Project Hail Mary: First Reviews Hit Rotten Tomatoes

Okay, so the first reviews for Ryan Gosling’s new movie, Project Hail Mary, are starting to come in, and honestly, things are looking really good! Early reactions on Rotten Tomatoes seem super positive, which is exciting as a sci-fi fan.

Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t have a critic score yet because only about 30 reviews are in. The audience score isn’t available yet either, but it should be released this weekend when the movie comes out on March 20th.

Project Hail Mary reviews are mostly positive

Early reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with critics highlighting the film’s impressive blend of action, emotional depth, comedy, and genuine heart. Many reviewers are particularly impressed with Ryan Gosling’s performance, with some believing it’s the best of his career.

According to Deadline, Project Hail Mary is a successful and captivating sci-fi movie that’s best experienced in IMAX.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie occasionally gets overly emotional, but Ryan Gosling’s natural charisma keeps it grounded.

USA Today likened it to a classic blockbuster film, similar to those Steven Spielberg and George Lucas used to create—packed with ambitious concepts and designed to entertain a wide audience.

People have drawn comparisons between this movie and films like The Martian, Interstellar, Arrival, E.T., and even WALL-E, which suggests the overall feel Amazon MGM is aiming for.

Ryan Gosling and Rocky appear to be the big draw

Much of the positive feedback for the film focuses on the strong friendship between the characters played by Ryan Gosling and Rocky, with many critics praising the actors’ chemistry.

Critics are really responding to the way Project Hail Mary balances a huge, world-saving mission with a touching story about friendship. It seems that combination is what’s resonating with them the most.

Awards Radar praised the film as a remarkable and heartwarming story, highlighting its incredible depiction of friendship.

Flick Feast went even further and called it 2026’s first great blockbuster.

Not every review is sold

The response is not unanimous.

Variety wasn’t impressed with the movie, calling it not very good, though they acknowledge many people will probably enjoy it anyway.

Deep Focus Review also went negative and criticized how the book was adapted for the screen.

Some positive reviews noted problems with the movie’s tone shifting, feeling too predictable, and a potentially drawn-out ending. However, many reviewers who had mixed feelings still found the movie fun and entertaining for audiences.

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2026-03-10 16:31