Ryan Gosling's 'Project Hail Mary' Surpasses $80M Domestic Debut, Sparks Debate Ryan Gosling stars as Ryland Grace in the sci-fi epic Project Hail Mary, which opened to over $80 million domestically, marking Amazon MGM Studios' highest-grossing debut weekend. The film, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, adapts Andy Weir’s 2021 novel about a science teacher tasked with saving the sun from destruction by partnering with an alien named Rocky. The movie’s success has ignited widespread discussion, with audiences and critics debating its themes, humor, and scientific accuracy. The film’s release has sparked intense online discourse, with debates ranging from its political undertones to its portrayal of science and international cooperation. Jordan Levin, former CEO of WB and AwesomenessTV, noted that films inciting debate—especially those involving contentious topics like science’s role in solving global issues—tend to drive social media engagement. Levin highlighted how the movie’s exploration of fact-based science, a core element of Weir’s novel, has become a focal point of discussion in an era marked by skepticism toward scientific consensus. The film’s blend of humor and serious themes has also drawn mixed reactions. Levin mentioned that cinephiles are divided on whether Project Hail Mary qualifies as a sci-fi classic or if its comedic elements feel out of place. Meanwhile, others praise the film’s practical effects, including puppetry and physical sets, as a refreshing contrast to heavy reliance on CGI. This approach has resonated with fans who appreciate the tangible craftsmanship behind the alien character, Rocky. Industry insiders have observed the film’s broad appeal.#ryan_gosling #project_hail_mary #phil_lord #christopher_miller #amazon_mgm_studios
Project Hail Mary Surpasses $100M Domestic Box Office in Sixth Day Amazon MGM Studios’ Project Hail Mary continues its strong performance at the box office, surpassing $100 million domestically in its sixth day of release. The sci-fi dramedy, directed and produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, is now Ryan Gosling’s fourth film to achieve this milestone, joining Barbie, La La Land, and Remember the Titans. The film is expected to maintain its premium formats and IMAX screenings as it competes with other major releases. The movie’s success mirrors that of Dune: Part Two, which opened in March 2024 with a $45 million gross. Project Hail Mary is currently projected to hold a similar domestic box office performance, though exact figures have not been disclosed. The film’s strong showing comes amid ongoing spring break periods, which typically drive higher attendance. Comscore data indicates that 16% of K-12 schools and 12% of colleges are closed this week, with these numbers expected to rise on Good Friday, April 3. On that day, 71% of K-12 schools and 34% of colleges will be closed, creating a potential boost for upcoming releases like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, scheduled for release by Illumination, Universal, and Nintendo. Another notable release this weekend is They Will Kill You, a genre film co-financed by New Line and Nocturna. Starring Zazie Beetz, the film follows a housekeeper in an NYC high-rise who uncovers a mysterious history of disappearances. Directed by Kirill Sokolov and produced by Andy and Barbara Muschietti, the movie is set to open in 2,700 theaters domestically and 7,000 screens internationally, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Mexico, Spain, and the UK. The film’s projected domestic gross is $10 million, with an additional $10 million expected abroad.#ryan_gosling #project_hail_mary #phil_lord #christopher_miller #amazon_mgm_studios
Project Hail Mary Movie Review: Ryan Gosling Finds Hope at the End of the Universe In this witty, heartfelt adaptation of Andy Weir’s bestseller, Ryan Gosling and an unlikely alien companion transform an extinction-level crisis into one of the most charming space friendships in recent memory. The film, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and adapted by Drew Goddard from Weir’s novel, opens with a premise that demands a leap of faith: humanity discovers that its star is being drained by a mysterious microorganism called Astrophage, which feeds on stellar energy and spreads across space. If left unchecked, Earth faces catastrophic global cooling within three decades. The story centers on Eva Stratt, a German technocrat portrayed with steeliness by Sandra Hüller, who initiates a multinational effort to address the crisis. She recruits Dr. Ryland Grace, a middle-school science teacher played by Gosling, whose character embodies the archetype of a brilliant but overlooked scientist. Grace’s journey begins with amnesia, as he awakens on a spaceship with no memory of his past, gradually piecing together his role in a top-secret mission to save humanity. Gosling’s performance captures both the confusion and charm of a man thrust into an impossible situation, balancing humor with sincerity. The mission’s core idea is to travel to a star system unaffected by Astrophage to investigate its origins. While the premise seems absurd, the film leans into its absurdity with a tone that feels oddly convincing. Gosling’s character, Grace, becomes the emotional anchor of the story, navigating the challenges of interstellar travel while grappling with the weight of his responsibility.#ryan_gosling #phil_lord #christopher_miller #rocky #sandra_hller
