2026's Sci-Fi Masterpiece: A Divisive Blockbuster That Just Dethroned a Ridley Scott Classic!

Published 10 hours ago3 minute read
Precious Eseaye
Precious Eseaye
2026's Sci-Fi Masterpiece: A Divisive Blockbuster That Just Dethroned a Ridley Scott Classic!

Another weekend has passed at the box office, and May has begun with a bang thanks to the arrival of a fashionable new hit.

Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci were all back in The Devil Wears Prada 2, which continued the trend of successful legacy sequels at the modern box office.

Opening to over $75 million domestically and a further $150 million from overseas markets,The Devil Wears Prada 2 had to hold off some particularly tough competition to take the crown in its debut weekend.

In its eighth weekend of release, the sci-fi epic slipped out of the top five and passed what may be its final global box office milestone.

However, the film demonstrating immense untapped potential is the music biopic "Michael," chronicling the early life and career of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, with Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain producing, the film stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson's real-life nephew, as the iconic musician, and Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson.

"Michael" defied mediocre reviews and significant controversy to achieve a smashing domestic debut of nearly $100 million.

Despite its troubled production and a reported budget ballooning to $200 million, its strong performance suggests the investment was worthwhile.

In its third weekend of release, "Michael" achieved a significant milestone, becoming the third Hollywood movie of 2026 to exceed the $500 million mark worldwide, with domestic earnings nearing $250 million.

While it currently trails "Project Hail Mary" and "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" in the 2026 global box-office rankings, it aims to surpass "Bohemian Rhapsody"'s $910 million global haul to claim the title of the biggest music biopic of all time.

Critics have given it a 39% score on Rotten Tomatoes, but its impressive 97% audience score is a testament to its success, with the consensus noting that while Jaafar Jackson's portrayal brings the King of Pop to life.

The film could benefit from deeper insight beyond a "greatest hits" album. This biopic delves into Jackson's complex persona and highlights his iconic performances, providing insight into his artistic process and personal life.

"Project Hail Mary," starring Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace and James Ortiz as the voice of Rocky, has also been a major box office triumph.

Source: Collider

Based on Andy Weir's 2021 novel, the science fiction adventure, directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, has broken multiple box-office milestones since its release on March 15, 2026.

Highly praised by both fans and critics, it has surpassed major films, including "Superman," and its theatrical run has seen it exceed its "spiritual predecessor," "The Martian" (which grossed over $630 million worldwide), by achieving over $641 million globally.

As of this writing, "Project Hail Mary"stands as the 3rd-highest-grossing film of 2026, positioned between "Pegasus 3" and "Michael."

The film tells the story of Ryland Grace, a teacher-turned-astronaut tasked with saving Earth as the sun dims due to astrophage activity, forming an unlikely alliance with Rocky, a rock-shaped alien on a similar mission.

The film boasts an impressive 94% critics' score and a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside a 4.3-star rating on Letterboxd and an "A" on CinemaScore.

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Critics have lauded it, with ScreenRant declaring it "destined for the all-time great sci-fi movie pantheon" and possibly Gosling's best performance.

CBR highlighted James Ortiz's charming portrayal of Rocky, reminiscent of Groot, calling the film "the perfect sci-fi movie for people who don't like sci-fi movies."

Collider's Ross Bonamie gave it a 9/10, commending the directors' ambitious filmmaking and the potential for Gosling's character's relationship with Rocky to become "one of the great human-alien friendships in movies."

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