As movie studios continue to try and gain some strong box office reactions from films, two recent releases are a great sign of what to point to in terms of what Hollywood can look to in the future.
2026 has had its fair share of big movies, and two recent ones come in the form of Project Hail Mary and The Drama. While both movies couldn’t be more different, their box office tells the story of a great sign of what’s potentially to come, and how Hollywood can keep growing.
What are Project Hail Mary and The Drama’s box office telling us?
Project Hail Mary, to date, has earned over $500 million at the box office, and has continued to have what those in the industry call “strong legs.” The movie has only seen a 23% drop in its fourth week in theaters, an incredibly impressive number which means people are still looking to see it. IMAX has even rereleased the movie in its most premium formats, showcasing a genuine desire from fans to see it.
The Drama, on the other hand, has equally been successful. The A24 drama starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson has only earned $43 million to date, but has already outperformed its budget, and has only seen a drop of 39% in its second weekend, a sign that the movie will continue to be popular at least for a few more weeks.
Both movies are very different in story and tone, but similar in a lot of behind-the-scenes ways that could be a great sign for the movie industry. Both movies are non-franchise releases, with The Drama being wholly original while PHM is based on an Andy Weir novel. Both movies also feature some of the biggest names in Hollywood, and have grown mostly by positive word-of-mouth on social media.
Project Hail Mary is certainly a “blockbuster” on paper, especially with Ryan Gosling‘s inclusion, but the film’s massive success is a result of the huge fan following its gained, while The Drama’s more mysterious nature and surprise “twist” in the movie has likewise gotten fans’ attention. Specifically, both these films’ success point to what Hollywood may have to lean more into in the future.
While the world of Hollywood and the story of box office success will always be told by blockbusters, a more balanced approach is necessary. Films like the recently released The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and December’s Avengers: Doomsday are sure to make a ton of money, as are most IP-heavy projects. However, as the box office success of those movies decline over time (specifically in the superhero world), it’s important for Hollywood to find balance to keep its success growing.