New Romance Movie Tops the Weekend Box Office in Its Debut Week

The Valentine’s Day weekend proved lucrative for theaters as three new releases claimed the top spots on the domestic chart. Emerald Fennell’s anticipated literary adaptation led the pack, dethroning holdovers and breathing new life into the marketplace. While returning hits like ‘Send Help’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ continued to perform for their respective demographics, the fresh slate of films drove the majority of traffic. Warner Bros., Sony, and Amazon MGM Studios all saw significant returns from their latest offerings in a competitive holiday frame.

‘Melania’ (2026)

Amazon MGM Studios’ biopic release fell to the bottom of the chart in its third week of release. The film earned $886,000 from 1,204 theaters, marking a significant 62.3% drop from the previous frame. It has accumulated a domestic total of $15,432,071 since its debut, struggling to maintain momentum against newer competition. This sharp decline suggests the drama is nearing the end of its theatrical run as screens are reallocated to fresh releases.

‘Cold Storage’ (2026)

Based on the novel by David Koepp, this sci-fi thriller opened in limited release with $1,100,000. Playing in 1,041 locations, the film secured a per-theater average of $1,056 under The Samuel Goldwyn Company banner. The story follows a bio-terror agent and a facility employee trying to contain a deadly mutating fungus before it escapes underground confinement. This debut marks a modest start for the suspense-driven narrative, catering primarily to genre enthusiasts.

‘The Housemaid’ (2026)

In its ninth week of release, this adaptation of Freida McFadden’s bestseller added $1,110,000 to its gross. The thriller has displayed remarkable legs, amassing a total domestic cume of $125,367,977 for Lionsgate. Despite losing 890 theaters, it maintained a presence in 1,140 locations with a per-screen average of $973. The plot centers on a woman who takes a job as a live-in housekeeper, only to discover her wealthy employers harbor dark secrets.

‘Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie’ (2026)

Neon’s niche comedy release managed to crack the chart despite playing in only 365 theaters. The film opened with $1,250,000, boasting a strong per-theater average of $3,424. This continuation of the cult hit series features Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol in their perpetual, chaotic quest to book a show at the Rivoli. The limited release strategy proved effective for attracting the dedicated fanbase of the original property without overextending screen counts.

‘The Strangers: Chapter 3’ (2026)

The final installment of the horror trilogy fell to the eleventh spot with $2,275,000 in its second weekend. With a 34.5% drop, the Lionsgate release has brought its total domestic earnings to $6,953,865. The film continues the terrifying saga of a young couple terrorized by masked strangers in a remote location. It played in 2,565 theaters, seeing a significant dip in attendance as horror audiences shifted toward other genre offerings.

‘Dracula’ (2026)

Vertical Entertainment’s take on the classic vampire mythos earned $3,000,932 in its second frame. The film experienced a 31.8% decline, bringing its total domestic gross to $9,001,471 after two weeks. Screening in 1,787 theaters, this iteration focuses on the tragic romance and origin of the famous Count. The modest hold suggests niche interest in this specific retelling of Bram Stoker’s legendary character rather than a broad blockbuster appeal.

‘Iron Lung’ (2026)

Mark Fischbach’s claustrophobic horror adaptation dropped 45% in its third week, earning $3,300,000. The film has successfully generated $34,100,000 domestically, a significant win for the independent creator-driven project. It played in 2,374 locations as audiences continued to watch the convict pilot a submarine through an ocean of blood. The self-distributed title demonstrates the box office viability of YouTube-native talent transitioning to theatrical formats.

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (2025)

James Cameron’s sci-fi epic continues to draw audiences in its ninth week, adding $3,328,000 to its massive haul. The 20th Century Studios blockbuster has now reached a domestic total of $396,094,244. Despite losing 715 screens, the return to Pandora held steady with only a 4.1% drop from the previous weekend. The film introduces the Ash People, a more aggressive clan of Na’vi, expanding the lore of the planet significantly.

‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die’ (2026)

Opening in the seventh spot, this sci-fi action film grossed $3,620,000 from 1,610 theaters. Distributed by Briarcliff Entertainment, the movie features a “man from the future” narrative centering on a diner in Los Angeles. It secured a per-theater average of $2,248 during its debut weekend. The plot involves a mysterious patron recruiting strangers to save the world from an impending apocalypse, offering a mix of action and ensemble drama.

‘Zootopia 2’ (2025)

Disney’s animated sequel remains a powerhouse in its twelfth week, earning $3,760,000. With a domestic cumulative gross of $419,371,739, it stands as one of the most successful releases of the season. Officers Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde return to solve a new mystery that takes them into unexplored districts of the mammalian metropolis. The family-friendly film experienced a remarkably low drop of 6.1%, showing enduring appeal even months after its premiere.

‘Solo Mio’ (2026)

Angel Studios saw their latest release hold incredibly well in its second weekend, dropping only 2.9% to earn $6,800,000. The film has grossed $17,332,356 domestically after expanding to 3,000 theaters. It achieved a per-theater average of $2,266, continuing the studio’s streak of mobilizing community-driven audiences. The steady performance indicates strong word-of-mouth for this theatrical exclusive, allowing it to remain in the top five.

‘Send Help’ (2026)

Walt Disney Studios’ horror-comedy landed in fourth place with $8,968,000. In its third week, the film has reached a total gross of $47,898,525 despite a slight 0.9% drop. Directed by Sam Raimi, the story follows two employees who become stranded on a deserted island with their insufferable boss. The film played in 2,975 theaters, maintaining a solid average of $3,014 per screen as it capitalized on the holiday weekend crowd.

‘Crime 101’ (2026)

Amazon MGM Studios launched this high-profile crime thriller to the tune of $15,136,000. Based on the novella by Don Winslow, the film follows a detective looking for the missing link in a series of jewel thefts along the Pacific Coast Highway. It debuted in 3,161 theaters with a healthy per-theater average of $4,788. The narrative focuses on a singular perpetrator who lives by a strict code to avoid capture, drawing audiences with its tense, heist-driven plot.

‘GOAT’ (2026)

Sony Pictures Releasing secured the runner-up position with a strong $26,000,000 opening. This sports-centric psychological horror film produced by Jordan Peele played in 3,863 locations. With a per-theater average of $6,730, it drew significant audiences with its premise about a promising young athlete invited to train at a mysterious, isolated facility. The film explores the terrifying cost of achieving perfection in professional sports, blending genre thrills with social commentary.

‘Wuthering Heights’ (2026)

Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of the Emily Brontë classic topped the box office with a debut of $34,800,000. Warner Bros. released the gothic romance in 3,682 theaters, resulting in a commanding per-theater average of $9,451. The film stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the tormented lovers Catherine and Heathcliff on the Yorkshire moors. This modern vision of the literary masterpiece proved to be the weekend’s primary draw for moviegoers, dominating the conversation and ticket sales.

Share your thoughts on which of these new releases you plan to see in the comments.