Saudi action thriller “7 Dogs” about a global crime syndicate that is trafficking a lethal new drug called Pink Lady across the Middle East – and stars Monica Bellucci as Giulia Leoni, the head of the mobsters’ distribution network – has scored an impressive more than $7 million first frame across the Middle East and North Africa, making it among top local bows ever for an Arabic film.
The catchy action movie directed by Belgian and Moroccan directorial duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah –whose 2020 blockbuster “Bad Boys For Life” is the highest grossing film in the “Bad Boys” franchise –drew Arabic audiences en-masse during the May 28-31 weekend during the Eid Muslim holiday period, according to figures from Comscore and other box office compilers.
Saudi Arabia led the “7 Dogs” charge with more than 200,000 admissions, followed by Egypt with more than 720,000 admissions, while in the UAE the high-octane thriller drew a crowd of roughly 87,000. Across Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, and Lebanon, “7 Dogs” generated some additional 91,000 ticket sales, “underscoring the unprecedented regional demand for the action spectacle and its status as a major theatrical event,” according to a statement.
The Saudi first frame figure for “7 Dogs” is on a par with the number of cinema goers that in July 2025 flocked to hit wacky heist caper “The Golden Rashrash,” which, in turn, had beaten out global blockbusters “Jurassic World Rebirth” and “F1: The Movie.”
The “7 Dogs” release follows the massive flop of “Desert Warrior,” a $150 million Saudi tentpole starring Anthony Mackie that recently wound up grossing a mere $700,000 in the U.S. and across the Arab world during the two weeks following its April 23 release.
“7 Dogs,” by contrast, in Saudi scored more than three times the admissions of “Backrooms” and pulled more than four times the box office opening of “Obsession,” easily beating out the two low-budget U.S. horror films that are becoming a global box office sensation.
“7 Dogs” was shot in the desert outside of Riyadh earlier this year on an official budget of $40 million that is believed to have ballooned to $70 million. The local blockbuster’s claim to fame prior to release is that “7 Dogs” clinched the Guinness World record for the “largest film stunt explosion in the history of cinema” beating previous record holders “No Time To Die” (2021) and “Spectre” (2015).
The film, which stars Arabic box-office icons Karim Abdel Aziz and Ahmed Ezz, along with a global ensemble cast that, besides Monica Bellucci, comprises Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Max Huang, Tara Emad, Sandy Bella, Nasser Alqassabi, and Sayed Ragab, became the first Arabic-language film released in the immersive ScreenX format, alongside launches in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and other premium large formats across the region.
Based on an original story by Turki Alalshikh, who is chairman of Saudi Arabia’ General Entertainment Authority (GEA), and written by Mohamed El-Dabah, “7 Dogs” follows elite Interpol officer Khalid Al-Azzazi after he successfully captures Ghali Abu Dawood, a senior member of a covert global crime syndicate known as “7 Dogs.”
When the “7 Dogs” syndicate resurfaces a year later, “trafficking a powerful new drug called Pink Lady across the Middle East, Khalid is forced into an uneasy alliance with Ghali who holds the key to dismantling the network from within,” says the synopsis. “Their covert mission spans multiple international cities, forging a volatile partnership driven by intelligence, rivalry, and survival,” it adds.
Produced by Sela Studios and sponsored by GEA and Riyadh Season, “7 Dogs” was shot entirely in Riyadh, marking the first feature fully produced at the Saudi capital’s spanking new Al-Hisn Big Time Studios. Riyadh was transformed into global locations including Mumbai, Shanghai, and other major international capitals.
While “7 Dogs” is undoubtedly clicking with local audiences, experts say it’s doubtful the frothy action movie will wind up making a profit, unless it travels. And even if it does travel, reaching profitability will be tough. There is currently no international distributor in place.
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