Project Hail Mary: Ryan Gosling film becomes 2026's biggest box office debut Ryan Gosling's sci-fi space adventure Project Hail Mary has surpassed $140.9 million globally, securing its position as the highest-grossing debut of 2026. The film, which stars Gosling as a former science teacher tasked with saving humanity from extinction, has outperformed previous year-end releases like Scream 7 and Creed III, marking the fastest start for a production by Amazon MGM Studios. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, known for 21 Jump Street and The Lego Movie, the film follows a molecular biologist who accidentally becomes central to an intergalactic mission. The story is based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel, which also inspired The Martian. In a statement, Amazon MGM’s distribution head Kevin Wilson praised the novel’s “powerful foundation” and highlighted Gosling’s “massive global appeal” as a key factor in the film’s success. Gosling, who also serves as a producer, emphasized the importance of blending humor with the film’s sci-fi elements. “I wanted to create an environment where these things could co-exist,” he said in an interview with BBC News. The $200 million-budgeted project is the third-largest non-sequel film to open above $50 million overseas since the pandemic, joining Oppenheimer and F1: The Movie. Amazon, which acquired MGM for $8.45 billion five years ago, now appears to have its first major commercial success. Critics have mixed reactions: BBC Culture’s Nicolas Barber called it “a mind-stretching sci-fi” that remains “zippily entertaining,” while Empire praised its “witty, wise and preposterously entertaining” tone.#ryan_gosling #project_hail_mary #phil_lord #christopher_miller #amazon_mgm_studios
Project Hail Mary: Ryan Gosling's Sci-Fi Epic Marks the First Great Film of 2026 Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, known for their eclectic career spanning animated series, comedies, and blockbuster films, have returned to directing with Project Hail Mary, a space adventure that has been hailed as their most accomplished work to date. After a 12-year hiatus since 22 Jump Street (2014), the duo has delivered a film that balances humor, heart, and high-stakes science fiction with remarkable precision. The movie, based on Andy Weir’s novel and adapted by Drew Goddard, is a testament to their ability to merge intellectual ambition with cinematic entertainment. The story follows Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), a science teacher who awakens from an induced coma on a space station, only to discover his two crewmates have died. He soon learns that a mysterious substance called astrophage is causing the sun to decay, threatening Earth’s survival. With only a few decades to act, Ryland must navigate the vastness of space to solve the crisis. His journey takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Rocky, an alien resembling a rock-like spider, who becomes his unlikely ally. Together, they must decode the astrophage’s origins and find a way to save both their planets. The film’s narrative is enriched by flashbacks that reveal Ryland’s life on Earth, including his relationship with his stern superior, Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller), and his interactions with fellow crew members Yáo Li-Jie (Ken Leung) and Olesya Ilyukhina (Milana Vayntrub). These glimpses into his past deepen the emotional stakes of his mission, grounding the sci-fi spectacle in personal stakes.#ryan_gosling #phil_lord #christopher_miller #andy_weir #sandra_hller
