Project Hail Mary has maintained its orbit at the summit of the box office for a second consecutive week, solidifying its status as the first definitive blockbuster of 2026, per variety.com. The sci-fi epic, produced by Amazon MGM, earned a stellar $54.5 million, representing a modest 32% drop from its opening weekend. With a domestic haul now standing at $164.3 million, the film marks a significant victory for the studio’s strategy of prioritising wide theatrical releases over streaming-first premieres.
The film’s success further cements Ryan Gosling’s reputation as a premier leading man. His performance as a teacher tasked with a desperate mission to save Earth has resonated with audiences and ignited early awards season speculation. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, and based on the novel by Andy Weir, the production proves the enduring appeal of high-concept, live-action space adventures.
In stark contrast, the weekend’s primary new release, They Will Kill You, met a disappointing end upon arrival. The Warner Bros. and New Line horror film debuted in third place with a mere $5 million from over 2,700 locations. Despite a relatively lean $20 million production budget, the result is a blow for the studio, following the recent commercial failure of the steampunk-themed The Bride.
Elsewhere, Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers secured the second spot, adding $12.2 million to reach a global total approaching $300 million. Bollywood thriller Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge also showed impressive strength in fourth place, outperforming expectations despite a limited screen count.
Looking ahead, the industry anticipates a further boost with the upcoming release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. For now, the theatrical market remains buoyant, with overall ticket sales up 23% compared to the same period last year.
•Featured image: ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection
