‘Send Help’ and ‘Iron Lung’ battle it out | Weekend of January 30

It was another somewhat soft box office this past weekend, though things did rebound nicely from the previous weekend’s snow-and-ice-related lethargy.

Year to date, the box office is at +6% from this time last year — a strong indication that even with a few misses and some bad weather thrown in, the industry is poised for a strong year. 

A plane crash, an outer space submarine, and the First Lady

This weekend delivered an interesting split outcome at the box office: the film that topped revenue was not the one that brought the most people into theaters.

That distinction came down to a thin margin. Fewer than 200,000 tickets separated Iron Lung and Send Help, with the former narrowly claiming the #1 spot in admissions. 

Revenue told a different story, however — Send Help took the top box office position, finishing just over $1.3M ahead. A key factor: Send Help played in nearly 500 more theaters, giving it greater access to higher-priced showtimes and fewer matinee-driven admissions.

Iron Lung, a sci-horror title based on a video game, proved to be the more “must-see” experience on a per-theater basis. Reviews were hard to pin down — some critics found it slow and dense, while others praised its immersive effects and relentlessly “suffocating” atmosphere. The film took in 24% of all admissions, but slid to #2 in revenue with 21%.

Send Help delivered a strong and well-rounded performance, accounting for 21% of admissions and 23% of total revenue. Reviews for Sam Raimi’s latest have been largely positive with several calling it a “gonzo return to form” for the Evil Dead director. Strong word of mouth, broader theatrical reach, and premium pricing helped push it to the top of the revenue chart.

Not to be overlooked was Melania, which debuted in just over 1,700 theaters—roughly half the footprint of Iron Lung and Send Help. Even with that smaller release, it delivered a solid showing, taking in 11% of admissions and 9% of revenue, and outperforming pre-weekend expectations that had it closer to the $5M range. 

Early audience data for the First Lady-focused, Brett Ratner-directed documentary suggests a heavily male skew (69%), with an older crowd overall—35% of attendees were over 55—pointing to a clearly defined, and motivated, audience. It’s clearly a polarizing experience, if one goes by the wild skew on Rotten Tomatoes: 5% critic’s rating VS 99% audience approval.  

The final new entrant of the weekend was Shelter, which landed with mixed-to-positive reviews. While some critics praised its ambition, others—RogerEbert.com included—ultimately labeled it “middle of the road,” signaling a tougher climb in the weeks ahead.

Kevin James gets stood up, and The Strangers break in

Opening Friday is Solo Mio, the latest comedy-romance from Kevin James. The film is earning mostly positive reviews as a light, feel-good crowd-pleaser. James stars as a groom left at the altar who decides to take his planned Italian honeymoon solo—cue culture shock, self-discovery, and plenty of laughs.

Produced on a modest budget, Solo Mio marks James’ first headline role in over a decade and his first collaboration with Angel Studios, making it a notable comeback moment for the comedian.

Also opening this weekend with a very different vibe is The Strangers: Chapter 3, the fifth installment in the nearly 20-year-old home-invasion horror franchise. Familiar IP and genre loyalty should keep horror fans engaged, setting up a close race at the box office. Be careful who you open your door to...

Both films are tracking to debut around $5 million, but the ratings difference could be the deciding factor. With Solo Mio rated PG and The Strangers carrying an R, Solo Mio may have the edge when it comes to actual admissions—even if the dollar totals are neck and neck.

There’s a big X factor that could shake up box office predictions, though, and that’s Superbowl LX on February 8. We’ll have to see how the Seahawks and Patriots affect cinema turnout.

Valentine’s Day Weekend brings Wuthering Heights, a playful goat, and more

With Valentine’s Day approaching, the box office is once again leaning into the idea of dinner and a movie. Historically, the weekend has been a launchpad for date-night fare—Fifty Shades of Grey comes to mind—but the biggest Valentine’s Day debut still belongs to Deadpool (2016).

This year’s headliner is Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights. Early reactions are divided: some critics are calling it a “god-tier new classic,” while others dismiss it as a “bodice-ripping” departure from the source material. Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, the film is tracking well, positioning it as the weekend’s primary adult draw.

Balancing that is a much-needed family option. GOAT, from Sony Animation—the studio behind KPop Demon Hunters and the Spider-Verse films—hits theaters at a moment when family audiences are underserved. The fact that Zootopia 2 is still hanging onto the top 10 after ten weeks underscores the demand for fresh animated content, and this plucky, roarball-playing goat is happy to oblige.   

Also entering the mix is Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, a chaotic, high-octane sci-fi comedy. Reviews are mixed, but its supporters applaud its boldness and pointed anti-AI message. With Sam Rockwell leading the cast, it’s a clear swing for something different—and one that could find its audience. At the very least, it has a title you won’t soon forget. 

Rounding out the new releases is, which some critics are already calling the first great film of 2026. With a stacked cast—Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, and Barry Keoghan—and a heist-filled storyline adapted from a novella by the excellent Don Winslow, this one has all the ingredients to steal the show. 

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