20th Century Fox’s film “The Dog Stars” had a lackluster opening weekend at the box office, earning only $19.3 million US. The movie, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Jacob Elordi, was estimated to have cost $80 million US to produce. Critically panned for its slow pace, cliched genre elements, and strange ending, the film struggled to attract audiences.
This disappointing performance continues a trend for Ridley Scott, whose recent films, including “Napoleon” and “Gladiator 2,” have also underperformed at the box office. “The Dog Stars” joins a list of 2026 flops, such as “Supergirl,” “The Bride,” and “Moana,” which failed to meet box office expectations.
Despite these setbacks, 2026 has seen success with films like “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” “The Odyssey,” “Michael,” and “Toy Story 5,” hinting at a potentially lucrative year for the industry. The year’s box office success is attributed to a diverse range of films resonating with audiences, including original and standalone projects like “Backrooms,” “Obsession,” and “Coyote vs. Acme.”
The domestic box office in the U.S. has seen a 15% increase in revenue compared to the previous year, with promising gains also noted in the English-language Canadian box office. Telefilm Canada’s report indicates a significant rise in box office gross for the first two quarters of 2026.
Looking ahead, the industry anticipates a successful year with upcoming releases like “Dune 3” and “Avengers: Doomsday” potentially driving 2026 to a $10 billion US year. While films like “The Dog Stars” have struggled, it highlights a shifting preference among audiences for innovative and boundary-pushing storytelling over conventional narratives.