It wasn’t a “Barbie”-sized opening, but Margot Robbie will take it.
The actress’ “Wuthering Heights,” the umpteenth (more than 30!) take on Emily Brontë’s novel, scored big at the box office over the weekend. The Emerald Fennell drama generated $34.8 million at U.S. movie theaters, a tidy figure, if not as big as some early predictions suggested.
The film’s marketing secret? It’s not rocket science.
- Two beautiful stars
- Opulent settings
- A lopsided love triangle
- Class divisions meant to keep the lovers apart
That’s all the film needed to break out at the box office. It helps that Robbie is one of Hollywood’s most beautiful starlets, and rising star Jacob Elordi is easy on the eyes, too.
Patrons want to see attractive people in movies. That hunger will never change, no matter how many “male gaze” essays or “body positivity” TikToks go viral.
And, of course, we just celebrated Valentine’s Day, so the timing couldn’t be better.
The same is holding true for Kevin James’ “Solo Mio.” The “King of Queens” alum isn’t the first, second or fiftieth name that comes to mind when we think “movie romance.” The comic actor decided to expand his brand for a sweet tale of a middle-aged man left at the altar in Rome.
Naturally, he meets a beguiling Italian woman following his romantic crash and burn. He has to learn to love again with someone new.
The film scored an impressive $7 million in its opening frame despite coming from the new-ish shingle, Angel Studios. Even better?
The film dropped just 2.9 percent in its second weekend, snagging another $6.8 million.
The news wasn’t as good for “Eternity,” a late 2025 release starring Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller and Callum Turner. The film earned a modest $16 million during its theatrical run despite the starry cast.
The story didn’t end there.
The film just bowed in Apple TV+ and quickly dethroned “F1” on the streaming platform. It also came in first on Apple’s international charts in 86 countries.
RELATED: ‘I WANT YOU BACK’ RESTORES SANITY TO ROM-COMS
Rom-coms no longer dominate the cineplex. Many go straight to streaming, while Hollywood has yet to find a Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan-like combo to anchor romantic movies.
Romantic movies still fill a void in our digital content age. The “Date Movie” concept hasn’t gone away, at least not yet. Young lovers crave stories to fuel their budding romances. Older couples rarely get movies that speak to their unique relationships, but occasionally Hollywood will deliver.
Three such films jump to mind.
“Last Chance Harvey” (2008) showcased older actors Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson falling in love, albeit slowly. “At Middleton” (2013) featured parents of college-age kids (Andy Garcia, Vera Farmiga) getting to know one another during a campus visit.
A newer entry opens in limited release this week, but it offers a darker look at long-term relationships. “Midwinter Break” stars Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds as an older couple traveling through Amsterdam.
The vacation takes a dour turn when Manville’s character recalls an old trauma and a spiritual path unfulfilled.
“Midwinter Break” will be a tougher sell for mainstream audiences, given its somber tone and patient pacing. Chances are, plenty of older viewers will seek it out, either in theaters or its eventual streaming debut.
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