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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Carsen Holaday

Avatar overtaken as the highest-grossing Hollywood film of the year

  • Ryan Gosling's sci-fi film, Project Hail Mary, has become the highest-grossing Hollywood movie of 2026, earning $164.3 million domestically in its first two weeks.
  • The film surpassed James Cameron's Avatar: Fire and Ash, which had previously led the 2026 box office with $153.7 million.
  • Globally, the Amazon MGM production has grossed $300.8 million, making it the second-highest-earning film worldwide this year, behind China's Pegasus 3.
  • Project Hail Mary demonstrated strong staying power, with ticket sales only dropping 32 per cent in its second weekend, outperforming Oppenheimer's second-weekend hold in 2023.
  • The movie's success, which includes positive reviews and a record-breaking non-franchise opening weekend, marks a significant win for Amazon MGM following a series of less successful releases.

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