In the world of streaming, a box office flop can find a second act, and that's exactly what's happening with Ridley Scott's The Dog Stars. The post-apocalyptic thriller, which struggled to draw crowds in theaters, has now clawed its way into the top 10 most-watched movies on Amazon in the U.S. for November 2026.
This resurgence is a welcome twist for a film that had a rough start. Released in late August, The Dog Stars was Scott's return to sci-fi after nearly a decade, following his 2017 work on Alien: Covenant. The movie boasted an impressive cast, including Josh Brolin, Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, and Benedict Wong, with a screenplay by Mark L. Smith. But despite the star power and a hefty $110 million budget, it only managed to pull in $39.3 million globally—one of the biggest disappointments of the year.
Audiences were seemingly burnt out after a summer packed with blockbusters like Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. Many chose to wait for The Dog Stars to hit streaming rather than catch it in theaters. That patience is now paying off, as the film has found a new audience on Amazon, sitting comfortably among the platform's most-watched titles, just behind the horror hit Resident Evil.
Scott's sci-fi misfire isn't the only one to face such a fate this year. Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day, his first sci-fi outing in eight years, also underperformed, earning $250 million against a $115 million budget and receiving mixed reviews. While that might sound like a win compared to The Dog Stars, it still fell short of the director's usual blockbuster standards.
For fans of Scott's work, the streaming success of The Dog Stars is a chance to revisit a film that might have been overlooked. It's also a reminder that sometimes the best way to enjoy a movie is from the comfort of your own couch. If you're in the mood for more thrillers, you might want to check out Jon Bernthal's spy thriller topping HBO Max or Jennifer Lawrence's underrated spy gem.
As streaming continues to reshape how we consume movies, The Dog Stars is a prime example of how a theatrical disappointment can become a streaming sensation. Whether you're a die-hard Scott fan or just curious about the buzz, it's worth a watch. And if you're looking for more sci-fi recommendations, consider giving Netflix's Another Life a second look.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on the latest streaming trends and box office surprises.
