Films The Call of the Wild

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The Call of the Wild poster

Film · 2019

The Call of the Wild

Original titleCall of the Wild

Directed by Chris Sanders · starring Alex Solowitz, Harrison Ford and Dan Stevens

  • 1 h 45 min
  • PG
  • Animation · Adventure
  • USA
  • Released in the UK 18 February 2020
  • 5.6 AverageMovieNCo
  • 5.9 Users15 votes
  • 5.4 Critics10 reviews
Watch trailer Where to watch · from £3.49 Rate it

Synopsis

The story follows Buck, a sled dog and St. Bernard/Scottish Collie mix as his journey combines unbelievable adventures and happenings that will change his life and the lives of those around him. Buck's story begins in Santa Clara, California, where he lives as a beloved domestic dog free from worries. However, when a gold deposit is discovered in Yukon, Canada, Buck is kidnapped and sold due to the sudden demand for sled dogs. In his new life, Buck is forced to work for companies that show him and his colleagues shockingly little compassion. With no one to save him, Buck is determined to save himself.

Once he escapes into nature and snow, Buck's wild instincts begin to kick in and flourish and Buck sets off on series of daring adventures with other dogs of the Canadian forests and his travel companion, John Thornton. Taking up the role of John Thornton is Harrison Ford who, despite the distinction from his typical choice of role, is one of the most esteemed actors involved in the project. 'Call of the Wild' is directed by Chris Sanders with the guidance of Michael Green and Jack London in character development. 'Call of the Wild' also stars Dan Stevens (as Hal), Karen Gillan (as Mercedes) Omar Sy, Bradley Whitford and Colin Woodell.

Where to watch The Call of the Wild

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Available now in the UK:

Availability checked on 8 November 2026.

The essentials

Runtime
105 min1 hour and 45 minutes
Budget
$109Twentieth Century-Fox
Box office
$62.1m569,657 times its budget
Rating
PGParental guidance
How long is The Call of the Wild?
1 hour and 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was The Call of the Wild released in the UK?
It was released in the UK on 18 February 2020.
Who directed The Call of the Wild?
Chris Sanders.
Who is in The Call of the Wild?
It stars Alex Solowitz, Harrison Ford, Dan Stevens and Bradley Whitford.
Where can I watch The Call of the Wild?
In the UK it is available to rent on Prime Video and to buy on Apple TV.
How much did The Call of the Wild make?
It took $62.1 million in US. It cost $109.
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Cast

Full cast (17)
Director
Chris Sanders
Writers
Michael Green
Producers
Michael Green, James Mangold

Videos and trailers

All 3 videos
'The Call of the Wild' trailer 1:5713 December 2019

Photos and posters

All 17 photos

Reviews

All 10 reviews
5.9 15 votes
  • 100 %
  • 90 %
  • 87 %
  • 720 %
  • 633 %
  • ≤540 %

What the critics say average 5.4 from 10 outlets

  • 8.0 Entertainment WeeklyMaureen Lee Lenker "The ultimate parent movie (...) History has the ability to entertain and move (...) And Ford's presence, as well as his performance, give him a passionate and wild side that he needs Read
  • 6.0 VarietyOwen Gleiberman For all the wholesome cheesiness of much of the film, you?d have to have a pretty hard heart not to be touched by it. Read
  • 5.0 IndiewireEric Kohn 'Call of the Wild' 2020 no es una atrocidad total, sino un signo de interrogación, una historia de aventuras formulada con tecnología de punta en busca de un propósito. Read

Box office

Weekend by weekend
  • Budget $109
  • US $62.1m
  • UK £2.7m

Awards

All the awards

Soundtrack

All 5 songs
  1. Great UnknownX Ambassadors Spotify
  2. Johnny Todd
  3. Froggie Went A-Courting
  4. Caoineadh Uí Dhónail

Trivia

All 7 facts

  • A look at the past

    The role of John Thornton, here played by Harrison Ford, was previously portrayed by Rutger Hauer in the 1997 TV adaptation of the story. Both actors famously appeared opposite each other as enemies in Blade Runner.

  • Faultlessly

    In the novel, Buck is half St. Bernard (giving him size) and half Scotch collie (a medium-sized herding dog similar to a border collie or Australian shepherd, with perked or half-flopped ears). This film adaptation is the first to correctly portray Buck's mixed-breed heritage.

  • Buck

    Jean Louisa Kelly played the teen in "Uncle Buck". In this film, the dog's name is Buck.

  • Renewing

    20th Century Fox's first live-action/animated hybrid that isn't an 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' or a 'Garfield' film since 'Monkeybone' (2001), 19 years prior.

  • Repeating

    Chris Sanders's second directorial effort on a film composed by John Powell, after 'How to train your dragon' (2010), 10 years prior.

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