Underdog (2007)

IMDB rating: 4.00

Plot: A bomb-sniffing beagle is fired from the mayor’s office for a faux pas. That night a mad scientist dognaps him and injects him with an elixir. The dog escapes, but now has superpowers. He’s adopted by a security guard – an ex-cop, who’s a widower with a moody teen son, Jack. The boy discovers that the dog, named Shoeshine by dad, has super powers, but it’s their little secret. While Underdog saves people in distress, the mad scientist and his underling continue their plot to catch him and take over the city. There’s also a girl Jack likes who has a dog that Shoeshine takes a shine to. Will every dog have his day?

Elf (2003)

IMDB rating: 6.80

Plot: Buddy (Will Ferrell) was a baby in an orphanage who stowed away in Santa’s sack and ended up at the North Pole. Later, as an adult human who happened to be raised by elves, Santa allows him to go to New York City to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan). Hobbs, on Santa’s naughty list for being a heartless jerk, had no idea that Buddy was even born. Buddy, meanwhile, experiences the delights of New York City (and human culture) as only an elf can. When Walter’s relationship with Buddy interferes with his job, he is forced to reevaluate his priorities.