Mercy Box Office: Chris Pratt Tops U.S. Charts

Amazon MGM Studios’ sci-fi thriller Mercy (2026), starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, claimed the No. 1 spot at the US box office for the January 23-25 weekend, ending the five-week reign of Disney’s Avatar: Fire and Ash. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the film—centered on a detective (Pratt) racing against time to prove his innocence to an AI judge (Ferguson)—debuted amid a brutal North American winter storm that shuttered hundreds of theaters and suppressed overall attendance.

Despite the weather chaos affecting turnout across much of the country, Mercy delivered a solid if modest opening, proving resilient in a typically slow January frame.

Opening Weekend Performance

Mercy opened to an estimated $10.8–11.2 million domestically from 3,468 theaters (including IMAX and 3D screenings), with final figures settling around $10.8 million for the three-day weekend (some reports cite $11.1–11.2 million including estimates). This marked a per-theater average of about $3,117–$3,201.

Daily breakdowns (based on available reports):

• Friday (Jan 23): ~$5.0 million (strong start for a January release)
• Saturday (Jan 24): ~$4.0 million (solid hold despite storm impact)
• Sunday (Jan 25): ~$1.8–2.0 million (steep drop due to weather)

The film dethroned Avatar: Fire and Ash, which fell to second with around $6.4–7.0 million in its sixth weekend (down ~45–50%). The overall market was one of the quietest of the young year, with total weekend grosses hovering near historic lows due to blizzard conditions closing ~400 theaters.

How It Dethroned Avatar: Fire and Ash

Avatar: Fire and Ash had dominated since late 2025, amassing over $378 million domestically and crossing $1 billion internationally by this point (global ~$1.38 billion). Its long run made it vulnerable in a holdover-heavy January, but the storm amplified the shift—many holdovers saw sharper drops, while Mercy benefited from being the fresh wide release with star power.

Comparisons to Similar Thrillers

Mercy‘s debut aligns with mid-range January sci-fi/action thrillers:

• Similar to Flight Risk (2025 same-frame opener at ~$11.6 million) or other Pratt-led films like The Tomorrow War (streamed but strong buzz).
• It underperformed pre-storm projections ($10–13 million official, some trackers $12–15 million) but held better than expected given conditions.
• Budget: ~$60 million—needs strong international legs and ancillary revenue (Amazon’s ecosystem helps) to break even theatrically.

Factors: Weather Impact, Marketing, and January Slowdown

A massive winter storm blanketed the US, impacting ~200 million people and forcing widespread closures—key reason for the subdued frame (one of the lowest YTD). Marketing leaned on Pratt’s star draw, Ferguson’s rising profile, timely AI themes, and “filmed for IMAX” promotion (IMAX contributed ~12% of opening). Positive word-of-mouth on suspense helped, despite mixed-to-negative reviews (low Rotten Tomatoes score, “B-” CinemaScore).

January’s post-holiday lull typically favors modest openers; Mercy succeeded by being the main new option in a thin slate (competing with Return to Silent Hill, Clika).

Total Earnings to Date and Projections

As of late January 2026:

• Domestic: ~$14.7 million (including post-weekend holds)
• International: ~$11.6 million (from 80+ markets, led by China ~$2.6M)
• Worldwide: ~$26.3 million

Legs look weak so far (multiplier ~1.36x opening), projecting domestic finish ~$20–25 million if trends continue—challenging for profitability theatrically, but Amazon prioritizes streaming/global exposure.

Pros and Cons of Performance

Pros:

• Secured No. 1 in tough conditions
• Pratt/Ferguson draw delivered despite storm
• Strong Friday start showed potential
• Global debut ~$22.8 million respectable for new release

Cons:

• Below pre-storm expectations
• Poor reviews/CinemaScore limit word-of-mouth
• Weak multiplier signals front-loaded interest
• Storm masked true potential but also hurt comps

Verdict on Blockbuster Potential

Mercy isn’t a blockbuster—its modest debut and soft legs point to mid-tier performer status rather than breakout hit. In a normal January without weather woes, it might have pushed $15+ million opening and better holds. Still, topping Avatar 3‘s run (even briefly) is a win for Amazon MGM kicking off their 2026 theatrical slate. Success will hinge on streaming performance and international growth, not theatrical dominance.

Overall, a resilient start in adverse conditions—proof star-driven thrillers can cut through January doldrums, but blockbuster status remains out of reach.

Mercy (2026) Box Office Key Stats:

• Opening Weekend: $10.8–11.2M (US)
• Domestic Total (to date): ~$14.7M
• Worldwide: ~$26.3M
• Budget: $60M

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