The sci-fi adventure opened with a staggering $12 million in previews, the best preview gross of the year so far, including both regular Thursday showings and fan screenings earlier this week.
Amazon MGM noted that this is also the second-best preview gross for a non-sequel, behind *It* ($13.5 million), unadjusted for inflation.
*Project Hail Mary* is expected to dominate the weekend; the only question is by how much.
Based on the strength of the preview numbers, many believe it will surpass expectations, potentially earning $60 million or more. However, Amazon MGM insiders remain cautious, forecasting in the $50-million range, given the challenges in selling sci-fi overseas.
An important stat: only three non-sequel, non-franchise films have opened above $50 million in the post-pandemic era—*Oppenheimer*, *F1: The Movie*, and *It Ends With Us*.
In terms of the genre, *Project Hail Mary* would join a rare group, including *Interstellar*’s opening in 2014.
So far, both critics and audiences are warmly embracing the heartwarming, action-packed film, which is ideal for studios.
The return of screenwriter Drew Goddard, who successfully adapted *The Martian* from Andy Weir’s novel, also adds to the movie’s appeal.
The film, also starring Sandra Hüller and James Ortiz, is opening in 82 global markets, timed with its U.S. launch, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Korea, Japan, and China.
Among the weekend’s other wide releases is Searchlight Pictures’ *Ready or Not 2: Here I Come*, directed by the filmmaking duo Radio Silence (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett), with Samara Weaving reprising her role as the beloved character Grace.
Internationally, the film also opens in territories like the UK, Australia, and Brazil, along with smaller markets, and will be available almost everywhere by mid-April.
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