20th Century Fox’s movie “The Dog Stars” had a disappointing opening weekend at the box office, earning only $19.3M in the US. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Jacob Elordi, the film was estimated to cost $80 million to produce. It received criticism for its slow pace, cliché genre elements, and a peculiar ending.
This film joins Ridley Scott’s recent string of box office disappointments, following the underperformance of his last three movies. Despite a challenging year for the film industry, successful releases like “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” “The Odyssey,” “Michael,” and “Toy Story 5” are contributing to what might be a standout year.
In contrast to past years dominated by sequels and franchises, 2026 is seeing more success with original films. Hits like “Backrooms,” “Obsession,” “Project Hail Mary,” and the unexpected hit “Coyote vs. Acme” are driving box office growth. Domestic box office revenue in the US has increased by 15% compared to last year.
In Canada, unique films like “Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie,” “Little Lorraine,” and “Mile End Kicks” are leading to a significant rise in box office gross. According to Telefilm Canada’s report, box office earnings in Canada surged by nearly 180% in the first two quarters of 2026.
Despite the overall positive trends in the film industry, “The Dog Stars” failed to resonate with audiences, aligning it with other underperforming films that relied heavily on conventional storytelling. As audience preferences shift towards innovative and boundary-pushing content, films like “The Dog Stars” face challenges in attracting viewers.