Dogs have provided some of the most memorable characters in different types of entertainment over the decades. By looking at two new movies, we can see that this trend seems set to continue in 2026, with directors still giving prominent roles to canine stars.
The Role of Pooches in Pop Culture
Dogs have always played a huge role in movies, TV shows and books. To find the first on-screen pooch, we need to go back to 1905’s British silent short film titled Rescued by Rover. Directed by Cecil Hepworth, it made the canine star the hero of the story. After that, dogs have turned up in a huge number of films, with 2008’s Marley & Me and 2022’s Dog a couple of the most memorable examples.
Our furry friends have also jumped into the casino world, where they’re used in themed slots. When you look at the games listed on this online casino UK site, you’ll see slot titles like Golden Retriever and The Dog House Megaways, with pooches and their accessories among the key symbols. Other animal-themed slots such as Purrfect Trio and Big Bad Wolf appeal to other animal lovers, but for many players it’s the dogs that lead the way.
The Dog Stars
New release The Dog Stars was directed by Ridley Scott and stars Josh Brolin alongside Jacob Elordi. It’s a post-apocalyptic survival movie where Hig (played by Elordi) is a civilian pilot who has survived a pandemic that killed most humans. He is living in an abandoned hangar with his loyal dog and ex-Marine Bangley (Brolin).
The quotes from Scott in a recent Empire article show that the veteran director was worried about making another end-of-the-world movie and definitely didn’t want any zombies in it. He said that he was drawn to the positive aspects of the script and that Elordi’s countryside background made him ideal for the role where he has to bond with the dog.
Heart of the Beast
The other big 2026 movie featuring a prominent role for a dog is called Heart of the Beast and was directed by David Ayer. In this film, Brad Pitt is a Special Forces officer named James Belmont who is stranded in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash. He is alone in the bitterly cold and dangerous terrain, apart from his combat dog Odin. It’s due for release at the end of September.
While it hasn’t been released yet, early previews suggest that it’s going to be about the raw battle for survival in the hostile Alaskan wilderness, while the bond between Pitt’s character and his faithful canine buddy should be one of the highlights. It’s described as an intense action thriller, although it’s not yet clear how big a role Odin has in the movie’s most dramatic moments.
If you love to watch dogs on the screen, there are now plenty of options for doing this. From classic silent movies to modern thrillers and slots, the role of man’s best friend has always been important in adding extra emotion and interest to our entertainment.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
