The Presidents Day weekend was a battle between a classic literature adaptation and an original animated sports film, with “Wuthering Heights” taking the crown. However, the 2026 holiday was slower than last year’s superhero-packed weekend.
Emerald Fennell’s R-rated adaptation of Emily Bronte’s classic novel, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, earned an estimated $38 million over the holiday weekend. While the figure fell slightly below the $40 million projections, the film found traction internationally and earned roughly $83 million in the worldwide box office, according to Box Office Mojo.
Coming in a close second place was “GOAT,” an animated “roarball” adventure, produced by Stephen Curry. The film brought in an estimated $35 million in its domestic opening and $50.6 million worldwide, per Box Office Mojo. “GOAT” follows Will (Caleb McLaughlin), a small goat with big dreams to play roarball, coed, full-contact version of basketball played by the animal kingdom’s fiercest and biggest competitors.
Curry also lends his voice to the film, joining a cast that includes Gabrielle Union, Aaron Pierce, David Harbour, Nick Kroll, Jenifer Lewis, Jelly Roll and Patton Oswalt.
Critic reception was mixed. One reviewer wrote, “Lovely visuals, but this is a rare miss from Sony Pictures Animation. Watch KPop Demon Hunters again, instead.”
That sentiment appears to be the minority; others described the film as a “heartfelt animated sports movie” that “is a tribute to overcoming the odds to follow your dream.” Another critic is already petitioning “GOAT” for children’s film of the year.
‘Solo Mio’ second weekend performance
Angel Studios’ “Solo Mio,” starring Kevin James, brought in $7.4 million in its second weekend. According to Box Office Mojo, the film’s total gross is now $17.5 million.
The story follows a heartbroken groom in Rome who turns a ruined honeymoon into the adventure of a lifetime with the help of a few locals and fellow vacationers.
While not matching the blockbuster pace of James’ previous comedies, “Solo Mio” is winning over critics and surprising audiences.
William Bibbiani of The Wrap wrote, “If anything it’s got a staggering amount of heart. It’s the latest Kevin James film that didn’t need to go this hard, but thank goodness it did, because it’s a lovely piece of work.”
2026 holiday weekend totals trail 2025 pace
The 2026 Presidents Day weekend was quieter than last year’s superhero-fueled weekend.
In 2025, the box office was powered by a trio of major releases, including “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Paddington in Peru.”
Last year, “Captain America: Brave New World” dominated the holiday with $88.8 million in its opening weekend, while “Paddington in Peru” debuted to $12.7 million during the same period.