One of the oldest picks on our list, “Benji” is a title likely familiar to animal lovers everywhere. The film stars a mixed-breed dog named Higgins as the titular Benji, a stray dog turned hero after two local children are the victims of a kidnapping. Produced on a modest budget of approximately $500,000 (via IMDb), “Benji” was a critical and commercial success, quickly turning an incredible profit of nearly $40 million (via Box Office Mojo). With a breakout hit like that, any film studio would be foolish not to get to work producing a sequel, of which “Benji” had plenty.

The movie mutt’s ruff beginnings in his best-known role closely mirrored his real-life origin story, as Higgins spent his puppy days in the Burbank animal shelter before being taken home by Frank Inn in 1960 (via Burbank in Focus). A talented animal handler, Inn would transform Higgins into a television star for the sitcom “Petticoat Junction,” a role Higgins would play until its conclusion in 1970. The lovable dog wasn’t quite ready to quit acting just yet, however, as the now aging star came out of his canine retirement for one final role in his greatest film of all, “Benji.” 

Though both Inn and Higgins have sadly since passed, the friendship the two shared was undeniable, with The New York Times reporting that Inn requested to be buried with the ashes of his four-legged friend. If you still aren’t sold on “Benji,” just look to the newest film in the series, which continued the trend of casting a rescue dog for its star role (via New York Post).