Ryan Gosling’s latest sci-fi adventure, Project Hail Mary, has soared to the top of the global box office, earning an impressive $140.9 million (£122 million) in its opening weekend — the strongest debut of 2026 so far.
The film, produced by Amazon MGM Studios, outpaced Scream 7 and Creed III to claim the studio’s fastest-ever global launch. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller — the duo behind The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street — the movie adapts Andy Weir’s best-selling novel about a lone astronaut on a desperate mission to save humanity. Weir’s previous work, The Martian, inspired Ridley Scott’s Oscar-nominated hit starring Matt Damon.
Gosling plays a high school science teacher turned reluctant space hero, blending humor and heart in a story that balances cosmic peril with human emotion. Speaking to the BBC, the actor and producer said he wanted to ensure the film’s tone allowed “humor and high stakes to coexist,” describing that mix as essential to the project’s appeal.
Amazon MGM’s distribution chief Kevin Wilson credited Weir’s novel as “a powerful foundation” for what he called a “visually stunning, emotionally gripping” adaptation. He praised Gosling as “a singular star with global charisma” capable of anchoring such an ambitious story.
With a reported $200 million budget, Project Hail Mary now ranks among the top three original (non-franchise) films to open above $50 million internationally since the pandemic, joining Oppenheimer and F1: The Movie. The success marks a major milestone for Amazon, five years after its $8.45 billion acquisition of MGM, signaling its growing strength in theatrical releases.
Critical response has been mixed but largely positive. BBC Culture’s Nicolas Barber called the film “mind-stretching and briskly entertaining,” while Empire praised its wit and energy. Variety was less impressed, labeling it “derivative,” and The Guardian noted “moments of silliness” but commended Gosling’s effortless charm.
Following recent releases like Melania and Crime 101, Amazon MGM is set to continue its momentum with Masters of the Universe, slated for June.
