The movie is a US remake of a Japanese film about a real story which happened in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s.
As far as tearjerkers go, it’s certainly up there with some of the biggest ones, at least according to Netflix fans.
And the world of film has seen some serious tear jerkers over the years.
It could be the ending of Titanic where Jack dies because the door is too small. Another option could be the final part of Toy Story 3, though many viewers may not have been over the trauma of having to watch their favourite childhood characters huddle together as they resign themselves to death.
So what is this film that has Netflix viewers turning their sweet popcorn salty with their tears?
It’s called Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, and is based on the 1987 Japanese Hachikō Monogatari, which follows the true story of Hachikō the dog.
For those who don’t know, Hachikō was an Akita dog who lived between 1923 and 1935.
Hachikō is remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor at Tokyo Imperial University’s agriculture department.
Ueno would get the train to work every day, and Hachikō would meet him at Shibuya Station in Tokyo.
This was until May 21, 1925, when Ueno died of a stroke at work.
It was at this point that Hachikō’s story really began.
The loyal dog waited for Ueno at the station every day, until his death in 1935, becoming so well known that people would bring him food and treats.
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale relocates the story from Tokyo to New York, with Richard Gere starring as Professor Parker Wilson.
People took to the comments to share how much the movie had affected them emotionally.
One wrote: “This film will BREAK you!”, while another commented: “Such a great movie but very very sad i cried so much.”
A third posted: “Great movie but broke my heart and cried like a baby.”
One couldn’t even watch it again, commenting: “This movie made my heart actually hurt!!!! I cannot watch it again.”
And one viewer used some graphic description for the film’s emotional impact, writing: “I sobbed every time I watched it….it rips your heart out and stamps on it, then stamps on it again …..such an emotional film…”
