Mercy Movie Box Office: January 2026 Weekend Winner
Mercy (2026), the sci-fi thriller starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, directed by Timur Bekmambetov and released by Amazon MGM Studios, claimed the No. 1 spot at the US box office for the January 23-25, 2026 weekend. This marked the end of Avatar: Fire and Ash‘s multi-weekend dominance, as the film debuted amid a brutal winter storm that suppressed overall attendance in a typically quiet January frame.
Opening Weekend Gross and Daily Breakdowns
Mercy opened to an estimated $10.8 million to $11.1 million domestically over the three-day weekend (Friday-Sunday). Official figures from sources like The Numbers and Box Office Mojo confirm an opening weekend of $10,809,178 from 3,468 theaters, averaging about $3,117 per location.
Daily breakdowns (as reported):
- Friday, January 23: $5,005,376 (strong start, including previews around $1.5 million)
- Saturday, January 24: $3,987,768 (drop due to weather impacting turnout)
- Sunday, January 25: $1,816,034 (sharp -54.5% drop, typical for storm-affected weekends)
This performance aligned with pre-release projections of $10-13 million, though the severe winter storm blanketing much of the US (causing power outages, travel disruptions, and people staying indoors) prevented it from reaching the higher end.
It dethroned Avatar: Fire and Ash, which fell to No. 2 with around $7 million (bringing its domestic total to approximately $378-379 million after six weekends).
Comparisons to Similar Thrillers
As a mid-budget ($60 million reported) sci-fi thriller with star power but mixed reviews (currently low critic scores around 21-25% on Rotten Tomatoes, though audience reception appears more positive in some reports), Mercy‘s opening falls short of bigger hits but fits January’s subdued market.
- Similar Chris Pratt originals like Passengers (2016) opened higher but in better conditions.
- Recent thrillers in slow periods (e.g., some post-pandemic sci-fi entries) have seen comparable $10-15 million debuts.
- Director Timur Bekmambetov’s past films (like Wanted) had stronger multiples, but recent ones hovered at 2.3-2.4x legs.
Mercy‘s legs so far show a 1.36 multiplier from opening to current domestic gross, indicating front-loaded performance typical of poor reviews and weather hits.
Factors Influencing Performance: Weather, Marketing, and January Slump
- Weather Impact: A major winter storm across the US was the biggest drag, leading to the quietest weekend of the year. Many theaters saw reduced foot traffic, with audiences opting for home viewing.
- Marketing: Amazon MGM pushed the film’s near-future AI judge premise, Pratt’s star draw, and Ferguson’s rising profile. Trailers emphasized suspense and action, but negative critic buzz limited buzz.
- Slow January Frame: Post-holidays, competition from holdovers (Avatar: Fire and Ash, Zootopia 2, etc.) and events (sports, weather) made it tough. New releases like Return to Silent Hill underperformed.
Despite challenges, Mercy succeeded by being the freshest wide option in a market lacking blockbusters.
Total Earnings to Date and Projections
As of late January 2026 (around January 29-31):
- Domestic: Approximately $14.7 million
- International: Around $11.6 million (stronger in markets like China at $2.6 million, Mexico, UK)
- Worldwide: $26.3 million (some sources vary to $20-26 million range)
Post-opening:
- Monday: ~$861K
- Tuesday (Discount Tuesday): Strong +76% jump to ~$1.5 million
- Cumulative domestic by mid-week: ~$13-14 million+
Projections suggest modest legs (potentially finishing $25-27 million domestic if following director trends), leading to worldwide $40-50 million max—well below the $60 million budget for profitability (factoring marketing and theatrical splits). Streaming on Prime Video could help recoup.
Pros and Cons of Performance
Pros:
- Secured No. 1 in a competitive holdover market, ending Avatar: Fire and Ash‘s run.
- Decent per-theater average for January; star power (Pratt/Ferguson) drew core audience.
- Positive audience surges on discount days indicate word-of-mouth potential.
- Global debut added $11-12 million overseas quickly.
Cons:
- Front-loaded opening (73.6% of early gross from weekend).
- Poor critical reception hurt walk-ups.
- Weather suppressed potential; below similar thrillers in better conditions.
- Budget vs. gross gap signals likely loss theatrically.
Verdict on Blockbuster Potential
Mercy is far from a blockbuster—its performance is modest at best in a storm-hit, slow January. It achieved a symbolic win by topping the charts but lacks the legs or buzz for sustained success. With a $60 million budget, theatrical profitability is unlikely, though streaming and international could mitigate losses. It highlights challenges for mid-tier originals in post-holiday slumps but shows Pratt’s draw can still deliver No. 1 openings.
For more on Mercy movie box office 2026, Mercy opening weekend, or the full US box office January 23-25 2026 weekend, check updates from Box Office Mojo or The Numbers.
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