After a month of dominating the box office, Brad Pitt's survival thriller Heart of the Beast is finally scaling back its theatrical footprint. The film, which has been a crowd-pleaser since its debut, is now playing in roughly 2,260 theaters across the country, down from its initial 3,400-screen launch. That means about 1,200 locations have dropped the movie, making room for the next wave of releases.
The movie has been a critical and commercial success, earning a "Verified Hot" 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a "Certified Fresh" 85% from critics. The consensus praises it as "a rigorously entertaining adventure story told through a spartan script and memorable set pieces," with a special nod to its canine co-star. Audiences have clearly agreed, as the film has grossed over $155 million globally against a reported budget of $82 million.
This marks another win for director David Ayer, who has been on a hot streak lately. After a rough patch following the troubled production of Suicide Squad, Ayer has bounced back with a series of hits that have resonated with action fans. His 2024 film The Beekeeper, starring Jason Statham, grossed more than $160 million worldwide and is set to get a sequel in January 2027. The movie also holds a stellar 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Ayer and Statham reunited for A Working Man in 2025, which pulled in nearly $100 million globally and earned an 87% audience score. Now, Heart of the Beast has outshone both, proving that Ayer's formula of gritty, character-driven action is still a winning one.
The film's success is part of a broader trend of survival thrillers finding their audience. For more on similar films, check out our list of near-perfect thrillers to stream on Paramount+.
As Heart of the Beast winds down its theatrical run, it's likely to find a new life on streaming, much like other recent hits. If you're looking for more edge-of-your-seat action, we've also rounded up three must-watch psychological thrillers on Netflix.
Stay tuned for more updates on Heart of the Beast and other box office stories.
