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Box Office: ‘Project Hail Mary’ Makes $12 Million in Previews, Biggest of the Year So Far

What happened

Project Hail Mary, the Ryan Gosling sci-fi film based on Andy Weir's novel, earned $12 million in preview screenings. This marks the biggest preview haul of 2024 so far, beating previous leader Scream 7's $7.8 million. The Amazon MGM film also scored the second-best previews ever for a non-sequel, non-franchise movie.

Why people care

Original, non-franchise movies have been struggling at the box office for years, making this a rare bright spot for Hollywood. The strong performance suggests audiences are hungry for smart sci-fi content, especially from the author of The Martian.

The takes

Industry optimists say

This proves there's still an appetite for original, intelligent sci-fi when it's done right. The combination of Ryan Gosling's star power, proven source material from Andy Weir, and Lord & Miller's direction created the perfect storm for success.

Box office realists say

Preview numbers don't always translate to sustained success, and one good night doesn't reverse the broader trend of franchise dominance. The real test will be whether it can maintain momentum through its opening weekend and beyond.

Sources