Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- adventurous
- heartfelt
- uplifting
- family movie night
- snowy afternoon
What critics said
Critics generally viewed Balto as a well-meaning and spirited children’s adventure with exciting action and adequate craftsmanship, but found its characterization and sentimentality less sophisticated than top-tier animated fare.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Balto is half-wolf and half-husky, making him an outcast before his courage earns communal respect.
The central mission is a 600-mile dog-sled journey to deliver diphtheria medicine to children in Nome.
Balto leads a dog team through the Alaskan winter while facing blizzards, icy terrain, and animal attacks.
The film dramatizes the 1925 serum run that later helped inspire the Iditarod dog sled race.
Films like Balto, and why
The Fox and the Hound
shared animated family adventure, animal protagonists, wilderness peril, and uplifting heroism
The Rescuers
shared family-oriented animation, talking animals, emotional friendship, and survival adventure
Eight Below
shared inspirational true-story adventure, determined animal heroes, and harsh natural environments
Iron Will
shared sled-dog adventure, wilderness survival, and heartfelt family sentiment
Movie Details
- Director
- Simon Wells
- Release Date
- 1995-12-22
- Runtime
- 78 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (2260)
Cast
- Kevin Bacon
- Bob Hoskins
- Bridget Fonda
- Jim Cummings
- Phil Collins
- Juliette Brewer
- Jack Angel
- Danny Mann
- Robbie Rist
- Sandra Dickinson
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Balto about?
- A marginalized half-wolf sled dog leads a desperate winter medicine run across Alaska to save the children of Nome.
- What is Balto like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Balto as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Balto violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Balto as mild.
- What did critics think of Balto?
- Critics generally viewed Balto as a well-meaning and spirited children’s adventure with exciting action and adequate craftsmanship, but found its characterization and sentimentality less sophisticated than top-tier animated fare.
- Which films are like Balto?
- Films with a similar feel include The Fox and the Hound, The Rescuers, Eight Below, and Iron Will.
- How long is Balto?
- Balto runs 78 minutes.
- Where can I watch Balto?
- In United States, Balto is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
In Ember's collections
Movies like Balto
- The Call of the Wild2020
- Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco1996
- Snow Dogs2002
- The Journey of Natty Gann1985
- Balto: Wolf Quest2002
- Alpha and Omega 2: A Howl-iday Adventure2013
- Belle and Sebastian 3: The Last Chapter2018
- Togo2019
- Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey1993
- White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf1994
