Ridley Scott's return to the sci-fi genre this year hasn't exactly been a box office triumph. The Dog Stars, his latest theatrical release, has struggled to find an audience, grossing only a fraction of its $70 million budget. With an estimated break-even point of $150 million, the film is shaping up to be one of the biggest commercial disappointments of Scott's storied career. But while the big screen may be giving him the cold shoulder, his small-screen venture is thriving.
Scott's Alien: Earth, the first television series in the iconic Alien franchise, is experiencing a massive resurgence on streaming platforms. The show, which premiered in late summer 2025, has climbed back into the top 10 on Hulu and Disney+ in several countries, as fans revisit the series in anticipation of its sophomore season.
The series, created and showrun by Noah Hawley (Fargo), was a critical and commercial hit upon its debut. It holds an impressive 94% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, though audiences were slightly more divided at 65%. The show's success led to a quick renewal, and FX recently announced that production on Season 2 is officially underway, with a projected return before the end of 2027.
Set in the year 2120, Alien: Earth paints a dystopian picture where Earth is controlled by five mega-corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic, and Threshold. In this world, cyborgs and synthetics coexist with humans, but everything changes when Prodigy unlocks the secret to creating hybrids. The first hybrid prototype, named Wendy, becomes the catalyst for a terrifying chain of events when a Weyland-Yutani spaceship collides with Prodigy City, unleashing mysterious and deadly life forms.
Season 2 is already generating buzz with the announcement of a Game of Thrones reunion. Peter Dinklage, known for his iconic role as Tyrion Lannister, and Jerome Flynn, who played Bronn, are both set to join the cast in key roles. This casting news has only fueled the excitement among fans, who are eagerly rewatching the first season to catch every detail.
While Scott's cinematic endeavors may be faltering, his legacy in the sci-fi genre remains untarnished. He previously directed Alien: Covenant in 2017 and has since served as a producer on recent Alien projects, including Alien: Romulus and Alien: Earth. He has also hinted at a return to the franchise with a new film centered on Michael Fassbender's character, David.
For those who haven't yet experienced Alien: Earth, the entire first season is available to stream on Hulu. And for fans of the genre, it's worth checking out other sci-fi shows that nail alien storytelling while waiting for Season 2. Stay tuned for more updates and coverage as production continues.