Project Hail Mary Reviews: What The Critics Are Saying The highly anticipated space adventure Project Hail Mary, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and starring Ryan Gosling, has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. The film, which opens on March 20, 2026, follows Gosling’s character, Ryland Grace, a school teacher who awakens on a spaceship light-years from Earth with no memory of how he got there. As his recollections return, he discovers he is part of a mission to prevent a mysterious substance from destroying the sun and threatening Earth. The story centers on his unexpected friendship with an alien, described as a “rocky” being, and the challenges they face to save humanity. With a production budget exceeding $150 million, the film is positioned for a massive box office debut, projected to open between $45 million and $55 million. The movie’s blend of science fiction and human drama has drawn comparisons to classic space epics, while its practical effects and emotional depth have been praised as fresh and engaging. Critics have highlighted Gosling’s performance as a key strength, noting his ability to portray both the vulnerability and determination of his character. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a 94% score based on over 70 reviews, signaling strong critical acclaim. Deadline’s Pete Hammond called it “a movie made for Imax,” praising its “entertaining and engaging” approach to science fiction. He emphasized the film’s message about unity in the face of existential threats, stating it “suggests even though we may be worlds apart, in order to save us from ourselves we must band together now more than ever.” Empire magazine awarded the film 4/5 stars, describing it as “a very watchable old-school blockbuster crowd-pleaser.#rottent_tomatoes #ryan_gosling #project_hail_mary #phil_lord #christopher_miller
Project Hail Mary review: Ryan Gosling's space epic is 'a mind-stretching sci-fi' ★★★★☆ Ryan Gosling stars in this ambitious sci-fi film as Ryland Grace, a lone astronaut tasked with saving humanity from extinction. The story follows Grace as he awakens on a vast spaceship hurtling toward a distant star, the only surviving crew member after two others die en route. Struggling to recall his mission, Grace gradually pieces together his role in a project aimed at combating a crisis: alien microbes called "Astrophages" are consuming the sun’s radiation, threatening to render Earth uninhabitable. His goal is to uncover why one star remains unaffected by these microbes and transmit the discovery back to Earth, despite his ship’s limited fuel reserves. The film diverges from typical sci-fi blockbusters by prioritizing intellectual problem-solving over action sequences. Unlike franchises like Star Wars or Avatar, which often hinge on combat or spectacle, Project Hail Mary leans into its protagonist’s scientific expertise. Gosling’s character, Grace, is a laid-back, well-groomed scientist with no personal ties or emotional stakes, which contrasts with films like Interstellar that emphasize personal sacrifice. This approach creates a tone that is both lighthearted and cerebral, blending humor with high-concept science. The narrative gains depth through Grace’s interactions with a second spacecraft, manned by a crab-like alien named Rocky. This alien, played by a puppet with digital enhancements, becomes a key ally as Grace learns to communicate with it through a translation system. Their dynamic adds a layer of camaraderie, transforming the story into an upbeat buddy comedy.#ryan_gosling #project_hail_mary #phil_lord #christopher_miller #rocky
Ryan Gosling teams up with a cute alien to save Earth. It’s great fun Ryan Gosling stars in Project Hail Mary, a science fiction film where he plays a science teacher who must team up with a charming alien to save their planets from an impending ice age. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the movie is an adaptation of Andy Weir’s 2021 novel. While it draws inspiration from several acclaimed space-themed films, its blend of humor, emotional depth, and visual flair makes it a standout entry in the genre. The story follows Ryland Grace, a former molecular biology prodigy turned science teacher, who awakens on a distant star system after being sent on a mission to uncover why this star remains unaffected by a parasitic force devouring other planetary systems. His unlikely partner is Rocky, a boulder-skinned, five-armed alien with a playful demeanor. Together, they embark on a journey to prevent the collapse of their worlds, while flashbacks reveal Grace’s personal motivations for joining the mission. Gosling’s performance is a highlight, balancing wit and vulnerability as he navigates the challenges of interstellar travel and the weight of his mission. The film’s tactile approach to special effects—combining practical sets with subtle CGI—creates a sense of realism that feels refreshing in an era dominated by flashy digital visuals. From the way starlight glints off spacecraft hulls to the soft fluffiness of Gosling’s cardigan, every detail contributes to the film’s immersive quality. Rocky, a digitally enhanced puppet voiced by James Ortiz, adds a unique charm to the narrative. His physicality and expressive movements evoke memories of TARS from Interstellar, while his interactions with Gosling’s character provide both humor and emotional resonance.#ryan_gosling #project_hail_mary #phil_lord #christopher_miller #andy_weir
