TLDR
- Project Hail Mary delivered AMC’s biggest opening weekend of 2026 to date
- Global admissions revenue for the weekend was more than 70% higher than the same weekend in 2025
- The film opened to over $140M worldwide, making it Amazon MGM’s highest-grossing debut ever
- IMAX screenings globally brought in $28M of that total
- AMC CEO Adam Aron said 2026 is on track to be the biggest year for moviegoing since 2019
Project Hail Mary, the Ryan Gosling-led sci-fi adaptation, gave AMC Entertainment a strong weekend at the box office — and the numbers back it up.
Amazon MGM Studios and AMC Theatres have a massive hit with Ryan Gosling’s new Project Hail Mary. The highest grossing movie opening of 2026. More than $80 million domestically and $140 million globally. AMC‘s global ticket revenues up by more than a huge 70% year-over-year!… pic.twitter.com/ke0G9POMC8
— Adam Aron (@CEOAdam) March 23, 2026
AMC confirmed Monday that the film generated its biggest opening weekend of 2026 so far. Global admissions revenue for the weekend came in more than 70% above the same weekend last year.
The weekend also ranked as AMC’s second-highest of 2026 for admissions revenue, both at its U.S. theaters and globally, including ODEON Cinemas locations.
Media reports put the film’s worldwide opening at over $140 million. That makes it the highest-grossing debut film ever for Amazon MGM.
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., AMC
AMC’s stock was trading near $0.98, close to its 52-week low, and is down around 68% over the past year. The company carries a heavy debt load and posted a negative EPS of -$1.34 over the last twelve months.
Box Office Breakdown
IMAX screenings worldwide contributed $28 million to the film’s opening weekend total. The film had already pulled in $11 million during Thursday preview screenings, according to Deadline.
“PROJECT HAIL MARY is a terrific example of how original storytelling combined with expert marketing of the theatrical experience can resonate with audiences,” said AMC Chairman and CEO Adam Aron.
Aron also said the film’s performance, combined with broader year-to-date box office trends, supports the company’s view that 2026 will be the strongest year for cinema attendance since 2019.
AMC’s Recent Financial Picture
AMC operates around 855 theaters with 9,640 screens globally. The company offers premium formats including IMAX at AMC, Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, and PRIME at AMC.
In its most recent quarterly results, AMC posted an adjusted EPS of -$0.18, beating analyst estimates of -$0.25. Revenue hit $1.29 billion, ahead of the $1.27 billion forecast.
AMC also recently opened four new premium format auditoriums in partnership with CJ 4DPLEX. The new screens include two SCREENX locations in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and two 4DX locations in Houston and Kansas City.
On the financing side, AMC secured a $425 million credit facility with Deutsche Bank to refinance existing debt tied to its subsidiary, Odeon Finco PLC.
The company also amended the terms of its 2029 Senior Secured Notes, adjusting collateral arrangements with certain noteholders.
AMC stock was trading at $0.98 as of Monday morning, near its 52-week low.
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