Paramount/Spyglass’ Scream 7 scored the best opening year to date for a Hollywood movie with $97.2M at the global weekend box office. As we told you there were myriad records broken for both a Paramount horror pic opening and a Scream franchise movie. Our full analysis of Scream 7‘s international is here.
However, post New Year’s titles from China continued to take spots in the overall global top 10, Comscore reporting that racecar movie Pegasus 3 zoomed into second with a $50.3M WW weekend, the bulk of which is China plus $806K from domestic. Maoyan reports that the running cume is well past a half billion at $554.2M.
Wuthering Heights from Warner Bros/MRC was third with $22.6M ($15.6M from 79 markets, -41%) and another $7M from domestic, -50%. Global stands at $192M, close to $120M of that from foreign. Top markets in weekend three were UK ($3M, -42%, 971 screens, $28.3M cume), Australia ($1.7M, -35%, 320 screens, $11.1M cume), Mexico ($1.2M, -40%, 1,317 screens and $8M total). By the way, as we mentioned in the Scream 7 report, the unrest from the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel head Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, began calming before the weekend, with people making their way back to the movies in a market that was ruled by Scream 7. Italy did $1.2M at 635, -64%, for a running cume of $11.5M. Germany was $904K, -47%, at 565 screens, for a running total of $6.5M.
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Sony Pictures Animation’s GOAT in fourth count $21.3M around the globe in 54 territories and a running cume of $130.5M ($56.5M of that from offshore, close to $74M domestic). Foreign markets dipped 45% for an international weekend of $9.3M on 8,700 screens. Domestic’s third sesh was $12M. The UK grossed $1.2M in its 3rd frame, lifting its cume to $16.1M, while France inched down -15% to add $1.1M in its third weekend for a total there of $4.5M. Other notable holds include: Spain (-0%), Portugal (-12%), New Zealand (-12%), Chile (-13%), Peru (-16%), Sweden (-17%), Taiwan (-22%), Denmark (-26%), Mexico (-26%), Italy (-29%), Colombia (-30%), Netherlands (-43%), and Austria (-46%). Upcoming markets for the Stephen Curry production include Australia (March 12), China (March 14), Saudi Arabia (April 23), South Korea (April TBD).
China’s Blades of the Guardians based on a popular magna there took in $21.1M (largely China with $229K domestic). Pic’s entire cume rises to $166.9M (mostly China except for $1.2M stateside). The average ticket price for Blades and Pegasus 3 is $6.41.
Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal in ‘Hamnet’
Focus Features / courtesy Everett Collection
Outside the top ten, but a great honorable mention, is Focus Features’ eight Oscar nominated Hamnet which has accumulated $93.1M around the world to date. Fifty four offshore territories rang up $3M, a -54% decline, while domestic delivered around $155K at 285 sites. In Sweden, Hamnet opened to $180k this weekend, across 160 screens ranking No.5 in the market. The bow was above The Favourite and Poor Things, well above Banshees of Inisherin, The Brutalist, Belfast, and more than double Conclave ( 118%). Hamnet also hit the stage in Korea with a $167K debut including $39K previews. The movie is playing into a national holiday on Monday across 350 screens. Hamnet’s opening weekend was double The Banshees of Inisherin, having already surpassed Belfast‘s total lifetime. The Chloé Zhao-directed movie received excellent reactions in the market (CGV Egg 96%). Norway delivered $164k this weekend (incl. $29k previews) across 150 screens at No.2 behind Scream 7. The start is well above The Brutalist, The Banshees of Inisherin and more than double The Favourite. WOM has been strong with leading media outlets rating the film an excellent 6/6. Central America grossed $75K overall at No.4, in-line with The Brutalist and above The Favourite. Hamnet has already surpassed the total lifetimes of Manchester by the Sea and Past Lives.
