Mercy’s rocky launch: the numbers so far
Amazon MGM’s sci‑fi thriller Mercy opened to underwhelming results and has struggled to find traction in theaters. The film, starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, has grossed roughly $22 million domestically and under $50 million worldwide against a reported production budget of $60 million. Industry estimates cited early on suggested Mercy would need to approach $120 million globally to break even once marketing and distribution costs are included—making its current totals a clear shortfall.
Critical and audience response
Critics were largely unenthusiastic: Mercy sits at about 24% on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting broadly negative reviews that likely affected its theatrical legs. By contrast, audience reaction has been markedly warmer—Rotten Tomatoes shows an audience score in the 80s—suggesting the title may find a second life once it reaches PVOD and streaming platforms. That split between critics and moviegoers helps explain why some films underperform in theaters but perform better in home markets.
January release and studio expectations
Mercy’s January release date followed an industry pattern: studios often debut films they lack high confidence in during the month that has historically been quieter for tentpoles. Amazon MGM’s scheduling choice, combined with the tepid reviews, signaled limited expectations, and the box office so far indicates those doubts were productive.
How bad is it, really? A stark comparison with Solo
To put Mercy’s results in perspective: domestically, the film has grossed roughly one‑tenth of the lowest‑performing live‑action Star Wars release, Solo: A Star Wars Story. Solo, which faced well‑publicized production turmoil and a change of directors, still finished with just over $200 million domestically and under $400 million worldwide in 2018. Mercy’s much smaller take underscores how far it missed the commercial mark, even relative to a franchise title that is widely regarded as an underperformer.
What this means for Pratt and Ferguson
Both leads arrive at Mercy with strong recent résumés in genre filmmaking. Chris Pratt has anchored three Jurassic World films and has high‑profile voice and franchise credits; Rebecca Ferguson has had notable success in sci‑fi projects and television. While Mercy is a setback commercially, neither actor’s track record suggests long‑term damage:
- Pratt has other franchise work on the horizon that could restore box office momentum.
- Ferguson has major projects lined up, including a return to the Dune universe and the third season of Apple TV+’s Silo, which should help reestablish her profile.
The industry frequently treats mid‑budget theatrical disappointments as recoverable, particularly when the talent attached remain in demand.
The streaming safety net and future revenue
Given the audience approval metrics and the film’s modest budget, Mercy may recoup additional revenue through PVOD, streaming licensing, and international ancillary markets. Those post‑theatrical windows have rescued the financial outlook for many recent releases, so a theatrical miss doesn’t necessarily mean the project will be a net loss once all revenue streams are considered.
Key credits and release details
- Title: Mercy
- Release date: January 19, 2026
- Runtime: 100 minutes
- Director: Timur Bekmambetov
- Writer: Marco van Belle
- Producers: Charles Roven, Majd Nassif, Robert Amidon, Timur Bekmambetov
- Cast: Chris Pratt (Chris Raven), Rebecca Ferguson (Judge Maddox)
- Genres: Action, Thriller, Science Fiction
- Distributor: Amazon MGM
The takeaway
Mercy’s theatrical run has been a rare misfire for two actors accustomed to box office success. Poor critical reception and a quiet release window contributed to the film’s disappointing totals, but solid audience sentiment and streaming windows could soften the blow. For Pratt and Ferguson, this is likely a temporary stumble rather than a career‑defining moment; forthcoming high‑profile projects give both an opportunity to bounce back.