'Project Hail Mary' drives US box office to highest first quarter since pandemic

The US box office has recorded its strongest first-quarter performance since the pandemic, driven by major releases including Project Hail Mary, according to reported figures.

Cinemas experienced widespread closures in March 2020, and the industry has since faced challenges linked to shifting viewing habits and a reduced volume of film releases.

Recent data indicate a gradual recovery, with 2026 showing notable improvement compared with previous years.

During the first three months of 2019, the US box office reached $2.7 million, supported by titles such as Captain Marvel and Aquaman. In contrast, the same period in 2022 generated $1.35 million.

In 2026, the total has risen to $1.77 billion, marking the highest first-quarter result since the pandemic period and slightly exceeding the $1.75 billion recorded in 2023.

Project Hail Mary has played a key role in this performance, earning $177 million domestically within 11 days of release. Other contributing titles include Hoppers with $141.6 million and Scream 7 with $119.2 million.

Additional releases such as Goat, Wuthering Heights, and ongoing earnings from 2025 films have also supported the overall total.

Avatar: Fire and Ash added $153.8 million to the 2026 total, while Zootopia 2 contributed $90 million during the same period. These figures reflect a combination of new releases and continued theatrical runs from previous titles.

Industry data cited from ComScore suggests the upward trend may continue into the second quarter. Early performance from newly released films, including Super Mario Galaxy, has already indicated strong audience turnout.