Chris Pratt's sci-fi thriller Mercy claimed the top spot at the North American box office this weekend with an estimated $11.2 million in its debut. The film, released on January 23, 2026, by Amazon MGM Studios, pushed James Cameron's Avatar: Fire and Ash out of first place after five straight weekends at number one. A major winter storm across much of the U.S. kept many people home, making the low turnout even tougher for new releases.
Background
Mercy tells the story of Detective Chris Raven, played by Pratt, an LAPD officer on trial for murdering his wife Nicole. The trial unfolds before an AI judge named Maddox, played by Rebecca Ferguson. Raven must prove his innocence in a near-future world where AI handles court cases. The film also stars Annabelle Wallis as Nicole, Kylie Rogers as their daughter Britt, and others like Kali Reis, Chris Sullivan, and Rafi Gavron.
Director Timur Bekmambetov, who worked with Pratt before on Wanted, helmed the project. Screenwriter Marco van Belle wrote the script, with producers including Charles Roven and Bekmambetov. Production started in April 2024 in Los Angeles. Pratt hurt his ankle early in filming but finished on schedule by late May that year. The movie was first set for August 2025 but moved to January 2026. It hit theaters in 3D and IMAX formats. Early screenings happened on January 19 at AMC and Regal theaters through special programs.
This comes as Hollywood faces a quiet January box office. Storms blanketed the Midwest and Northeast, closing roads and canceling events. Theater attendance dropped, marking one of the year's slowest weekends so far, down about 9% from last year. Still, Mercy edged out the competition thanks to fewer big releases.
Key Details
Mercy opened with $5 million on its first day, including $1.1 million from Thursday previews. Friday brought in $4.9 million. Estimates now put the full weekend at $11.2 to $12.6 million domestically. The film cost $60 million to make, so this start raises questions about its path forward.
Critics gave it harsh marks. On Rotten Tomatoes, only 20% of 121 reviews were positive. The site's summary calls it an airless techno-thriller that traps its stars in a dull setup. Metacritic scored it 34 out of 100 based on 34 reviews, labeled generally unfavorable. Audiences gave it a B- CinemaScore, showing mixed word of mouth.
"Constricting its two stars inside an airless presentation of a clunky techno-thriller premise, Mercy is tedious enough to make you cry uncle." – Rotten Tomatoes consensus
Avatar: Fire and Ash dropped to second with $7 million, a 51% fall from last week. Its domestic total now sits at $378.4 million. Questions linger if it will reach $400 million here.
Weekend Top Five
- Mercy: $11.2-12.6 million (new release)
- Avatar: Fire and Ash: $7 million
- Zootopia 2: $5.9 million
- The Housmaid: $4.6 million
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple: $4.2 million (down 66-70% in second week)
Other films trailed: Marty Supreme earned $3.4 million in week six for $86 million total. Return to Silent Hill debuted with $3.2 million on a $23 million budget. Re-releases like The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring made $2 million in week two. Primate and Hamnet each pulled about $1.8 million.
For Pratt, this is his weakest opening as a lead. His past low was Passengers at $15 million in 2016, which later hit over $100 million. Pratt's hits include Marvel films, Jurassic World movies, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which made $1.3 billion worldwide.
Mercy echoes recent flops like 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which opened to $12-13 million on a $60 million budget but got good reviews. That one now drops sharply to $3.8-4.2 million.
What This Means
Mercy's win shows how thin the field is right now. The storm hurt everyone, but it still dethroned a giant like Avatar: Fire and Ash. Low reviews and scores mean it may fade fast, much like Bone Temple. Studios often blame weather for soft January numbers, but patterns point to bigger issues: audiences wait for hits or stream at home.
Avatar: Fire and Ash holds strong legs, proving event films can run long. Its drop to second does not kill its run; $400 million domestic remains in reach. Family films like Zootopia 2 keep steady, while thrillers like The Housmaid hold middle spots.
Next week brings more action. Sam Raimi's Send Help, Markiplier's Iron Lung, Charli XCX in The Moment, and a Brett Ratner documentary on Melania open wide. That could jolt the box office back up if weather clears.
For Amazon MGM, Mercy tests their push into theaters. A $60 million budget needs strong international sales to break even. Pratt's star power drew some crowds despite the buzz, but B- scores signal trouble ahead. Theaters report light traffic from snow, with many chains offering deals to fill seats.
Industry watchers note January dumps often underperform. Mercy's early IMAX push aimed high, but turnout stayed low. Still, topping the chart gives it a brief win in a tough market. Domestic totals this year lag, with no film yet crossing big milestones outside Avatar.
Pratt's role as a flawed cop facing AI justice taps into real fears about tech in courts. The plot digs into his sobriety struggles, a past shooting regret, and marriage woes. Flashbacks show tensions with Nicole, who saw another man. Raven's partner helps uncover clues, leading to a twist with the AI judge shutting down.
Box office tracks like this shape release plans. Success builds hype; flops lead to quick streaming jumps. Mercy's path likely heads digital soon if legs weaken. Meanwhile, holdovers like Marty Supreme near $90 million but miss $100 million goals.
