Theater counts: Send Help outpaces Mercy with weekend’s widest launch

January 29, 2026

In its sixth weekend at the domestic box office, Avatar: Fire and Ash ceded the top spot to newcomer Mercy. The latter debuted with $10.81 million, a modest opening likely dampened by a massive snowstorm that blanketed much of the U.S. This weekend also brings a wider slate of releases than the last, led by the survival thriller Send Help.

Send Help stars Rachel McAdams as Linda Liddle, an employee mistreated by her sexist boss, played by Dylan O’Brien. After the two survive a plane crash, Linda is forced to rely on her survival skills to keep them both alive, despite their deeply strained relationship. The film is directed by veteran filmmaker Sam Raimi, who previously worked with McAdams on 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Raimi’s latest effort debuts in 3,475 theaters across North America, making it the largest footprint in the land.

Black Bear Pictures is set to release only its second film this weekend, following Christy, which hit theaters in November. The studio’s latest effort is the Jason Statham–led action thriller Shelter. Opening in 2,726 locations, the film centers on a man whose decision to rescue a young girl from drowning during a violent storm inadvertently triggers a chain of events that draws danger to his doorstep, forcing him to reckon with choices from his past. The film also marks director Ric Roman Waugh’s second title currently in theaters, alongside Greenland 2: Migration.

Also opening wide this weekend is the horror feature, Iron Lung. Based on the indie video game of the same name, the film comes from filmmaker Mark Fischbach, the YouTube personality better known as Markiplier, who boasts more than 38 million subscribers. The release is notable for being self-distributed with virtually no traditional marketing push. While no official theater count has been announced, estimates place the film’s launch at approximately 2,500 locations.

Opening in 1,778 locations this weekend is the documentary Melania. The film includes exclusive footage capturing critical meetings, private conversations, and never-before-seen environments, showcasing the First Lady’s return to one of the world’s most powerful roles. Reports indicate that Amazon MGM Studios acquired the film for $40 million and spent an estimated $35 million on marketing, making it one of the most expensive documentaries ever released theatrically.

Looking ahead to next weekend, another wave of wide releases is set to hit theaters, including the third installment in The Strangers franchise, The Strangers: Chapter 3. The film is projected to open in approximately 2,400 locations.

Filed under: Theater Counts