The Dog Stars OTT Release Date: Trailer Out as Jacob Elordi Soars in Ridley Scott’s Post-Apocalyptic Survival Epic

Ridley Scott is heading back into sci-fi territory, and he’s bringing Jacob Elordi along for the ride. The official trailer for Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars, a post-apocalyptic thriller starring Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin, is out, with the film hitting theaters August 28. Here’s everything you need to know about the OTT release date, trailer breakdown, cast, plot, and more.

The Dog Stars OTT Release Date — When and Where to Watch

First, the theatrical details: The Dog Stars will be released exclusively in theaters on August 28, 2026. The film will be released in Australian cinemas on August 27 and in U.S. cinemas on August 28.

As for streaming, no official OTT release date has been announced yet. However, since the film is distributed by 20th Century Studios (a Disney-owned label), it is expected to land on Disney+ and/or Hulu following its theatrical run. Disney titles typically arrive on streaming roughly two to four months after their cinema debut, which would place a likely OTT premiere around late 2026 to early 2027.

Release Details at a Glance

What the Trailer Reveals

The new preview pulls no punches. The two-minute trailer warns that at the end of the world, it’s the survivors that you need to fear.

The trailer starts with Elordi and Qualley as a married couple excitedly bringing home a dog. Cut to a short time later and Elordi and the dog are solo; Brolin’s character asks him, “So what’d you do before the world ended?” The footage ends with Elordi taking flight as he’s chased by men on horseback, who leap onto the wing of his plane.

The Dog Stars Plot — What’s It About?

The film tells the story of Hig (Jacob Elordi), a young pilot who, together with a military survivalist, Bangley (Josh Brolin), has carved out an efficient but isolated homestead in a brutal post-apocalyptic world. But when Hig receives a mysterious radio transmission, he ventures into the unknown in search of the hope and humanity he still believes exists.

The story is grounded in a devastating outbreak. Based on the 2012 novel by Peter Heller, The Dog Stars follows life after a devastating pandemic that almost eradicated humanity. Hig, a former civilian pilot, and Bangley, an ex-Marine, must confront outside threats as they seek out a world better than the one in which they’re currently stuck living.

After the world’s population has been ravaged by a pandemic, a man lives a lonesome existence in a Colorado airplane hangar with his dog and a dour gunman he has befriended. When a mysterious transmission comes through on the radio while he’s flying his old Cessna, it sparks a hunt for the provenance of the sound.

Full Cast and Crew

Key Cast

Jacob Elordi plays Hig, a civilian pilot living with his dog; Josh Brolin plays Bangley, an aloof, gun-toting ex-Marine and Hig’s companion; and Margaret Qualley plays Cima, a young medic and Hig’s love interest.

Crew

The film is written by Mark L. Smith and produced by Scott, Michael Pruss and Cliff Roberts. Smith has plenty of survival-thriller credentials, including co-writing “The Revenant,” which makes him a natural fit for material about endurance, isolation, and the thin line between self-preservation and the need for human connection.

The Casting Shake-Up — Paul Mescal to Jacob Elordi

One of the most talked-about elements of the production was a change in its leading man. Paul Mescal was originally set to lead the project, reteaming with Scott after Gladiator II, but Elordi came on board when Mescal had to drop out due to filming Sam Mendes’ four-film Beatles project. In November 2024, it was announced that Paul Mescal was in advanced negotiations to star in the film. However, due to scheduling conflicts, it was later reported in January 2025 that Jacob Elordi was in early negotiations to replace Mescal.

Production Journey — Filming Across Italy

While the story is set in Colorado, the production filmed extensively across Italy. Principal photography began in Bordano in April 2025. From May 12 to 16, filming took place in Cansiglio, a plateau in the Alpine foothills. Later that month, filming took place in Avezzano. In June, production moved to Rome, where filming took place at Cinecittà Studios and in Casal Bernocchi and the EUR.

Ridley Scott’s Long-Awaited Sci-Fi Return

For longtime fans of the director, this film marks a significant homecoming. The Dog Stars will be Ridley Scott’s first sci-fi movie since 2017, when he bid farewell to the Alien franchise with the release of Alien: Covenant.

It arrives after a turbulent stretch for the filmmaker. The last few years have been a roller-coaster ride for Ridley Scott, who has had a couple of big-time box office misfires with Napoleon and Gladiator II. The early trailer response, however, has been strong. The first trailer for the film was released around a month ago, and it’s already racked up millions of views online, positioning Scott’s new sci-fi epic as one of the biggest movies of the summer.

The film was also originally slated for an earlier release. The Dog Stars was previously scheduled to premiere in March, but the film was hit with a shock delay earlier this year.

What Jacob Elordi Says About Working With Scott

The young star has spoken warmly about the experience of being directed by the veteran filmmaker. “He’s like my dad in a lot of ways,” Elordi said. “My dad survives because he works. He’s a laboring man, and Ridley Scott labors on these movies. That’s what keeps the engine running.”

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