If you’ve been seeing the teaser for The End of Oak Street and thinking it looks like Stranger Things crashed into Jurassic Park, you aren’t far off—but this one is leaning way harder into the "suburban nightmare" vibe than your average popcorn flick.
TL;DR: The End of Oak Street is an upcoming 1980s-set sci-fi thriller (hitting theaters August 14, 2026) where a cosmic event teleports a normal neighborhood into a prehistoric jungle. Starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor, it’s a high-stakes survival story that blends J.J. Abrams-style mystery with genuine dinosaur-fueled dread, making it a "must-watch" for families with teens and older tweens who can handle some intense suspense.
For a long time, this movie was shrouded in "mystery box" secrecy under the working title Flowervale Street. But the first trailer just dropped, and we finally have the hook: it’s 1980-something, the hair is big, the station wagons are wood-paneled, and life on Oak Street is perfectly mundane. That is, until a massive "cosmic event" literally rips the entire street out of the ground and drops it into a Cretaceous-era jungle.
The story follows the Platt family—Denise (Anne Hathaway), Greg (Ewan McGregor), and their two kids. They aren't just dealing with the fact that their cul-de-sac is now surrounded by raptors; they were already a family on the brink of falling apart before the teleportation happened. Now, they have to decide if they’re going to stick together to survive or let the dinosaurs (and their own drama) finish the job.
This isn't just another generic monster movie. There are a few reasons why this is already dominating the group chats:
- The "Sweet Tooth" Connection: One of the kids is played by Christian Convery, who many of our kids know and love from Sweet Tooth. Seeing "Gus" in a gritty survival thriller is a huge draw for the 10–14 age bracket.
- The 80s Nostalgia: We’re still in the middle of a massive 80s revival. The movie captures that Amblin-era feel—think E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial or The Goonies—where kids are often the ones who have to be brave while the adults are panicking.
- The Mystery Factor: Because it’s produced by J.J. Abrams, everyone is looking for "Easter eggs." Is it secretly a prequel to Cloverfield? Is it connected to some other cinematic universe? The "theory-crafting" on YouTube is already out of control.
- Dinosaurs (Duh): Let’s be real. No matter how old you are, watching a T-Rex stalk a 1984 suburban house is objectively cool. Screenwise data shows that "dinosaur survival" remains one of the top-searched themes for family co-viewing across all demographics.
This is the big question. The director is David Robert Mitchell, the guy who made It Follows, which is one of the creepiest horror movies of the last decade. While The End of Oak Street is being marketed as a "family-friendly adventure," Mitchell doesn't really do "cheap" scares. He does dread.
Expect a vibe closer to the original Jurassic Park—where the threat feels real and the consequences are heavy—rather than the more cartoonish action of the later sequels. If your kid handled the "kitchen scene" with the raptors in the original Jurassic Park, they’ll likely be fine here. But if they’re sensitive to "family in peril" themes or intense atmospheric tension, you might want to pre-screen this one.
Ask our chatbot for a detailed content breakdown of the trailer
If you’re planning a family trip to the IMAX for this, it’s a great opportunity to move past the "was it good?" conversation and dig into some meatier topics:
- The "What If" Scenario: This is the ultimate dinner table game. "If our street got dropped in the middle of a jungle tomorrow, what’s the one thing in our house you’d grab first?" (Pro tip: If they say "my iPad," remind them there’s no Wi-Fi in the Cretaceous period.)
- Survival vs. Thriving: The movie emphasizes that the family has to "stick together" to survive. You can talk about how stress often pulls people apart and why communication matters even more when things are going wrong.
- Nostalgia vs. Reality: Since it’s set in the 80s, you can have a laugh about how much harder survival would be without GPS, cell phones, or the internet. It's a great way to explain to your kids that once upon a time, we actually had to use paper maps (which are useless when you're in a prehistoric jungle, but still).
If the trailer for The End of Oak Street looks a bit too intense for your 7-year-old, but they’re suddenly obsessed with dinosaurs, here are some Screenwise-approved alternatives that won't give them nightmares:
- Camp Cretaceous: It’s animated, it’s on Netflix, and while it has some peril, it’s much more managed for a younger audience.
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown: If they like the "survival in an unrecognizable world" theme, this book (and the movie) is the gold standard for emotional, high-stakes survival that’s still very kid-friendly.
- Stardew Valley: Okay, there are no dinosaurs (unless you count the ones in the mines), but if you want to lean into the "building a life in a new place" vibe without the trauma, this is the ultimate cozy alternative.
Q: Is The End of Oak Street a sequel to Cloverfield?
There is no official confirmation that it’s part of the Cloverfield universe. However, because J.J. Abrams is producing and the movie had a secret working title, fans are convinced there’s a connection. For now, treat it as a standalone story.
Q: What age is The End of Oak Street appropriate for?
While it hasn't received an official rating yet, Screenwise anticipates a PG-13 rating. Based on the director's history and the "survival thriller" genre, it's likely best for kids ages 11 and up.
Q: Is The End of Oak Street based on a book?
No, this is an original screenplay by David Robert Mitchell. It’s not a reboot or an adaptation, which is actually pretty refreshing in today’s movie landscape!
Q: When does The End of Oak Street come out?
The movie is scheduled for a wide theatrical and IMAX release on August 14, 2026.
The End of Oak Street looks like it’s going to be the "event" movie of the summer of '26. It’s got the star power, the big-budget effects, and a director who knows how to make an audience hold their breath. For intentional parents, it’s a chance to see a high-quality original sci-fi film that respects the audience's intelligence—just maybe leave the toddlers at home for this one.