The launch of the Artemis II ship and the release of Project Hail Mary have proven that 2026 is the year space came back. On April 1, 2026, NASA is expected to launch the Artemis II for the first manned trip to the Moon since 1972. As such, it’s an exciting time to be a fan of anything related to space.
What’s even better is that the movies have reflected this excitement with the release of Project Hail Mary. The hit space travel film, which has dominated the box office for two weeks, engrossed audiences with just how fascinating the cosmos can be. In fact, it’s proven just how popular space has become, and its proximity to the launch of Artemis II is the perfect cherry on top for its success.
Why Project Hail Mary Is An Exceptional Space Movie
There’s a lot to love about Project Hail Mary when it comes to how it takes advantage of its premise. The greatest aspect of the film, though, is its incredible sequences in space. There are countless moments where audiences watch as Ryan Gosling’s character, Ryland Grace, floats adrift in space to solve a problem that endangers humanity.
The way the film captures the emptiness in space and the majesty of nearby planets is a sight to behold. It’s made even better when watching in IMAX as the cosmos engulfs the audience in its interstellar beauty. This is one of the best depictions of space on film, and it’s something audiences can’t miss.
Plus, the film does a tremendous job diving into interstellar science while keeping to its sci-fi elements. The math behind Ryland and his alien friend, Rocky’s, studies, in particular, has been lauded by scientists, including renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Other Great Space Movies To Watch After Project Hail Mary
One of the best films to check out after Project Hail Mary is The Martian. Not only is it also a film based on a novel by Andy Weir, it features much of the same acclaim Project Hail Mary has received. It’s scientifically sound with a terrific lead performance by Matt Damon. Plus, the sequences on Mars and in space are some of the best depictions of space ever put to film.
Interstellar also joins the fray among great space movies with its exceptional direction by Christopher Nolan. It’s certainly far more focused on its themes of love and its transcendence across time and space, but that doesn’t stop it from being an incredible experience. The film captures a lot of the beauty that’s also featured in Project Hail Mary, making it a worthwhile watch.
Though we’re little more than a quarter through the year, 2026 will absolutely go down as one of the most notable moments in scientific history. The return of interstellar travel with the Artemis II is a huge moment for the scientific community. Plus, with the success of Project Hail Mary, there’s no doubt that space is officially back in the mainstream in a big way.
Source: NASA
- Release Date
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March 20, 2026
- Runtime
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156 Minutes
- Director
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Christopher Miller, Phil Lord
- Writers
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Drew Goddard, Andy Weir
- Producers
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Ryan Gosling, Amy Pascal, Andy Weir, Aditya Sood, Christopher Miller, Phil Lord, Rachel O’Connor
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
