The Dog Stars (2026)

Ridley Scott made a post-apocalyptic action movie that mostly wants to take a nap, and The Dog Stars is gorgeous while it dozes. Years after a flu wiped out most of humanity, Jacob Elordi’s Hig putters around Colorado in a tiny prop plane, scavenging in empty Denver and chasing a radio signal from Grand Junction that never stays on. Josh Brolin’s Bangley guards their airfield with a rifle and zero trust in anyone. The setup is lovely and the landscapes are huge and lonely, but nothing much happens for long stretches, and the people never get deep enough for the quiet to mean anything. When the trip finally starts, Margaret Qualley and Guy Pearce turn up as a father and daughter living in a valley, and they get little to work with. It made $39.2 million worldwide on a reported $70 to $110 million. A 4.6 because it looks amazing and moves like a paper airplane with no wind. $513.82 says you check your phone during the third long shot of an empty field and miss absolutely nothing.

What works: The landscapes and aerial shots are beautiful, and the lonely, mellow mood has a certain appeal if you’re in no hurry.

What doesn’t: The pacing is sluggish and the characters are thin, so long stretches of quiet feel empty instead of meaningful.

Who it’s for: Patient viewers who like slow, pretty end-of-the-world stories and don’t need much action to stay with it.