Pick of the Litter (2018)
94%RT Audience Score: 90%
Awards & Nominations: 8 wins & 4 nominations
Pick of the Litter has all the fluffy adorableness audiences expect from a puppy documentary, along with a story that’s as edifying as it is heartwarming.
If you’re a dog lover, you’ll be wagging your tail with joy after watching Pick of the Litter. This documentary follows a group of adorable puppies as they train to become guide dogs for the visually impaired. Sure, there’s some reality TV-style competition thrown in, but it’s hard not to root for these furry friends as they learn new skills and show off their unique personalities. And even if you’re not a dog person, you’ll appreciate the important work these pups are doing to help others. So grab some popcorn and get ready for a paw-some time!
Production Company(ies)
K T F Films,
Distributor
Sundance Selects
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
TV-PG
Year of Release
2018
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 21m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 31, 2018 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 31, 2018
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, guide dogs, blind, puppies, training, heartwarming, Sundance Selects, Dana Nachman, Don Hardy Jr., written by Dana Nachman, produced by Don Hardy Jr and Dana Nachman, executive producer Dan Braun and Ian Reinhard, Dolby Digital, $532.2K box office, unrated, reviewed by Jamie Ludwig, Wendy Ide, Kevin Maher, Phil Hoad, Wenlei Ma, Jake Wilson, Cory Woodroof, Linda Cook, Candice McMillan, Scott Phillips, Joyce Slaton, starring the guide dogs, directed by Dana Nachman and Don Hardy Jr
Worldwide gross: $763,688
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $898,688
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,620
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 98,003
US/Canada gross: $578,717
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $681,019
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,265
US/Canada opening weekend: $16,519
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $19,439
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,522
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Don Hardy Jr. – Director
Dana Nachman – Writer
Dan Braun – Executive Producer
Ian Reinhard – Executive Producer
Don Hardy Jr. – Producer
Director(s)
Dana Nachman, Don Hardy Jr.
Writer(s)
Dana Nachman
Producer(s)
Don Hardy Jr., Dana Nachman
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
8 wins & 4 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (68) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (66) | Rotten (2)
Though it could benefit from more context and history of guide dogs and a little less walk footage, the film offers compelling insight into a process most know little about-and whether they make the cut or not, there’s a happy ending for every dog.
March 4, 2020
Jamie Ludwig
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
In a tussle between the appeal of the subject and the plodding banality of the approach, the pups are ultimately the losers.
May 19, 2019 | Rating: 2/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Yes, the structural constraints and the emotional rhythms of reality TV competition shows are all over this, but it’s mostly irresistible.
May 17, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The dogs’ personalities, highlighted by a handy name-tag graphic every time each one gets a segment, bound and yap off the screen.
May 15, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Phil Hoad
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
This is exactly the movie we need right now.
January 17, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Wenlei Ma
News.com.au
TOP CRITIC
Viewers of all ages with a fondness for puppies will find it hard to resist.
January 11, 2019
Jake Wilson
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
I watched this with my dog last night, who didn’t bark at the screen once. I got very emotional for a variety of reasons. I think my dog enjoyed it?
June 15, 2022
Cory Woodroof
615 Film
‘Pick of the Litter’ is doggone cute.
May 7, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Linda Cook
OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois)
Because the world is in an especially confusing flux of awful, and there is something beautiful in the uncomplicated, slightly informative and demurely delightful documentary about our favorite four-legged friends.
January 28, 2021
Candice McMillan
Seattle Refined
Pick of the Litter offers lessons about the importance of service animals and raises awareness about the visually-impaired people who put their lives in the hands of these guide dogs every day.
July 24, 2020
Scott Phillips
The Movie Isle
Guide dogs learn their trade in lovely docuseries.
December 20, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Joyce Slaton
Common Sense Media
It’s a beautiful thing to see.
July 24, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Leslie Combemale
Cinema Siren…
Plot
Pick of the Litter follows a litter of puppies from the moment they’re born and begin their quest to become Guide Dogs for the Blind, the ultimate canine career. Cameras follow these pups through a two-year odyssey as they train to become dogs whose ultimate responsibility is to protect their blind partners from harm. Along the way, the dogs meet a community of dedicated individuals who train them to do amazing, life-changing things in the service of their human. The stakes are high and not every dog can make the cut. Only the best of the best. The pick of the litter.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The cast and crew of Pick of the Litter are primarily made up of documentary filmmakers and producers, with no notable actors or celebrities involved.
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