Here Are the Weekend Box Office Hits for This Weekend, with the New Animated Film Leading the Pack
The President’s Day holiday hangover did little to deter family audiences this weekend, though adult-skewing dramas saw significant drop-offs. Sony’s animated sports comedy ‘GOAT’ maintained its dominance in its second frame, fending off a fresh faith-based sequel and a polarizing literary adaptation. Meanwhile, niche releases from A24 and Neon managed to carve out impressive averages despite limited screen counts, signaling a healthy appetite for specialized content alongside the blockbusters.
‘Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert’ (2026)
Legendary action choreographer and director Yuen Woo-ping returns to the genre with this live-action adaptation of the acclaimed Chinese manhua ‘Biaoren’. The film stars Wu Jing as a skilled mercenary on the Silk Road who accepts a dangerous escort mission that entangles him in a political conspiracy during the Sui Dynasty. Well Go USA released the martial arts epic in 184 theaters, resulting in an opening weekend of $760,000. With a per-theater average of $4,130, the film found a solid niche audience for its high-octane fight sequences and historical intrigue.
‘2026 Oscar Nominated Short Films: Animation’ (2026)
As the Academy Awards approach, this annual theatrical showcase allows audiences to view the contenders for Best Animated Short Film. The collection features a diverse array of artistic styles and storytelling techniques, ranging from stop-motion to hand-drawn animation. Roadside Attractions distributed the package to 354 locations, earning $1,003,062 over the weekend. This performance highlights the consistent interest in the short film format during awards season, delivering a respectable $2,833 per-screen average.
‘Dracula’ (2026)
Luc Besson offers a fresh, visually opulent take on the classic Bram Stoker vampire mythos in this romantic horror adaptation. Caleb Landry Jones stars as the titular Count, delivering a performance that emphasizes the tragic, gothic romance elements of the character’s origin. The film brought in $1,327,837 in its third week, suffering a 54.8% drop as it faced competition from newer releases. Distributed by Vertical Entertainment, the film has accumulated a domestic total of $11,450,329, finding a steady audience for its stylized aesthetic.
‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die’ (2026)
Director Gore Verbinski returns with a high-concept sci-fi comedy starring Sam Rockwell as a “Man from the Future” who recruits a diner full of strangers to save the world. The ensemble cast, including Michael Peña and Zazie Beetz, navigates a chaotic timeline to prevent a rogue AI from initiating an apocalypse. In its second weekend, the film earned $1,550,000, bringing its domestic cume to $6,580,121. Despite the star power and Verbinski’s visual flair, the film saw a sharp 57.5% drop, struggling to maintain momentum against broader family fare.
‘Psycho Killer’ (2026)
This horror-thriller from 20th Century Studios marks the feature directorial debut of producer Gavin Polone, working from a script by Andrew Kevin Walker. Georgina Campbell stars as a police officer hunting the “Satanic Slasher,” a serial killer played by James Preston Rogers who murdered her husband. The film opened to $1,600,000 from 1,100 theaters, a soft start that reflects negative critical reception and a generic marketing campaign. With a low per-screen average of $1,454, the film failed to make a significant impact in a crowded genre marketplace.
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (2026)
James Cameron’s third installment in the massive sci-fi franchise continues to draw audiences even in its tenth week of release. The film introduces the Ash People, a more aggressive clan of Na’vi, while continuing the saga of the Sully family across the vistas of Pandora. It added $1,800,000 to its gross this weekend, pushing its domestic total to an impressive $399,441,400. While slowing down, the film’s visual spectacle remains a draw, helping 20th Century Studios maintain a presence in the top ten long after its December debut.
‘Zootopia 2’ (2026)
Disney’s return to the mammal metropolis sees Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde teaming up to solve a new mystery involving the city’s reptile population. The animated sequel has displayed remarkable longevity, earning $2,300,000 in its thirteenth week of release. With a massive domestic total of $423,921,131, it stands as a major commercial success for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The film’s enduring appeal to families has kept it in 1,820 theaters, maintaining a solid hold months after its premiere.
