"Project Hail Mary," the Ryan Gosling-led adaptation of Andy Weir's novel, earned an estimated $38.4 million in its second weekend, a decline of only 34 percent from its $58.2 million opening. The hold is exceptional — comparable to "Interstellar" (39 percent drop) and significantly better than "Dune: Part Two" (44 percent). Cumulative domestic gross has reached $124 million. [1]

The hold suggests word-of-mouth, not marketing, is driving attendance. The audience is telling friends to go.

-- CAMILLE BEAUMONT, Los Angeles