20th Century Fox’s film “The Dog Stars” had a disappointing start at the box office, raking in only $19.3 million in its opening weekend in the U.S. The movie, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Jacob Elordi, was estimated to have cost $80 million to produce. Critics and audiences were not impressed by its slow pace, cliched genre elements, and peculiar ending, resulting in lackluster reviews.
This underwhelming performance adds to a string of box office failures for Ridley Scott, following his previous movies like “Napoleon” and “Gladiator 2.” Other films that struggled this year include “Supergirl,” “The Bride,” and “Moana,” all falling short of box office expectations.
Despite these setbacks, the overall film industry has seen positive growth in 2026, with successful releases like “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” “The Odyssey,” “Michael,” and “Toy Story 5.” Original and standalone films have garnered more attention this year, indicating a shift in audience preferences towards a wider variety of cinematic experiences.
The domestic box office revenue in the U.S. has increased by 15% compared to the previous year, reaching $6.2 billion by August. Similarly, the English-language Canadian box office has seen significant gains, with unique films like “Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie,” “Little Lorraine,” and “Mile End Kicks” contributing to the growth.
2026 is shaping up to be a successful year for the film industry, with projections suggesting it could be one of the best years since the start of the pandemic. This success is attributed to a diverse range of films, including low-budget hits like “Backrooms” and “Obsession,” as well as non-franchise successes like “Project Hail Mary” and the unexpected hit “Coyote vs. Acme.”
Looking ahead, upcoming releases like “Dune 3” and “Avengers: Doomsday” are expected to further boost box office numbers. While films like “The Dog Stars” may have struggled, the industry’s focus on innovative storytelling and fresh concepts appears to resonate more with modern audiences seeking new experiences at the movies.