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SEND HELP on theatre marquees this weekend looked like a message from exhibitors to distributors.

After a soft January, exhibs need films audiences want to see. That should start happening with WB’s WUTHERING HEIGHTS (2/13) and Paramount’s SCREAM 7 (2/27).

This weekend saw Disney/20th Century Studios’ R rated thriller SEND HELP open #1 to $20M, per Comscore, at 3,475 theatres ($5,755). BUDGET BUZZ: $40M to produce.

Directed by Sam Rami (SPIDER-MAN), it stars Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien & Edyll Ismail. It’s tracking best for first choice with women over 25 (one point over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics are thumbs-up at 93% and audiences are fine at 87%.

YouTube star Mark (Markiplier) Fishbach’s R rated sci-fi thriller IRON LUNG kicked off #2, self-distrib via his Markiplier Studios, to $17.9M at 3,015 theatres ($5,924), per Comscore. Fishbach directed, wrote, co-edited & executive produced. Based on a hit videogame, it stars Fischbach & Elsie Lovelock.

It’s tracking best for first choice with men under 25 (one point over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics hate it at 50%, but audiences are enjoying it at 89%. BUDGET BUZZ: $3M to produce.

Domestic ticket sales were $84.3M, according to Comscore Head of Marketplace Trends Paul Dergarabedian. That’s up 50.7% from the prior weekend and down 3% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2026 at $660.6M, up 11.78% from $591M in 2025. The prior weekend had 2026 up 13.74% vs. 2025.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: Amazon MGM Studios’ PG documentary MELANIA opened #3 to an over-performing $7.04M at 1,778  theatres ($3,960). Hollywood handicappers were projecting $3-5M. Directed by Brett Ratner (RUSH HOUR), it stars Melania Trump. Rotten Tomatoes critics detest it at 10%, but audiences love it at 99%.

MELANIA’s strength was with middle-America and its solid results modelled how faith-based films perform. BUDGET BUZZ: Amazon paid $40M for the rights (including three additional episodes for streaming on Prime) and spent $35M on marketing.

Disney’s ZOOTOPIA 2 was #4 in weekend 10 with $5.8M (+9.4%) at 2,880 theatres ($). It’s done $408.96M domestic & $1.37B worldwide.

New indie Black Bear’s R rated action thriller SHELTER opened fifth to $5.505M at 2,726 theaters ($2,019). BUDGET BUZZ: $50M to produce.

Directed by Ric Roman Waugh (GREENLAND), it stars Jason Statham. Rotten Tomatoes are critics are a blah 64%, but audiences like it at 88%.

Next weekend (2/6/26) 🐝🐝🐝🐝: Lionsgate’s R rated thriller THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3, is opening at about 2,400 theatres. It’s tracking best and equally well for first choice with men under and over 25 & women under 25 (equal to norm).

Directed by Renny Harlin (DEVIL’S PASS), it stars Madelaine Petsch, Richard Brake & Janis Ahern.