The rest of the bottom five are as follows per ComScore:
6. The King’s Warden (Korea) 4 terr WW Weekend $15.1M ($15M intl’) , Global cume $54.8M ($54.2M int’l, $0.5M dom)/Wk 6
7. Scare Out (China) 7 terri, WW Weekend $14.3M, Global Cume $160M ($0.27M U.S., bulk is China)/Wk 2
8. Bonnie Bears: The Hidden Protector (China) 2 terr WW Weekend $13.2M, Global Cume $139.3M (majority is China)/Wk 2
‘EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert’
Neon
9. EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert 48 terr, WW Weekend $8.67M ($3.5M dom, $5.1M int’l), WW Global Cume $14.3M ($7.8M dom, $6.5M int’l)/Wk 2
Universal has overseas on the NEON handled domestic Baz Luhrmann documentary. Pic’s forig weekend is well above The Beatles: Eight Days a Week and more than double Moonage Daydream at the same point. UK and Ireland made $2.5M ($1M from previews) at 700 sites ranking No. 3 behind Scream 7 and Wuthering Heights. EPiC reps the third biggesting for a documentary of all-time behind One Direction: This Is Us and Michael Jackson’s This Is It. EPiC‘s IMAX previews also took the highest grossing week ever for a documentary in IMAX, outgrossing Moonage Daydream. EPiC is also on track to become the highest grossing feature length documentary ever at the BFI IMAX in the coming days. EPiC is the first documentary ever to release on more than 600 sites in the UK & Ireland, having eclipsed the previous widest opening documentary, Oceans with David Attenborough by over 100 locations. In Australia, EPiC added $496K this weekend for a cume of $1.9M, having already surpassed the total lifetimes of The Beatles: Eight Days A Week, Amy and Free Solo. EPiC dropped -48% from last weekend’s opening, and ranked No.4 behind Scream 7, Wuthering Heights and Crime 101. Germany opened to a strong $419K this weekend, including $50K from IMAX previews. That was well above Moonage Daydream and Amy and more than double Beatles: Eight Days a Week. EPiC opened across 369 screens this weekend, including 14 IMAX screens.
10. Night King (Hong Kong) 8 terr, WW Weekend $7.38M, Global Total $26.7M ($467K is from domestic). Through ten days, the Wai-Lun Ng directed comedy about night club that’s trying to keep the lights on counts $20.5M in China alone.
‘Scream 7’ Record Loud, But ‘Pegasus 3’ Zooms Past Half Billion, ‘Wuthering Heights’ nears $200M WW, ‘Hamnet’ Hits $93M+ WW – Global Box Office
‘Scream 7’ Breaks Franchise Box Office Records with Explosive debut
The latest installment of the beloved horror franchise, Scream 7, has roared into theaters, smashing previous franchise records with an electrifying opening weekend. The film grossed an impressive $64.1 million domestically during its debut, pushing its total 3-day weekend earnings to over $110.9 million.
Paramount’s collaboration with Spyglass adn Skydance has truly paid off, giving theaters a substantial boost during a traditionally slower winter season. This strong performance marks a remarkable 50% year-over-year increase compared to the same box office slot last year, highlighting the franchise’s continued appeal to horror fans and general audiences alike.
- Domestic opening weekend: $64.1 million
- Total 3-day weekend gross: $110.9 million
- Global opening: Nearly $97 million worldwide
- Box office milestone: Franchise-best launch for scream series
The critical and commercial success of Scream 7 continues to underline the timelessness of the slasher genre and the genius of its revival strategy.
‘Pegasus 3’ Rockets Beyond $500 Million Globally
Simultaneously occurring, the high-flying Pegasus 3 is soaring past box office expectations by zooming past the half-billion-dollar mark worldwide. This blockbuster hit’s momentum shows no sign of slowing, captivating international audiences with its blend of thrilling storytelling and top-notch special effects.
