Disney Hits $1 Billion First in 2026 as 'Wuthering Heights' Leads a Strong Global Weekend

Disney has become the first major studio to cross the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office this year, achieving the milestone just seven weeks into 2026. The feat was propelled by a robust weekend featuring three significant new releases.

Warner Bros.' lavish new adaptation of 'Wuthering Heights' opened to an estimated $82 million globally. The film, which reportedly cost $180 million to produce and market worldwide, posted a stronger international debut (over $42 million) than domestic. Its staying power, given its appeal to a young, female audience, is the next question for exhibitors.

Sony's animated sports comedy 'Goat' scored a solid $48 million worldwide. It earned about $32 million domestically over the four-day Presidents Day frame, contending for the top spot in North America. Internationally, it launched with $15.6 million across 42 markets, performing ahead of recent animated hits like 'The Bad Guys' in comparable territories. Key openings included the U.K. ($4.8M) and Mexico ($1.8M).

Amazon MGM Studios' heist thriller 'Crime 101,' starring Chris Hemsworth, opened to $30 million globally. It found its audience as counterprogramming, earning $12 million internationally. The film led the box office in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and placed second in Australia and New Zealand. With 20 markets still to open, the release underscores Amazon's continued investment in theatrical windows.

In holdover business, Disney's 'Zootopia 2' added another $15.5 million globally, pushing its world total to a staggering $1.82 billion. 20th Century Studios' 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' neared the $400 million domestic threshold, with its global cumulative now at $1.46 billion.