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Mercy Opens No. 1 With $12.6 Million, Ending Avatar: Fire and Ash’s Reign

Weather-suppressed turnout leaves the $60 million release with a soft start.

Overview

  • The Amazon MGM sci-fi thriller launched in 3,468 theaters after $1.5 million in Thursday previews and about $5 million on Friday.
  • Critics were broadly negative at roughly 21% on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences were more favorable with a B- CinemaScore and about an 81% audience score.
  • A widespread winter storm from Texas to New England pushed the weekend’s total box office near $58.4 million, marking the year’s lowest frame by estimates.
  • Avatar: Fire and Ash is projected around $7 million as premium screens shifted to Mercy, while Zootopia 2 is near $5.9 million and has passed $400 million domestic.
  • Despite topping the chart, industry commentary frames the opening as a weak start for a $60 million studio release and raises questions about Chris Pratt’s box-office momentum.