[1][2] Beavers was Low's second IMAX film, following his short documentary Skyward, which had debuted at Expo 85 in Tsukuba, Japan.

Dentsu, a Japanese advertising company, liked Skyward's depiction of Canada geese and contracted with Low for Beavers.

[1] A 34-minute "Director's Cut" was released in 2019, and again shown in IMAX theaters, with 12.1 surround sound and new aerial sequences.

[4] Critics' reviews were generally positive, with Michael Walsh awarding it three stars, but noting Low's tendency to anthropomorphize his subjects in a Disney-like fashion.

[3] Jeff Strickler of the Star Tribune felt the knowledge that the beavers "are, in effect, actors" takes the edge off the amazement of the photography, but nonetheless gave the film eight out of ten stars and praised the cinematography.