The Dog Stars (2026) is Ridley Scott’s post-apocalyptic thriller starring Jacob Elordi, with Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, Allison Janney and Benedict Wong in the supporting cast. The film had a short run in theaters and is now available to watch at home.
It’s based on Peter Heller’s bestselling 2012 novel. Elordi plays Hig, a pilot surviving in the Colorado wilderness after a flu pandemic wiped out most of humanity. His only company is his dog, Jasper, and a gruff ex-Marine neighbor. When a mysterious radio signal crackles through, Hig takes his small plane into the unknown to look for whatever humanity is left.
The film opened in theaters on August 28, 2026, and arrived on digital rental and purchase on October 27. The 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD release follows on December 1.
Here’s everything to know about where to watch The Dog Stars, when it’s likely to stream, and what to know about the cast, story and filming locations.
Where to watch The Dog Stars?
Right now, the only way to watch The Dog Stars at home is to rent or buy it digitally. It’s not on any subscription streaming service yet.
| Platform | How to watch | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or buy | Available now (since Oct 27) |
| Apple TV | Rent or buy | Available now |
| Fandango at Home | Rent or buy | Available now |
| Google Play | Rent or buy | Available now |
| 4K Ultra HD / Blu-ray / DVD | Physical copy | Coming December 1, 2026 |
| Hulu (US) | Subscription streaming | Expected, not yet announced |
| Disney+ (international) | Subscription streaming | Expected, not yet announced |
The digital release launched at a premium price. Reports put a 48-hour rental at around $20 at launch, and prices usually drop after the first few weeks.
When Will The Dog Stars Be on Hulu or Disney+?
Disney hasn’t announced a streaming date yet. The Dog Stars is a 20th Century Studios film, and Disney owns 20th Century, so the film will almost certainly stream on Disney’s own platforms.
Here’s where it’s expected to land:
- United States: Hulu, and Hulu on Disney+. Because the film is rated R, most predictions point to Hulu rather than the main Disney+ library.
- Outside the US: Disney+.
- India: No platform has been confirmed. Disney’s films in India usually stream on JioHotstar, so that’s the most likely home, but there’s no official word yet.
When to expect it: Disney’s recent 20th Century releases have usually reached streaming around three months after their theatrical debut. Several outlets expect The Dog Stars on Hulu in late November or early December 2026, possibly around the same time the discs go on sale. Disney usually announces streaming dates only a week or two in advance, so treat this as a prediction.
The Dog Stars Release Timeline
| Date | Release |
|---|---|
| August 26, 2026 | Opens in France and Italy |
| August 28, 2026 | Opens in US theaters (also in India and the UK) |
| October 27, 2026 | Digital rental and purchase |
| December 1, 2026 | 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD |
| To be announced | Hulu (US) and Disney+ (international) |
The film was originally set to open on March 27, 2026, before Disney moved it to late August.
About The Dog Stars (2026)
A catastrophic flu has wiped out most of humanity. Hig, a civilian pilot and mechanic, lost his wife to the pandemic. Now he lives at a small airfield in Colorado with Jasper and Bangley, a tough, suspicious ex-Marine. They’ve built a routine that keeps them alive: Hig flies patrols in his old Cessna, and Bangley guards the perimeter with his rifles.
Hig still believes there’s something worth finding out there. When a radio transmission reaches him, he follows it. Along the way he meets Cima, a medic, and her wary father, Pops, who are surviving on their own farm. The journey tests whether hope can survive in a world that has mostly given up on it.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Theatrical release (US) | August 28, 2026 |
| Digital release | October 27, 2026 |
| 4K / Blu-ray / DVD | December 1, 2026 |
| Genre | Post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller |
| Director | Ridley Scott |
| Screenplay | Mark L. Smith, Christopher Wilkinson |
| Based on | The Dog Stars (2012) by Peter Heller |
| Producers | Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, Mark L. Smith, Cliff Roberts |
| Cinematography | Erik Messerschmidt |
| Music | Harry Gregson-Williams |
| Distributor | 20th Century Studios |
| Runtime | 1 hr 58 min |
| Rating | R (strong violence and language) |
| Filmed in | Italy |
From Bestseller to Big Screen: The Story Behind the Film
Peter Heller’s novel was published in 2012 and became a bestseller, praised for mixing survival thriller with a quiet, poetic story about grief. Scott first hinted at the project in late 2024, saying only that he had a sci-fi film already written and ready to shoot.
