Benji the Hunted

Benji the Hunted is a 1987 family adventure film about a dog separated from his owner during a fishing trip and left to fend for himself in the Oregon wilderness. Washed ashore after going overboard, Benji encounters a cougar cub and, when the cub's mother is killed by a hunter, takes on the care of the orphaned litter. The film follows his efforts to keep the young cougars safe from wolves, a bear and other threats while trying to lead them toward a new home. Joe Camp wrote and directed the film.

Camp had previously directed Benji in 1974, and this was the second film he directed, with the title role played by Benjean. The cast also includes Red Steagall as a hunter, Frank Inn as himself, Nancy Francis as Mary Beth McLaulin and Bart the Bear. The film earned about 22 million dollars worldwide, a modest return for a Disney release of the period.

On TMDB it holds a rating of 6.5 out of 10 from 181 votes, while the film critics' rating stands at 6 out of 10 from 11 reviews, so critics and audiences are broadly in agreement about its merits as straightforward family entertainment built around animal performances.