In a slow post–Presidents Day weekend, two very different films are neck-and-neck in a race no one saw coming.
It’s not a superhero showdown. It’s not a holiday blockbuster blitz. But this weekend’s box office has delivered an unexpected nail-biter.
Sony’s animated GOAT and Warner Bros.’ sweeping adaptation of Wuthering Heights are in a tight race for No. 1 — each eyeing a modest $12 million to $14 million haul in what’s shaping up to be one of the quieter frames of the year.
On Friday alone, Wuthering Heights pulled slightly ahead with $4 million from 3,682 theaters, marking its second Friday in release. GOAT followed closely with $3 million from 3,863 locations.
But insiders say Saturday matinees are leaning in favor of the family-friendly animated contender — meaning this battle could flip by Sunday morning.
If projections hold, Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennell and based on Emily Brontë’s classic novel, could reach just under $60 million in 10-day domestic earnings. GOAT, meanwhile, is pacing toward a solid $55.2 million cume.
The sluggish weekend overall isn’t a surprise. About 16% of K-12 schools are still on winter break, according to Comscore, and last year’s post–Presidents Day frame benefited from the Marvel boost of Captain America: Brave New World.
This year? No caped crusader in sight.
Elsewhere, Lionsgate and Kingdom Story’s I Can Only Imagine 2 is quietly carving out its own lane. The faith-based sequel earned $1.8 million in previews — including $1.3 million from Valentine’s Day early-access screenings — and is looking at an $8 million to $10 million opening weekend. That’s slightly stronger than the 2018 original’s preview numbers.
That first film famously overperformed with a $17.1 million debut and legged out to $83.4 million domestically, powered by an A+ CinemaScore.
In fourth place, Crime 101 is holding steady in its second weekend, eyeing $5 million to $6 million and a possible $25 million total by Sunday. Meanwhile, 20th Century Studios’ Send Help continues its run in its fourth weekend with an estimated $3.7 million, pushing its total near $55 million.
Outside the top five, A24’s dark comedy How to Make a Killing, starring Glen Powell, is aiming for around $3 million in its debut weekend. Reviews are mixed, currently sitting under 50% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Even tougher luck: 20th Century’s horror entry Psycho Killer is struggling with weak reviews and a projected $2 million opening.
It’s not a blockbuster weekend — but sometimes, the most interesting box office stories aren’t about massive numbers. They’re about the unexpected races.
And this one? It’s going down to the wire.
