Performance & Direction: Alaska Review
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Alaska (1996) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Family.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Family is often anchored by its ensemble, and Alaska features a noteworthy lineup led by Thora Birch . Supported by the likes of Vincent Kartheiser and Dirk Benedict , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Alaska (1996) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Alaska
Quick Plot Summary: Alaska is a Family, Drama, Adventure film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Alaska
Ending Breakdown: Alaska attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to family resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the family themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Alaska reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Alaska?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Family films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Alaska
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $23.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $11.8M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Alaska Budget
The estimated production budget for Alaska is $23.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Alaska
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Alaska Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoAlaska Parents Guide & Age Rating
1996 AdvisoryWondering about Alaska age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Alaska is 109 minutes (1h 49m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.8/10, and global collection metrics, Alaska stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1996 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alaska worth watching?
Alaska is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Family movies. It has a verified rating of 5.8/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Alaska parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Alaska identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Alaska?
The total duration of Alaska is 109 minutes, which is approximately 1h 49m long.
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How Alaska Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Alaska
**Actually pretty good, one of the better wildlife/animal family films of the 90's.** Definitly ALOT better than for instance THE AMAZING PANDA ADVENTURE which was released the year before, with some perfectly fine acting from even the kids one of which is Vincent Kartheiser who would later become one of the main stars in the tv series ANGEL. The other is Thora Birch, she might not be as good as Vince but she was okay at least. Would have worked as purely a survival film but they had to throw in some baddies in it as well, one of which is played by Charlton Heston the father of the director of the film Frasert C Heston. I'm not saying that they weren't okay baddies or anything but sometimes less is more as they say. But still as a family adventure film in the veins of the stuff Disney did in the 90's it's most certainly above average.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
