20th Century Fox’s post-apocalyptic film “The Dog Stars” struggled at the box office, earning only $19.3M during its opening weekend. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Jacob Elordi, the movie reportedly cost $80 million to produce. This disappointing performance marked one of the weakest starts for a mainstream Hollywood release in 2026.
“The Dog Stars” depicts a group’s survival journey in a post-apocalyptic America after a devastating pandemic. Critically acclaimed novel by Peter Heller, the film was criticized by reviewers for its slow pacing, cliché genre elements, and a peculiar conclusion. This flop adds to director Ridley Scott’s recent string of box office disappointments, following the underwhelming performance of his previous films.
Despite the challenging landscape in the film industry, successful movies like “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” “The Odyssey,” “Michael,” and “Toy Story 5” have contributed to a potentially stellar year in 2026. Unlike past years dominated by sequels and franchises, this year has seen a rise in original standalone films capturing audience interest.
The domestic box office revenue in the U.S. surged by 15% compared to the same period last year, reaching $6.2 billion by August 2. Similarly, the English-language Canadian box office witnessed strong growth in 2026 with unique films like “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie,” “Little Lorraine,” and “Mile End Kicks” leading the charge.
The film industry’s resurgence can be attributed to a diverse lineup of movies, including low-budget hits like “Backrooms” and “Obsession,” standalone successes like “Project Hail Mary,” and unexpected hits such as “Coyote vs. Acme.” Despite this positive trend, films like “The Dog Stars” highlight the evolving audience preference for innovative storytelling over conventional narratives.