Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, soared past expectations with a powerful domestic debut of $80.6 million. It marks the biggest opening of the year so far and sets a new record for Amazon MGM Studios.
The film also delivered strong results overseas. It earned $60.4 million across more than 80 markets and landed at No. 1 in 60 of them. That brings its global opening to $141 million, likely the strongest start for a Hollywood release in 2026.
A Major Win for Amazon MGM Studios
The breakout performance gives Amazon MGM Studios a critical win as it pushes to establish itself as a major Hollywood player.
The timing is significant. The industry is still reacting to David Ellison’s Paramount-Skydance merger with Warner Bros., a move that has raised concerns about job losses and fewer original films. Against that backdrop, Project Hail Mary arrives as proof that original storytelling can still draw large audiences.
A Rare Original Box Office Success
The film challenges a growing belief that theaters are dominated by franchise films.
Project Hail Mary joins Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer as one of only two non-sequel, non-franchise films in the past decade to open above $80 million domestically. That milestone highlights the film’s broad appeal and strong word of mouth.
A Career Milestone for Ryan Gosling
While Gosling’s highest-grossing film remains Barbie, this marks his biggest domestic opening in a leading role, not adjusted for inflation.
It is also the strongest domestic debut for directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
Inside the Story
The film co-stars Sandra Hüller and is based on the novel by Andy Weir.
Gosling plays a science teacher who wakes up alone on a spaceship, light years from Earth, with no memory of how he got there. As his memory returns, he uncovers a critical mission. He must solve the mystery behind a substance that is causing the sun to die.
To save humanity, he relies on science, creativity, and unconventional thinking. Along the way, he forms an unexpected friendship that may be key to completing the mission.
Word of Mouth Drives Momentum
Heading into the weekend, projections placed the film’s opening between $50 million and $60 million.
Those estimates quickly proved conservative.
Strong reviews from critics and enthusiastic audience reactions pushed the film higher. It earned an A CinemaScore, near-perfect PostTrak exit scores, and a 96 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics also responded positively, with a 95 percent score.
That combination of critical acclaim and audience enthusiasm powered the film into a breakout hit and positioned it for continued success in the weeks ahead.
The top 12 movies of the weekend, as of Sunday, March 22, are as follows:
| # | Title | Distributor Name | Weekend Total | # of Locs | Loc Avg | Cume Total | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Project Hail Mary | Amazon MGM Studios | $80,583,746 | 4,007 | $20,111 | $80,583,746 | |
| 2 | Hoppers | Disney | $18,000,000 | 3,675 | $4,898 | $120,386,869 | -37% |
| 3 | Dhurandhar The Revenge | Moviegoers Entertainment Ltd | $10,048,654 | 987 | $10,181 | $14,026,138 | |
| 4 | Ready or Not 2: Here I Come | Searchlight | $9,100,000 | 3,010 | $3,023 | $9,100,000 | |
| 5 | Reminders of Him | Universal | $8,000,000 | 3,441 | $2,325 | $33,174,000 | -56% |
| 6 | Scream 7 | Paramount | $4,300,000 | 2,560 | $1,680 | $114,535,000 | -50% |
| 7 | GOAT | Sony | $3,500,000 | 2,537 | $1,380 | $97,508,000 | -25% |
| 8 | Undertone | A24 | $3,015,003 | 2,570 | $1,173 | $15,213,266 | -66% |
| 9 | Pout-Pout Fish, The | Viva Pictures Distribution | $1,500,000 | 1,854 | $809 | $1,500,000 | |
| 10 | MET Opera: Tristan und Isolde (2026) | Fathom Entertainment | $722,499 | 709 | $1,019 | $722,499 | |
| 11 | Wuthering Heights | Warner Bros. | $475,000 | 601 | $790 | $83,304,000 | -72% |
| 12 | Aadu 3 | Prime Media Pictures | $316,746 | 68 | $4,658 | $408,563 |
