GOAT Surpasses Wuthering Heights at the Box Office

Sony Pictures Animation's "GOAT," produced by NBA star Stephen Curry, has claimed the top spot at the North American box office, earning $17 million during its second weekend of release. This marks a modest 38% decline from its debut, bringing its domestic total to $58.3 million and its global tally to $102.3 million. In contrast, Warner Bros.' "Wuthering Heights," featuring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, earned $14.2 million, experiencing a steeper 57% drop from its opening weekend, resulting in a domestic total of $60 million and a worldwide gross of $151.7 million.

Variety Magazine

The box office weekend was characterized by a lack of strong new releases, with "I Can Only Imagine 2," a sequel to the 2018 film about the Christian band MercyMe, debuting in third place with $8 million. Despite its lower opening compared to its predecessor, which grossed $17 million, the sequel received an A+ CinemaScore from audiences. Other films in the top five included Amazon's "Crime 101," which earned $5.8 million, and Disney's "Send Help," which brought in $4.5 million.

The Wrap

"GOAT" has been well-received, attributed to positive word-of-mouth, while "Wuthering Heights" has seen a decline in interest following its Valentine’s Day release. The animated film's success underscores the ongoing appeal of family-friendly content in a box office landscape still recovering from the pandemic. Meanwhile, "Psycho Killer," a horror film from 20th Century Studios, performed poorly, earning only $1.6 million and receiving a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Family Film ‘GOAT’ Narrowly Beats ‘Wuthering Heights’ in Slow Movie Weekend

Internationally, "GOAT" has generated $44 million, with the U.K. being its strongest market at $14.5 million. "Wuthering Heights," on the other hand, has garnered $91.7 million overseas, with significant earnings from the U.K., Italy, and Australia. Analysts predict that the box office will see increased activity in the coming weeks, particularly with the release of anticipated titles like "Scream 7" and Pixar's "Hoppers."

Variety Magazine

The contrasting performances of "GOAT" and "Wuthering Heights" highlight the shifting dynamics in audience preferences, particularly favoring animated and family-oriented films during a period of slower box office activity. As the industry looks ahead, the upcoming releases may further influence the box office landscape, potentially revitalizing interest in theaters as they navigate the post-pandemic recovery phase.

Variety Magazine

• “We’re excited to see audiences connecting with ‘EPiC.’ It’s a powerful testament to the enduring impact of the King,” — Elissa Federoff, Chief Distribution Officer, Neon

Variety Magazine

• “These somewhat slower weekends can be a land of opportunity,” — Paul Dergarabedian, Head of Marketplace Trends, Comscore

9News KUSA-TV

While "GOAT" has been reported to have a production budget of $80 million, some sources suggest that the marketing costs may have pushed this figure higher. Additionally, the performance of "Psycho Killer" has been widely criticized, but specific audience feedback metrics remain inconsistent across different reports.

Family Film ‘GOAT’ Narrowly Beats ‘Wuthering Heights’ in Slow Movie Weekend