Ryan Gosling's Project Hail Mary continues to defy gravity at the box office. Nearly two months into its theatrical run, the sci-fi epic has just surpassed another major milestone: overtaking the lifetime global gross of Men in Black 3, Will Smith's highest-grossing sequel in the franchise.
With over $660 million worldwide, Project Hail Mary has now eclipsed the $655 million haul of the 2012 threequel. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, Men in Black 3 starred Smith alongside Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin in a time-travel plot that revitalized the series. It held a 67% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus calling it "better than its predecessor." Now, Gosling's interstellar adventure has claimed that spot in the record books.
Produced on a budget north of $200 million, Project Hail Mary marks the directorial return of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller after more than a decade away from the big screen. The film follows a scientist on a desperate mission to save Earth from an extinction-level threat. Based on Andy Weir's bestseller—the same author behind The Martian—the movie has surpassed its predecessor both critically and commercially. It holds a "Certified Fresh" 94% critics' score and a "Verified Hot" 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film's success is all the more impressive given the intense competition it's faced in recent weeks. After dominating the domestic box office for weeks, Project Hail Mary was unseated by the Michael Jackson biopic, then pushed further down by The Devil Wears Prada 2. This weekend, Mortal Kombat II claimed another chunk of its audience. Despite slipping out of the top five in its eighth weekend, it remains the second-highest-grossing American film of the year both domestically and worldwide, trailing only The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
For fans of sci-fi, Project Hail Mary offers a thrilling mix of survival, humor, and heart. If you're looking for more interstellar adventures, check out Daniel Craig's Sci-Fi Western 'Cowboys & Aliens' Leaves Peacock in June 2026 or dive into HBO Max's Alien Franchise: The Perfect Sci-Fi Horror Weekend Binge.
The film's box office dominance has also sparked conversations about the future of original sci-fi in Hollywood. Unlike franchise-driven blockbusters, Project Hail Mary proves that audiences are hungry for fresh stories. Its success echoes the trajectory of 'Project Hail Mary' Overtakes 'The Martian' at Global Box Office, another milestone it recently achieved.
As Project Hail Mary continues its run, it's clear that this original sci-fi sensation has become a cultural phenomenon. With its blend of high-stakes drama, stunning visuals, and Gosling's charismatic performance, it's no wonder audiences are flocking to theaters. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on this and other box office stories.
