Despite a storied career spanning decades, legendary director Ridley Scott has experienced a challenging period with recent theatrical releases. His latest foray into science fiction, The Dog Stars, which premiered on August 28, 2026, is now reportedly the most-watched film globally on Prime Video, according to a report from Collider.

The 119-minute post-apocalyptic thriller, starring Josh Brolin and Jacob Elordi, had a tough run in cinemas, failing to crack $40 million worldwide. This theatrical underperformance echoes a trend seen with other recent Scott projects. Both Gladiator II and Napoleon—the latter reuniting Scott with Gladiator veteran Joaquin Phoenix—faced significant box office hurdles, though Gladiator II later found considerable viewership success on Paramount Plus.

The Dog Stars marks Scott's return to the sci-fi genre, nearly a decade after 2017's Alien: Covenant. The film is an adaptation of Peter Heller's acclaimed novel of the same name, with Heller also producing alongside screenwriter Mark L. Smith and Scott himself. The cast is rounded out by notable talents including Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, and Benedict Wong.

The narrative centers on Hig, a young pilot, and Bangley, a military survivalist, who have established an isolated existence in a desolate, post-apocalyptic world. Their fragile peace is shattered when a mysterious radio transmission compels Hig to embark on a perilous journey into the unknown, driven by a quest for hope and a lingering belief in humanity.

While critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave The Dog Stars a modest 41% approval rating, audience reception was more favorable at 69%. Its newfound popularity on Prime Video, alongside its availability on other Video On Demand (VOD) platforms like Apple TV, suggests that Scott's distinctive storytelling continues to resonate with viewers who prefer to experience his work from the comfort of their homes, rather than the cinema.