Heart of the Beast is on track to become one of 2026’s most surprising box office successes, with its North American total now at $52.9 million after 20 days in release — just $6 million behind Verity, the Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson-led erotic thriller that launched a week later. According to Box Office Mojo data cited by Koimoi, the Brad Pitt-starring survival thriller earned $674,000 on its third Wednesday, marking a 28.8% decline from the prior week but still maintaining a strong presence across 3,365 screens. The film’s global haul has now surpassed $134.6 million, edging it closer to the $150 million mark. It has also overtaken Avengers: Endgame Encore worldwide, a significant achievement for a film that didn’t open with blockbuster fanfare. Released on September 25, Heart of the Beast follows Special Forces veteran James Belmont and his combat dog Odin as they battle brutal Alaskan terrain after a plane crash. The story’s raw, grounded tension appears to have resonated with audiences seeking high-stakes drama beyond superhero fare. While Verity had a stronger opening and currently leads in domestic gross, it’s experiencing a sharper decline, making the gap between the two films narrow fast. In contrast, Heart of the Beast has shown remarkable staying power, a rare feat in a post-summer lull where no major new releases are drawing big crowds. Its early performance was already promising: within five days, it crossed $50 million globally, with $20 million from North America and $30.1 million from 63 overseas markets. That overseas debut outpaced The Beekeeper’s opening run of $20.4 million. Industry analysts noted the domestic figure exceeded that of several recent sci-fi releases, suggesting strong word-of-mouth traction. Though trade figures remain estimates and unverified, the trajectory points to a final global tally well above $100 million. A milestone that would place it among the year’s top earners. The film’s success is especially notable in India, where it opened on limited screens but is expected to expand as buzz grows. With no major competition on the horizon, the real question isn’t whether it will survive, it’s how far it can go before the credits roll.