50 Greatest Talking Movie Animals

Dug in Up

The Real Animal: A Golden Retriever, a breed of dog that the internet tells us was originally bred to hunt down ducks and upland game birds.

The Movie Animal: Surely everybody’s favourite movie dog, Dug has the ability to talk thanks to a clever contraption around his neck. If our dog could talk, they would be just like Dug.

Best Quote: “I was hiding under your porch because I love you.”

Donkey in Shrek

The Real Animal : A – let’s face it, pretty stinky – donkey. Full title: Equus africanus asinus.

The Movie Animal: A wise-ass in more ways than one, Donkey never stops talking. Ever. Which should be annoying, but is actually sort of endearing.

Best Quote: “Wow! Only a true friend would be that truly honest!”

Baloo in The Jungle Book

The Real Animal: A sleepy brown bear, according to Rudjard Kingling’s original tome.

The Movie Animal: The friendliest, most upbeat bear you’re ever likely to come across. He also gets to sing one of the best Disney songs ever. “Look for the bare necessities…”

Best Quote: “So just try and... relax. Yeah. Cool it. Fall apart in my backyard. 'Cause let me tell you something, little britches: if you act like that bee at... Uh-uh. You're working too hard.”

Pug in Men In Black

The Real Animal: The kind of dog that looks like it’s run into a few too many walls… and then shrunk in the wash.

The Movie Animal: The sequel over-used him, but Pug was one of the first Men In Black’s best surprises – an alien that’s taken over a dog that looks like an alien anyway . Love it.

Best Quote: “You don't like it you can kiss my furry little butt!”

Ape in George Of The Jungle

The Real Animal: A gorilla, which has around 95% of the same DNA as humans. Which explains why they’re alternately so tetchy/horny/hungry the whole time.

The Movie Animal: Droll, sarcastic, and not averse to wearing a pinny, Ape is the ultimate sidekick. He’s also voiced by John Cleese, which is nice for us adults.

Best Quote: “I aced it all and I stood tall, and did it my way…”

Fin Raziel in Willow

The Real Animal: Take your pick. Fin Raziel appears as a possum, a bird, a goat and numerous other wild animals thanks to an age-old spell.

The Movie Animal : Shape-shifting like a true sorceress, Fin Raziel goes through one of the coolest movie transformations ever as she attempts to regain her human form – then faces up to the truly terrifying Queen Bavmorda.

Best Quote: [ in goat form ] “W-w-i-l-l-o-w! You i-i-i-i-d-iot!”

Mr Tinkles in Cats & Dogs

The Real Animal: A domestic cat the likes of which you’ve seen coughing up furballs in houses all over the country.

The Movie Animal: Mr Tinkles is the kind of villain you’d find in a Bond movie – fitting, considering a cat was the pet of choice for one such spy-killing villain. With his arch attitude and dastardly plots, Mr Tinkles is an awesome movie menace.

Best Quote: “Evil does not wear a bonnet!”

The Cockroaches in Joes Apartment

The Real Animal: In a word, pests. These little insects get everywhere, and they won’t go without a fight. They’re also damn near indestructible.

The Movie Animal: A gang of roaches living in Joe’s pad, these bugs live up to their name by being, basically, total cocks. Getting in the way, munching on garbage, singing… They’re vile. And we love them.

Best Quote: “We know where you live. We LIVE where you live!”

Tigger in The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh

The Real Animal: Well, technically a tiger – largest of all cats according to our sources.

The Movie Animal: The bounciest, most optimistic stripy animal out there. Even better, Tigger’s even got his own song.

Best Quote:
“T-T-F-N! Ta-ta for now!”

Dr Zaius in Planet Of The Apes

The Real Animal: An orang-utan, the likes of which you’ve probably seen at London Zoo flinging brown stuff around.

The Movie Animal: Wise and staunch in his beliefs, Dr Zaius is presented as something of an antagonist in the Apes films. Still an awesome character, though.

Best Quote: “You are a menace. A walking pestilence.”

Josh Winning has worn a lot of hats over the years. Contributing Editor at Total Film, writer for SFX, and senior film writer at the Radio Times. Josh has also penned a novel about mysteries and monsters, is the co-host of a movie podcast, and has a library of pretty phenomenal stories from visiting some of the biggest TV and film sets in the world. He would also like you to know that he "lives for cat videos..." Don't we all, Josh. Don't we all.