The Dog Stars

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2:06

The Dog Stars

R

Aug 2026

1h 58m

Adventure

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

215 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Verified Ratings

Ridley Scott's "The Dog Stars," is a riveting, epic thriller set in a world where survival is instinct, but humanity is a choice. Scott tells the story of Hig, a young pilot who, together with a military survivalist, Bangley, has carved out an efficient but isolated homestead in a brutal post-apocalyptic world until a mysterious radio transmission spurs Hig to venture into the unknown in search of the hope and humanity he still believes exists.

Critics Consensus

A derivative and drowsy tour through the post-apocalypse, The Dog Stars' lush visuals can't compensate for its listless narrative and underpowered pacing.

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Audience Says

While its deliberate pace may not be everyone’s tempo, The Dog Stars undeniably shines thanks to the compelling performances of its lead cast.

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Joey Shapiro

Chicago Reader

Sep 8, 2026

The Dog Stars is Frankensteined together from the well-worn tropes of more memorable movies.

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Adam Nayman

The New Republic

Aug 31, 2026

For a movie set in a wasteland, The Dog Stars is cluttered with plot points and symbolic gimmicks; the pileup distracts from the fact that it isn’t really about anything at all.

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Jake Helm

The Times (UK)

Aug 31, 2026

3/5

You have to hand it to Scott: even at the end of the world, he knows how to put on a show.

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Nicholas Bell

Fish Jelly Films (YouTube)

3 hrs ago

2.5/5

Sir Ridley Scott pulls off a YA rendering of the post apocalypse in The Dog Stars, a familiar, simplified operation, its superficial characterizations and pulchritudinous cast overshadowed by the essence of an exuberant canine.

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Sarah Ward

ScreenHub

15 hrs ago

Veering widely between oh-so-generic and warmly thoughtful ... engaging but uneven.

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Edwin Arnaudin

Asheville Movies

1 day ago

C

I still think her name is Zima and that she was named after the carbonated alcoholic beverage from the ’90s. Let me have this fantasy, please and thank you.

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Emmanuel

4 days ago

The movie was really good what ruined it was the ending it felt so rushed , it had so much potential!

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PayPal U

6 days ago

Awesome post-apocalyptic story about one man searching for something better beyond the ruins. Along the way, he finds acceptance, forgiveness, and ultimately learns to forgive himself. A meaningful story about hope, redemption, and second chances.

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Richie

6 days ago

really really good movie, definitely a must see

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Janet T

Sep 11, 2026

Good movie! Not as expected and didn’t like the ending

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Richard

Sep 10, 2026

I was expecting a little more action

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Veera

Sep 10, 2026

Grand junction scene was lost opportunity

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Ridley Scott

Director

Jacob Elordi

Hig

Josh Brolin

Bangley

Margaret Qualley

Cima

Allison Janney

Actor

Benedict Wong

Actor

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Synopsis

Ridley Scott's "The Dog Stars," is a riveting, epic thriller set in a world where survival is instinct, but humanity is a choice. Scott tells the story of Hig, a young pilot who, together with a military survivalist, Bangley, has carved out an efficient but isolated homestead in a brutal post-apocalyptic world until a mysterious radio transmission spurs Hig to venture into the unknown in search of the hope and humanity he still believes exists.

Director: Ridley Scott
Producer: Ridley Scott, Michael A. Pruss, Mark L. Smith, Cliff Roberts
Screenwriter: Mark L. Smith
Distributor: 20th Century Studios
Production Co: Scott Free Productions
Rating: R (Strong Violence|Language)
Genre: Adventure, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 28, 2026, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.8M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

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