Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s adaptation of Andy Weir’s bestselling hard sci-fi book hits theaters on March 20.
Ryan Gosling in ‘Project Hail Mary.’
Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller‘s intriguing sci-fi epic Project Hail Mary held its first press screenings this week and the early reaction on social media seems overwhelmingly positive, with many suggesting a genre classic maybe incoming.
While official, full, critics reviews for Project Hail Mary are embargoed till closer to the film’s March. 20 release date, Amazon MGM Studios allowed press to release social media reaction to screenings this week.
Starring Ryan Gosling, the film is based on Andy Weir’s hard science fiction bestseller. Weir was also behind the equally ambitious and hugely successful hard sci-fi book The Martian, which was adapted into a film by Ridley Scott to much critical and commercial success. A further link to the Martian is Drew Goddard penning the script for Project Hail Mary after earning an Oscar nomination for adapting Scott’s 2015 film.
Project Hail Mary centers on astronaut Ryland Grace (Gosling) who awakens on a spacecraft with amnesia. Grace quickly works out he’s on a mission to save Earth and he must engage the help of another lifeform he names Rocky to complete his work.
The cast also includes Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung and Milana Vayntrub. The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Rocky will played by theater artist James Ortiz.
Project Hail Mary is released in theaters on March 20. A trailer for the film was released during the Super Bowl.
See a selection of social media reaction to Project Hail Mary.
Hail Mary full of Grace! I couldn’t have hoped for a better adaptation of Project Hail Mary. A brilliant blend of light, sound & color. A perfect cinematic experience & maybe even one of the best movies of the decade so far! Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!#ProjectHailMary pic.twitter.com/ydYn77VWwM
— film posers™️ Josie Marie 🇵🇷🇵🇸 (@TheJosieMarie) February 26, 2026
#ProjectHailMary is my fave standalone book of all time.
This movie needed to be perfect.I’m giddy to say: This movie faithfully & brilliantly adapts the book. I loved everything about it! Gosling is SO perfect as Ryland Grace.
I laughed, cried, laugh-cried the whole time! pic.twitter.com/dikasWFBmU
— Maude Garrett (@maudegarrett) February 25, 2026
#ProjectHailMary is pure sci-fi nirvana. The epitome of the IMAX experience, Lord and Miller craft a story that feels both grand and intimate, leaving me completely enthralled. It transforms the loneliness of space into something profoundly human, grounding its spectacle in the… pic.twitter.com/XdAPKF6Dlu
— David Gonzalez (@CinematicReel) February 26, 2026
I was shocked with how much I cared about an alien in PROJECT HAIL MARY. Surprisingly emotional. It’s more buddy comedy than space epic. Ryan Gosling might be the best blockbuster actor right now. For Weir adaptations, I prefer The Martian, but #ProjectHailMary was fun. pic.twitter.com/wNnVrllOfG
— Dan Girolamo (@danny_giro) February 25, 2026
#ProjectHailMary is perfect. Imagination unleashed even better than I pictured it on the page.
How Gosling captivates throughout a largely one-man show is beyond me – your earliest Best Actor contender. & my sweet prince Rocky… tears flowed all third act. What a beautiful… pic.twitter.com/THQapWJYJ1
— Liam (@LiamTCrowley) February 25, 2026
#ProjectHailMary is a THRILLING MASTERPIECE. Lord and Miller craft a BREATHTAKING SPACE EPIC filled with heart, emotion, and connection. Powered by phenomenal performances, extraordinary visuals, and scene-stealing Rocky. @IMAX never looked so good. An unforgettable cinematic… pic.twitter.com/7LwEHnwC2L
— Anthony Gagliardi (@AJGaliardi) February 25, 2026
#ProjectHailMary is a nuanced, gorgeous, humanistic marvel. Ryan Gosling gives one of his best performances, Lord & Miller prove their gifts for color & choreography flourish in sci-fi, the film’s effects recall STAR TREK 1979. In a galaxy of space films, it’s brilliantly unique. pic.twitter.com/UfYlAAL5nl
— Bill Bria (@billbria) February 25, 2026
#ProjectHailMary is profound and profoundly moving, an absolute masterpiece of hope and humanity. It’s also insanely entertaining – funny, thrilling, surprising and hopeful. As cheesy as it is to say “we need this movie right now,” well, we do. And I’m so thankful it’s here. 🪐🌎 pic.twitter.com/OOYgMXkCJE
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) February 25, 2026
Project Hail Mary is PHENOMENAL! This movie is a masterpiece. It is way funnier than I expected it to be, it never feels its runtime, and it is truly heartwarming. I laughed, I cried – I fell in love with Rocky! Ryan Gosling is one of the best working today. WOW! #ProjectHailMary pic.twitter.com/PkhAgZSvqc
— Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) February 25, 2026
#ProjectHailMary is truly magical, magnificent, and easily one of the best sci-fi movies of the 21st century. Full of hope, heart, and humor, it’s a beautiful story that rests squarely on Ryan Gosling’s shoulders, and he delivers on every level. See it in theaters with a crowd! pic.twitter.com/8WQVlZp8Ye
— Ethan Anderton (@Ethan_Anderton) February 25, 2026
PROJECT HAIL MARY: an ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL film that proudly brings Andy Weir’s companionship-centric story to life. Ryan Gosling gives an all-time, stellar performance, visuals are beautiful, and the stakes click right. Words can’t simply describe it. 🥹 #ProjectHailMary pic.twitter.com/FmgnESrBMr
— Christopher Gallardo (@chrisagwrites) February 26, 2026
#projecthailmary is pretty fantastic – smart without being didactic, cute without being cloying, inspiring without stooping to empty platitudes. Daniel Pemberton’s score is an all timer. Dispositionally, an anti-Interstellar, inviting the audience to enjoy the ride.
— Todd Gilchrist (@mtgilchrist) February 25, 2026
PROJECT HAIL MARY has one of the best third acts I’ve ever seen. I was on the verge of tears for the last 40 mintues.
Lord & Miller have crafted an incredibly human story that is both grand and small. Absolutely can’t wait to see this again in (1.43) IMAX.#ProjectHailMary pic.twitter.com/REbVuNKIe2
— Brandon Norwood (@bjntweets) February 25, 2026
