A gripping new thriller has claimed the top spot at the domestic box office, but its victory comes with an asterisk the size of a snowdrift.
Chris Pratt’s latest film Mercy opened to $12.6 million this weekend, becoming the first movie to dethrone James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash after its five-weekend reign.
Yet the win feels hollow as a massive winter storm battering much of the United States has driven overall box office revenue to its lowest point of 2025.
With communities across the country urging citizens to stay indoors, this could mark the first weekend where ticket sales actually fall behind the same frame in 2024.
When AI Becomes Judge, Jury, and Box Office Executioner
Director Timur Bekmambetov’s Mercy presents a chilling premise: a man on trial for murdering his wife discovers his fate rests in the hands of an artificial intelligence judge.
MGM Amazon Studios had hoped for an opening closer to $15 million. The $12.6 million debut, while meeting baseline expectations, represents a disappointing start for the high-concept thriller.
Mother Nature wasn’t the only force working against Pratt’s latest vehicle. Critics have largely dismissed the film, and audience reactions have been lukewarm at best.
The B- CinemaScore suggests viewers left theaters with mixed feelings about the AI courtroom drama. That grade typically signals weak word-of-mouth ahead, which could spell trouble for Mercy‘s legs in coming weeks.
Cameron’s Reign Finally Ends
Mercy does earn one bragging right: ending Avatar: Fire and Ash‘s impressive five-weekend domination of the box office.
Cameron’s latest Pandora epic slipped to second place with approximately $7 million, pushing its domestic total near $380 million. Several years ago, Avatar: The Way of Water managed an even more impressive seven-weekend run atop the charts.
The 20th Century Fox release continues demonstrating remarkable staying power despite increasing competition and challenging weather conditions.
Disney’s Animated Juggernaut Crosses Major Milestone
Zootopia 2 held firm at number three, collecting an estimated $6 million while achieving another significant benchmark.
The record-breaking animated sequel has now crossed $400 million domestically. Globally, the film has amassed an absolutely staggering $1.7 billion, cementing its status as one of Disney’s biggest animated triumphs.
Even in its extended theatrical run, the film continues attracting families willing to brave winter weather for anthropomorphic animal adventures.
Female-Driven Thriller Keeps Cleaning Up
Director Paul Feig’s The Housemaid continues proving that female-skewing thrillers have serious commercial viability.
The Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried vehicle held at number four in its sixth weekend, earning an estimated $6 million for Lionsgate. The film has now collected over $250 million globally, representing a massive win for the studio.
Its sustained performance demonstrates how star power combined with compelling female-centered storytelling can translate to consistent ticket sales week after week.
Zombie Sequel Stumbles in Second Weekend
Not every film is enjoying such longevity. Nia DaCosta’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple tumbled to fifth place with just $4.2 million.
The elevated horror-zombie sequel opened behind expectations during the MLK Holiday weekend and has struggled to gain traction. Its domestic total stands at only $21.4 million, a disappointing figure for such an anticipated franchise continuation.
The sophomore weekend drop suggests audiences weren’t sufficiently impressed to generate positive word-of-mouth buzz.
Oscar Nominations Still Pack Some Punch
While the fabled Oscar bump has diminished over recent years, it remains a factor for certain films.
Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme had already been overperforming for A24 before landing nine Academy Award nominations on January 22, including best picture and best actor for Timothée Chalamet. Most industry observers are betting he takes home the statue.
This weekend, the film collected an estimated $3.5 million at number six, dropping just 35 percent from the previous frame. That minimal decline demonstrates how nominations can stabilize a film’s theatrical trajectory.
Arthouse Contender Expands Smartly
Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet may be enjoying an even better hold. The Focus Features release landed eight Oscar nominations after winning best drama at the Golden Globes on January 11.
The arthouse picture, which launched in select theaters back in November, expanded to 1,276 locations this weekend. It rounded out the top ten with approximately $1.8 million, bringing its domestic total near $18 million.
Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes are reportedly hitting the awards campaign trail hard for Zhao, lending their considerable influence to boost the film’s Oscar chances.
Middle-Earth Returns for Anniversary Celebration
Nostalgia continues proving its commercial worth. Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy is enjoying an ongoing special 25th-anniversary rerelease, landing at number eight this weekend.
Warner Bros. and Fathom Events are partnering on the theatrical event, which is projected to generate between $14 million and $15 million total. Fans clearly remain eager to experience Frodo’s journey on the big screen again.
Storm Clouds Over Hollywood’s Bottom Line
The weekend’s overall performance highlights how external factors beyond studios’ control can dramatically impact theatrical revenue.
With dangerous winter weather keeping millions of Americans home, even strong titles struggled to meet their full potential. Mercy‘s debut would likely have been stronger under clearer skies, while holdovers across the board saw their numbers suppressed.
Numbers will be updated Sunday morning as final tallies come in from theaters across the country. Industry observers will be watching closely to see whether next weekend brings a rebound or continued challenges for theatrical exhibition.
For now, Hollywood finds itself in an unusual position: celebrating a new number-one film while simultaneously confronting one of the weakest overall weekends of the year.