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“Mercy” vs. “Border 2”: The Chris Pratt Sci-Fi Thriller Flops in India?
Two major films hit theaters today (January 23, 2026): Amazon MGM’s sci-fi courtroom thriller Mercy starring Chris Pratt, and the much-hyped patriotic war sequel Border 2 led by Sunny Deol. The clash has created a classic Hollywood vs. Bollywood box office battle — and early numbers paint a stark picture.
Mercy, directed by Timur Bekmambetov, follows LAPD detective Chris Raven (Pratt) strapped to an execution chair, racing against time to prove his innocence to an AI judge (Rebecca Ferguson). It opened in India on around 800–900 screens (mostly English and dubbed versions), targeting urban multiplex audiences with its high-concept premise and IMAX/3D appeal.
Border 2, however, launched on a massive 4500+ screens with strong Hindi, Punjabi, and regional presence. Advance bookings were already ₹12–15 crore pre-release, and morning shows added another ₹6–8 crore. By evening estimates, it is trending toward a ₹35–45 crore+ opening day in India alone — a huge win for a non-holiday release.
In contrast, Mercy is struggling. Early collections are in the ₹1.5–2.5 crore range for the full day (including previews), with occupancy hovering at 15–25% in major chains like PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis. Many shows — especially afternoon and evening slots — are running empty or near-empty in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities. Dubbed Hindi versions are faring slightly better than English, but overall footfalls remain low.
Several factors explain the gap:
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Patriotic Wave & Republic Day Timing
Border 2 rides a massive pre-Republic Day patriotic surge. The trailer, songs like “Ghar Kab Aaoge,” and Sunny Deol’s thunderous return created huge anticipation. Families and group audiences are choosing the war epic for its emotional, crowd-pleasing vibe. -
Hollywood Fatigue in Mass Markets
Chris Pratt is a known star (Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World), but sci-fi courtroom thrillers with heavy AI themes have limited mass appeal in India. Recent Hollywood releases (Mercy joins a string of mid-tier openers) have struggled against strong local content. -
Screen Share & Marketing
Border 2 dominates prime screens and prime-time slots. Mercy’s promotion was modest in India — limited trailers on TV, fewer hoardings, and reliance on OTT buzz. The film’s PG-13 rating and 100-minute runtime suit multiplexes, but it lacks the “event” feel that Border 2 delivers.Mid-Article Ad Space
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Audience Preference
Early feedback shows Mercy getting mixed word-of-mouth: praised for Pratt’s performance and tension, but criticized for being predictable and lacking emotional punch. Border 2 is delivering the goosebumps, cheers, and tears that Indian audiences crave in theaters right now.
Current estimates (end of Day 1):
- Border 2: ₹35–45 crore nett India (possibly higher with evening/night shows)
- Mercy: ₹1.8–2.8 crore nett India (English + dubbed)
Overseas, Mercy may perform better in North America and Europe (Pratt’s fanbase), but in India, it’s clearly overshadowed. If the trend holds, Mercy risks being labeled a “flop” domestically — a tough label for a mid-budget thriller in a market favoring big local spectacles.
This clash highlights ongoing trends: patriotic war dramas and mass entertainers are dominating Indian box office in early 2026, while Hollywood mid-tier releases struggle to break through without huge IP or star power.
For audiences: if you’re in the mood for high-octane patriotism and theater energy, Border 2 is winning the day. Mercy remains a decent watch for sci-fi fans — but don’t expect packed houses.
The box office war is just beginning — weekend numbers will tell the full story.
