Project Hail Mary Launches to $140 Million Global Opening Weekend

Project Hail Mary has landed with serious force at the global box office, earning $140.98 million in its opening weekend. The Ryan Gosling-led sci-fi epic marks the biggest global debut of 2026 so far, proving there's still serious appetite for original blockbuster entertainment when it delivers the goods.

How much did Project Hail Mary earn globally?

According to box office reports, Project Hail Mary brought in an impressive $140,983,746 worldwide during its opening weekend. The film earned $80,583,746 domestically in the US and Canada, with international markets contributing $60.4 million to the total.

This performance places it as only the third non-sequel or non-franchise film to open above $50 million internationally in the post-COVID era, joining the ranks of Oppenheimer and F1: The Movie. On a like-for-like basis excluding China, Project Hail Mary's opening matches the performance of acclaimed sci-fi films like Interstellar and Dune.

The film comfortably beats Scream 7's previous 2026 record of $97 million, signalling strong audience interest in the Phil Lord and Christopher Miller-directed project.

IMAX drives premium experience demand

IMAX screenings proved particularly popular, generating $27.6 million of the total opening weekend gross. This represents 20.3% of the domestic box office total — making Project Hail Mary just the third film in IMAX history to index over 20% with an overall opening greater than $80 million.

The strong IMAX performance demonstrates continued audience appetite for premium viewing experiences, especially for visually spectacular sci-fi content. This bodes well for the film's continued theatrical run as word-of-mouth builds.

What this means for Amazon MGM Studios

Project Hail Mary represents Amazon MGM Studios' highest-grossing film debut to date, surpassing previous releases in the studio's theatrical portfolio. The timing signals Amazon's growing confidence in theatrical releases ahead of Masters of the Universe, their next big-budget cinema release scheduled for June.

However, the film still faces profitability challenges. According to Variety, Project Hail Mary carried a $200 million production budget, meaning it needs sustained box office performance to move into profit during its theatrical run. Based on this strong opening, industry observers suggest it has a decent chance of achieving that goal.

Where to watch in UAE

While specific UAE release details weren't announced in the global box office reports, major sci-fi releases typically arrive in UAE cinemas a day before international markets. Check with local cinema chains including Reel Cinemas, VOX, and Novo for showtimes and IMAX availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Project Hail Mary make on its opening weekend?

Project Hail Mary grossed $140,983,746 globally in its opening weekend, with $80,583,746 from domestic markets and $60.4 million internationally.

Is Project Hail Mary a sequel or part of a franchise?

No, Project Hail Mary is an original sci-fi film, not a sequel or part of an existing franchise. It's only the third non-sequel film to open above $50 million internationally since 2020.

What was the budget for Project Hail Mary?

According to Variety, Project Hail Mary had a production budget of $200 million, meaning it needs strong theatrical performance to reach profitability.

Who directed Project Hail Mary?

Project Hail Mary was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the duo known for their work on animated and live-action blockbusters.

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