Amazon MGM Studios is preparing for the theatrical debut of "Project Hail Mary" on Friday, March 20, 2026. Directed by the filmmaking duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the $200 million production is an adaptation of the best-selling novel by Andy Weir, the author of "The Martian."
The film stars Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a middle-school science teacher who wakes up on a spacecraft with no memory of his identity or his mission to save humanity from a solar-extinction event.
The film marks a significant collaboration between Gosling and the directors, who have praised the actor’s ability to carry much of the film’s emotional weight in isolation.
"What's strong about this story is that you have a guy that's not a natural hero," Gosling noted during a recent press junket.
The cast also features Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt, the project's steely director, and James Ortiz providing the voice and puppetry for "Rocky," an alien intelligence Grace encounters during his journey.
Early critical reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with the film currently holding a near-perfect 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have hailed it as the "first masterpiece of 2026," drawing favorable comparisons to the scientific optimism of "The Martian."
Despite the high stakes of the plot, which involves microbes "snuffing out the sun", the film reportedly maintains the "breezy humor and tonal commitment" characteristic of Weir’s writing.
Filming for the project, which utilized IMAX-certified Arri Alexa 65 cameras, took place primarily at Shepperton Studios in the United Kingdom throughout 2024.
The production team, including screenwriter Drew Goddard and cinematographer Greig Fraser, aimed for a "stunning visual odyssey" that justifies its large-scale theatrical window.
While the movie will be exclusive to theaters and IMAX for its opening weeks, industry analysts expect a streaming debut on Prime Video in late summer or early fall of 2026.
For fans eager to see the film early, Amazon offered special "Prime Early Access" screenings on March 16. The movie’s official runtime is confirmed at 2 hours and 36 minutes.