Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the box office is buzzing with excitement—but not everyone is swooning over the same films. Here’s the bold truth: Wuthering Heights, directed by Oscar winner Emerald Fennell, kicked off the romantic weekend with a $3 million preview haul across 3,000 theaters. Before you compare it to the $7 million preview numbers for It Ends With Us (which debuted at $50 million), let’s hit pause. First, that was a summer release, and timing matters. Second, industry insiders predict a surge in moviegoing on Saturday, Valentine’s Day itself, with foot traffic shifting from Thursday to the holiday weekend—not to mention the added boost from Monday’s Presidents Day. And this is the part most people miss: the last time Valentine’s Day fell on a Saturday was 11 years ago, when Fifty Shades of Grey dominated with a $93 million four-day opening. Could Wuthering Heights replicate that magic? With $14 million in presales and projections of $40-$50 million over the long weekend, it’s aiming high—though its 65% Rotten Tomatoes score might raise eyebrows. For context, It Ends With Us had a lower 55% critic score but soared to 87% with audiences. Controversial question: Can a classic Brontë adaptation truly compete with modern romance blockbusters?
Speaking of competition, Warner Bros outbid Netflix ($80 million vs. $150 million) for the rights to this Jacob Elordi-Margot Robbie adaptation, proving they’re betting big on its appeal. Meanwhile, Sony Pictures Animation’s GOAT scored $1 million in Thursday previews across 3,030 locations, starting as early as 2 p.m. With 5-star PostTrak ratings from kids and 4.5 stars from parents and general audiences, it’s poised for a $20 million four-day run—though some insiders think the lack of family films in theaters could push it even higher. At 80% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and a budget of $80-$90 million (before marketing), it’s a safe bet for family audiences. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can a sports comedy with a creature cast truly stand out in a crowded market?
Amazon MGM’s Crime 101, starring Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, Mark Ruffalo, and Barry Keoghan, pulled in $1 million from overall previews, aiming for a $15 million four-day start. With an 86% fresh rating and a $90 million production cost, it’s a high-stakes noir thriller—but Amazon MGM’s rule of thumb is clear: theatrical releases only happen if they can recoup marketing costs. Comparables like Den of Thieves: Pantera and The Beekeeper suggest it’s a risky but calculated move. Thought-provoking question: Are star-studded ensembles enough to guarantee box office success in today’s market?
Looking at the week’s rankings, Send Help led with $13 million in its second week, followed by newcomer Solo Mio at $10.5 million. Iron Lung and Dracula trailed behind, while Zootopia 2 continued its impressive $415.6 million run in its 11th week. What’s your take? Which film will steal the weekend—and your heart? Share your predictions in the comments!
