Pratt’s ‘Mercy’ Dethrones Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ Amid Winter Storm

Chris Pratt's new science fiction thriller 'Mercy' has claimed the top spot at the North American box office this weekend, ending the five-week reign of James Cameron's blockbuster 'Avatar: Fire and Ash.' The film earned between $12 million and $12.6 million during its opening weekend, a modest result that still proved enough to dethrone the industry's biggest franchise. The victory came despite significant headwinds: the film faced brutal critical reviews, lukewarm audience reception, and an intense winter storm that blanketed much of North America with heavy snow.

Background

'Avatar: Fire and Ash' had dominated the box office since its release five weeks ago, maintaining its position at number one through the holiday season and into January. The film, directed by James Cameron, has accumulated $378.4 million domestically and continues to perform respectably despite its recent drop. This weekend, the film fell 51 percent from the previous week, sliding to second place with $7 million. Industry analysts are watching closely to see whether the film can reach the $400 million domestic milestone.

The box office landscape has shifted considerably in recent weeks. Several films that opened in early January have already begun their decline. 'Bone Temple,' a sequel that opened with a weak $13 million the previous weekend, experienced a sharp 66 to 70 percent drop this weekend, pulling in only $3.8 million to $4.2 million. The film has fallen to fifth place in the rankings.

Key Details

'Mercy' arrives with a substantial $60 million budget, making its $12 million opening weekend a significant concern for the studio. The film stars Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson in leading roles. Despite the modest opening, the movie's performance represents a win simply because it managed to top the box office during what has been an unusually challenging weekend for theaters across North America.

"The film has been pummeled by critics, and audiences aren't clicking either, judging by the B- CinemaScore" – Industry sources

Audience reception has been cool at best. The film received a B- CinemaScore, a metric that measures opening-day audience satisfaction. This grade suggests that while some viewers found the film acceptable, most left theaters disappointed. Critics have been similarly harsh, contributing to what industry observers describe as terrible reviews across the board.

The severe winter weather that swept across North America this weekend significantly impacted overall box office performance. The storm was severe enough that industry analysts noted this weekend's total box office gross represents the lowest of 2026 so far and is down 9 percent compared to the same weekend last year. Many theaters in affected regions experienced reduced foot traffic as residents stayed home during the dangerous weather conditions.

Other Box Office Performers

Beyond the top two films, the box office saw mixed results. 'Zootopia 2' held in third place with $5.9 million, while 'The Housemaid' claimed fourth position with $4.6 million. 'Marty Supreme,' now in its sixth week of release, earned $3.4 million and has accumulated $86 million total, making it unlikely to reach the $100 million threshold. A new horror film, 'Return to Silent Hill,' arrived with a disappointing $3.2 million opening despite being made on a modest $23 million budget. A re-release of 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' placed eighth with $2 million in its second week.

What This Means

The box office landscape heading into late January remains uncertain. Industry observers note that next weekend will bring significantly more competition, with several major releases scheduled. Sam Raimi's 'Send Help,' a film from content creator Markiplier called 'Iron Lung,' pop star Charli XCX's film 'The Moment,' and a documentary about Melania Trump directed by Brett Ratner are all set to open. These releases could substantially shift the rankings once again.

'Mercy's' victory, while mathematically clear, masks underlying weakness in its performance. A $12 million opening for a $60 million film typically signals trouble ahead, especially given the poor critical and audience reception. The film will likely experience significant drops in its second weekend as word-of-mouth spreads and audiences choose alternatives.

The winter storm's impact on this weekend's box office raises questions about future performance as well. Theater operators and studios will be watching closely to see how quickly audiences return once weather conditions improve. The overall box office decline compared to last year at this time suggests that the industry still faces challenges as it moves deeper into 2026.