Eight Below (2006)

72% of critics liked it
(146 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(355,204 ratings)

Eight brave sled dogs search for the master who is looking for a way to rescue them in this adventure drama. An American geologist (Bruce Greenwood) flies to Antarctica to participate in a project at the United States Research Base, where he teams up with arctic guide Jerry Shepard (Paul Walker) and… More Eight brave sled dogs search for the master who is looking for a way to rescue them in this adventure drama. An American geologist (Bruce Greenwood) flies to Antarctica to participate in a project at the United States Research Base, where he teams up with arctic guide Jerry Shepard (Paul Walker) and his best friend, Cooper (Jason Biggs). The scientist soon discovers that Shepard also has eight other valuable friends -- a pack of sled dogs he's worked with for years, who have rescued him from a number of tight spots. As the three men explore a frozen mountain region, an unexpected accident coupled with a massive storm front forces them to fly to safety, leaving the dogs behind. Shepard is determined to rescue his canine friends, but he has to wait until the weather will allow him to travel back to the mountain, while the dogs struggle against the elements to survive as they attempt to make their way back home. Eight Below was inspired by a true story involving Japanese researchers exploring the Antarctic in 1957; the story was made into the film Nankyoku Monogatari. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr.
Directed By: Frank Marshall
Written By: Dave Digilio
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Feb 17, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Jun 20, 2006
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
Live-action animal adventures have always been a Disney specialty, and this one has a pretty compelling plot.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
It's too clichéd, it's too rote, and honestly I think you have to care a little bit more about the individual dogs to believe that these people would care so much.
Peter L'Official, Village Voice
The plot's slavish schmaltz proves as oppressive as the harsh winter that descends upon the dogs.
Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail
... the canine cuteness, breathtaking action and acts of bravery are worth braving the Disney elements -- overpowering, poignant music, an unnecessary romantic subplot -- if you like your movies doggy-style.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Providing you park your reason outside and let these amazing dogs do the work, which they appear delighted to do, Eight Below is an engaging enough way to spend an hour or two with the kids.
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle
The movie is overly long and much too intense for small children, yet it's filled with dialogue and plot turns that are too juvenile to thrill adult audiences.
, Film4
Kids will be enraptured (and a tad frightened) and all but the stoniest-hearted adults will join them for a bit of a cry.
Joshua Starnes, ComingSoon.net
At first sight a fun but slightly sappy man-and-his-dogs story, Eight Below quickly evolves into a well-crafted wilderness adventure reminiscent of Disney's heyday.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
It's heartbreaking, it's exciting, it's engrossing, it's a home run for Disney, and it's finally a good performance for Paul Walker.
Kevin Lally, Film Journal International
It's the canine players who carry the movie and will capture the hearts of viewers young and old.
Peter T. Chattaway, Christianity Today
The film is padded out to a full two hours, which may not be quite as long as the dogs have to wait for their rescue, but it does feel like it.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
The human interaction is just a little too precious and the digression away from the dogs and the main story is just too long for it to feel like anything but a major detour.
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel, 3BlackChicks Review
a doggie treat for the whole family.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
A feel-good movie that gets a lot of things wrong
Derek Adams, Time Out
It's heartwarming, occasionally exciting, and some of the cinematography is exemplary.
James Plath, Reel.com
When the dogs are on-camera or when we're watching dramatic scenery of the rugged Greenland and British Columbia snowy terrain, this Frank Marshall film is pretty captivating.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The dogs finish first, the snow second, and the actors third.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The film looks handsome, the photography is grand, and the dogs do their part admirably. Now, if it weren't for those pesky humans....
Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review
The movie is a perfectly decent work of fiction and an enjoyable family adventure.
Sandra Hall, Sydney Morning Herald
There are times when resisting the Disney line just isn't worth the effort.

Read all 21 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Scott G

If only those actors could act, we'd have ourselves a gold winner.
Alexander D

Good
Brad W

Eight below is an emotional and good movie. The problem is that they say it was based on a true story, when in reality the dogs were lost they have no idea what happened to the dogs. It was depressing at times but could also be kind and good hearted. Its worth a watch but only once… More
Eight below is an emotional and good movie. The problem is that they say it was based on a true story, when in reality the dogs were lost they have no idea what happened to the dogs. It was depressing at times but could also be kind and good hearted. Its worth a watch but only once or twice.
Anthony L

Stating that you should only watch this film for the dogs seems like quite obvious advice but to put up with the awful script, terrible acting and Jason 'Kill me now' Biggs, you have to be a big fan of our canine friends. Three stars purely for the Huskies.
KJ P

Paul Walker makes this movie even better than it should have been! I did not expect this movie to be as good as it was, but it was fantastic. Paul Walker pulls off an amazing performance here, and the story is breathtaking.
Richard C

B-
Jason O

I'd rather watch movies like this over Paul Walker's more famous "Fast and the Furious" films any day! Very well done.
Thomas B

really annoying that these movies still make money
Dean !

