Project Hail Mary is an epic sci-fi adventure film co-directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller from a screenplay by Drew Goddard. Based on Andy Weir‘s 2021 novel of the same name, the 2026 film follows Ryland Grace, a school teacher who wakes up on an interstellar spacecraft with no memories of why he is there. He soon meets an unlikely ally, and together they discover that they are the only hope for their home. Project Hail Mary stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, and Lionel Boyce. So, if you loved the epic adventure, compelling story, and entertaining characters in Project Hail Mary, here are some similar movies you should check out next.
The Martian (Philo & Rent on Prime Video)
The Martian is an epic sci-fi survival film directed by Ridley Scott from a screenplay by Drew Goddard. Based on Andy Weir’s 2011 novel of the same name, the 2015 film follows Dr. Mark Watney, an astronaut, as he is left stranded on Mars. He uses his knowledge as a botanist to try to survive while NASA works day and night to bring him back home. The Martian stars Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sean Bean, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Why is it similar? Both The Martian and Project Hail Mary are based on books by Andy Weir, and while they don’t have much in common when it comes to their stories. They do have a similar tone and detailed scientific concepts.
Life of Pi (HBO Max & Rent on Prime Video)
Life of Pi is an adventure-drama film directed by Ang Lee from a screenplay by David Magee. Based on Yann Martel’s 2001 novel of the same name, the 2012 film follows Pu Patel, a teenage Indian boy, and a Bengal tiger as they get stranded together on a lifeboat for over half a year after the ship they were on sinks during a storm. Life of Pi stars Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Rafe Spall, and Gérard Depardieu.
Why is it similar? Life of Pi and Project Hail Mary don’t have much in common, as one of the films is an epic sci-fi while the other takes place in the middle of the ocean. Despite all of their differences, both of these films revolve around two completely different individuals as they learn to communicate with each other.
Interstellar (Peacock)
Interstellar is an epic sci-fi film directed by Christopher Nolan, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jonathan Nolan. The 2014 film is set in a dystopian future when Earth has become uninhabitable, and it follows Joseph Cooper, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, who is chosen to pilot a spaceship to find a new planet where humans can live. Interstellar stars Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, Ellen Burstyn, and Michael Caine.
Why is it similar? While Interstellar and Project Hail Mary are completely different films when it comes to tone and execution, both of these films have a very important similarity, and that’s their concept.
Gravity (Rent on Prime Video)
Gravity is a sci-fi thriller film directed by Alfonso Cuarón, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jonás Cuarón. The 2013 film follows astronauts Dr. Ryan Murphy and Matt Kowalski as they must survive in space after being hit with debris while spacewalking. Gravity stars Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Ed Harris, and Phaldut Sharma.
Why is it similar? It is quite evident that most of the films on this list are about people trying to survive in space, and Gravity is the most grounded version of that. While it doesn’t have aliens or world-ending stakes like Project Hail Mary, it is similar to the Ryan Gosling film when it comes to the loneliness of space.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Rent on Prime Video)
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a sci-fi fantasy adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Melissa Mathison. The 1982 film follows Elliott, a boy who befriends an alien that has been stranded on Earth. He names him E.T. and tries to get him back home with the help of his friends and family. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial stars Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, and Peter Coyote.
Why is it similar? While E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is not set in space like Project Hail Mary, it does have a human-alien duo working together to go home. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is also quite humorous and has a similar tone to Project Hail Mary.