TL;DR: The space obsession is hitting a fever pitch this month. Between the Project Hail Mary movie starring Ryan Gosling (finally!) and the massive 18+ LEGO Project Hail Mary ship hitting shelves, your kids are probably asking a lot of questions about Eridians, astrophages, and why "Amaze!" is the new "Skibidi."
Quick Links:
- The Book: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Ages 12+)
- The Movie: Project Hail Mary (Rated PG-13)
- The Build: LEGO Project Hail Mary (Ages 18+, but doable for savvy 12-year-olds)
- The Comparison: Project Hail Mary vs. The Martian
Screenwise Parents
See allIf your dinner table conversations have lately revolved around "fist my bump" and the specific orbital mechanics of a star called Tau Ceti, congratulations: you’ve officially entered the Project Hail Mary era of parenting.
With the movie release just weeks away and the LEGO Icons set selling out in pre-orders, we are seeing a massive resurgence in "hard sci-fi" for the middle school and high school crowd. It’s a refreshing break from the usual "brain rot" content, but it comes with its own set of questions. Is the book too heavy? Is the LEGO set too complex? And why is Ryan Gosling playing a middle school science teacher who wakes up with amnesia on a spaceship?
Here is everything you need to know to stay ahead of the curve.
At its core, Project Hail Mary is a story about a man named Ryland Grace who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He eventually realizes he’s on a last-ditch mission to save Earth from an extinction-level event caused by a space-borne organism that’s literally "eating" the sun’s energy.
The magic happens when he meets an alien—affectionately named Rocky—who is also trying to save his own planet. They don't speak the same language (Rocky "speaks" in musical chords), so they have to use science, math, and engineering to communicate and solve the problem.
It’s essentially the ultimate "competence porn." It celebrates being smart, being resourceful, and—most importantly—being a good friend across literal light-years.
LEGO has been leaning hard into their "Adults Welcome" (18+) line, and the LEGO Project Hail Mary is the crown jewel of 2026.
Why it’s 18+
The rating isn't about "inappropriate" content—it's about technical complexity. The set features the Hail Mary ship in its "spin-gravity" configuration, which involves some pretty intense Technic-heavy internal structures. It also includes:
- A scale model of the Blip-A (Rocky’s ship).
- A brick-built Rocky (who is surprisingly adorable for a five-legged spider-alien made of heavy metal).
- Detailed labs for Ryland Grace to do his "Amaze!" science.
Should you get it for your kid?
If you have a 10-to-14-year-old who has successfully tackled the LEGO Saturn V or other complex builds, they can handle this. It’s a fantastic "co-build" project. It’s the kind of thing that takes 10+ hours and keeps them off Roblox for an entire weekend. That alone makes it worth the "entrepreneurship" price tag.
The Project Hail Mary movie is directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller—the geniuses behind The LEGO Movie and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This is great news for parents because they know how to balance high-stakes tension with humor that actually lands.
The "Vibe" Check:
- Intensity: There are some "peril in space" moments that might be stressful for younger kids (under 10).
- Language: If it follows the Project Hail Mary book, Ryland Grace has a "PG" personality (he’s a teacher, after all), but there is some "science-related" swearing and high-stress expletives.
- The Rocky Factor: Rocky is the heart of the story. Expect your kids to want a plushie of a metallic spider-alien by the time the credits roll.
We’re seeing a shift in digital habits. After years of chaotic, fast-paced "short-form" content, there’s a growing community of kids gravitating toward "The Smart Guy" trope.
- The "Amaze!" Culture: Ryland Grace’s catchphrases are optimistic. In a world of cynical memes, "Amaze!" and "Fist my bump" feel genuinely wholesome.
- Science as a Superpower: Unlike superheroes who are born with powers, Ryland and Rocky solve problems using things kids are actually learning in school—like the periodic table and basic physics. It makes school feel relevant.
- The "First Contact" Twist: Most alien movies are about invasions. This is about a cross-species bromance. It’s the "cozy" version of a space thriller.
Under 10
The book is likely too dense, and the movie might have some frightening "drifting in the void" moments. Stick to the LEGO Project Hail Mary as a family project or check out The Wild Robot for a similar "survival through friendship" vibe.
Ages 10-13
This is the sweet spot. They will love the audiobook version of Project Hail Mary (the narrator actually uses musical notes for Rocky’s voice, which is incredible). It’s a great way to bridge the gap between "kids' books" and "adult fiction" without diving into inappropriate themes.
Ages 14+
Let them run with it. If they finish the book, point them toward The Martian or even [Artemis](https://screenwiseapp.com/media/artemis-fowl-book. If they’re gamers, this is the perfect time to introduce Kerbal Space Program, where they can actually try to build the Hail Mary themselves.
One of the best things about Project Hail Mary is that it’s "hard" science fiction, meaning the science is (mostly) accurate. This provides a massive opening for "stealth learning."
- Talk about: Evolution. The book explores how life might evolve on a planet with a different atmosphere and no sight.
- Talk about: Climate Change. The "Astrophage" in the book is a metaphor for a global energy crisis. It’s a great way to discuss real-world ecology without the doom-and-gloom.
- Talk about: Communication. How do you talk to someone who doesn't share your biology? It’s a fantastic lesson in empathy and patience.
The Project Hail Mary hype is one of those rare moments where the "trending" thing is actually high-quality, educational, and genuinely moving.
Whether you’re dropping $200 on the LEGO Project Hail Mary or just listening to the audiobook on the way to soccer practice, you’re engaging with content that values intelligence and friendship over cheap thrills.
Next Steps:
- Listen to the audiobook: Seriously, even if you aren't a "sci-fi person," the production value is 10/10.
- Clear some shelf space: That LEGO ship is huge. You’ve been warned.
- Practice your "fist bumps": You're going to be doing a lot of them.