Here Are the Weekend Box Office Hits for This Weekend, with the Super Popular Romance on Top
The Valentine’s Day weekend delivered a diverse array of cinematic offerings, ranging from gothic romance and animated sports comedies to gritty crime thrillers. Audiences flocked to theaters to catch the latest releases, resulting in a significant shake-up of the top ten rankings. While some holdovers continued to perform steadily, five new wide releases battled for dominance during this lucrative holiday frame.
‘Melania’ (2026)
Amazon MGM Studios’ documentary feature has struggled to find its footing after a steep drop in its third weekend. The film, directed by Brett Ratner, brought in $886,000, representing a significant 62.3% decline from the previous week. This controversy-laden project has now accumulated a domestic total of $15,432,071 since its release. Despite the initial buzz surrounding the former First Lady’s biopic, audience interest appears to be waning rapidly.
‘Cold Storage’ (2026)
Opening in the fourteenth spot, this sci-fi horror thriller from The Samuel Goldwyn Company debuted with $1,100,000 from 1,041 theaters. Directed by Jonny Campbell and adapted by David Koepp from his own novel, the film stars Liam Neeson and Joe Keery as they battle a mutating fungus in a government facility. The movie managed a per-theater average of $1,056, catering to genre fans looking for a fright this weekend. While not a massive blockbuster launch, ‘Cold Storage’ offers a grim counter-programming option to the holiday’s romantic fare.
‘The Housemaid’ (2025)
Paul Feig’s psychological thriller continues to draw audiences months after its release, securing the thirteenth spot with another $1,110,000. Starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, the adaptation of Freida McFadden’s bestseller has now amassed an impressive domestic total of $125,367,977. The film dropped 34.7% this weekend, showing remarkable endurance as it plays in 1,140 theaters. ‘The Housemaid’ remains a financial triumph for Lionsgate, proving the star power of its leads and the popularity of the source material.
‘Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie’ (2026)
Cult comedy figures Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol bring their chaotic energy to the big screen with this meta-sequel to their beloved series. Distributed by Neon, the film opened to $1,250,000 from just 365 locations, boasting a strong per-theater average of $3,424. The plot sees the duo accidentally traveling back in time to 2008, leading to a series of nostalgic and hilarious mishaps. This limited release strategy has effectively mobilized the property’s dedicated fanbase.
‘The Strangers: Chapter 3’ (2026)
The final installment of Renny Harlin’s horror trilogy added $2,275,000 to its coffers in its second weekend. With a total domestic gross of $6,953,865, the Lionsgate release is seeing diminishing returns compared to the earlier chapters. Starring Madelaine Petsch, the slasher film dropped 34.5% as it faced stiff competition from other genre entries. ‘The Strangers: Chapter 3’ continues to terrify audiences in over 2,500 theaters, though it struggles to break out beyond its core demographic.
‘Dracula’ (2026)
Luc Besson’s romantic reimagining of the classic vampire myth earned $3,000,932 in its second weekend. Distributed by Vertical Entertainment, the film stars Caleb Landry Jones and Christoph Waltz, focusing on the tragic love story at the heart of the legend. It experienced a 31.8% drop, bringing its total domestic run to $9,001,471. ‘Dracula’ is finding a niche audience who appreciate Besson’s stylized visual flair and the film’s gothic romanticism.
‘Iron Lung’ (2026)
Markiplier’s adaptation of the submarine horror game claimed the ninth spot with $3,300,000. The film has been a massive success relative to its budget, reaching a domestic total of $34,100,000. Despite a 45% drop this weekend, the movie remains in over 2,300 theaters, capitalizing on its creator’s massive online following. ‘Iron Lung’ proves that influencer-led cinema can translate into significant box office revenue when handled with genuine genre passion.
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (2025)
James Cameron’s third installment in the sci-fi epic saga continues its historic run, adding $3,328,000 in its ninth week. The 20th Century Studios blockbuster has now reached a staggering domestic total of $396,094,244. Even with a reduced theater count of 1,650, the film saw only a 4.1% drop, showcasing incredible staying power. ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ remains a visual spectacle that audiences are still returning to experience on the big screen.
‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die’ (2026)
Gore Verbinski returns to directing with this high-concept sci-fi action comedy, which opened with $3,620,000. Starring Sam Rockwell as a man from the future who recruits diner patrons to save the world, the Briarcliff Entertainment release landed in seventh place. The film played in 1,610 theaters, achieving a per-theater average of $2,248. While the opening numbers are modest, ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die’ offers a unique original story in a landscape dominated by franchises.
‘Zootopia 2’ (2025)
Disney’s animated powerhouse remains a favorite for families, earning $3,760,000 in its twelfth week of release. The sequel has amassed a colossal $419,371,739 domestically, cementing its status as one of the year’s biggest hits. With a minimal drop of just 6.1%, ‘Zootopia 2’ continues to hold its own against newer animated competition. The film’s enduring popularity highlights the strength of the brand and the audience’s love for Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.
‘Solo Mio’ (2026)
Kevin James’s romantic comedy from Angel Studios held strong in fifth place with $6,800,000. The film, which follows a jilted groom finding himself in Rome, has grossed $17,332,356 in two weeks. It saw an impressive hold with only a 2.9% drop, likely benefiting significantly from the Valentine’s Day crowd. ‘Solo Mio’ serves as effective counter-programming, offering a wholesome and humorous option for couples and families alike.
‘Send Help’ (2026)
Sam Raimi’s survival thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien took the fourth spot with $8,968,000. The film has generated a healthy total of $47,898,525 for Walt Disney Studios. With a tiny drop of just 0.9%, word of mouth seems to be propelling this story of a boss and employee stranded on a deserted island. ‘Send Help’ effectively blends Raimi’s signature tension with dark humor, resonating well with general audiences.
‘Crime 101’ (2026)
Debuting at number three, this star-studded crime thriller from Amazon MGM Studios raked in $15,136,000. Directed by Bart Layton and starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Halle Berry, the film adapts Don Winslow’s novella about a jewel thief and the detective pursuing him. ‘Crime 101’ played in 3,161 theaters, averaging $4,788 per location. The strong opening suggests audiences were eager for a mature, high-stakes heist movie led by A-list talent.
‘GOAT’ (2026)
Sony Pictures Releasing scored a touchdown with this animated sports comedy, which opened to a robust $26,000,000. Produced by and featuring the voice of Stephen Curry, the film follows a goat named Will who dreams of playing “roarball” in an animal kingdom league. ‘GOAT’ secured the second spot, playing in 3,863 theaters with a solid $6,730 average. The film’s broad appeal to sports fans and families helped it dominate the kid-friendly market this weekend.
‘Wuthering Heights’ (2026)
Emerald Fennell’s bold reimagining of the Emily Brontë classic claimed the top spot with a commanding $34,800,000 debut. Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, this modern, stylized take on the gothic romance drew massive crowds, averaging $9,451 across 3,682 theaters. Warner Bros. successfully marketed the film as the definitive Valentine’s Day event, driving significant turnout despite mixed critical reactions. ‘Wuthering Heights’ has proven that literary adaptations can still deliver blockbuster numbers when paired with a visionary director and star power.
Tell us which of these new releases you watched this weekend in the comments.