‘Wuthering Heights’ Tops Global Box Office as ‘GOAT’ and ‘Crime 101’ Follow in Weekend Rankings
LOS ANGELES — This weekend’s global box office delivered one of the biggest early theatrical performances of 2026, led by Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights, which took the No. 1 spot with an estimated $82‑83 million worldwide debut. Close behind were Sony’s animated sports comedy GOAT and Amazon MGM’s star‑studded thriller Crime 101, rounding out a diverse top three over the Valentine’s and Presidents Day frame.
Wuthering Heights Leads Year’s Biggest Opening
Warner Bros. and MRC’s Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, dominated the global chart with an estimated $82–83 million in box office revenue across domestic and international markets — making it the largest worldwide opening of the year so far. The romantic drama also marked the studio’s ninth consecutive number‑one weekend.
Domestically, the film posted roughly $34.8 million over the weekend and is projected to reach about $40 million across the four‑day holiday period, according to studio estimates. Internationally, it pulled in about $42 million from 76 territories.
Despite mixed critical responses — including a CinemaScore of B and middling review aggregator scores — the film’s box office impact underscores the continuing appetite for theatrical event films outside of blockbuster franchises.
GOAT Makes Strong Animated Debut
Following closely was GOAT, Sony Pictures’ animated feature produced by NBA star Stephen Curry, which brought in an estimated $47.6 million globally. The family‑oriented film secured the second ranking of the weekend, buoyed by strong audience reception and the expanding market for original animation in theaters.
In North America, GOAT earned around $26 million, and studio polling showed the film resonated well with younger audiences, earning an A CinemaScore — a rare result for animated debuts this year.
Crime 101 Charts Third
In third place, Crime 101 — a gritty crime caper featuring Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo — opened with an estimated $27 million to $30 million globally. While finishing behind the top two offerings, the film still posted respectable numbers for a mature‑themed thriller and star‑driven ensemble piece.
Domestically, Crime 101 landed about $15 million in its opening weekend before holiday holiday boosts, while international totals added several million more.
Broader Box Office Trends
The box office stretch also marked a notable milestone for Disney, which became the first studio in 2026 to surpass $1 billion in global ticket sales so far this year — thanks largely to carryovers from hits like Avatar: Fire and Ash and Zootopia 2.
Other films in the top five included Sam Raimi’s Send Help and the romantic comedy Solo Mio, both of which continued to draw steady audiences in their respective niches.
Industry analysts view the weekend’s performance as a positive indicator for theatrical demand outside of franchise tentpoles, especially as studios prepare for major March releases like Pixar’s Hoppers and the sci‑fi adaptation Project Hail Mary.
