'Project Hail Mary' dominates box office as 2026's first major hit

Amazon MGM's interplanetary epic 'Project Hail Mary' has maintained its stronghold on the North American box office, securing the top spot for a second consecutive Friday. The sci-fi dramedy grossed $14.6 million, marking a robust 34% hold from its debut. By the conclusion of its second weekend, the film is projected to reach a domestic total of $162.9 million.

Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the film stars Ryan Gosling as a schoolteacher tasked with saving the Sun from a cataclysmic blackout. The production has already set a new benchmark for Amazon MGM, surpassing the opening records previously held by 2023's Creed III.

Meanwhile, Disney and Pixar's 'Hoppers' claimed the second spot, adding $3.2 million on Friday. The $150 million animated investment is proving successful, with a projected worldwide gross nearing $276 million after three weeks. In third place, Warner Bros' horror newcomer 'They Will Kill You', starring Zazie Beetz, earned $2.3 million on its opening day from 2,778 locations.

Rounding out the top five were the literary romance 'Reminders of Him', which brought its domestic total to $40.9 million, and the action sequel 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge', currently sitting at a domestic haul of approximately $22.8 million.