The lead role went through a change before filming. Paul Mescal, who had just worked with Scott on Gladiator II, was first in talks to play Hig. Scheduling conflicts forced him out, and Jacob Elordi stepped in in early 2025. Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin and Guy Pearce joined soon after, followed by Benedict Wong.
Mark L. Smith, who co-wrote The Revenant, adapted the novel. Scott brought back cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, an Oscar winner for Mank, and composer Harry Gregson-Williams, a regular collaborator.
The Dog Stars is Scott’s first science fiction film since Alien: Covenant in 2017, and his follow-up to Gladiator II.
Also Read: Where Was Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars Shot? Inside the Real Locations
The Dog Stars Cast
| Actor | Character | You may know them from |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob Elordi | Hig | Euphoria, Saltburn, Frankenstein |
| Josh Brolin | Bangley | No Country for Old Men, Dune, Avengers: Endgame |
| Margaret Qualley | Cima | The Substance, Poor Things, Maid |
| Guy Pearce | Pops | The Brutalist, Memento, L.A. Confidential |
| Allison Janney | Darlene | I, Tonya, The West Wing, Mom |
| Benedict Wong | Aaron | Doctor Strange, The Martian, 3 Body Problem |
| Ewen Bremner | Crossbow Hunter | Trainspotting, Wonder Woman |
| Sam Spruell | John | – |
| Sai Bennett | Melissa (Hig’s late wife) | – |
Jacob Elordi as Hig
Elordi carries almost every scene as a man whose grief hasn’t killed his hope. He became a star through Euphoria and Saltburn, and played the creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. This is his first lead in a big-budget Ridley Scott film.
Josh Brolin as Bangley
Brolin plays the ex-Marine sharpshooter who shares Hig’s airfield. Bangley trusts nobody and shoots first, which makes him the opposite of Hig. Several reviewers singled out Brolin for bringing some much-needed humor to a bleak film.
Margaret Qualley and Guy Pearce as Cima and Pops
Qualley plays Cima, a medic surviving on a remote farm, and Pearce plays her protective father, Pops. The family scenes give the film a Western feel. Pearce comes off an Oscar-nominated turn in The Brutalist, and Qualley starred in the hit body-horror film The Substance.
Allison Janney as Darlene
Janney appears in the final act as Darlene, a stewardess-turned-leader of a strange community of survivors. Her section is one of the most talked-about parts of the film, and critics were split on whether it fits the rest of the story.
Benedict Wong as Aaron
Wong plays Aaron, the leader of a Mennonite settlement in the mountains that Hig flies supplies to. Some reviewers felt he was underused.
Jasper
The dog at the heart of the title was played by three different dogs, according to the production notes.
Also read: Other Mommy (2026): Where to watch & Streaming Guide
How Did The Dog Stars Do at the Box Office?
Not well. The Dog Stars opened to about $8 million in the US across more than 3,300 theaters, and around $19.3 million worldwide in its first weekend. That’s one of the lowest openings of Scott’s career this century. Its budget has been reported at between $80 million and $110 million.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| US opening weekend | About $8 million |
| Worldwide opening | About $19.3 million |
| Rotten Tomatoes (critics) | 40% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (audience) | 71% |
| Metacritic | 49/100 |
| CinemaScore | C+ |
Critics praised the cinematography but found the story slow and familiar. Audiences were warmer, with a 71% audience score. It’s the kind of film that often finds a second life on streaming, which is why so many people are waiting for its Hulu debut.
Is The Dog Stars suitable for Kids?
No. The Dog Stars is rated R for strong violence and language. It deals with grief, the loss of a spouse and child, and brutal fights with raiders. It’s best for older teens and adults.
Bonus Features on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD
If you prefer physical media, the December 1 release includes a behind-the-scenes documentary called The Making of The Dog Stars, plus seven deleted scenes:
- Jasper’s Funeral
- Hig Mourns
- Welcome Dinner
- Roaches’ Warning
- Hig & Cima
- A Conversation With Pops
- Airport Alternate Exit
Bonus features may vary by retailer.
Bottom Line
The Dog Stars was a big swing that didn’t land at the box office: Ridley Scott, a rising star in Jacob Elordi and a strong supporting cast, shot in Italy as a stand-in for Colorado. If you missed it in theaters, you can rent or buy it now on Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home or Google Play. If you’d rather wait, Hulu (or Disney+ outside the US) is the most likely streaming home, probably around December.
Fans of the novel and of slow-burn survival stories like The Road may find more to love here than the reviews suggest. Just keep a box of tissues nearby if you’re a dog person.
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