Full Breakdown
Box Office Showdown: "GOAT" vs. "Wuthering Heights"
2/21/2026, 7:58:42 PM
Current Box Office Standings
The domestic box office is witnessing a competitive weekend as Sony Pictures Animation's "GOAT" and Warner Bros.' "Wuthering Heights" vie for the top spot. Both films are projected to earn between $14 million and $15 million, with "Wuthering Heights" having previously dominated the Valentine’s Day weekend with a $32.8 million three-day gross and a total of $37.5 million over four days. In its international debut, "Wuthering Heights" grossed $45.5 million across more than 75 markets, leading to a global total of approximately $83 million. As of this weekend, "Wuthering Heights" is expected to surpass "GOAT" with a worldwide total nearing $150 million.
Performance Analysis
"GOAT" opened to a strong $35 million domestically over its initial four days, with a three-day total of $26 million. In its second weekend, it is estimated to earn around $14 million, bringing its domestic total to approximately $54 million after ten days in theaters. The film's performance is comparable to DreamWorks' "Dog Man," indicating a solid reception among audiences. Industry estimates suggest "GOAT" could achieve a domestic run exceeding $100 million, bolstered by positive word-of-mouth.
Conversely, "Wuthering Heights" is projected to experience a 55% drop in its second weekend, reflecting the typical decline for romance films following a holiday boost. Despite this, it has already accumulated a domestic total of about $60 million and has surpassed that figure globally.
New Releases and Competition
In addition to the ongoing competition between "GOAT" and "Wuthering Heights," Lionsgate's faith-based sequel "I Can Only Imagine 2" is anticipated to debut in third place with an estimated $8 million to $9 million from over 3,100 locations. This sequel follows the success of its predecessor, which grossed $83.1 million domestically. However, it is expected to open significantly lower than the original, which had a $17.1 million debut.
Financial Implications
Both "GOAT" and "Wuthering Heights" have reported production budgets of approximately $80 million, suggesting that their break-even points could be as high as $200 million. Despite the challenges, both films are positioned to potentially reach these figures by the end of their theatrical runs.
Conclusion
The combined performance of "GOAT," "Wuthering Heights," and "I Can Only Imagine 2" has contributed to a domestic box office total of $75.4 million this weekend, only 3% lower than the same period in 2025. As the competition continues, the outcomes of these films will be closely monitored, particularly with the impending release of Pixar's "Hoppers," which could further impact box office dynamics in the coming weeks.
