Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale is a tender, true-story drama about the extraordinary bond between a man and a dog. When music professor Parker Wilson finds an abandoned Akita puppy at the train station, he brings the dog home “just for the night.” The puppy—named Hachi—soon becomes Parker’s constant companion, greeting him each evening at the station. Their quiet routine and deepening attachment transform into a powerful, heartbreaking testament to loyalty when Parker suddenly dies and Hachi continues to wait for him every day, refusing to accept that his owner will never return. The story is framed as a grandson’s school report, which adds a gentle, reflective tone and shows how one faithful dog becomes a beloved symbol for an entire town. Viewers can expect a slow, emotionally rich film: warm, domestic moments and light humor are shaded by increasing poignancy and grief. It’s family-friendly but undeniably a tearjerker—moving, sincere, and uplifting in its portrayal of devotion, community compassion, and the way small acts of love endure. If you want a heartfelt, character-driven story about loyalty and loss that leaves you quietly moved and inspired, Hachi delivers.

Actors: Richard Gere, Joan Allen, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

Director: Lasse Hallström

Runtime: 93 min

Genres: Biography, Drama, Family

7.1 /10 8.1 /10 7.6 /10