After Spielberg's 2026 Comeback, The Other King Of Sci-Fi Officially Returns This Week

Published Aug 25, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT Anthony is a news reporter and a guide writer who has covered the entertainment industry for five years. He has covered a wide range of genres, including aviation incidents and international crime, and has a keen eye for details that may slip under the radar. When he's not writing, Anthony can be found at Brands Hatch race track or at home watching indie horror movies nobody has heard of. Steven Spielberg is one of the greatest movie directors of all time. He is responsible for some of the most beloved films ever made, with a filmography spanning decades. Spielberg's work has multigenerational appeal, and many of his works continue to influence modern cinema. Jaws, for example, is still widely regarded as the greatest shark movie ever made despite being more than five decades old. Jurassic Park is still arguably the greatest dinosaur movie ever made, with many proclaiming it one of the best, period. Spielberg's movies are known for their quality, and the veteran director doesn't stick to just a single genre. He's directed incredible adventure movies, such as Indiana Jones, and even action epics, like The Adventures of Tintin. Spielberg is also extremely well known for his contributions to the sci-fi genre. E.T. The Extraterrestrial is a timeless movie, and while it was marketed for children, it's suitable for all ages and even has a few moments that could scare a young audience. Close Encounters of the Third Kind is another sci-fi classic. Spielberg has also directed more modern sci-fi titles, including War of the Worlds and Ready Player One. Until recently, audiences had not seen a Spielberg movie since The Fabelmans in 2022, though that changed in June 2026 with Disclosure Day. The title marked the legendary director's return to sci-fi and the silver screen, and this is quite significant, considering a movie by another name, synonymous with the genre, is releasing in August. Ridley Scott Is One Of Sci-Fi's Defining Filmmakers Steven Spielberg's contributions to sci-fi cannot be overstated, though Ridley Scott is another household name and pioneer in the genre. Scott is also responsible for arguably the most terrifying movie monster of all time in the xenomorph. Alien was released in 1979, starring Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley. The alien itself is a fascinating yet horrifying creature even today, let alone decades ago. James Cameron directed Aliens, though Scott worked on Blade Runner, another sci-fi masterpiece. He later returned to the Alien franchise with Prometheus in 2021 and Alien: Covenant in 2017. Interestingly, Scott did not direct the latest entry in the franchise, Alien: Romulus. He was the producer, though the project was directed by Fede Alvarez. Scott's prowess in the sci-fi genre isn't limited to those movies either. He directed The Martian, which premiered in 2015 and starred Matt Damon as Mark Watney. He's an astronaut stranded on Mars, and his resourcefulness is tested as he desperately tries to alert mission control on Earth and arrange a way home. Like Spielberg, Scott has also returned to filmmaking in 2026 with a new project, The Dog Stars. Ridley Scott Returns To Sci-Fi With The Dog Stars - What To Know Image via 20th Century Studios Without delving into spoilers, The Dog Stars is based on a novel of the same name by Peter Heller. The movie is set in a dystopian future and stars Jacob Elordi as Hig, a pilot. Most of humanity is wiped out by a virus, leaving few survivors and ultimately ending society as we know it. Those survivors are also threatened by roaming scavengers called the Reapers. Early impressions of The Dog Stars have been positive, with some praising the movie for its slower moments and stellar performances from the cast. The movie is among the most anticipated of 2026, and the latest The Dog Stars trailer eludes to Hig meeting a group of survivors who regard him as an "unknown." Nevertheless, a relationship appears to bloom between Hig and Cima (Margaret Qualley), though it also seems like threats from the Reapers or other survivors are always on the horizon. Will Ridley Scott's Sci-Fi Return Be Successful? 2026 has been a phenomenal year for movies across multiple genres. It's only August, and we've already seen everything from a revival of a classic 80s IP in Masters of the Universe to the Christopher Nolan fantasy epic The Odyssey. Moviegoers are spoiled for choice, with many projects vying for your time, but that doesn't necessarily mean every movie will become a success. It's too early to tell if The Dog Stars will be a box-office hit, though the last few months have shown that a well-known director at the helm doesn't necessarily guarantee a runaway success. Since we've already mentioned Steven Spielberg, we can look at the performance of Disclosure Day. At the time of writing, the movie has taken $241 million on an estimated $115 million budget. It's certainly not a catastrophic failure, though movies typically need to make 2.5 times their budget to be considered a success. The End of Oak Street has not yet finished its run in theaters. J.J Abrams was the producer, though the movie was directed by David Robert Mitchell. The title has taken $85.7 million at the box office at the time of writing, with an estimated budget of $85 million. We will have to wait and see if The Dogs Stars will be next summer's blockbuster hit, though the sci-fi genre clearly doesn't guarantee audiences will show up. 2026 Has More Great Sci-Fi Still To Come Fans of sci-fi movies have already had a great year, with more to look forward to on the horizon. Project Hail Mary was released in March to critical and commercial acclaim. We've already mentioned Disclosure Day by Steven Spielberg and The Dog Stars, but the main event for many sci-fi fans in 2026 will be Dune: Part Three. The concluding part of the epic saga is scheduled to premiere in December. Klara and the Sun is another upcoming sci-fi movie due out in October. The title stars Jenna Ortega as Klara, a robot girl, and the film is based on a novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is also due out in November. It serves as a prequel of sorts, covering events that take place 24 years before The Hunger Games. While some moviegoers would classify superhero movies as their own genre at this point, Avengers: Doomsday arguably qualifies as a sci-fi movie. The title is due out in December, boasting an all-star cast, including Robert Downey Jr as Victor von Doom. Even if you're not a fan of every upcoming sci-fi film, it's hard to deny what a great year 2026 is shaping up to be for the genre and that it likely won't be beaten for years to come.