- Project Hail Mary grossed $300.5 million in 10 days, surpassing Creed III as Amazon MGM's highest-grossing film.
- The film, with a $200 million budget, proves audiences still respond to original sci-fi stories.
- The success validates Amazon's shift toward large-scale commercial productions after acquiring MGM.
- A 32% drop in the second weekend suggests positive reception and potential for further box office growth.
Amazon MGM Studios has achieved a historic milestone with Project Hail Mary, which in just 10 days of release became the highest-grossing film in the studio's history. The movie, an adaptation of Andy Weir's novel, surpassed Creed III by grossing $164.3 million in North America and $136.2 million internationally, totaling $300.5 million.
This success redefines Amazon's film strategy and could influence how studios balance franchises with original content moving forward.
A Calculated Risk That Paid Off
With a reported budget of around $200 million, Project Hail Mary represented a bold gamble for Amazon. In an industry dominated by franchises and sequels, the studio opted for an original hard sci-fi story where Ryan Gosling primarily shares the screen with a rock-like alien. This unconventional narrative didn't seem like the obvious formula to lead the box office, but audiences responded strongly, proving that appetite still exists for new, ambitious stories.
Strong Commercial Performance
The film's second weekend in theaters showed a moderate 32% drop in domestic box office, reaching $54.5 million. This limited contraction suggests positive audience reception and indicates that commercial momentum still has room to grow. Current projections position Project Hail Mary as the most successful film of 2026 so far, placing it among the top-grossing non-sequel productions of the past decade.
Project Hail Mary proves audiences still crave original stories in a franchise-obsessed industry.
Implications for Amazon's Strategy
This success comes at a critical time for Amazon MGM Studios, which has transitioned from distributing acclaimed indie titles like The Big Sick to a more aggressive strategy targeting mainstream audiences. The acquisition of MGM in 2022 significantly expanded the studio's library and industrial capacity, but Project Hail Mary marks the first major commercial hit that validates this transition. The outcome reinforces Amazon's bet on large-scale productions and could influence future decisions by other studios about balancing franchises with original content.
What to Watch Next
With Project Hail Mary still in theaters, final grosses are expected to significantly exceed the $300 million already accumulated. This success could accelerate production of more sci-fi novel adaptations and solidify Amazon as a serious competitor in high-budget cinema. Additionally, the film's performance might impact Prime Video's streaming strategies, where it will eventually premiere, attracting new subscribers interested in premium content.