Is Hachi on Netflix| How to watch Richard Gere’s Hachi: A Dog’s Tale on Netflix in the United States and UK?

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Hachi Netflix

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale is a 2009 American drama film based on the true story of Hachikō, a Japanese Akita. The Movie will tug at your heartstrings with its tragic yet beautiful devotion and unconditional love story.

The story revolves around a college professor (Richard Gere) who adopts an abandoned Akita puppy on his way home. Despite his wife Cate’s (Joan Allen) hesitation, Hachi quickly becomes part of the family.

In this blog, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about the movie and where and how to watch Hachi on Netflix in USA or anywhere else.

Is Hachi on Netflix?

Hachi is available on Netflix in a few countries like Canada and Romania. If you reside in the United States or UK, you won’t find it in your Netflix library, and that is due to copyright issues.

However, you can easily watch Hachi on Netflix from anywhere with a reliable VPN and this blog is all about it.

How to watch Hachi on Netflix in 2023?

Richard Gere’s Hachi is available on Netflix but not internationally. Get ExpressVPN to change your IP address and watch Hachi in other countries.

Here is the step you need to follow.

1- Get ExpressVPN to unblock Netflix (12+3 month special deal with a 30day money-back guarantee)

2- Download the VPN app on your preferred device (ExpressVPN works on Android, iOS, Linux, and Windows)

3- Select a Canadian IP address from the country list

4- Now open Netflix.com on your browser or in the app

5- Search for Hachi on Netflix

6- Enjoy the movie

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Hachi Netflix Countries

The film is a heartwarming and moving story about the power of love and loyalty. The storyline of the movie attracted the viewers, making them curious about where they can watch it online.

Our team of experts has checked several Netflix libraries and found the movie in the Netflix library of the following countries.

  • Canada
  • Czech Republic
  • Romania

Hachi release date

Hachi was released in the United States on November 13, 2009, and generated a worldwide revenue of $52.4 million.

With an excellent IMDb score of 8.1, the movie won several awards, including the Genesis Awards and the Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards.

If you like watching movies and TV shows, watch Brightburn, 60 Days In, The Turning, Rampage, and Arrival on Netflix.

Hachi Trailer

Hachi | What to expect

Hachi tells the heart-touching story of a loyal dog named Hachi who forms a deep bond with his owner, college professor Parker Wilson. After finding the lost puppy at a train station, Parker takes him home despite initial resistance from his wife, Cate.

A Loyal Companion

Every morning, Hachi accompanies Parker to the station as he leaves for work. In the afternoon, Hachi dutifully waits for hours until Parker returns on the train, and they walk home together—a heartwarming routine between man and devoted dog.

The Undying Devotion

Tragedy strikes when Parker suddenly dies of a heart attack at work. Hachi patiently waits at the station for his beloved owner’s return, never giving up hope each day. As seasons pass, the ever-loyal pup maintains his vigil, touching the lives of local townspeople.

Hachi’s Love for Parker

Ten years later, an aged Hachi still returns to the station every day, envisioning Parker’s arrival. A bronze statue is erected in his honor by the community that grew to love him. One day, Hachi is found lifeless on the snowy platform, envisioning his reunion with Parker as he takes his last breath.

The Faithful Dog

Spanning a decade, Hachi’s unwavering devotion and perseverance illustrate the profound bond between humans and dogs. Even long after Parker’s death, his steadfast loyalty embodies the purity of unconditional love. While bittersweet, Hachi’s story affirms how the selfless love of animals can uplift the spirit and reveal our human capacity for compassion.

The Cast of Hachi

The heartwarming 2009 film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale featured great acting that brought this emotional true story to life. Below are the prominent cast members of the movie:

  • Richard Gere plays Professor Parker Wilson, who forms a close bond with the lost Akita dog Hachiko. Gere is a Hollywood legend known for films like Pretty Woman, Primal Fear, Chicago, and An Officer and a Gentleman, for which he received a Golden Globe.
  • Joan Allen portrays Cate Wilson, Professor Wilson’s wife, who initially isn’t keen on taking Hachiko in. Allen is a respected actress whose acclaimed roles include The Crucible, The Bourne Supremacy, and Room. She’s earned Oscar, Tony, and Golden Globe nominations.
  • Jason Alexander plays Mary Anne, a train station clerk who befriends Hachiko. Alexander is best known for his iconic role as George Costanza on Seinfeld. He also starred in the hit sitcom The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
  • Erick Avari joins as Professor Wilson’s colleague Dr. Smith. Avari has had memorable roles in films like Independence Day, The Mummy, Mr. Deeds, and Planet of the Apes.
  • Sarah Roemer plays Andy, Professor Wilson’s student who eventually adopts Hachi’s puppy. Roemer has appeared in Disturbia, Fired Up!, and The Event series.

Can I Watch Hachi with a Free VPN?

While free VPN services may seem appealing, experts warn about relying on them due to major security and functionality shortcomings compared to paid options. Free VPNs lack the robust encryption paid versions provide to safeguard user data, leaving personal information vulnerable to hackers.

Additionally, free VPNs impose highly restrictive data caps like 500MB monthly from TunnelBear—far too little for most online activities, like watching Hachi on Netflix.

For reliable security, unlimited access, and peace of mind, professionals recommend reasonably priced premium VPNs such as ExpressVPN. The small monthly fee grants military-grade encryption and unlimited data so users can browse and stream freely while protecting their information. We watched Naruto Shippuden and Jujutsu Kaisen on Netflix with ExpressVPN.

In summary, paid VPNs deliver essential privacy protections and unconstrained internet access that unreliable, limited free versions do not. Investing a few dollars monthly in a reputable premium VPN is a prudent choice to secure data and fully experience the internet without restrictions. The benefits outweigh the minor upfront costs.

