«Project “Ave Maria”» starring Ryan Gosling breaks opening weekend record

Closing in on «Oppenheimer»

The film «Project “Ave Maria”», with Ryan Gosling in the lead role, has taken the global box office by storm. It earned $140.9 million during its opening weekend, marking the most successful debut in the history of Amazon MGM.

According to Variety, the movie grossed $80.5 million in the U.S., with international markets contributing an additional $60.4 million. By comparison, the previous record was held by «Creed III», which opened in 2023 with $58 million.

The film is based on the novel of the same name by Andy Weir, the author of «The Martian». The story follows teacher and scientist Ryland Grace, who becomes the sole survivor of a space mission and seeks a way to save Earth from a global catastrophe.

With a budget of around $200 million, analysts already predict a quick return on investment. They attribute the film’s success to the blend of large-scale science fiction and emotional storytelling – a formula that previously worked for «The Martian».

Audiences and critics have also responded strongly. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 95% rating.

In terms of opening pace, «Project “Ave Maria”» is second among non-franchise releases only to Christopher Nolan’s «Oppenheimer», which earned $82 million in the U.S. during its first weekend in 2023.

Photo: Instagram @pinewoodstudios