Top Ten Animals in Film

Clockwise from top: Babe (1995), Free Willy (1993), Bambi (1942), Jaws (1975), War Horse (2011), Life of Pi (2012), Finding Nemo (2003) & 101 Dalmatians (1996) 

Animals in film often provide comedy and comfort but also danger and destruction to characters and cinema audiences. With the epic trailer for the new Godzilla (2014) featured as this week's Trailer Thursday, I want to ask: who stands out as your favourite on screen animal?

From sweet little Bambi to the terrifying Jaws, there are tonnes that I have missed out in my Top Ten (including some in the picture above) so tweet me your favourites @TicketStubBlog and YOU could be featured in my next post. 

1. Baloo in The Jungle Book (1967)

Baloo is the lovable bear who becomes Mowgli's guide and adoptive parent through the depths of the jungle as Mowgli returns to the man-village.

Best Moment? Baloo singing Bare Necessities

2. King Kong in King Kong (1933)

From a lovable bear to a frightening giant gorilla: King Kong. The stop animation and effects in this film are remarkable for 1933 and King Kong is still rather scary - made even more so by Fay Wray's shrill scream in the scene above.

Did You Know? Kong's roar was in fact a lion and a tiger's roar combined together and run backwards at a low speed.

3. Dory in Finding Nemo (2003)

The forgetful fish, Dory, who helps Marlin try and find his son Nemo is one of the most comical animal characters on screen. The adorably optimistic regal blue tang fish, voiced by the hilarious Ellen DeGeneres, will return in Pixar's 2016 sequel: Finding Dory.

Best Dory Quote? "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim!"

4. The Birds in The Birds (1963)

Another scary choice, this time a collective mass of birds. The Hitchcock film sees the birds descend on Bodega Bay and attack all those who live there. The other day, a mass of black birds gathered, as they do in the scene above, when I left for work. Needless to say, I was quite on edge!

The birds gather outside my house!

Did You Know? When audiences left the premiere at Leicester Square's Odeon cinema, they were scared even further by the sound of screeching and flapping birds from loudspeakers hidden in the trees.


5. Dug in Up (2009)

You wouldn't expect a golden retriever in the tropical landscape of South America. And I guess you wouldn't expect to hear its thoughts either. Well, this is what happens in Pixar's Up. Though he may not be the most intelligent dog, and is often distracted by squirrels, Dug has a big heart and is a comforting pet to Russell and eventually Carl.

Want to Know More? I wrote a blog post on ZooScope about all the animals in the film and how they are represented. If you fancy reading, just click here.

6. Jack the Dog in The Artist (2011)

The Artist is a modern take on the silent black and white films of the 1920s. Jack the Dog provides great visual comedy, particularly in the scene with Oscar winner Jean Dujardin at the breakfast table.

Did You Know? Jack the Dog was played by three Jack Russell Terriers: Uggie, Dash and Dude

7. Richard Parker in Life of Pi (2012)

An unlikely environment for a tiger - on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean with a boy named Pi. The ferocious tiger is beautifully digitally animated and a real tiger was used in some scenes. However, recent stories have emerged that the tiger 'nearly drowned' on set.

Did you know? The film won for Best Director, Visual Effects, Score and Best Cinematography at last year's Oscars and is adapted from the best selling novel by Yann Martel.

8. Mr. Fox in Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

George Clooney plays the title role in Wes Anderson's adaptation of Roald Dahl's book. The sly and wild yet urbane fox steals food from three farmers every night. Fed up with Mr. Fox, the farmers seek revenge in destroying the fox's home. Mr. Fox leads the escape for his family and woodland creature friends.

Did you know? It took seven months to complete the very first Mr. Fox puppet

9. Kermit the Frog in The Muppets (2011)

He may be made of felt but he is still an animal - clue is in the name Kermit the Frog. The TV and film star will return in the sequel Muppets Most Wanted (2014) which was featured as a Trailer Tuesday last month.

Did You Know? Kermit the Frog has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

10. Timon and Pumbaa in The Lion King (1994)

I cannot pick one - they come as a pair! Timon, the clever meerkat, and his smelly warthog friend, Pumbaa, take care of Simba as he grows up in the jungle after Scar tells the lion cub to 'run away and never return'. The two animals even had their own TV series.

Best Timon and Pumbaa Quote? 
Timon: Gee, he looks blue
Pumbaa: I'd say brownish-gold
Timon: No, no, no. I mean he's depressed
Pumbaa: Oh.


Who is your favourite animal in film?

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