Why is ExpressVPN the best to watch Hachi on Netflix?

Our continuous testing showed ExpressVPN provides incredibly fast connectivity, with download speeds reaching up to 91Mbps and upload speeds up to 84Mbps, even on a standard 100Mbps network. This enables smooth, uninterrupted access to restricted content and buffer-free Netflix streaming of popular shows like, Outlander and The Walking Dead anywhere. Their powerful servers allow easy access to different Netflix libraries across countries.

A single ExpressVPN account permits use on up to 5 devices simultaneously, making sharing connections with family and friends straightforward. ExpressVPN offers easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox, and more. Their Lightway protocol guarantees fast speeds with robust encryption, allowing unconstrained browsing and seamless streaming.

ExpressVPN provides a 15-month subscription discounted by 49% to just $6.67/month, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free testing. Their 24/7 customer support gives prompt help when needed. With its unmatched speed, discounted pricing, and stellar service, ExpressVPN is a fantastic global choice for private, hassle-free internet access.

What else can you watch on Netflix?

Netflix has some of the best movies and TV shows. Star Trek Beyond was released on Netflix in German regions. We all are eagerly waiting for John Wick 4 to release on Netflix.

Until that happens, here are a few popular movies and TV shows.

Hachi: A Dog's Tale is based on the true story of Hachikō, an Akita dog in 1920s Japan. Hachikō would walk daily with his owner, Professor Hidesaburō Ueno, to the train station when he left for work and then would wait at the station every afternoon for the professor to return. Tragically, in 1925 Professor Ueno passed away suddenly while at work.

Despite the professor no longer returning, Hachikō continued to go wait for him at the train station at the usual time every day for over 9 years. Hachikō's remarkable loyalty and devotion to his owner, even long after his death, touched the people of Japan. His story became legendary as a symbol of devotion and he was honored with a bronze statue at the train station. In 1987, the story was made into a Japanese film titled Hachikō Monogatari.

Then in 2009, the American movie Hachi: A Dog's Tale adapted the story to a contemporary setting, starring Richard Gere. However, the emotional heart of Hachikō's true story remained intact. The loyalty displayed by the real-life dog in 1920s Japan inspired many and still serves as a testament to the powerful bond between humans and their canine companions.

Following Professor Ueno's passing in 1925, Hachiko was relocated to various homes located a considerable distance from Shibuya. However, the devoted canine persisted in escaping back to the train station where he had routinely reunited with his beloved owner after work each day. Hachiko finally obtained permanent residence with Kikuzaburo Kobayashi, who previously tended the gardens of Professor Ueno. Despite the time elapsed since Ueno's death, Hachiko remained steadfast in returning to their customary meeting place, demonstrating remarkable loyalty and perseverance.

Anecdotal reports implied that Hachiko's demise resulted from consuming a yakitori skewer, consequently rupturing his stomach. However, upon examination of the canine's internal organs, veterinary specialists from the University of Tokyo determined on Wednesday that the underlying cause was terminal cancer accompanied by a filaria infection, a parasitic worm affliction.

Hachi is not streaming on Hulu or Disney Plus. The movie is only available on Netflix in limited countries and you will need a reliable VPN to stream Hachi on Netflix.

 

Hachi is already available on Netflix but not in the Untied States. However, with a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN, you can easily stream Hachi on Netflix from the US or the UK.

As of writing this blog, there is no official word on the American Netflix release date of Hachi.

  • The movie was primarily filmed in Rhode Island, taking advantage of tax incentives for film productions offered in the state.
  • Locations in and around the cities of Providence and Bristol were used.
  • The train station scenes were filmed at the Bristol Railroad Station in Bristol, RI.
  • Nearby Brown University's campus in Providence stood in for the fictional University of Rhode Island campus in the film.
  • Other Providence locations included the East Side Tunnel and Canada Pond.
  • Additional filming was done in studios in Massachusetts.
  • For a few scenes set in Japan, the production team did travel to the actual train station where the real Hachiko waited in Tokyo to capture some authentic establishing shots.
  • But the main storyline was shot amid the quintessential New England backdrops of Rhode Island.

So while it included some filming in Japan, the majority of Hachi: A Dog's Tale was shot around Providence and Bristol, Rhode Island. The region provided the idyllic American locations and university town setting the adaptation required.

Hachi: A Dog's Tale was complete with a humble budget of $16 million and collected $46 million globally. The movie was praised by viewers for its story and acting.

In 2009, critic Christopher Lloyd at the Sarasota Herald Tribune gave Hachi: A Dog's Tale 4 out of 5 stars. He said the movie is totally trying to make you cry - it's a major tearjerker. You might feel manipulated by how emotional it is. But Lloyd thinks even people who don't cry easily will probably shed some tears watching this film.

That same year, Alissa Simon reviewed it for Variety magazine. She called it a sentimental, repetitive story that feels kind of old-fashioned. Simon said it's good for families, but kids will probably get bored since it's slow. She felt the main problem is the human story isn't very dramatic - the dog Hachi is the real star. But Simon said Hachi's distress and dignity will make all but the most hard-hearted people emotional.

Wrap Up

Hachi is a gentle drama that reminds us of uncompromising love. It will make you want to hug your furry friends close—and appreciate the depth of their unconditional affection.

We have tested ExpressVPN several times to change our Netflix regions and watch movies and tv shows, which is why we highly recommend it to all our readers.

Written by Jessica Lynch

With over a decade in entertainment writing, Jessica Lynch expertly navigates film, TV, and streaming content. Her insightful writing tips and guides are loved by industry peers and audiences.