In a stunning box office milestone, Ryan Gosling's sci-fi epic Project Hail Mary has officially overtaken Ridley Scott's The Martian to become the highest-grossing adaptation of an Andy Weir novel. The film, which has been in theaters for nearly three weeks, has now earned over $641 million worldwide, surpassing the $630 million gross of the 2015 Matt Damon-led film.
Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Project Hail Mary follows Gosling as Ryland Grace, a teacher-turned-astronaut on a desperate mission to save Earth from a dimming sun caused by astrophage activity. Along the way, he forms an unlikely friendship with Rocky, a rock-shaped alien voiced by James Ortiz, and the two team up to save their respective planets. The film has been a critical and commercial success, earning a 94% critics' score and a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as a 4.3-star rating on Letterboxd and an 'A' CinemaScore.
This achievement is particularly notable because The Martian had held the title of Ridley Scott's highest-grossing film for over a decade. Project Hail Mary now sits as the third-highest-grossing film of 2026, trailing only Pegasus 3 and Michael. The film's success has sparked speculation about potential award nominations, with many praising Gosling's performance as one of his best.
Critics have been effusive in their praise. ScreenRant called the film 'destined for the all-time great sci-fi movie pantheon,' while CBR compared Rocky's charm to that of Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy, calling it 'the perfect sci-fi movie for people who don't like sci-fi movies.' Collider's Ross Bonamie gave the film a 9/10, highlighting Lord and Miller's 'ambitious filmmaking' and the 'one of the great human-alien friendships in movies' between Gosling and Rocky.
For fans of the genre, Project Hail Mary is a must-see. It's a rare blend of heart, humor, and high-stakes science fiction that has resonated with audiences worldwide. If you're looking for more masterpieces, check out our list of fantasy TV gold or explore drama masterpieces that hook you in the first 10 minutes.
As Project Hail Mary continues its theatrical run, it's clear that this is more than just a box office success—it's a cultural phenomenon. The film's ability to blend scientific rigor with emotional storytelling has set a new standard for the genre. For those who haven't seen it yet, now is the time to catch it on the big screen.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on Project Hail Mary and other box office milestones. And if you're a fan of Andy Weir's work, don't miss our feature on rediscovering forgotten masterpieces.
