Project Hail Mary is already making headlines following the release of its early reviews. The Ryan Gosling-led science fiction film has received a strong critical reception from reviewers. Its current Rotten Tomatoes score places it among the best-reviewed movies of Gosling’s career.
What critics are saying about Project Hail Mary in reviews
Project Hail Mary has received predominantly positive reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
ComingSoon’s Jonathan Sim wrote, “Project Hail Mary is the kind of ambitious science-fiction blockbuster that remembers something many movies in the genre forget: saving the world can be thrilling, emotional, and genuinely funny at the same time.” He added that the film blends hard science with humor and heart
Mashable critic Kristy Puchko wrote, “Imagine The Martian meets Half Nelson meets E.T., and you’ll get some idea of the mirthful mash-up that is Project Hail Mary.” Consequence critic Liz Shannon Miller wrote, “Project Hail Mary is a movie that believes it’s possible to save the world.”
Some reviews were more mixed despite the score. Variety critic Owen Gleiberman wrote, “Project Hail Mary wants to be the kind of ‘great escape we need right now,’ and I have no doubt that many will hail it as one.”
Several critics highlighted the film’s tone and pacing. Lindsey Bahr of the Associated Press wrote, “Project Hail Mary might blow past a two-hour runtime and yet there’s rarely a dull moment with all the problem-solving, earnest irreverence and unabashed commitment to imbuing life and wit into every molecule of the story.”
Empire Magazine’s John Nugent described it as “an absolute space-smash: stupidly entertaining stuff about seriously clever speculative concepts.” Polygon’s Tasha Robinson stated, “For once, fans’ ‘Did they do the book justice?’ anxieties are misplaced: The movie version of Project Hail Mary is funny, strange, heartening, and completely satisfying.”
Other critics also highlighted performances and spectacle. The Times critic Kevin Maher wrote, “Gosling is the sugar that helps the medicine go down. He hasn’t been this perfectly cast between roguish and ingenuous since La La Land in 2016.”
Project Hail Mary Rotten Tomatoes score proves it’s Ryan Gosling best reviewed movie
Project Hail Mary, which releases in theaters on March 20, 2026, currently holds a 96% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 100 reviews. The score reflects largely positive critical reception, with multiple outlets publishing high ratings including A grades and four-star reviews.
