Movie and Film Profile: Eight Below (2006)

Eight Below was generally released theatrically on February 17, 2006. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures in association with Spyglass Entertainment, Mandeville Films, The Kennedy/Marshall Company, and Vertigo Entertainment, and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. Based on the 1983 Japanese film Nankyoku Monogatari (Antarctica), directed by Koreyoshi Kurahara, which was based on an ill-fated Japanese scientific expedition to the South Pole in 1958. This film is “Dedicated to the Antarctic explorers and their dogs, whose courage and spirit inspired this film.”

DMFE Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.50 out of 5 stars)

CAUTION: Possible Spoilers Ahead!

Antarctic guide Jerry Shepard works at a research station where he cares for a team of eight sled dogs. When geologist Dr. Davis McClaren arrives to search for a rare meteorite near Mount Melbourne, Jerry and his dogs escort him across the dangerous frozen terrain.

During the expedition, McClaren is injured after falling into icy water, and the team barely makes it back to base as a massive storm approaches. With severe weather grounding flights and forcing an emergency evacuation, the crew is ordered to leave immediately. There is no room on the rescue plane for the dogs, so Jerry chains them at the station with the promise of returning shortly.

The storm worsens, and the Antarctic winter sets in, preventing any immediate rescue. The dogs eventually break free and begin a long fight for survival, facing blizzards, hunger, injuries, and a dangerous leopard seal. Over time, Dewey and Old Jack perish, while the remaining six dogs rely on teamwork and instinct to endure the harsh environment.

Months later, wracked with guilt and determined to save them, Jerry organizes a private rescue mission. Returning to the abandoned base, he discovers that six of the eight dogs have survived. He reunites with them and brings them home, honoring the two who were lost.

The soundtrack for Eight Below was released on February 14, 2006. Mainly consisting of the movie’s original score composed by Mark Isham, it does contain a few songs such as “Mukilteo Hula” and “Erin’s Song.” 

First released on home media (DVD) on June 20, 2006. First released on Blu-ray on September 19, 2006. Eight Below is available on Disney+ as of February 17, 2026. 

CAST & CREW

• Director: Frank Marshall
• Producer: David Hoberman, Patrick Crowley
• Screenplay: David Digilio
• Cinematography: Don Burgess, A.S.C.
• Editor: Christopher Rouse, A.C.E.
• Art Director: Jeremy Stanbridge
• Music: Mark Isham
• Cast: Paul Walker (Jerry Shepard), Bruce Greenwood (Davis McClaren), Moon Bloodgood (Katie), Wendy Crewson (Eve McClaren), Gerard Plunkett (Dr. Andy Harrison), August Schellenberg (Mindo), Jason Biggs (Charlie Cooper), Belinda Metz (Dr. Rosemary Paris), Connor Christopher Levins (Eric McClaren), Duncan Fraser (Captain Lovett), Dan Ziskie (Navy Commander), Michael David Simms (Armin Butler), Daniel Bacon (Bureacrat #2), Laara Sadiq (Bureacrat #3), Malcolm Stewart (Charles Buffett), Dexter Bell (Worker #1), Garry Chalk (Boat Captain), Brenda Campbell (Waitress), Michael Adamthwaite (Wharf Boat Captain), Buddy Cain (Crew Member), Damon Johnson (Jamison), Richard Sali (Frank), Panou (Howard)
• Dogs: D.J. (Max), Timba (Max), Koda (Maya), Jasmin (Maya), Apache (Jack), Buck (Jack), Noble (Shadow), Troika (Shadow), Flapjack (Buck), Dino (Buck), Sitka (Truman), Chase (Truman), Floyd (Dewey), Ryan (Dewey), Jasper (Shorty), Lightning (Shorty)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

• MPAA Rating: PG
• Runtime: 120 minutes
• Sound: Sony Dynamic Digital Sound (SDDS), Dolby Digital, Digital Sound (DTS)
• Format: Color
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Genre(s): Action and Adventure, Animals and Nature, Drama, Live-Action (from movies.disney.com)

BOX OFFICE (from IMDb.com) 

• Budget: $40,000,000 (estimated)
• Opening Weekend (U.S. & Canada): $20,188,176
• Gross (U.S. & Canada): $81,612,565
• Gross (Worldwide): $120,455,994

RATINGS 

• My Rating: 3.50 (out of 5)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 73% (Tomatometer) | 78% (Popcornmeter)
• Metacritic: 64 (Metascore) | 7.4 (Popcornmeter)
• IMDb: 7.3 (out of 10)
• The Movie DB: 70% (User Score)
• Letterboxd: 3.3 (out of 5)
• Combined Rating: 71.00

MY THOUGHTS

Eight Below is an emotional, inspiring adventure built around loyalty and perseverance. If you enjoy heartfelt animal-centered films or wilderness survival stories, this one delivers both tension and genuine heart. The sled dogs are the true stars, and their fight to survive makes for a gripping and often tear-jerking experience. Some scenes are intense and emotionally heavy, particularly for younger or sensitive viewers.

Have you seen Eight Below? Share your thoughts in the comment section. 

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