Ryan Gosling’s new sci-fi Project Hail Mary has been hailed as the “first masterpiece of 2026” following an early screening. The anticipated film is based on the book by Andy Weir, which follows a science teacher who wakes up on a spacecraft.
With no memory of his mission or purpose, Dr Ryland Grace discovers that he has been sent to solve the riddle of a substance causing the sun to die out, and uses his knowledge to try and save Earth. At the same time, he befriends an alien called Rocky.
The movie from The Lego Movie’s Phil Lord and Christopher Miller has just had a friends and family screening, and among those in attendance was Frozen’s Josh Gad, who heaped praise on the film.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the first masterpiece of 2026,” he wrote on Instagram. “I don’t know how the hell they did it, but @phillordy @chrizmillr @drewgoddardfilms @adityasood along with Amy Pascal and Rachel O’Conner have delivered a PERFECT adaptation of a book I thought was impossible to adapt.”
Gad added that the original novel is one of his “all-time favorites” and the movie “somehow matches it pound for pound”.
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“See this @amazonmgmstudios movie on the biggest screen possible,” he added. “Ryan Gosling has never been better. I cannot wait to see this movie again. It will restore your faith in humanity and the power of love and courage. #longliverocky.”
Fans have already expressed their excitement for Project Hail Mary, with some suggesting that it could be “the best film of 2026” after a trailer drop late last year.
Sony Pictures
Last week, it was confirmed that the movie will run at an epic two hours and 36 minutes, with the Irish Film Classification Office further confirming “moderate sci-fi threat, injury and upsetting scenes”.
Alongside Gosling, the film also features Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, Milana Vayntrub and James Ortiz.
Project Hail Mary is released in cinemas and IMAX on 19 March, with previews on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Â Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.