Get ready for a Valentine’s Day weekend showdown at the box office! But here’s where it gets controversial: can a classic romance like Wuthering Heights truly compete with modern blockbusters? Warner Bros/MRC’s theatrical release of Oscar winner Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s timeless novel kicked off the weekend with a solid $3 million from Thursday previews across 3,000 locations. While that might seem modest compared to the $7 million previews for It Ends With Us, there’s more to the story. First, It Ends With Us was a summer release, and second, industry insiders predict a significant surge in moviegoing on Saturday, Valentine’s Day, thanks to the holiday vibe and the long weekend ahead, including 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 follow suit? With $14 million in presales and projections of $40-$50 million over the four-day holiday, it’s a strong contender. Critics are somewhat divided, giving it a 65% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but will audiences feel the love? Speaking of Warner Bros, they outbid Netflix, securing the rights to the Jacob Elordi-Margot Robbie-led film for $80 million—a bold move that’s already sparking debate.
Meanwhile, Sony Pictures Animation’s GOAT scored $1 million in Thursday previews across 3,030 locations, starting as early as 2 p.m. With stellar PostTrak ratings—5 stars from kids under 12 and 4.5 stars from parents and general audiences—it’s poised for a $20 million four-day debut. But here’s the twist: the lack of family-friendly options in theaters could push this Stephen Curry-produced sports comedy even higher. Critics are loving it, with an 80% fresh rating, and its $80-$90 million production cost (before P&A) seems like a safe bet.
Amazon MGM Studios’ Crime 101, starring Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, Mark Ruffalo, and Barry Keoghan, brought in $1 million from overall previews. Aiming for a $15 million four-day start, this noir thriller is certified 86% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, but with a $90 million production cost, it needs to prove its theatrical worth—Amazon MGM’s golden rule. Comparisons to Den of Thieves: Pantera, A Working Man, and The Beekeeper suggest it’s in good company, but will it stand out?
Rounding out the week, Send Help held strong in its second week with $13 million, while newcomers Solo Mio and Dracula debuted with $10.5 million and $6 million, respectively. Zootopia 2 continued its impressive run, adding $5.1 million to its $415.6 million total.
Now, here’s the question for you: With Wuthering Heights bringing a classic tale to modern audiences, do you think it can recapture the magic of Brontë’s novel, or is it destined to be overshadowed by flashier releases? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
