Hachi: A Dog's Tale
G

Hachi: A Dog's Tale

A true story of faith, devotion and undying love.

2009 • 93 min • Drama · Family

Synopsis

Professor Wilson discovers a lost Akita puppy on his way home. Despite objections from his wife, Hachi endears himself to the family and grows to be Parker's loyal companion. As their bond grows deeper, a beautiful relationship unfolds.

Our family guide

Best from age 7
91
Movie Knight Score
7260 reviews
  • 100 Reviewers · 3 · 53%
  • 80 Audience · 7257 · 47%

Based on a true story, a college professor finds an abandoned Akita puppy and takes him home. The two form an unbreakable bond of love and loyalty that transcends the ordinary, even after tragedy strikes. It’s a touching story about devotion and remembrance.

Violence & peril
1/10
Language
1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking
0/10
Romance & sensuality
0/10
Scary moments
2/10

Heads up

  • The film deals with themes of loss and death which can be sad
  • Some emotional moments may be intense for younger or sensitive viewers

What it models well

  • Loyalty and devotion
  • Unconditional love
  • Perseverance and hope
  • Friendship and companionship

Talk about it after

  • The true story of Hachiko
  • Grief and loss, and how we cope
  • The special bond between humans and animals

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Hachi: A Dog's Tale. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

Where to watch

Stream

  • Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel

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Top billed cast

Director: Lasse Hallström • Crew: Stephen P. Lindsey

Trailers & clips

Hatchi: A Dog's Tale - HD Trailer - Coming Soon

Reviewer notes

Recommended

Hachi: A Dog's Tale is the rare remake that earns its tears honestly. Lasse Hallstrom takes the real story of Hachiko, the Akita who waited nearly a decade at a Tokyo station for an owner who had already died, and relocates it to small-town America. That move could have flattened the legend. It does not. Richard Gere plays Parker, a music professor who finds an abandoned Akita puppy at the train station and takes ...

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers

**A cute, sweet and tender film, which imports an originally Japanese story to the USA and which promises to make many children insistently ask their parents for puppies.** I'm not a fan of dogs... in fact, I'm one of those people who never had dogs, and that's why I didn't develop a great admiration for these animals, despite recognizing that they are excellent companions and can make a difference for many peo...

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers

This movie is wonderfully written, it's one of my favourite films and I cry each time. Based on a true story of devotion the dog keeps going back to the train station to meet his owner who had a heart attack and died so is obviously he is not coming back, he becomes the train station mascot and people raise funds to help look after the welfare of the dog. it's lovely but you will need plenty of soft tissues to wip...

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Gallery

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Details

TMDB audience
8.0/10 (7,257)
Age rating
G
Status
Released
Budget
$16,000,000
Box office
$46,800,000

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