‘Mercy’ Debuts with $11M, Ending ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Five-Week Reign
Chris Pratt’s science fiction thriller “Mercy” has debuted in North America with an impressive $11.2 million, successfully ending the five-week dominance of “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” The film’s opening weekend comes amidst severe winter weather impacting much of the United States. Snowstorms, frigid temperatures, and blizzard warnings have affected theater operations across 37 states, contributing to the lowest overall box office earnings of the year.
Box Office Performance
“Mercy” was initially projected to earn $12 million over its opening weekend. However, the arrival of a significant winter storm led analysts to adjust their expectations. Despite this, the film’s performance stands out given the current weather conditions. In total, the weekend box office added up to approximately $60 million across all films, reflecting a 9% decline compared to the same period in 2025.
International Earnings
Internationally, “Mercy” earned $11.6 million from 80 markets. This brings its total global gross to $22.8 million. Unfortunately, the reception among domestic filmgoers has not been favorable. The film received a “B-” grade from audiences on CinemaScore and has a disappointing 20% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Production and Future Outlook
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, “Mercy” explores themes of justice set in a near-future scenario. The plot centers on a detective, played by Pratt, who faces trial for the murder of his wife, with an AI judge, portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson, overseeing the proceedings. The film has a production budget of $60 million, excluding marketing costs.
Despite a lukewarm reception, industry expert David A. Gross notes that the opening is respectable given the unfavorable conditions. “Mercy” marks the first major release for Amazon MGM this year, following a quiet 2025. The studio plans further releases like “Project Hail Mary,” “Masters of the Universe,” and “Verity,” aiming to boost box office offerings.
Competition and Market Landscape
In its opening weekend, “Mercy” managed to outperform previous box office leader “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” which earned $7 million in its sixth weekend. To date, “Fire and Ash” has grossed $378 million in North America and $1.378 billion globally. However, it has not matched the record-setting performances of its predecessors.
- Top Box Office Gainers:
- 1. “Mercy” – $11.2 million
- 2. “Avatar: Fire and Ash” – $7 million
- 3. “Zootopia 2” – $5.7 million
- 4. “Marty Supreme” – $3.5 million
- 5. “Hamnet” – $2 million
Notably, “Zootopia 2” continues to perform well, with $401 million earned domestically, making it the highest-grossing animated film in Hollywood history.
Impact of Weather
The severe weather has affected the overall market, limiting attendance. Chris McGurk, CEO of Cineverse, highlighted the significant impact of the storm on box office results. He remains optimistic that demand will rebound as conditions improve in the coming days.
As Oscar nominations loom, films like “Marty Supreme” and “Hamnet” are also benefiting from increased visibility and interest, which may lead to stronger box office performances in the near future.
