Heart of the Beast (2026): Release Date, Cast, Story, Trailer & Where to Watch
Heart of the Beast is bringing Brad Pitt back to theaters for a very different kind of survival story. Directed by David Ayer, the new adventure thriller follows a former Special Forces officer and his combat dog after a devastating plane crash leaves them stranded in the Alaskan wilderness.
Pitt plays James Belmont, while the film's canine hero is Odin. Together, they must survive the harsh environment and find a way back to civilization. The film reunites Pitt with Ayer more than a decade after their 2014 war movie Fury.
Heart of the Beast opens in theaters on September 25, 2026. Paramount Pictures is distributing the film theatrically. A streaming release date has not been announced in the current release information.
Heart of the Beast stars Brad Pitt as Special Forces officer James Belmont, who survives a plane crash and becomes stranded in the Alaskan wilderness with his combat dog, Odin. David Ayer directs the survival thriller from a screenplay by Cameron Alexander. J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe also star.
Heart of the Beast Release Date
Heart of the Beast releases in theaters on Friday, September 25, 2026. Paramount Pictures has scheduled the movie as a theatrical release, with tickets available through participating cinemas ahead of opening day.
The September 25 release date places the film in the late-September theatrical lineup, alongside several other major movie releases. International release dates can vary by territory, so audiences outside the United States should check local cinema listings.
| Heart of the Beast Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | September 25, 2026 |
| Release Format | Theatrical |
| Distributor | Paramount Pictures |
| Director | David Ayer |
| Screenplay | Cameron Alexander |
| Lead Actor | Brad Pitt |
| Rating | PG-13 |
| Runtime | 1 hour 41 minutes |
What Is Heart of the Beast About?
Heart of the Beast follows James Belmont, a former Special Forces officer who survives a catastrophic plane crash in Alaska. He is not alone: his combat dog, Odin, survives alongside him.
The pair find themselves deep in the Alaskan wilderness, where the environment becomes their biggest enemy. With limited options and civilization far away, James and Odin must rely on each other while confronting the elements and the dangers of the remote landscape.
The movie's central relationship is therefore not simply about a soldier surviving alone. The story places James and Odin together at the center of the survival journey, with their bond becoming an important part of the film.
Heart of the Beast Cast
Pitt plays James Belmont, a former Special Forces officer stranded in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash.
Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons appears in the survival thriller alongside Pitt.
Anna Lambe is part of the principal cast of Heart of the Beast.
Odin is James Belmont's combat dog and a central character in the film's survival story.
Who Plays Odin in Heart of the Beast?
Odin is played by a Belgian Malinois named Uber. The dog has become an important part of the movie's marketing, with Paramount's behind-the-scenes material highlighting the canine performers involved in the production.
The story requires Pitt and Odin to spend much of the film together in the wilderness, making their on-screen relationship one of the film's central elements.
Who Directed Heart of the Beast?
David Ayer directs Heart of the Beast. Ayer is known for films including Fury, End of Watch and Suicide Squad.
Heart of the Beast reunites Ayer with Brad Pitt after the pair previously worked together on Fury in 2014. Pitt played tank commander Don "Wardaddy" Collier in that World War II film.
The screenplay for Heart of the Beast was written by Cameron Alexander. The production team includes Pitt, Ayer, Damien Chazelle, Olivia Hamilton and Marty Bowen among the producers.
Heart of the Beast Trailer
Paramount has released official trailers and promotional footage for Heart of the Beast ahead of its September 25 theatrical debut.
The trailers establish the film's survival premise, showing James and Odin facing the consequences of the crash and attempting to make their way through the unforgiving Alaskan environment.
The marketing also places considerable emphasis on the relationship between James and Odin, giving the film a combination of military-survival action and a human-and-dog emotional story.
Heart of the Beast Rating and Runtime
Heart of the Beast is rated PG-13. The rating includes references to violence, peril, bloody images, injury images and some language.
The movie has a reported runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes, making it a relatively compact survival thriller compared with many modern theatrical releases.
| Category | Heart of the Beast |
|---|---|
| Genre | Adventure, Action, Drama, Mystery & Thriller |
| Rating | PG-13 |
| Runtime | 1 hour 41 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Distributor | Paramount Pictures |
| Release | Theaters — September 25, 2026 |
Where to Watch Heart of the Beast
Heart of the Beast is initially releasing exclusively in movie theaters. Paramount's official movie page lists the film as "In Theatres" for September 25, 2026.
Audiences can check local cinema listings for showtimes and available formats. Digital rental, purchase and streaming information may be announced separately after the theatrical run.
There is currently no confirmed streaming platform or streaming release date included in the official theatrical release information.
Is Heart of the Beast Based on a True Story?
Heart of the Beast is presented as a fictional survival thriller rather than a direct dramatization of a specific real-life incident. The story centers on fictional character James Belmont and his combat dog Odin after their plane crash in Alaska.
The film uses the military background of its protagonist and the realities of wilderness survival as elements of its fictional story.
Brad Pitt and David Ayer Reunite After Fury
One of the biggest talking points around Heart of the Beast is the return of Brad Pitt and David Ayer as collaborators.
Their previous movie together was Fury, the 2014 World War II drama in which Pitt played a U.S. Army tank commander. Heart of the Beast moves away from wartime tank combat and instead puts Pitt's character in an isolated wilderness survival scenario.
The new movie therefore gives the pair a very different setting while again placing Pitt in a physically demanding role.
Heart of the Beast: Quick Facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When does Heart of the Beast release? | September 25, 2026 |
| Who stars in Heart of the Beast? | Brad Pitt, J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe |
| Who plays James Belmont? | Brad Pitt |
| Who directed Heart of the Beast? | David Ayer |
| What is the movie about? | A Special Forces officer and his combat dog surviving in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash |
| Who plays Odin? | A Belgian Malinois named Uber |
| What is the runtime? | 1 hour 41 minutes |
| What is the rating? | PG-13 |
| Where can you watch it? | Movie theaters from September 25, 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Heart of the Beast come out?
Heart of the Beast releases in theaters on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Who stars in Heart of the Beast?
Brad Pitt stars as James Belmont, with J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe also appearing in the film.
What is Heart of the Beast about?
The movie follows Special Forces officer James Belmont and his combat dog Odin after a plane crash leaves them stranded in the Alaskan wilderness. They must survive the elements and find a way back to civilization.
Who directed Heart of the Beast?
David Ayer directed Heart of the Beast from a screenplay by Cameron Alexander.
Is Heart of the Beast a Brad Pitt movie?
Yes. Brad Pitt stars as James Belmont and is also one of the film's producers.
Is Heart of the Beast based on a true story?
The film is presented as a fictional survival thriller rather than a direct true-story dramatization.
How long is Heart of the Beast?
Heart of the Beast has a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes.
What is the Heart of the Beast rating?
The film is rated PG-13 for violence, peril, bloody and injury images, and some language.
Where can I watch Heart of the Beast?
Heart of the Beast is opening in movie theaters on September 25, 2026. No confirmed streaming release date has been announced in the current official release information.