Project Hail Mary's Streaming Release Creates A Fantastic Sci-Fi Movie Double Feature - MCE Notices | California State Portal

Project Hail Mary is coming to streaming soon, and it will create an amazing double feature with another successful sci-fi film. One of the biggest hits of 2026 is Project Hail Mary. Based on the book by Andy Weir and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the film stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a man who wakes up alone on a spaceship and doesn’t remember himself or how he got there. As he regains his memory, he realizes he’s on an important mission to save the Earth.

The sci-fi film is a huge box office hit, and has earned around $680.4 million worldwide. It’s currently the third-highest grossing movie of 2026, behind Michael and ahead of The Devil Wears Prada 2. Hail Mary also received positive reviews from critics, currently holding a 94% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.

For those who haven’t seen the film in theaters or want to watch it again, there’s good news as the film’s streaming date was recently announced. According to Variety, Project Hail Mary “will release on MGM+ on June 18.” MGM+ has a large catalog of films and TV shows, including several recent films like 2026’s Mercy, 2025’s The Running Man, and 2025’s The Naked Gun.

There’s a variety of options on the streaming platform across several genres, including comedy, action, and sci-fi. One notable sci-fi film available on the service is 2015’s The Martian. The film is a sci-fi hit that pairs well with Project Hail Mary once both are available on the service.

Project Hail Mary And The Martian Will Both Be On MGM+

On June 18, MGM+ will have two modern sci-fi hits with Project Hail Mary and The Martian. Both films were written by Weir, and were commercially and critically successful. The Martian stars Matt Damon as Mark Watney, an astronaut who becomes stranded on Mars, and uses his skills to survive on the planet. Meanwhile, his crew and NASA develop a plan to bring him home. The film was directed by Ridley Scott, with a script written by Drew Goddard.

The Martian was a box office success, grossing $630.6 million worldwide. Additionally, it was well-received by critics, earning a 91% RT critic score. The film received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Picture. Project Hail Mary has surpassed the 2015 film at the box office, but it will need to wait to see if it can match The Martian’s nomination total at the Oscars. Based on the 2026 film’s reviews, it certainly has a chance of earning some Oscar nominations in 2027.

Both Films Are Feel-Good Sci-Fi Adventures

Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace with his hands up in Project Hail Mary

While both films feature different narratives, they have similar concepts. They are space adventures about people coming together to achieve something that seems improbable. In Project Hail Mary, Gosling’s Grace meets Rocky, a rock-like alien, who is dealing with a similar problem with his planet. The two learn to work together, and their friendship becomes the beating heart of the film.

Meanwhile, The Martian sees Mark’s crew and NASA trying to come up with a way to save him, and his rescue becomes something that interests other countries. Additionally, seeing Mark using his wits to survive on Mars is also engaging. Like Project Hail Mary, the movie shows people working together to solve a goal with a sci-fi atmosphere.

Both of these movies also have plenty of humor and heartwarming moments that offer a lighter experience amid their more dire stakes. Since both of these stories came from the same author, it’s also interesting to watch them as a double feature to see some of their similarities. Even without their shared origins, Project Hail Mary and The Martian are still great sci-fi films that are perfect when one wants to watch something that will leave them in a more positive mood.