A powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States has dramatically reshaped the domestic box office landscape, underscoring how external forces can swiftly disrupt even the most anticipated theatrical debuts. As hundreds of theaters shuttered nationwide and millions of moviegoers were urged to remain indoors, overall box office revenue fell to its lowest level of the year—marking the first weekend to trail the same frame in 2025.
Against this turbulent backdrop, MGM Amazon Studios’ Mercy, directed by Timur Bekmambetov and starring Chris Pratt, emerged as the weekend’s unlikely leader. The psychological thriller opened to an estimated $11.2 million domestically, revised downward after more than 400 theaters temporarily closed due to extreme weather conditions. Initially projected at $12.6 million, the film’s opening performance highlights both its underlying audience interest and the extraordinary circumstances that constrained its full commercial potential.
Mercy places Pratt in a tense and morally charged narrative, portraying a man accused of murdering his wife—only to discover that his fate will be decided not by a jury of peers, but by an artificial intelligence judge. The film’s provocative premise taps into broader cultural conversations surrounding technology, justice, and accountability, positioning it as a timely entry in the modern thriller genre. Internationally, the film demonstrated early momentum, debuting with $11.6 million overseas, signaling potential longevity as global markets remain less affected by weather disruptions.
However, the film’s ascent has not been without headwinds. Critical reception has been muted, and audience response has landed in the middle range, with a B- CinemaScore reflecting cautious word of mouth. Nevertheless, Mercy secured a notable milestone by becoming the first film in over a month to unseat James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash from the top domestic position.
Despite relinquishing its five-week reign, Avatar: Fire and Ash continues to exemplify blockbuster endurance. The Disney and 20th Century Studios release placed second domestically with an estimated $7 million, lifting its North American total to $378.5 million. Globally, the film remains a juggernaut, adding $28 million overseas to reach a staggering $1.379 billion worldwide, including more than $1 billion internationally—a rare achievement in today’s increasingly fragmented theatrical marketplace.
Disney’s dominance extended further with Zootopia 2, which held firm in third place. The animated sequel generated $5.7 million domestically, surpassing the $400 million milestone in North America. After nine weekends in release, the film has amassed an extraordinary $1.744 billion globally, reinforcing Disney’s sustained command of both domestic and international box office rankings for nine consecutive weekends.
Meanwhile, Lionsgate’s The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig and starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, continued its impressive run. In its sixth weekend, the film earned $4.2 million, pushing its domestic total to $115.4 million and its global haul to $294.9 million. The performance marks Feig’s highest-grossing film to date, unadjusted for inflation, and highlights the enduring commercial power of female-driven narratives.
Not all releases fared as favorably. Sony’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta, slipped to fifth place with $3.6 million, bringing its domestic total to $21.4 million and $46.1 million worldwide after a softer-than-expected debut during the MLK holiday frame.
Awards season dynamics also played a meaningful role. A24’s Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie, continued to outperform expectations following its nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Timothée Chalamet. The film is projected to earn $3.5 million this weekend, reflecting a modest 35 percent drop—one of the strongest holds in the top tier.
Similarly, Focus Features’ Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao, benefited from its eight Oscar nominations and recent Golden Globe win. Expanding to 1,276 theaters, the film grossed $2 million, bringing its domestic total to $17.6 million as awards momentum builds.
Among new releases, Return to Silent Hill debuted with $3.3 million. While modest, Cineverse Entertainment emphasized its profitability due to a reported $3.5 million investment, positioning the title as a strategic win for its content library and streaming platforms.
Rounding out the chart, the 25th-anniversary rerelease of The Lord of the Rings trilogy continued to attract audiences, earning $6.7 million domestically and $12 million internationally, for a cumulative $18.7 million. The ongoing event underscores the enduring appeal of legacy franchises when paired with strategic theatrical re-engagement.
Ultimately, this weekend’s box office serves as a compelling reminder: while content remains king, uncontrollable external factors—from extreme weather to shifting consumer habits—can decisively influence theatrical outcomes. As conditions normalize, the industry will closely watch whether pent-up demand translates into a rebound in the weeks ahead.
