Benji is a fictional character created by

Joe Camp Joseph S. Camp Jr. (born April 20, 1939) is a motion picture director and writer who is best known as the creator and director of the ''Benji'' films, as well as ''Hawmps!'' and ''The Double McGuffin''. Camp resides in Bell Buckle, Tennessee wit ...

. He has been the focus of several

movie A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

s from 1974 through the 2000s. It is also the title of the first film in the ''Benji'' franchise. Benji is a small, lovable

mixed-breed dog A mongrel, mutt or mixed-breed dog is a dog that does not belong to one officially recognized breed and including those that are the result of intentional breeding. Although the term ''mixed-breed dog'' is sometimes preferred, many mongrel ...

with an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time, usually to help someone overcome a problem. Joe Camp is the creator and director of the Benji film franchise. His son Brandon Camp helmed the 2018 reboot film for

Blumhouse Productions Blumhouse Productions (; also known as BH Productions or simply BH) is an American film and television production company founded in 2000 by Jason Blum. It is known mainly for producing horror films, such as ''Paranormal Activity'', ''Insidio ...

. The film was released on March 16, 2018 by

Netflix Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fil ...

Filmography

Films

* ''

Benji Benji is a fictional character created by Joe Camp. He has been the focus of several movies from 1974 through the 2000s. It is also the title of the first film in the ''Benji'' franchise. Benji is a small, lovable mixed-breed dog with an un ...

'' (1974) * ''

Hawmps! ''Hawmps!'' is a 1976 American Western slapstick film about a United States Cavalry experiment to introduce camels into the service in the western United States, specifically Texas. The cast included James Hampton, Christopher Connelly and Sl ...

'' (1976; cameo) * ''

For the Love of Benji ''For the Love of Benji'' is a 1977 family film, directed and written by Joe Camp. It is the sequel to the original film, featuring Benji, and the second film in the Benji series, released on June 10, 1977. It is the first Benji film to star B ...

'' (1977) * ''

The Double McGuffin ''The Double McGuffin'' is a 1979 American mystery film written and directed by Joe Camp. The film stars Ernest Borgnine and George Kennedy. Elke Sommer and NFL stars Ed 'Too Tall' Jones and Lyle Alzado also appear in smaller roles. The film al ...

'' (1979; cameo) * ''

Oh! Heavenly Dog ''Oh! Heavenly Dog'' is a 1980 American fantasy comedy film written by Rod Browning and stars Benjean, billed here as Benji (she was the daughter of Higgins (dog), Higgins, who originated the role of Benji), Chevy Chase, Jane Seymour (actress), J ...

'' (1980) * ''

Benji the Hunted ''Benji the Hunted'' is a 1987 American adventure drama film directed and written by Joe Camp and produced by Ben Vaughn. It is the fourth film in the Benji series. The film is about Benji trying to survive in the wilderness and looking after the ...

'' (1987) * '' Benji: Off the Leash!'' (2004) * ''

'' (2018)

Television

* ''

Benji's Very Own Christmas Story ''Benji's Very Own Christmas Story'' is a 1978 American Christmas television special featuring Benji the dog and is one of two such ''Benji'' specials to have been nominated for an Emmy Award. Patsy Garrett and Cynthia Smith reprise their respect ...

'' (1978) * ''Benji at Work'' (1980 - short) * ''Benji Takes a Dive at Marineland'' (1981 - short) * ''

Benji, Zax & the Alien Prince ''Benji, Zax & the Alien Prince'' is a live-action children's science fiction television series created by Joe Camp, the creator of the ''Benji'' film series. The series was produced by Hanna-Barbera and Mulberry Square, and it aired Saturday morn ...

'' (1983 - series)

Documentaries

* ''Benji's Life Story'' (1976) * ''The Phenomenon of Benji'' (1978)

Video games

*''Benji: Space Rescue'' (1983) for C64

Collections

*''Benji's Film Festival'' (2001)

References

External links

* {{Benji Film characters introduced in 1974 Fictional dogs Mass media franchises