Project Hail Mary has added a strong $53.1 million in its second weekend, outperforming expectations and increasing its momentum at the box office.

The Amazon MGM Studios release benefitted from a better-than-anticipated Friday debut of $14.6 million, delivering one of the most impressive second-weekend performances for a non-franchise title in recent years.

Its latest earnings place it ahead of notable sci-fi and award-winning contenders, including Oppenheimerwhich earned $46.7 million in its second frame, and Dune: Part Twowhich posted $46.2 million.

This box office performance speaks to the film’s strength and growing audience interest.

While comparisons have been drawn to Avatarwhich collected $75.6 million in its second weekend before becoming a franchise, critics note that Project Hail Mary stands out among modern original releases.

The broader box office also saw a boost, with total weekend earnings reaching $96.8 million, up 25% from the same period last year.

The previous year’s slate, led by titles such as A Working Man and Death of a Unicorndelivered comparatively modest returns, highlighting a renewed appetite for original, event-driven films.