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Animated drama

The Call of the Wild (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

The Call of the Wild (2020) movie poster

The Call of the Wild is a 2020 animated drama directed by Chris Sanders, starring Bradley Whitford as Judge Miller, Jean Louisa Kelly and Harrison Ford. It is based on The Call of the Wild by Jack London and E. L. Doctorow. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $111.2 million worldwide on a $135 million budget. Critics gave it 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Stream it on Disney Plus and fuboTV, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
63%
worldwide gross
$111.2M
Echo Score
67
The Call of the Wild (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Chris Sanders
Original language
English
Budget
$135M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Call of the Wild About?

The premise of The Call of the Wild without spoilers, adapted from The Call of the Wild by Jack London and E. L. Doctorow. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush, a domesticated dog named Buck is stolen from his comfortable life in California and transported to the harsh Alaskan wilderness. He must adapt to survive, facing perilous challenges and evolving from a cherished pet into a powerful and resilient creature. Along the way, Buck forges strong connections with both humans and animals, ultimately discovering his inner strength and finding his place in the wild.

The Call of the Wild Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 1890s
  • snow
  • dog
  • remake
  • alaska
  • drunkenness
  • judge
  • boat
  • based on novel
  • skagway alaska
  • snowing
  • white wolf
+38 more
  • yukon territory
  • gold
  • gold prospector
  • cabin
  • tent
  • river rapids
  • canoe
  • sled dog
  • dog barks
  • howling
  • rifle
  • gun
  • pistol
  • drink
  • drinking
  • falling through ice
  • falling off a cliff
  • underwater scene
  • post office
  • mail delivery
  • letter
  • lantern
  • campfire
  • backpack
  • food
  • eating
  • animal cruelty
  • african franco
  • native american
  • map
  • voice over narration
  • voice over letter
  • spoken inner thoughts
  • talking to a dog
  • chase
  • pursuit
  • husband wife relationship
  • train
Where to watch

Where to Watch The Call of the Wild

Stream it on Disney Plus and fuboTV, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

The Call of the Wild Cast & Characters

Bradley Whitford leads the cast as Judge Miller, with Jean Louisa Kelly as Katie Miller and Harrison Ford as John Thornton. Directed by Chris Sanders; 16 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Call of the Wild Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Call of the Wild 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in sensory experience (60).

67 /100

The Call of the Wild Echo Score Breakdown

The Call of the Wild presents a solid family adventure elevated by strong cinematography and a stirring storyline, but its reliance on photorealistic CGI occasionally undercuts engagement. Critics and users alike commend the film’s visual polish and clear narrative structure, while noting that some tonal shifts and overly familiar beats limit its impact. Despite uneven moments, the film’s heartfelt performances and scenic compositions offer an enjoyable experience, resulting in a moderately satisfying adaptation.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film’s cinematography and production design stand out with sweeping landscape shots and detailed period elements. Direction and editing maintain clarity in most sequences, although occasional over-reliance on CG backgrounds creates visual disjunction. Overall, the visual composition and technical execution deliver a commendable level of polish.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, Harrison Ford’s dignified performance anchors the film with measured gravitas, and the narrative fosters a clear bond between Buck and his world. However, the computer-generated portrayal of Buck lacks subtle facial nuance, limiting emotional resonance in key scenes. As a result, character engagement is uneven but retains moments of genuine warmth.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of Story & Flow, the adaptation follows a familiar narrative trajectory with coherent pacing and several stirring set pieces that engage family viewers. The straightforward plotting and clear character motivations aid accessibility, though tonal shifts introduce occasional whiplash and predictable story beats reduce originality. Consequently, the film offers reliable entertainment through its solid structure but falls short of thematic depth.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When evaluating the Sensory Experience, the film benefits from an evocative musical score and crisp sound design that enhance dramatic sequences. Visually, glossy CGI and motion-capture technology create striking images, but noticeable artificiality in the animal animation disrupts immersion. Overall, the audiovisual elements demonstrate technical proficiency while occasionally undermining the film’s intended naturalistic atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film’s clear narrative and wholesome family appeal support repeat viewings, especially through its memorable scenic sequences and emotive moments. However, limited thematic complexity and predictable plot developments may reduce the incentive for subsequent watches. Ultimately, the film retains modest replay value but is unlikely to inspire extensive revisits.

