Winds of Box‑Office Change: A Tale of Love, Laughter and Lessons

The weekend after Valentine’s Day saw a surprising surge for the romantic drama “Wuthering Heights, ” which grabbed $33 million in North America from 3, 682 theaters. It is expected to climb to about $40 million by Monday’s President’s Day. Internationally, the film opened stronger, earning $42 million on its first day and reaching a global total of $82 million. Because domestic receipts are slightly below forecasts, the film may need overseas audiences to cover its $80 million production cost and the hefty global marketing spend. Director Emerald Fennell chose a theatrical route over a $150 million Netflix offer, believing that wide releases and big marketing will pay off. Her previous work includes the Oscar‑winning “Promising Young Woman” and the controversial “Saltburn. ” The film’s blend of classic literature, attractive leads Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, and steamy storytelling has resonated with audiences worldwide. Over 75 % of the opening weekend crowd were women, though a CinemaScore “B” suggests mixed word‑of‑mouth.Other releases performed differently. The animated sports adventure “GOAT” opened second with $26 million from 3, 862 venues and is projected to reach $32 million over the holiday. Produced for $80 million, it has earned an “A” CinemaScore from families and may grow steadily like recent hits such as “Migration” and “The Wild Robot. ” The heist thriller “Crime 101, ” starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo and Barry Keoghan, debuted third with $15. 1 million from 3, 161 locations and is expected to hit about $17–18 million by Monday. With a $90 million budget, it must sustain earnings beyond the opening weekend to justify its cost; a “B” CinemaScore indicates mixed reactions. The horror film “Send Help, ” featuring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, slipped to fourth with $9 million over the weekend and is projected at $10. 7 million by Monday, having already earned $48 million domestically and $72 million worldwide against a $40 million budget. The PG comedy “Solo Mio” earned $6. 2 million over the weekend, aiming for $7. 8 million by Monday, and has pulled in $18 million after two weeks. A sci‑fi comedy “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die” opened at seventh with $3. 6 million from 1, 610 theaters and is expected to reach $4. 1 million by Monday. Directed by Gore Verbinski, it received a “B” CinemaScore. These varied results illustrate how film studios weigh theatrical releases against streaming strategies, and how audience reception can shape a movie’s financial future.