TRAGIC MOVIE PETS
10 adorable pets killed off in the movies that we’d definitely bring back from the dead if we could.
Old Yeller – Old Yeller (1957)
Protecting his family from a rabid wolf, Old Yeller saves the day in Disney’s classic coming-of-age drama. Tragically the mutt, bitten in the scuffle, has to be locked up in the corn shed and then put down by owner Travis when, mad with rabies, he nearly attacks Travis’ younger brother.
Kes – Kes (1969)
Young Billy Casper’s tragic Kestrel may meet a sad end at the hands of abusive older brother, Jud, but not before it has inspired the 15-year-old to grow and hope and look to new horizons, in Ken Loach’s beautiful British masterpiece. Oh, if only Kes could one day fly again…
Pippet – Jaws (1975)
Chief Brody gets a slap from poor Alex Kintner’s mother when Steven Spielberg’s great white shark claims the boy as Amity’s official second victim. But can we please spare a thought for poor Pippet the dog, who gets swallowed up first and is never mentioned again?
Ken’s fish – A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Gulped down by Kevin Kline’s psychotic Otto – who is looking for something to accompany his plate of mid-torture chips – Ken is forced to watch as he gets stuck into the occupants of his fish tank. “What’s this one’s name?” asks Otto. “I’m going to call her, Lunch.”
Hooch – Turner & Hooch (1989)
Okay, so he may have had puppies with his doggy girlfriend – so one can take solace that some small, furry part of him still somehow lives on – but the moment that Turner’s (Tom Hanks) police partner best friend takes a bullet for him in the line of fire still stings our eyes.
Binx – Hocus Pocus (1993)
Trapped in cat form by three witch sisters – Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy – Thackery Binx eventually escapes his feline form when he defeats them centuries later. Sure, he can finally rest in peace, but pity the poor cat corpse he leaves behind.
Mr. Jingles – The Green Mile (1999)
More Tom Hanks, although in the adaptation of Stephen King’s novel The Green Mile all he can do is watch as the beloved prison mouse is stamped to death by evil warden, Percy Wetmore. Still, Mr. Jingles doesn’t need our help, thanks to the magic powers of John Coffey (the late Michael Clarke Duncan).
Marley – Marley & Me (2008)
“We couldn’t find a better dog. What made you such a great dog was that you loved us every day, no matter what. That’s an amazing thing… I want you to remember you’re a great dog, Marley.” Owen Wilson says goodbye to Marley. Gets us every single time.
Hedwig – Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
Harry’s feathered pal since the moment he first put on his wizardy specs. The tragic owl Hedwig sacrifices herself to save her heroic owner when she deliberately flies between him and a Death Eater, taking the fatal Killing Curse in the process, and spiralling down to her doom.
Daisy – John Wick (2014)
Actually played in the movie by a one-year-old male puppy named Andy, Daisy the beagle is a present from beyond the grave from retired hitman John Wick’s deceased wife. Sadly, Daisy is beaten to death by hoodlums, spawning, at the last count, no less than 205 human deaths in revenge.
