Anne Hathaway has a clear message for Hollywood: if a movie kills a dog, it should automatically get an R rating. The Oscar-winning actress shared this strong opinion while promoting her new science-fiction thriller The End of Oak Street, which hit theaters on August 14, 2026.
The 43-year-old star spoke with Complex magazine about the growing concern among movie fans regarding the fate of dogs in films. She specifically addressed the worry surrounding Starbuck, the family dog in her latest movie.
“I feel like movies that kill dogs should automatically be rated R. Doesn’t matter if anybody curses, doesn’t matter if there’s violence, if a dog dies, R-rated.”
Hathaway Blames ‘John Wick’ for Audience Fear
Hathaway pointed to the 2014 Keanu Reeves action movie John Wick as the reason so many viewers now worry whenever a dog appears on screen. In that film, the main character’s puppy gets killed by intruders, setting off a violent revenge story.
“I think everybody’s so traumatized by ‘John Wick,’” Hathaway said. She explained that she has seen many comments from people asking about Starbuck’s safety in The End of Oak Street.
“I’m like, ‘Which movies are out there killing dogs that everybody’s scared that we’re just casually doing it in movies now?’” she added.
What Happens to Starbuck the Dog?
For those worried about the dog in Hathaway’s new film, she offered reassurance. When someone asked her to tell audiences that everything would be okay, she responded:
“We break rules in this movie, that might not be one of them. Don’t worry.”
The dog Starbuck is played by two real-life dogs named Buzz and Brisket. The film follows the Platt family, played by Hathaway and Ewan McGregor, whose suburban neighborhood gets transported to a land filled with dinosaurs.
About ‘The End of Oak Street’
The End of Oak Street is directed by David Robert Mitchell, who previously made It Follows and Under the Silver Lake. The movie is produced by J.J. Abrams and distributed by Warner Bros..
The film is rated PG-13, not R. This makes Hathaway’s comment about R ratings interesting since her own movie does not carry that rating despite featuring a dog in dangerous situations.
The Hollywood Reporter’s chief film critic David Rooney praised Hathaway’s performance, calling her “the essential glue holding the film together”.
Hathaway’s Packed 2026 Movie Schedule
The End of Oak Street is just one of several movies Hathaway has released in 2026. Her busy year includes:
- Mother Mary – released in April 2026
- The Devil Wears Prada 2 – released in May 2026
- The Odyssey – Christopher Nolan’s film, released in July 2026
- The End of Oak Street – released August 14, 2026
- Verity – adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, coming October 2, 2026
Hathaway admitted she was surprised when she saw her 2026 schedule.
“When I got my schedule for this year from all the wonderful film studios that I’ve worked with, I saw it and I kind of thought I was being punked.”
She joked that she hopes audiences do not get tired of seeing her face.
Dog Deaths in Recent Movies
Hathaway’s comments come at a time when audiences have become more sensitive to animal deaths in films. John Wick remains one of the most cited examples of a movie using a dog’s death to drive the plot.
Interestingly, Hathaway’s own recent film The Odyssey features a dog death. In that movie, Argos, the dog belonging to Odysseus (played by Matt Damon), dies of old age after recognizing his owner.
Hathaway’s Love for Dogs
The actress is a dog lover in real life. She and her husband Adam Shulman have rescued dogs, including a chocolate Labrador named Esmeralda. Hathaway has shared that Esmeralda was with her when she learned about her first Oscar nomination for Rachel Getting Married in 2008.
She has also spoken about the importance of adopting dogs from shelters.
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Where to Watch
The End of Oak Street is now playing in theaters across North America. The film is available in IMAX as well. International release dates may vary by region.
For viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and other countries, the film is currently showing in local cinemas. Check your local theater listings for showtimes.
Also Read: Anne Hathaway Calls Husband Adam Shulman Her ‘Soulmate’ as They Expect Baby No. 3
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