Critics Say Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary Could Be the Best Sci-Fi Movie of 2026

Ryan Gosling’s upcoming film Project Hail Mary, based on Andy Weir’s Hugo Award-winning novel, is already generating buzz ahead of its March 20, 2026 release. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the adaptation follows biologist Ryland Grace, who wakes up aboard a spaceship with amnesia, tasked with saving humanity from a dimming sun.

Critics Praise Early Footage

After a 30-minute preview at Los Angeles’ IMAX HQ, critics described the film as imaginative, emotional, and visually stunning. /Film’s Bill Bria called it “2026’s best sci-fi movie,” highlighting Lord and Miller’s ability to balance humor and sincerity.

Eric Marchen praised Greig Fraser’s cinematography and Gosling’s “stellar” performance, while Drew Taylor of The Wrap labeled the film a “masterpiece” that feels profoundly moving. “We need this movie right now,” Taylor wrote, emphasizing its emotional resonance.

Humanity at the Core

Adriano Caporusso noted the film’s blend of comedy and epic scale, describing it as a “pulse-pounding space epic” centered on friendship and survival. Tyler Llewyn Taing echoed this sentiment, praising the adaptation for shifting from a typical space adventure to an “intimate look at companionship and catharsis in the vastness of space.”

Minor Criticism, Major Praise

While Globe and Mail’s Barry Hertz pointed out the omission of a crucial plot point, he admitted Gosling’s “galaxy-sized charms” make the film compelling. Other critics, including Tessa Smith and Scott Menzel, emphasized the heartwarming nature of the story and Lord and Miller’s ambitious direction. Menzel called it “an epic cinematic achievement” that balances immense scope with intimate storytelling.

Anticipation Builds

With comparisons to Ridley Scott’s successful adaptation of Weir’s The Martian, expectations are high. Early reactions suggest Project Hail Mary could be both a box-office hit and an awards contender, cementing Gosling’s performance as one of his most memorable.