Engaging 23-page classroom-ready movie guide for "Project Hail Mary (2026)" with 3 sets of differentiated questions + answers, storyboard, synopsis, pre-viewing task, critical thinking discussion, Hero's Journey analysis, movie review

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Designed for easy classroom implementation, this guide may also work well for substitute teacher plans. Includes teacher directions, organized materials, and answer keys.

PART 1 - Pre-viewing task (individual or pair work)

• Students use their imagination and prior knowledge to think critically about how the world might respond if an unexplained anomaly was discovered slowly draining the sun's energy. The task includes problem-solving questions, critical thinking about global crisis and personal sacrifice, and drawing the spacecraft they imagine being sent on the mission.

Optional Book vs. Movie Comparison

There is a 2-page Book vs. Movie Comparison included in this guide for those who have read the novel. This is a supplementary section and can be skipped if you are only viewing the movie.

• Section 1 (Imagine the Story) part of it must be completed before the movie starts. It asks students what they are interested or curious to see on screen.
• Sections 2–5 should be completed after the movie to analyze changes, character choices, and the movie's overall "vibe."

PART 2 – Comprehension questions in chronological order. I have made three sets for differentiation. The multiple-choice questions may also work well with ESL/ELL students. Answer keys included.

• 58 questions requiring full sentence answers.
• 40 questions requiring full sentence answers (18 removed from the 58-question set)
• 40 multiple choice questions with 3 possible answers.

PART 3 – Critical thinking questions - Example answers included.

• Five reflection and discussion questions encouraging students to analyze the movie's themes of friendship, sacrifice, identity and communication, with both evidence from the movie and personal responses. Can be discussed after with the class.

PART 4 – The Hero’s Journey

• Students complete a table on Joseph Campbell’s 12 stages, identifying how Grace’s story follows the Hero’s Journey. Includes space for notes/drawings, guiding questions, and reflection.
• Students to identify key archetypes (Hero, Mentor, Shadow, Ally, Shapeshifter).

PART 5 – Storyboard, synopsis and movie review

• Students to create a 9-scene storyboard, illustrating pivotal events from the movie. Each scene should include a short description explaining the main idea it represents. Use the movie questions to guide sequencing.
• Using their storyboards as guides, students to write a synopsis of the movie.
• Students complete a movie review with rating, strengths, weaknesses, recommendation, and a small poster design.

Based on the novel by Andy Weir, the movie is about a scientist who wakes up alone on a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he begins to piece together why he was sent on a mission that could determine the fate of life on Earth.

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Thank you, and enjoy!

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Created by Samuel Hull - © Mr Hull’s Movie Guides.

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If you would prefer to print in black and white, here's how you do it:

- Open the PDF document in Adobe Acrobat Reader

- Click the Print icon

- Select your printer

- Tick the box next to "Print in grayscale (black and white)"

- Then finally click Print

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Movie permission slip form

This FREE simple letter to parents explaining some positive reasons to watch movies in class, and to allow them to give their child permission to watch a movie at school can be found here:

PG Movie Permission Slip Form - Editable Word doc or Easy printable PDF

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Worried about copyright issues using movies in the classroom? Don't be! Read all about it here: Exceptions & Limitations: Classroom Use, Fair Use, and more

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How can movies help students learn English and be educational?

Movies can be used as a follow on from a novel study

- There are a huge number of movies that have been adapted from books which allow for book to movie comparisons or simply as a reward for finishing the book.

Learning from movies is motivating and enjoyable

- Sometimes students need a change in style, and movies are generally an integral part of a student's life.

Movies provides authentic and varied language

- It's always a good idea to introduce students examples of English in real situations. This includes accents different to your own.

Movies gives a visual context

- This gives the student the ability to interpret the language in full visual context. To see such visual supports as facial expressions and gestures simultaneously.

Variety and flexibility

- Movies can also act as a springboard for follow-up tasks such as discussions, debates on social issues, role plays, reconstructing a dialogue or summarizing.

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