas. Watch it almost every year. My family constantly quotes lines from "Ghostbusters" - including "dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!" But the only truly scary movies I've ever seen are Poltergeist and The Shining. (No dog in that one that I remember - though they probably could have used one!) I like suspense, but not gore - which is what most scary movies are today.

Reply
Bethany
10/29/2014 04:15:17 pm

Scary movies that frighten without being gross are the best ones! Jason I just watched the two Insidious movies and they were super scary with no slasher blood baths! It was refreshing to find new ghost movies that weren't gory.There were no dogs or cats but I highly recommend both!

Reply
Kari link
10/29/2014 03:31:42 am

I enjoyed the short film Frankenweenie, but that was before I had a dog die that I wished I could bring back to life. Sounds like the feature film might trigger some feelings?

Reply
Bethany
10/29/2014 04:11:28 pm

On the plus side, the full length Franeknweenie depicts an entire group of kids who sincerely miss departed pets. Denial is part of the grieving process and it's comforting to know others go through the same things. For me, though, the movie does indeed dredge up those desperate "I would do absolutely anything to have my pet back" feelings I know all too well...

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Cascadian Nomads
    Pet Adventurers

    Cascadian Nomads adventurous dogs and parrot with pet and travel blogger, Bethany Clochard.
    Cascadian Nomads canines and psittacine on a road trip with blogger Bethany Clochard.
    Pet travel blogger Bethany Clochard shares a lifetime of budget travel experience, camping, and enjoying outdoors & Pacific NW adventures with pets. She currently hits the road with three dogs, a cockatoo & a cat.
    Related
    Instagram Follow on Instagram
    Picture


    Follow on Bloglovin
    follow us in feedly
    Picture

    Never miss a post! Have Cascadian Nomads Pet Adventure Blog delivered to your inbox:

    Delivered by FeedBurner


      Get our e-mail newsletter:

    Sign-Up

    Find anything on our site by searching here:
    Click any sidebar image to learn more!

    Cascadian Nomads only places ads for products we use, made by businesses we like. We highly recommend a click to
    visit our sponsors:
    (not affiliate links)
    WrapSit Quad Folding Chair Slipcover
    WrapSit is the ONLY slipcover crate for your folding quad chair. It makes taking pets and personal items outside or on a trip exponentially easier!


    Join us on the First Monday of Every Month!
    Positive Pet Training Week

    Positive Reinforcement Pet Training Week
    Hosted by Cascadian Nomads, Tenacious Little Terrier,
    Travels with Barley, and
    Wag n' Woof Pets.

    Picture
    Celebrate #MultiPetDay June 30th

    Categories

    All
    Adventures
    Amelia
    A To Z Challenge
    Awards
    Birds
    Black & White Photography
    Blog The Change For Animals
    Brychwyn
    Budget Travel
    Camping
    Cascadia
    Cats
    Celebrations
    Cockatoo
    Collie
    Corgi
    Cross Country Drive 2013
    Dachshund
    Dogs
    England & Wales 2014
    Fit Dog Friday
    Giveaway
    Holidays
    Humans Who Love Pets
    Huxley
    Leash-law
    Leo
    Multi Pet Life
    Peeks At The Past
    Pet Fitness
    Pet Health
    Pet Training
    Pet Travel
    Photography
    Planning Pet Adventures
    Positive Pet Training Week
    Product Review
    Road Trip
    Scoop That Poop
    Seattle
    Silliness
    Southwest-drive-2014
    Sponsored Post
    Urban Hikes
    Walk Your Dog Week
    What To Pack
    Wilhelm
    Woof-support
    Wordless Wednesday


    The Cascadian Nomads are:
    Cascadian Nomads Bethany with the dogs and Leo at Wilson's Arch, Moab, Utah
    Cascadian Nomads triton cockatoo Leo enjoys the sunshine in West Seattle, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads adventurous cat Amelia enjoying the view in West Seattle, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads black and tan dapple miniature dachshund
    Cascadian Nomads cardigan welsh corgi Brychwyn, Alpental, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads rough collie Huxley enjoying the green at Lopez Hill Park, Lopes Island, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads Jason with miniature dachshund Wilhelm snowshoeing Silver Fir Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, Cascadia
    Cascadian Nomads founding pets:
    Cascadian Nomads Founding Pets: Cockatiel Bobbie Birdie, cats Emily and Gryphon and dog Tynan.

    Features & Awards

    See products on this blog you like? Find all of our favorites on our Amazon Influencer page!
    Picture

    Bethany Clochard (@cascadiannomads) - influencer profile on Dealspotr
    dealspotr.com

    © Copyrighted Content
    Posts, words, photos or images from or featured on this blog may not be copied, reused or reproduced in any form without the prior express permission from the blog owner.

    The Doug

    The Fine Print
    For more on Cascadian Nomads privacy policy, advertising disclosure and responsibilities to our readers and visitors, click here.

Disclaimer
Cascadian Nomads are not veterinarians, behaviorists or animal trainers. Always consult with a veterinarian before starting or changing your pets exercise routine, before traveling with your pet, before changing your pets diet or before using any new pet products. Since all pets are unique individuals, consulting with a veterinarian, behaviorist or animal trainer about your pets specific needs is always recommended.
Disclosure
Every post  Cascadian Nomads publishes that is sponsored by a company or brand or obtained through an affiliation with a media network will contain a disclosure paragraph.  We do not use any affiliate links,  just regular links to a product or company website.  Cascadian Nomads only shares honest information that we feel is relevant to our readers whether a post is sponsored or not.
Privacy Policy
Cascadian Nomads does not share personal information with third-parties nor do we store information we collect about your visit to this blog for use other than to analyze content performance for marketing purposes. We do use cookies and add-ons, which you can turn off at anytime by modifying your Internet browser's settings or opt out of  add-ons. We are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without our permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice.
Copyrighted Content
Posts, words, photos or images from or featured on this blog may not be copied, reused or reproduced in any form without the prior express permission from the blog owner.

©2013-18
BethanyGO Designs


Cascadian Nomads Pet Adventure Blog: Budget pet adventure inspiration through stunning photography and amusing dog, cat, cockatoo and human stories.