Plot

The Call of the Wild Plot Summary

What happens in The Call of the Wild from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

During the late 19th century Gold Rush, Buck, a large and gentle St. Bernard/Scotch Collie, enjoys a peaceful life with his master, Judge Miller, in Santa Clara, California. However, one fateful night, Buck is forcibly taken from his home, destined for a life of servitude in the Yukon aboard a freighter. The journey is brutal, as a crew member harshly mistreats him by beating and starving him. Once in the Yukon, Buck’s fortunes begin to change when he returns a fallen harmonica to a man named John Thornton, moments before being sold to Perrault and his assistant, Francoise. They embark on a treacherous journey across the icy expanse of the Yukon, delivering mail via dog sled, with Perrault eager to meet tight deadlines.

Full summary

The whole story of The Call of the Wild, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Call of the Wild Box Office & Budget

The Call of the Wild grossed $111.2 million worldwide on a $135 million budget, 82% of what it cost. $62.3 million came from the US and Canada and $48.8 million (44%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$111.2M

82% of its budget back

US & Canada
$62.3M
International
$48.8M
Budget
$135M
US & Canada 56% Rest of the world 44%
Videos

The Call of the Wild Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Call of the Wild.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Call of the Wild?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is Buck's original owner at the beginning of the film?

Details

The Call of the Wild Also Known As

39 alternative titles, including “La llamada de lo salvaje” and “O Chamado da Floresta”.

Also known as
  • La llamada de lo salvaje
  • O Chamado da Floresta
  • 絕境長征
  • 野性的呼唤
  • Поклик пращурів
  • Дивото зове
  • L'appel de la forêt
  • Зов предков
  • Volání divočiny
  • Il richiamo della foresta
  • El llamado salvaje
  • Volanie divočiny
+27 more
  • The Call of the Wild - Skriet från vildmarken
  • Το Κάλεσμα της Άγριας Φύσης
  • Erämaan kutsu
  • Zew krwi
  • L’appel de la forêt
  • Ruf der Wildnis
  • קול קדומים
  • A vadon hívó szava
  • 콜 오브 와일드
  • 野性の呼び声
  • Tiếng Gọi Nơi Hoang Dã
  • Vahşetin Çağrısı
  • Mežonīgās dabas balss
  • Chemarea străbunilor
  • 極地守護犬
  • Het Wilde Avontuur
  • Зов дивљине
  • O Apelo Selvagem
  • Ürgne kutse
  • Protėvių šauksmas
  • Call of the Wild - Når villdyret våkner
  • Klic divjine
  • เสียงเพรียกจากพงไพร, ველური ბუნების ძახილი
  • نداء البرية
  • آوای وحش
  • El gos indomable
  • Zov divljine

Seen The Call of the Wild?

FAQ

The Call of the Wild FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of The Call of the Wild, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Call of the Wild?

The Call of the Wild runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was The Call of the Wild released?

The Call of the Wild was released on February 21, 2020.

Who directed The Call of the Wild?

The Call of the Wild was directed by Chris Sanders.

More films by Chris Sanders

Who is in the cast of The Call of the Wild?

The Call of the Wild stars Bradley Whitford as Judge Miller, Jean Louisa Kelly as Katie Miller and Harrison Ford as John Thornton, among 16 credited actors.

Where can I watch The Call of the Wild?

In the US, The Call of the Wild is streaming on Disney Plus and fuboTV and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did The Call of the Wild make at the box office?

The Call of the Wild grossed $111.2 million worldwide ($62.3 million domestic, $48.8 million international) on a budget of $135 million.

How is The Call of the Wild rated?

The Call of the Wild has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, 48 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.

Is The Call of the Wild based on a book?

Yes. The Call of the Wild is adapted from The Call of the Wild by Jack London and E. L. Doctorow.

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