In a weekend where most moviegoers traded theaters for touchdowns, Dog Man proved it’s still the top dog at the box office. The animated family flick held onto its No. 1 spot for the second week in a row, raking in $15.2 million despite the Super Bowl Sunday slowdown. Meanwhile, newcomers Heart Eyes and Love Hurts stumbled out of the gate, failing to capture much attention in an already quiet weekend.
Dog Man, based on the popular children’s book series, has been a surprise hit with families, offering a mix of humor and heart that’s clearly resonating with audiences. Its staying power is a testament to the lack of family-friendly competition, as well as its ability to draw in both kids and parents looking for a fun escape.
On the other hand, Heart Eyes, a romantic comedy about a quirky love triangle, and Love Hurts, a dramatic tale of second chances, barely made a dent. Heart Eyes opened with a modest $4.8 million, while Love Hurts trailed even further behind with $3.1 million. Both films struggled to attract attention in a weekend dominated by football fever and streaming binges.
Industry experts point to the Super Bowl effect as a major factor in the sluggish numbers. “Super Bowl weekend is always tricky for theaters,” says box office analyst Sarah Collins. “People are either hosting parties, watching the game, or recovering from it. It’s not the best time to release new films unless they’re big event movies.”
While Dog Man continues to wag its tail at the top, the real question is whether it can maintain its momentum as the post-Super Bowl lull fades and new releases hit theaters. Upcoming films like the action-packed Shadow Strike and the sci-fi thriller Eclipse are expected to shake things up in the coming weeks.
For now, Dog Man is enjoying its time in the spotlight, proving that even on a weekend dominated by football, a lovable animated hero can still steal the show. As for Heart Eyes and Love Hurts, they’ll need more than just puppy love to recover from their slow start.
Stay tuned to see if Dog Man can keep its leash on the competition or if next weekend’s releases will finally dethrone the box office champ!