Key factors that contributed to Pegasus 3‘s immense success include:
- Strong fanbase carryover from previous installments
- Wide global release strategy maximizing international market potential
- Positive word of mouth and favorable critical reception
- Effective digital and social media marketing campaigns
The film’s unprecedented global gross highlights how franchise sequels, when executed properly, can generate massive revenue flow across multiple regions. Industry insiders are closely watching pegasus 3 as a case study for future tentpole releases worldwide.
‘Wuthering Heights’ Nears $200 Million Worldwide Milestone
In a sensational box office uptick, the cinematic adaptation of the classic novel Wuthering Heights approaches the $200 million mark globally. this impressive figure underscores the enduring appeal of literary adaptations that combine classic tales with engaging film craftsmanship.
The success of Wuthering Heights is also attributed to:
- Strong performances by acclaimed actors
- visually stunning production design and cinematography
- Emotional resonance with a broad demographic ranging from literature lovers to casual moviegoers
- Art house appeal translating into sustainable box office results
This film’s resilient earnings reinforce the viability of period dramas to thrive commercially when marketed effectively, contributing to the diversity of high-grossing global releases.
‘hamnet’ Surpasses $93 Million Worldwide and Gains Momentum
The stirring drama Hamnet continues its global climb with worldwide grosses now over $93 million. Capitalizing on literary prestige and gripping narrative, hamnet has garnered critical praise and a solid audience turnout globally.
Highlights of Hamnet’s box office journey include:
- Targeted international release expanding viewer base
- Particularly strong performances and authentic period detailing
- Growing buzz from film festivals and award circuits
- Synergy between arts-focused marketing and wider distributor support
Hamnet’s success story highlights how smaller scale dramatic films can carve out critically important niches in today’s competitive box office landscape.
Global Box Office Overview: comparative Earnings
| Film Title | Domestic Gross | International Gross | Total Global box Office | Opening Weekend | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scream 7 | $64.1M | $32.9M | $97M | $110.9M (3-day) | february 2026 |
| Pegasus 3 | $200M | $310M+ | $510M+ | N/A | January 2026 |
| Wuthering Heights | $75M | $120M | ~$195M | N/A | February 2026 |
| Hamnet | $45M | $48M+ | $93M+ | N/A | February 2026 |
Box Office Trends and Takeaways for 2026
The recent box office milestones achieved by these diverse films reveal several emerging trends shaping the industry in 2026:
- Franchise Power: Movies like Scream 7 and Pegasus 3 demonstrate how proven franchises still command massive audience loyalty and strong box office returns.
- Global Appeal: International markets continue to drive total grosses,emphasizing the importance of worldwide release strategies and localization.
- Genre Diversity: From horror and action to period drama and literary adaptations, a wide range of genres are achieving commercial success, broadening audience choices.
- Winter Box Office Resurgence: These successes reinvigorate the traditionally quieter winter months with high-profile releases attracting viewers to cinemas.
Practical Tips for Box Office Success Inspired by Recent Hits
Producers and distributors can glean valuable lessons from the campaigns behind these film blockbusters:
- Capitalize on franchise History: Leverage brand recognition and fan loyalty with well-crafted sequels and revitalizations.
- Optimize Global Distribution: Plan release windows and tailor marketing to specific regional preferences for maximum impact.
- Invest in Story and Production Quality: High production values combined with engaging narratives can attract diverse audience demographics.
- Utilize Digital & Social Media Marketing: Build buzz early through interactive and targeted online campaigns to amplify word of mouth.
First-Hand Audience Experiance: Why the Buzz Around ‘Scream 7’ Is Real
moviegoers from various regions have shared eager feedback about the Scream 7 experience, frequently enough citing its thrilling pace, clever writing, and respectful nods to franchise lore. The film successfully balances nostalgia with fresh horror twists, making it enjoyable both for long-time fans and newcomers. Many praise the theatre atmosphere and special effects, which elevate the scare factor, enhancing the communal viewing excitement.
