Project Hail Mary shoots for the stars with biggest debut of the year, with a $140.9 million global box office opening weekend

Epic space adventure Project Hail Mary launched with the highest-grossing film debut of the year, landing at a $140.9 million box office opening weekend. The film opened to $80.5 million in North America, and captured an additional $60.4 million from international markets. The film is an adaptation of The Martian author Andy Weir’s novel of the same name, directed by duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. 

Project Hail Mary also had a stellar opening weekend in the Philippines, earning P29,258,184 on its first five days. This marks the biggest Hollywood opening weekend of 2026. Propelled by excellent word of mouth, Project Hail Mary is also the biggest Hollywood original non-franchise film opening since Oppenheimer.

Project Hail Mary stars Ryan Gosling as science teacher Ryland Grace, who wakes up aboard a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or why he’s in space. As he slowly recollects his memories, he’s reminded of his mission: To save a dimming sun and prevent the Earth from entering an extinction event. An unexpected encounter leads to an alien ally he names “Rocky,” and together they do what it takes to save their respective homes.

The movie isn’t only successful at the box office. It is also one of the most critically acclaimed this year, with a 4.4 average rating at Letterboxd. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 95% rating, with 298 reviews and a 96% popcornmeter from 5,000+ verified ratings.

Top critics at Rotten Tomatoes call it “a funny and heartwarming crowdpleaser” and the “most purely pleasurable movie so far this year.” Although it it didn’t fully capture all the major moments from the book from where it’s adapted, it is still “absorbing and familiar without being derivative.” Directors Lord and Miller were able to create something that “gets the job done.”

Project Hail Mary is now showing in Philippine cinemas.