The film should hold up nicely with Super Bowl weekend coming up, as studios aren\u2019t really putting anything out. It should also play well as a\u00a0date movie heading into Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n
Iron Lung\u00a0Proves YouTubers Have Box Office Power<\/p>\n
While it didn\u2019t take the top spot,\u00a0Markiplier\u2019s\u00a0Iron Lung<\/a>\u00a0is still a major win for the YouTuber, with the self-distributed feature grossing a huge\u00a0$17.8 million. That\u2019s a major disruption, as Markiplier operated entirely outside the studio system, releasing the film on his own and proving that YouTubers can have serious theatrical pull.<\/p>\n Expect studios to take notice, with it likely that some prominent online figures will soon find themselves cast in major studio properties. It\u2019s a changing world.<\/p>\n Documentary Surprise:\u00a0Melania<\/p>\n Speaking of which, another unexpected win happened this weekend with\u00a0Melania, a documentary about First Lady Melania Trump. The Brett Ratner\u2013directed film is playing very much like a faith-based release, earning an\u00a0A CinemaScore\u00a0and grossing\u00a0$7 million, which is huge for a documentary.<\/p>\n That said, it still has a long way to go to justify its\u00a0rumored $75 million price tag, which is unheard of for the genre. Clearly, distributor Amazon\/MGM is banking on strong streaming performance when the film eventually debuts on Prime Video.<\/p>\n Holdovers and Underperformers<\/p>\n Disney\u2019s\u00a0Zootopia 2\u00a0cracked\u00a0$400 million\u00a0this weekend, adding another $5.8 million for a\u00a0$408 million domestic totaland continuing an impressive ten-week run.<\/p>\n Sadly,\u00a0Jason Statham\u2019s\u00a0Shelter\u00a0fizzled with just\u00a0$5.5 million. Released by new distribution shingle Black Bear, the film had much lower-key marketing than usual\u2014too bad, as director Ric Roman Waugh is quite good (check out our extended interview with him HERE<\/a>).<\/p>\n Avatar: Fire and Ash\u00a0finally started slipping down the charts, earning $5.5 million for a\u00a0$386 million total, though it should have no trouble crossing $400 million by Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n The Chris Pratt\u2013fronted\u00a0Mercy\u00a0dropped 56% to\u00a0$4.7 million, bringing its domestic total to a disappointing $19 million. Like\u00a0Melania, it\u2019s another Amazon\/MGM title expected to fare better on streaming.<\/p>\n Notable Final Numbers<\/p>\n Despite getting into hot water earlier this week for a Hollywood stunt,\u00a0Sydney Sweeney\u00a0had a strong weekend, with\u00a0The Housemaid\u00a0earning another $3.5 million for a massive\u00a0$120 million total. Don\u2019t be surprised if Lionsgate gives it another promotional push for Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n Oscar contender\u00a0Marty Supreme\u00a0added $2.9 million for a\u00a0$90 million total\u00a0(is $100 million out of reach?). Meanwhile,\u00a028 Years Later: The Bone Temple\u00a0continued wrapping up its disastrous run, earning just $1.6 million ($784 per screen) for a grim\u00a0$23.6 million total.<\/p>\n What\u2019s Opening Next Weekend?<\/p>\n Next weekend is a quiet one, with\u00a0The Strangers: Chapter 3\u00a0the only major release.<\/p>\n Do you think\u00a0Send Help\u00a0will hold onto the top spot? Let us know in the comments.<\/p>\n \n Subscribe to our weekly newsletter\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/shelter_review_joblo_jason_statham-1024x538.jpg\")
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