The late February 2026 box office weekend presented a fascinating, albeit quiet, showdown. The animated family film “GOAT” narrowly edged out the R-rated drama “Wuthering Heights” for the top spot. This weekend’s performance highlights a dynamic period for North American cinemas. Industry experts are observing how resilient holdovers continue to shape film revenue in a landscape where new releases often struggle to make a significant impact.
Moviegoers largely gravitated towards familiar titles, signaling a preference for established films. This trend makes the success of “GOAT” particularly notable. The overall sentiment from analysts points to an intriguing “land of opportunity” for certain genres, even during slower periods.
“GOAT” Triumphs as Family Films Drive Engagement
Sony Pictures Animation’s “GOAT” secured the No. 1 position, pulling in an estimated $17 million in its second weekend. This animated feature, produced by Stephen Curry and featuring Caleb McLaughlin’s voice, demonstrated remarkable staying power. Its modest 38% drop from opening weekend signals strong positive word-of-mouth. The film, which follows a small goat with big sports dreams, now boasts over $58.3 million domestically. Globally, its total earnings hit $102.3 million against an $80 million production budget.
This robust performance underscores the critical importance of family-friendly content. Such films often show sustained theatrical endurance. Examples like “Elemental” and “Migration” from previous years prove this point. “GOAT” appears poised to follow a similar path, resonating deeply with its target audience.
“Wuthering Heights” Claims Second Amidst Stiffer Drop
Warner Bros.’ “Wuthering Heights” landed in second place, earning $14.2 million during its second weekend. Directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, this R-rated gothic romantic drama faced a steeper 57% decline from its debut. Despite the drop, “Wuthering Heights” has accumulated a strong $60 million domestically. Its global gross soared to $151.7 million against an $80 million production budget.
The United Kingdom remains the film’s strongest international market, contributing $22.5 million alone. This performance highlights the film’s specific appeal in certain regions. While its box office journey has been a “rollercoaster ride” as one expert put it, its international reach is undeniable.
New Releases Struggle for Foothold in Quiet Weekend
The late February box office weekend proved challenging for most new offerings. All new films debuted with earnings under $10 million. This trend reflects a cautious audience and competitive market conditions. Many viewers seem hesitant to embrace unknown quantities, preferring proven hits.
One new entrant was the faith-based sequel “I Can Only Imagine 2.” From Lionsgate and Kingdom Story, it opened in third place with $8 million. While this figure is significantly less than its 2018 predecessor’s $17 million launch, it aligned with studio expectations. Notably, it earned a rare A+ CinemaScore from audiences, indicating strong positive reception. The film’s $18 million production budget also makes recovery likely.
Black Comedies and Horror Films Face Tough Critical Reception
The R-rated black comedy “How to Make a Killing” debuted in sixth place. Released by A24, it garnered $3.6 million from 1,600 North American theaters. Loosely inspired by “Kind Hearts and Coronets,” the film features Glen Powell in a quest for a $28 billion inheritance. Critics were largely unfavorable, giving it a “rotten” 47% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Even more challenging was the performance of the horror film “Psycho Killer.” This 20th Century Studios release opened outside the top 10, pulling in a mere $1.6 million from 1,110 theaters. Written by Andrew Kevin Walker (“Seven”) and marking Gavin Polone’s directorial debut, the film received a dismal 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Only 31% of PostTrak ticket buyers would “definitely recommend” it. This result underscores the high bar for critical and audience acceptance in the horror genre.
“EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” Shines in Limited Release
Amidst the struggles, Baz Luhrmann’s immersive documentary, “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,” offered a bright spot. It earned a robust $3.3 million from a limited IMAX release across just 325 locations. This impressive per-screen average showcases strong demand for unique cinematic experiences. Neon’s chief distribution officer, Elissa Federoff, highlighted the film’s deeply personal and cinematic impact.
“EPiC” utilizes never-before-seen footage discovered during the production of the 2022 “Elvis” biopic. Its success in limited release bodes well for its nationwide expansion, scheduled for February 27. It represents an innovative approach to concert films and documentaries, attracting a dedicated fan base.
Other Box Office Contenders: “Crime 101” and “Send Help”
Beyond the top films, Amazon and MGM’s heist thriller “Crime 101” secured fourth place. Starring Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, it earned $5.8 million in its second weekend, marking a 59% drop. Its domestic total now stands at $24.7 million against a reported $90 million production budget. This highlights the financial challenges some big-budget films face in recouping costs.
Rounding out the top five, “Send Help” brought in $4.5 million. These performances collectively paint a picture of a box office weekend where a few strong holdovers carved out significant shares. The remaining top ten films included “Solo Mio” ($2.6 million), “Zootopia 2” ($2.3 million), and “Avatar: Fire and Ash” ($1.8 million).
The Road Ahead: Anticipating a Box Office Surge
Despite the quiet nature of this past box office weekend, industry outlook remains cautiously optimistic. Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s head of marketplace trends, views these slower periods as “a land of opportunity.” The year’s box office is currently running approximately 5% ahead of last year’s tally. This positive trend suggests underlying health in the cinema market.
Dergarabedian anticipates a significant pick-up in momentum over the next six weeks. Upcoming releases are expected to inject new energy into theaters. Highly anticipated films include “Scream 7,” Disney’s Pixar film “Hoppers,” Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Bride!” in March, and Universal/Illumination’s “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” in early April. The “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is especially eyed as 2026’s first potential major blockbuster, promising to reshape the current box office narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the late February 2026 box office considered “quiet” despite a top performer?
The late February 2026 box office weekend was deemed “quiet” because while “GOAT” performed well, most new film releases struggled significantly. All new offerings opened under $10 million, indicating a lack of widespread audience engagement with fresh content. The market was primarily driven by “holdover” films, meaning movies already in their second or later weekends, rather than exciting new blockbusters. This concentration of revenue in a few existing titles led to an overall subdued atmosphere for movie theaters.
How did “GOAT” and “Wuthering Heights” perform against their production budgets?
“GOAT” achieved a global total of $102.3 million against an $80 million production budget. This indicates a modest but positive financial return after its second weekend, especially given its strong hold and positive word-of-mouth. “Wuthering Heights” garnered a global total of $151.7 million against an identical $80 million production budget. While “Wuthering Heights” had a steeper drop in its second weekend, its higher global gross and strong international performance, particularly in the U.K., suggest it is performing well financially relative to its costs.
What do industry experts predict for the upcoming 2026 box office trends?
Industry experts, like Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore, predict an upturn in box office trends for 2026. Despite the “rollercoaster ride” so far, the year is currently running about 5% ahead of last year. Expectations are high for a surge in momentum with significant upcoming releases. Films like “Scream 7,” “Hoppers,” “The Bride!”, and especially “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” are anticipated to drive substantial film revenue in March and April. Experts see quieter weekends as “a land of opportunity” and remain optimistic for a stronger performance moving forward.
Conclusion: A Resilient Market Awaits New Impulses
The late February 2026 box office weekend offered a clear snapshot of current cinema dynamics. Holdovers, particularly family-friendly animated features like “GOAT,” continue to demonstrate significant drawing power and resilience. While new releases faced challenges, the strong performance of titles like “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” in limited release shows potential for diverse content. The film industry is actively navigating these shifts, with experts maintaining optimism for a strong rebound. As new blockbusters prepare for their debuts, the “rollercoaster ride” of the North American box office is set to continue, promising more twists and turns for moviegoers and analysts alike.
