Wuthering Heights Leads Global Box Office
GOAT Poised for No. 1 Hold as I Can Only Imagine 2 Debuts – Family Animation & Faith Sequel Lead Weekend Battle for NRI Families
Hyderabad/Global – February 19, 2026 – Following a strong Presidents’ Day holiday weekend where Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights led with $41 million domestic (and strong international appeal), the US box office transitions to holdovers and new family/faith entries this weekend (February 20-22, 2026). Sony Pictures Animation’s breakout hit GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) is tracking to reclaim the top spot with a solid second-weekend hold, while Lionsgate’s inspirational sequel I Can Only Imagine 2 arrives wide, offering uplifting content that resonates deeply with NRI households valuing family values, faith, and positive messaging.
Sony’s GOAT—the PG-rated animated comedy about a talented goat pursuing dreams in a high-energy animal sport (produced with basketball star Stephen Curry’s involvement)—delivered a surprise-strong debut of $27.2 million three-day/$32-35 million four-day over Presidents’ Day, pushing its domestic total to $38 million+ (and $53-54 million worldwide per The Numbers and Box Office Mojo). With an “A” CinemaScore, 93% audience Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes, and lingering winter breaks in 16% of US schools, projections from Deadline and Boxoffice Pro see it holding at $15-22 million this weekend (a ~40-50% drop), potentially topping the chart again. For NRIs, especially families in the US (Texas, California, New Jersey) or UAE/Canada with kids, this lighthearted, fun adventure provides a wholesome alternative to R-rated fare—think broad laughs, heart, and sports energy appealing across generations.
Challenging closely is I Can Only Imagine 2 (Lionsgate/Kingdom Story Company), the faith-based sequel to the 2018 hit ($83 million+ domestic) about MercyMe singer Bart Millard’s life struggles, redemption, and music. Releasing wide on February 20 across ~3,000 screens, early tracking estimates $8-10 million (with some optimistic forecasts from Boxoffice Theory reaching $10-19 million, including strong church-group turnout and early worship screenings). The PG drama emphasizes themes of faith, family, forgiveness, and overcoming personal crises—striking a chord with many NRI communities rooted in cultural and spiritual values, similar to how films like Jesus Revolution or Unbroken performed in diaspora markets. Expect solid word-of-mouth in heartland US theaters and international chains where faith content draws crowds.
Holdovers add depth:
- Wuthering Heights (Warner Bros., Margot Robbie/Jacob Elordi) eyes $11-15 million in weekend 2 (55-65% drop), maintaining adult drama appeal for NRI cinephiles in urban areas.
- Other entries like A24’s How to Make a Killing (Glen Powell comedy-thriller about inheritance and family drama) hit limited/wide on February 20, offering witty, character-driven laughs for adult viewers.
Overall weekend projections hover at $65-80 million domestic—stable post-holiday—with family and faith films driving much of the action. This slate suits NRI preferences: animated fun for kids, inspirational stories for families, and diverse options amid quieter February.
Catch these in theaters—check AMC, Regal, Cinemark (US), Cineplex (Canada), Vox/Odeon (UK/UAE), or PVR/INOX (if rolling out internationally). Trailers showcase GOAT‘s hilarious animal antics and high-energy action, while I Can Only Imagine 2 highlights emotional, uplifting moments. With strong audience scores, both could enjoy good legs into March.
Stay tuned to www.nriglobe.com for more NRI-centric Hollywood coverage, including how these perform in diaspora markets, OTT crossovers, and Bollywood-Hollywood blend recommendations.
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