Amazon’s gamble on “Project Hail Mary” has paid off, with the film recently surpassing “Creed III” to become the company’s highest-grossing film.
And it was a big bet, with a reported budget of around $200 million. That’s a high price for any movie, but especially one that’s neither a sequel nor part of an existing franchise. Instead, it is based on a best-selling science fiction novel written by Andy Weir, whose book “The Martian” was adapted into a hit movie a decade ago.
And that’s not the only thing that makes “Project Hail Mary” seem unconventional. For long stretches of the film, Ryan Gosling is the only human actor on screen, as the scientist he plays works with a rock-like alien to solve the mystery of why several stars, including our own, appear to be dimming.
But after 10 days in theaters, “Project Hail Mary” has grossed approximately $164.3 million in North America, as well as $136.2 million overseas. according to The Hollywood Reporter. Domestically, it only dropped 32% in its second weekend, to $54.5 million, so its final box office numbers should be significantly higher when it leaves theaters.
That makes “Project Hail Mary” the biggest hit of 2026 (so far), as well as one of the most successful non-sequel-free, non-franchise films of the last decade.
And it’s good news for what is now known as Amazon MGM Studios. The company’s film ambitions have evolved over time, from distributing smaller, critically acclaimed titles like “The Big Sick” and “Manchester by the Sea” to more recently Acquire the MGM film studio. (which leads to a battle for control of the James Bond franchise) and declaring your intention to bring 14 films to theaters each year.
Until “Hail Mary,” those films, including “After the Hunt,” “Mercy” and the controversial documentary “Melania” – seemed to be failing with the public.
Technology event
San Francisco, CA
|
October 13-15, 2026
Courtenay Valenti, Amazon Film Director told the New York Times that “Project Hail Mary’s” big opening weekend validated the company’s strategy of making “big, bold, entertaining commercial movies.” And more movies will hit theaters soon, including “The Sheep Detectives,” starring Hugh Jackman in May, and then a reboot of “Masters of the Universe” in June.
