Ryan Gosling’s space epic continues its powerful run, soaring above the competition for a second straight weekend while a new horror release struggles to find its footing. The latest box office numbers paint a clear picture, one film is thriving, another is barely surviving.
Project Hail Mary Continues Box Office Reign
“Project Hail Mary” easily held onto the top spot, pulling in an impressive $54.5 million in its second weekend. Meanwhile, the film has now climbed to $164.3 million domestically, marking it as one of the strongest performers of 2026 so far.
Unlike many big releases that see sharp drops after opening, this sci-fi drama dipped just 32%. That kind of hold signals strong audience interest and long-term momentum.
There have been hits this year, including “Scream 7” and “Hoppers,” but “Project Hail Mary” is shaping up to be the first true blockbuster of the year. Its consistent performance suggests it may continue dominating in the weeks ahead.
Amazon MGM’s Big Bet Starts Paying Off
The success comes at a crucial time for Amazon MGM, which has been redefining its theatrical strategy. Previously focused on indie films and streaming releases, the studio has now shifted toward large-scale theatrical projects.
That pivot appears to be paying off.
“Project Hail Mary” stands as proof that investing in big-screen experiences can deliver strong returns. The studio has committed to releasing around a dozen films in cinemas each year, and early results suggest confidence in that approach.
Ryan Gosling’s Star Power Drives Success
At the center of the film’s success is Ryan Gosling, who plays a school teacher tasked with saving humanity. The film relies heavily on his performance, and audiences are clearly responding.
Following major hits like “Barbie” and “La La Land,” Gosling once again proves his ability to draw crowds. Early awards buzz is already beginning to build, further strengthening the film’s profile.
Behind the camera, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller deliver a crowd-pleasing experience. Their return to form after past setbacks shows their capability in handling large-scale live-action projects.
The story itself comes from Andy Weir, whose previous work “The Martian” also became a major box office success. With two hit adaptations now under his belt, his future projects are likely to attract intense studio interest.
They Will Kill You Opens To Disappointing Numbers
In sharp contrast, the weekend’s only major new release stumbled badly.
“They Will Kill You” debuted with just $5 million from 2,778 locations, landing in third place. Despite a modest $20 million production budget, the result is still concerning given how revenue is split with theaters.
The film follows a housekeeper investigating a high-rise filled with mysterious disappearances. It stars Zazie Beetz alongside Patricia Arquette, Heather Graham, Tom Felton and Myha’la.
However, audiences largely stayed away.
The film was directed and co-written by Kirill Sokolov, with backing from Nocturna Pictures, a label supported by Skydance and filmmakers Andy and Barbara Muschietti.
Warner Bros Faces Early 2026 Struggles
The weak opening adds to a difficult stretch for Warner Bros.
“They Will Kill You” arrives shortly after “The Bride,” a $90 million steampunk reimagining of “The Bride of Frankenstein,” underperformed with just $23.2 million globally.
That said, industry leadership changes add another layer to the story. Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, now leading Warner Bros., previously helped launch “Project Hail Mary” during their time at MGM.
Ironically, their former project is now thriving while their current studio faces setbacks.
Other Films Hold Steady In Top Five
Elsewhere, family film “Hoppers” secured second place with $12.2 million. The movie continues to perform well, with projections reaching $138.6 million domestically and $297.6 million worldwide.
Meanwhile, Bollywood thriller “Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge” landed in fourth place with $4.7 million. Its domestic total now stands at $22.8 million, nearly matching the performance of “They Will Kill You” despite playing on significantly fewer screens.
Rounding out the top five, “Reminders of Him” earned another $4.7 million, bringing its total to $41.1 million. The romantic adaptation continues to show steady audience interest.
Smaller Releases And Re-Releases Add Variety
Beyond the top contenders, several smaller films entered the market.
“The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist” opened with $650,000 across 786 locations, offering a look at artificial intelligence’s risks and potential.
Meanwhile, “Alpha,” a body horror film, brought in just over $121,000 from 218 screens.
In an interesting move, Universal re-released “The Mummy Returns,” which added $600,000 from 1,300 theaters. The film’s total now sits at $202.7 million as the studio prepares to reboot the franchise with original stars returning.
Blockbuster Momentum Set To Continue
Looking ahead, the box office shows no signs of slowing down.
Next weekend introduces “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” a highly anticipated collaboration between Universal, Illumination and Nintendo. Expectations are high, with many predicting it could become one of the year’s biggest hits.
For theater owners, the strong start to 2026 is already evident, with ticket sales up 23%. If current trends continue, this could be a standout year for cinemas.