Project Hail Mary Continues Streaming Domination Ahead of Dune: Part Three

In just two months, Dune: Part Three will make its bid to be named 2026's best sci-fi movie. On December 18 — the same date as Avengers: Doomsday — the final installment in Denis Villeneuve's acclaimed trilogy adapting Frank Herbert's once-thought "unfilmable" novels will make its global debut, as viewers in their many millions consume the consequences of Paul Atreides' (Timothée Chalamet) power. The Brian K. Vaughan-penned movie already looks like a favorite to earn many Academy Award nominations in early 2027, despite not a moment having yet been seen.

Chalamet isn't the only big star involved in Dune: Part Three. The cast also includes Zendaya as Chani, Javier Bardem as Stilgar, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Jason Momoa as Hayt, and more. With such an impressive cast, the genius eye of Villeneuve, and the acclaim of the two previous installments behind it, it's wise that many consider Dune: Part Three to be the heir apparent to the "greatest sci-fi film of the year" throne. But one film stands in its way.

The Phil Lord and Christopher Miller-directed sci-fi film Project Hail Mary is the defining film of the first half of the year. In a 9/10 review from Collider's Ross Bonaime, he called it "the first great film of 2026" and praised Lord and Miller for crafting a film that's "truly out of this world in every possible way." As it stands, Project Hail Mary is the best sci-fi film of 2026, and its popularity isn't going away. At the time of writing, the film is one of the most-watched on Prime Video in the world.

Will 'Project Hail Mary' Win Any Oscars?

There was once a time when Project Hail Mary lead Ryan Gosling was considered a likely candidate for an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Several months on, that now seems unlikely, although the film is still a favorite to pick up plenty of nominations in technical categories. Perhaps the film's best chance at an acting nod is an outside bet for lead puppeteer and voice actor James Ortiz, who brought to life the lovable Rocky, in the Best Supporting Actor category.