The Dog Stars
At the end of the world, no one survives alone.
After the world's population has been ravaged by a pandemic, a man lives a lonesome existence in a Colorado airplane hangar with his dog and a dour gunman he has befriended. When a mysterious transmission comes through on the radio while he’s flying his old Cessna, it sparks a hunt for the provenance of the sound.
Directed by Ridley Scott · Adventure · Science Fiction · Thriller · 118 min · 2026
Trailer
Director
Ridley Scott
Studio
20th Century Studios / Scott Free Productions
Release
2026-08-26
Runtime
118 min
Genres
Adventure, Science Fiction, Thriller
Full Plot
Set in a post-apocalyptic world in which a virus has wiped out most of humanity, with survivors being terrorized by roaming scavengers called "Reapers." The protagonist is Hig, a pilot who survived the flu that killed everyone he knew, his wife included. He lives in the hangar of a small abandoned airport with his dog, his only neighbor a gun-toting ex-Marine. Hig sometimes heads off in his 1956 Cessna, where he can fish and pretend things are how they used to be. When a random transmission somehow beams through his radio, the voice ignites a hope deep inside him that a better life might exist if he flies a bit further. He risks it all. to chase a possible haven in Grand Junction.
Cast & Characters
Did You Know?
Did You Know that Ridley Scott had a Bee Gees biopic planned after this film?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Is based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Peter Heller.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Filming began in April 2025 in Bordano, Italy.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Production concluded in late June 2025 after one-month filming in Rome.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Critical Assessment
The Dog Stars is newly added and doesn't yet have enough aggregated ratings data to summarize.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of August 11, 2026
AI Verdict
AI-generatedToo early for a meaningful verdict — check back as ratings data comes in via the site's daily refresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Dog Stars good? What are critics saying?+
The Dog Stars is newly added and doesn't yet have enough aggregated ratings data to summarize.
How long is The Dog Stars?+
The Dog Stars has a runtime of 118 min.
Who directed The Dog Stars?+
The Dog Stars was directed by Ridley Scott.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The public reaction to the movie "The Dog Stars" is mixed but generally positive. Reviewers praised its beautiful direction, great actors, and thoughtful exploration of grief and loss in a post-apocalyptic world. However, some reviewers noted that the film's themes are familiar and not particularly original, with comparisons drawn to other recent apocalyptic movies.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
Life in a post-apocalyptic world is a common theme in movies (especially, if you believe what’s published in the media, the increasing prospect that such an outcome may be coming closer to a reality than any of us might like). In many cases, these films follow the experiences of…
Brent Marchant · 5/10What a great movie!! One of those worth seeing in the theater—and one that leaves you hoping for a sequel! Great story, great actors, great direction! No racial quotas, no trendy interracial couples, and no gender issues shoved down our throats—in short, no “woke” garbage! A brea…
TheStoic · 9/10Check out my full review @ https://www.manuelsbento.com/the-dog-stars-2026-ridley-scotts-gorgeous-grief-stricken-post-apocalypse-never-quite-takes-flight/ Rating: C+ THE DOG STARS is a gorgeous, contemplative post-apocalyptic thriller that never fully earns its two-hour runtime.…
Manuel São Bento · 5/10In a world where a flu virus has wiped out most of the human population, mechanic-cum-pilot "Hig" (Jacob Elordi) lives on a remote farm with his world-weary pal "Bangley" (Josh Brolin). He makes occassional sorties with his beloved dog "Jasper" into town (think "Omega Man" - 1971…
CinemaSerf · 6/10
From the trailer's comments
When Ridley Scott makes a movie, the film gods flip a coin.
@Flow_503 · 706 likesRidley's films are a total 50/50
@growupjerry · 1039 likesGave me the "I Am Legend" vibes.
@pratyaybanerjee1495 · 806 likesThis looks like a TV movie version of every single post apocalypse movie thats come out in the last 10 years. And theres been about 5000 of them.
@Jordan-zd2tx · 178 likesApocalypse survivors are so handsome
@timgoodwin90 · 309 likesIt'd be funny if they were like "The director of Excodus Gods and Kings, GI Jane, and A Good Year."
@jamesbridges6502 · 538 likesThe known world has collapsed. A handsome man and a beautiful woman are fighting for survival against a handful of other survivors in the vast world. Wow Ridley, you've really captured something amazing man.
@crossingthebridge5038 · 43 likesCan't wait to see this. But I fear this might be another of those "Came and Went" movies.
@aztro4010 · 513 likes