‘Solo Mio’ (2026)
Kevin James stars in this romantic comedy about a mild-mannered teacher who gets left at the altar and decides to go on his Italian honeymoon alone. Distributed by Angel Studios, the film blends humor with heartfelt themes of self-discovery as the protagonist meets a local shopkeeper, played by Nicole Grimaudo. The movie earned $2,556,550 in its third weekend, bringing its total to $21,829,105. Despite a 59.9% drop, it continues to perform well with audiences seeking lighthearted, faith-adjacent entertainment.
‘EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert’ (2026)
Visionary director Baz Luhrmann presents an immersive cinematic experience that reconstructs Elvis Presley’s concert performances using restored, unseen footage. Neon distributed this unique documentary event, which focuses purely on the energy and spectacle of the King on stage rather than a traditional biographical narrative. The film opened with $3,250,000 from just 325 theaters, boasting a massive per-screen average of $10,000. This limited engagement strategy created high demand, successfully turning the screening into an event for fans.
‘How to Make a Killing’ (2026)
Glen Powell stars in this dark comedy thriller about a man who decides to murder his estranged, wealthy relatives to inherit the family fortune. Distributed by A24 and inspired by the classic ‘Kind Hearts and Coronets’, the film utilizes Powell’s charisma to make the murderous anti-hero palatable. It opened with $3,560,617 from 1,625 theaters, signaling a moderate start for the indie distributor’s latest venture. The film’s mix of satire and suspense aims to cultivate word-of-mouth to sustain it in the coming weeks.
‘Send Help’ (2026)
Sam Raimi directs this survival horror-thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as co-workers stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. The film shifts from a survival drama into a psychological battle of wills as the power dynamics between the employee and her boss violently reverse. In its fourth weekend, the Disney release grossed $4,500,000, bringing its total to $55,528,137. The film has resonated with horror fans, holding onto 2,800 screens and maintaining a healthy box office run.
‘Crime 101’ (2026)
Based on the novella by Don Winslow, this heat-soaked heist thriller stars Chris Hemsworth as a high-end jewel thief and Mark Ruffalo as the detective tracking him. The Amazon MGM Studios release focuses on a series of robberies along the Pacific Coast Highway, emphasizing character-driven tension over non-stop action. The film earned $5,772,552 in its second weekend, dropping 59.5% for a domestic cume of $24,705,329. While the star power is significant, the steep second-week drop suggests mixed audience reception to the film’s pacing.
‘I Can Only Imagine 2’ (2026)
Lionsgate returns to the faith-based genre with this sequel to the 2018 surprise hit, once again focusing on the life and music of MercyMe’s Bart Millard. The story follows Millard, played by John Michael Finley, as he navigates the challenges of fame and fatherhood while touring with newcomer Tim Timmons, played by Milo Ventimiglia. The film opened to $8,000,000 from 3,105 theaters, demonstrating the reliable turnout of the faith-based demographic. Although it didn’t match the breakout height of the original, it secured a solid third-place finish.
‘Wuthering Heights’ (2026)
Emerald Fennell delivers a provocative and stylized adaptation of Emily Brontë’s literary masterpiece, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Warner Bros.’ romantic drama explores the toxic and obsessive nature of Catherine and Heathcliff’s relationship with Fennell’s signature modern edge. The film grossed $14,200,000 in its second weekend, crossing the sixty-million mark with a total of $60,012,668. Despite a 56.7% drop, the film remains a major draw, sparking conversation and capitalizing on its A-list leads.
‘GOAT’ (2026)
Sony Pictures Animation scores another hit with this sports comedy about a small goat named Will Harris who dreams of playing professional “roarball.” Produced by Stephen Curry, the film features a world of anthropomorphic athletes and has charmed families with its underdog story and vibrant animation style. It held the top spot for a second week, earning $17,000,000 and pushing its domestic total to $58,301,328. With a strong hold of -37.5%, ‘GOAT’ is proving to be the family event of the season.
Which of these February releases are you planning to see in theaters this week? Share your thoughts in the comments.