Amazon Places $700 Million Sci-Fi Hit on MGM+ to Boost Subscriptions
Los Angeles, Friday, 12 June 2026.
Bypassing Prime Video, Amazon will stream the $700 million hit Project Hail Mary exclusively on MGM+ this June to strategically drive subscription growth for its secondary platform.
A Strategic Move for Amazon’s Streaming Ecosystem
Next week, on Thursday, June 18, 2026, the blockbuster sci-fi adaptation Project Hail Mary will make its streaming debut exclusively on MGM+ [1][2][3][6] [alert! ‘Yahoo Entertainment reports a June 16 premiere date, conflicting with the June 18 date cited by multiple other outlets’]. Rather than placing the film directly on its flagship Prime Video service, Amazon (AMZN) [GPT] is utilizing the highly anticipated release to drive subscriptions to its secondary streaming tier [1]. MGM+, which currently holds an estimated 5 million to 7 million subscribers, is available in the United States for $7.99 per month or $61.99 annually [6] [alert! ‘Yahoo cites a $9.99 monthly cost, which conflicts with the $7.99 price point reported by Media Play News’]. For international viewers, UK-based Prime subscribers can add the platform to their existing accounts for £5.99 per month [3].
The Blockbuster Credentials of ‘Project Hail Mary’
The film arrives on streaming following a highly lucrative theatrical run that began in March 2026 [3]. Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the adaptation of Andy Weir’s 2021 novel stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, and Lionel Boyce [2][3]. Since its theatrical debut, the film has generated between $681 million and nearly $700 million in global box office receipts [1][3][4]. This robust financial performance cements it as the third highest-grossing film of 2026 [3].
Corporate Consolidation and Platform Evolution
The current distribution strategy is deeply rooted in corporate history and legal frameworks. MGM initially purchased the film rights to Weir’s novel in 2020 for $3 million [4]. This acquisition occurred prior to Amazon’s formal acquisition of MGM in 2022 [4]. The streaming platform itself has undergone significant evolution; originally launched in 2009 as the pay-TV network Epix by a consortium of MGM, Paramount, and LionsGate, it was fully acquired by MGM and subsequently rebranded to MGM+ in 2023 following the Amazon takeover [5].