Overview
A heartwarming tale of survival and loyalty in the harshest conditions on Earth.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- earnest
- heartwarming
- tense
- family movie night
- weekend adventure viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an effective and emotionally engaging survival adventure, especially praising its canine performers and Paul Walker while noting its excessive length and occasional scientific inaccuracies.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The abandoned sled dogs become the primary active survivors during six months alone in Antarctica.
The polar base and surrounding Antarctic wilderness isolate the dogs from rescue and make weather a constant threat.
Jerry Shepherd remains committed to finding a sponsor and returning for the sled dogs after the mission is called off.
Jerry's prolonged search for funding is interwoven with the dogs' struggle to survive at the polar station.
Films like Eight Below, and why
The Call of the Wild
shared survival adventure, wilderness isolation, human-animal bond, and family-friendly emotional stakes
The Last Trapper
shared Antarctic survival setting, expedition peril, environmental isolation, and earnest adventure drama
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
shared loyal animal companions, survival adversity, heartfelt family tone, and wilderness adventure
Movie Details
- Director
- Frank Marshall
- Release Date
- 2006-02-17
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (1870)
Cast
- Paul Walker
- Moon Bloodgood
- Jason Biggs
- Bruce Greenwood
- Wendy Crewson
- Duncan Fraser
- August Schellenberg
- Gerard Plunkett
- Belinda Metz
- Connor Christopher Levins
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- 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 Eight Below about?
- An abandoned sled-dog team battles Antarctic isolation while its trainer fights to bring them home.
- What is Eight Below like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Eight Below as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Eight Below violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Eight Below as mild.
- What did critics think of Eight Below?
- Critics broadly found the film an effective and emotionally engaging survival adventure, especially praising its canine performers and Paul Walker while noting its excessive length and occasional scientific inaccuracies.
- Which films are like Eight Below?
- Films with a similar feel include The Call of the Wild, The Last Trapper, and Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.
- How long is Eight Below?
- Eight Below runs 120 minutes.
- Where can I watch Eight Below?
- In United States, Eight Below streams on Disney Plus.
