The Dog Stars (2026)
English · Science Fiction / Thriller · 119 min · 15
★ 6.6 Early — still settling 240 ratings
▸ Worth a watch
Released 26 Aug 2026
Page updated 2026-09-11
The Dog Stars is in cinemas in the UK now. Its streaming release date hasn't been announced — this page updates the day it lands on streaming.
The verdict
The Dog Stars is a solid, watchable English film that mostly delivers on what it promises. It's sitting at 6.6/10 on TMDB across 240 ratings, which puts it around the middle of the pack. The 119-minute runtime sits in the comfortable middle. It's in theatres in the UK now — best caught on the big screen.
Genuinely divisive — critics can't settle this one. — distilled from critics' published reviews
Should you spend 1h 59m on it?
1h 59m of English science fiction with thriller threaded through, not one for younger kids. Runs about as long as you'd expect, so no scheduling gymnastics needed.
- Why
- 6.6/10 from 240 ratings — well received so far, on a modest sample.
- Skip if
- you want something set in a world you already know
- Best for
- A normal night, nothing to plan around
Story
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.
Good to know
| Runtime | 1h 59m |
| Watch with family? | 15 · Older kids & up |
| Genre | Science Fiction / Thriller |
| Language | English |
| Best screen | Theatre / big screen |
Director
Ridley Scott
Cast

Jacob Elordi
Hig

Margaret Qualley
Cima

Josh Brolin
Bangley

Guy Pearce
Pops

Allison Janney
Darlene

Benedict Wong
Aaron
When is The Dog Stars coming to streaming?
Not streaming yet — The Dog Stars is in its theatrical run in the UK, released 2026-08-26. English releases typically reach streaming about 5–9 weeks after opening, which would put it somewhere around September 2026 and October 2026.
That's the usual pattern, not a confirmed date — no platform has announced one. We re-check every day and this page updates the moment it lands.
Where to watch in the UK
In theatres
Availability as of 2026-09-11 — platforms may change over time.
Trailer
If you liked this
Frequently asked
Is The Dog Stars worth watching?
Worth a watch. It rates 6.6/10 on audience ratings. Genuinely divisive — critics can't settle this one. 1h 59m of English science fiction with thriller threaded through, not one for younger kids. Runs about as long as you'd expect, so no scheduling gymnastics needed.
Where can I watch The Dog Stars?
The Dog Stars is currently playing in theatres across the UK. A streaming release hasn't been announced yet.
When is The Dog Stars coming to streaming?
A streaming release date for The Dog Stars hasn't been officially announced yet. English releases typically reach streaming about 5–9 weeks after their theatrical run, which would put it around September 2026 and October 2026 — that's a pattern, not a confirmed date. This page updates automatically the day it starts streaming.
Is The Dog Stars family friendly?
The Dog Stars is rated 15. Fine for older kids with guidance.
What language is The Dog Stars in?
The Dog Stars is an English film (Science Fiction / Thriller).
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