So next time you see two cartoon dogs eyeing a meatball, don’t roll your eyes. You are watching a commentary on class, biology, and the human heart disguised as a children’s movie.

Enjoyed this deep dive? Share this post with the film buff who secretly cried during The Land Before Time .

When we think of movie romance, we usually picture two humans locking eyes in the rain. But some of the most memorable, hilarious, and heartbreaking relationship dramas on screen don’t feature a single human at all. From a lonely fawn pining for a butterfly to the surprisingly complex social dynamics of a wolf pack, animal relationship storylines are a genre staple that deserves a closer look.