The new sci-fi thriller is finally in theaters, with the story centered on a family whose suburbia is mysteriously transported to the dinosaur age. Before its release, The End of Oak Street earned stellar reviews, and some critics declared it one of the best dinosaur movies in the 21st century. The thriller debuted to a strong 85%, and audience reception is finally trickling in.
With over 500 verified ratings, The End of Oak Street clutched a solid 79% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, easily making it one of the best-rated dinosaur movies with both critics and moviegoers. The new sci-fi thriller, produced by J. J. Abrams, earned praise for capturing the essence of Spielbergian movies, with high-stakes danger compared to Jurassic Park and Jaws.
Additionally, the script was straightforward, jumping right into the high-risk situation and addressing the premise at hand, so the pacing never felt wasted. Even the intense action and dinosaur attack push the PG-13 rating to the limit, but the thriller still leaves room for some humor to lighten the chaotic suspense. Alongside great technical details from director David Robert Mitchell, including the use of "split-diopter" focus, the cast's performance was lauded, especially Anne Hathaway's matriarch, who is the glue of the Platt family.
However, The End of Oak Street's ending is one of the more polarizing aspects, with issues of the conclusion being abrupt and convenient. Others took issue with subplots like the Platts' rocky marriage for not being properly developed.
Nevertheless, the fresh approval rating means that Anne Hathaway is just one movie away from having a perfect record with her busy 2026 movie schedule. The Oscar winner has five features scheduled this year, which started with Mother Mary in April and will end with the Colleen Hoover adaptation Verity in October.
So far, four releases have earned "fresh" critics' and audience scores, and if Verity can continue that streak, Hathaway would have a winning streak in 2026. The Odyssey has the highest rating in her 2026 filmography, with incredible 94% and 97% scores, respectively.
Every Anne Hathaway Movie Released In 2026
Rotten Tomatoes Critics' Score
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
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The Devil Wears Prada 2
|
78%
|
84%
|
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Mother Mary
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69%
|
60%
|
|
The Odyssey
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94%
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97%
|
|
The End of Oak Street
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85%
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79%
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Despite positive audience reception, The End of Oak Street isn't faring strongly at the box office. With an $80 million-$92 million budget, the thriller is estimated to debut with a $20 million opening at #4. Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey still dominate the box office, while Paw Patrol: Dino Movie may outperform The End of Oak Street in the week of new dinosaur releases. That's because it's a more kid-friendly option and part of a franchise with a strong following.
Although The End of Oak Street had a shaky start, word of mouth may improve its performance over time. Even if the box office doesn't live up to expectations, it still has a second chance through streaming, which could certainly give it a boost. Warner Bros. has not yet announced when The End of Oak Street will be available on streaming.
The cast features Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella, and Christian Convery, while Mitchell wrote and directed the thriller. Alongside Abrams, the producers are Hannah Minghella, Jon Cohen, David Robert Mitchell, Matt Jackson, and Tommy Harper.
The End of Oak Street is now playing in theaters.
Release Date
August 14, 2026
Runtime
100 minutes
Director
David Robert Mitchell
Writers
David Robert Mitchell
Producers
Chris Bender, J.J. Abrams, Tommy Harper, David Robert Mitchell, Jake Weiner, Matt Jackson, Joanne Lee