A Disney film all the family will enjoy. Especially fans of dogs, Huskies. The dogs are left behind in Antartica as a snow storm moves in. Will they be able to survive the harsh conditions, or be rescued in time?
Manu G

A very moving and great movie based true events. In the extreme wilderness of Antarctica, three members of a scientific expedition Jerry Shepard, his best friend, Cooper and a rugged American geologist -- are forced to leave behind their team of beloved sled dogs due to a sudden… More
A very moving and great movie based true events. In the extreme wilderness of Antarctica, three members of a scientific expedition Jerry Shepard, his best friend, Cooper and a rugged American geologist -- are forced to leave behind their team of beloved sled dogs due to a sudden accident and perilous weather conditions in Antarctica. During the harsh, Antarctic winter, the dogs must struggle for survival alone in the intense frozen wilderness for more than six months.
Ginny

I loved every bit of this story! I love the dogs! I love the guy! I cried! Hehe! :P
Rachel F

Really good movie. It has some sad parts too though.
Steve K

Poor puppies!
Roy G

This movie is just about perfect in every sense ---- the acting, the writing, the cinematography, the music --- combining to bring us a thrilling, absorbing and especially moving story about courage and determination.
Khris N

Touching story - i love dogs. And it broke my heart watching two of them die. But a great story - for all dog lovers.
Dean M

Great journey of beloved sled dogs after a survival guide left them with a heartbreaken.
Morgan S

omg so sad!!! DONT KILLl doggies!! :'( very good tho.
Sanjaya &

It was a good movie, but the ending was the worst. Paul Walker gives bad acting. I almost cry seeing that dogs with their great friendship, but Paul destroys the ending. He's not cryin' when his girl, Maya, is missing! Even when he found her, I can't see tears from his… More
It was a good movie, but the ending was the worst. Paul Walker gives bad acting. I almost cry seeing that dogs with their great friendship, but Paul destroys the ending. He's not cryin' when his girl, Maya, is missing! Even when he found her, I can't see tears from his eyes! But, the dogs were great. It is not Paul who wants to rescue them, but the dogs 'rescue' this movie!
Bradley W

Eight below is an emotional and good movie. The problem is that they say it was based on a true story, when in reality the dogs were lost they have no idea what happened to the dogs. It was depressing at times but could also be kind and good hearted. Its worth a watch but only once… More
Eight below is an emotional and good movie. The problem is that they say it was based on a true story, when in reality the dogs were lost they have no idea what happened to the dogs. It was depressing at times but could also be kind and good hearted. Its worth a watch but only once or twice.
Dillon L

By no means a great movie, but the story is crafted better than many other 'dog movies'. There's room for improvement though. At least it was better than Snow Dogs.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Paul Walker as Jerry Shepard

            Bruce Greenwood as Davis McClaren

            Moon Bloodgood as Katie

            Jason Biggs as Charlie Cooper

            Gerard Plunkett as Dr. Andy Harrison

            August Schellenberg as Mindo

            Wendy Crewson as Eve McClaren

            Belinda Metz as Rosemary

            Duncan Fraser as Captain Lovett

            Lightning as Shorty

            Richard Sali as Frank

            Michael David Simms as Armin Butler

            Dan Ziskie as Navy Commander

            Chase Rucker Productions as Dewey

            Dino as Truman

            Garry Chalk as Boat Captain

            Malcolm Stewart as Charles Buffett

            Brendan Campbell as Waitress

            Laara Sadiq as Bureaucrat #3

            Apache as Old Jack

            Adrian Noble as Shadow

            Carl Jasper as Shorty

            Damon Johnson as Jamison

            Babi Floyd as Dewey

            Jasmine as Old Jack

            Daniel Bacon as Bureaucrat #2

            A. James Ryan as Shorty

            Dexter Bell as Worker #1

            Timbalada & Os Zarabe as Maya

            Michael D. Adamthwaite as Wharf Boat Captain

            Buck 65 as Shadow

            DJ Abdel as Max

            Alexios A. Panou as Howard

            Koda Bear as Maya

            Troika as Buck

            Flapjack as Buck

            Connor Christopher Levins as Eric McClaren

            Buddy Cain as Crew Member
See full cast