Dingo

A Cry in the Dark (1988)
A Cry in the Dark (1988)

The wild dog of Australia, the dingo is not known for acting abilities. Feelings against them run high in their native land, as exemplified in the few films in which they appear, where they are sheep-chasers, human-hunters, and even baby-killers. The only hero dingo ever in a live-action feature film, Buckley’s Chance (below), is not even played by a dingo. Still, it’s a start!

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Australian Dingo * Year: 2019 * Country: Australia * Dingo content: Unconfirmed

Unsure if this short film actually features any dingo.

Buckley’s Chance * Year: 2021 * Country: Australia/Canada * Dingo content: See note

No true dingoes in this film, but it is about a boy who befriends a dingo and Sunny (as “Buckley”) turns in a great performance. Well worth a watch for any dingo fans.

Dingo in movie scene from A Cry in the Dark (1988).
A Cry in the Dark (1988)

A Cry in the Dark * AKA: Evil Angels * Year: 1988 * Country: Australia/US * Dingo content: Low

Only a few quick shots of dingoes, yet the whole film revolves around them. This film is the source of the famed line, “A dingo ate my baby!”

Dingo or dog on a ship in a movie scene.
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (2013)

Hundraåringen som klev ut genom fönstret och försvann * AKA: The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared * Year: 2013 * Country: France/Germany/Sweden * Dingo content: See note

Surely this dog, seen very briefly on a ship’s deck in the above freeze-frame, is a mixed-breed, although identical to a true dingo, right down to the white feet. You be the judge!

Kangaroo Jack * Year: 2003 * Country: US * Dingo content: Low

Napoleon * Year: 1995 * Country: Australia/Japan * Dingo content: See note

Again, there are no actual dingoes in this film, but a domestic dog plays one toward the end of the film who makes a good substitute opposite the starring Golden Retriever puppy.

Dingoes running through sandstone passage in Quigley Down Under (1990).
Quigley Down Under (1990)

Quigley Down Under * Year: 1990 * Country: Australia/US * Dingo content: Low

It’s hard to watch the dingo scene in this film, in which their body language on the set is clearly uncomfortable and they are jerked violently backward with wires to simulate gunshot wounds.

Dingo running through scrub in The Sundowners (1960).
The Sundowners (1960)

The Sundowners * Year: 1960 * Country: Australia/UK/US * Dingo content: Low

With a starring Kelpie and a dingo in a scene.

Walkabout * Year: 1971 * Country: Australia/UK/US * Dingo content: Low

Know more Dingo movies? Please send info to [email protected]. Thank you!