Emerald Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights' Secures Top Spot at Box Office with $34.8 Million Debut
Emerald Fennell's audacious reinterpretation of the classic novel Wuthering Heights has stormed to the summit of the North American box office, amassing an impressive $34.8 million in its inaugural weekend. This Warner Bros. release, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the ill-fated lovers Catherine and Heathcliff, not only clinched the number one position but also set the benchmark for the year's most substantial opening thus far.
Female Audience Drives Success Amid Mixed Critical Reception
According to studio estimates released on Sunday, the romantic drama's triumph was significantly propelled by female moviegoers. PostTrak polling data reveals that a striking 76% of the opening weekend audience consisted of women, underscoring the film's targeted appeal. With the extended Presidents Day holiday on Monday, projections indicate that the domestic total could swell to approximately $40 million from its 3,682 locations.
Despite its commercial success, Fennell's version, which takes considerable creative liberties with Emily Brontë's original text, has garnered a divided critical response. Currently holding a mixed 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film also received a modest B CinemaScore from audiences. Only 51% of initial viewers expressed a definitive intention to recommend the picture to friends, suggesting a nuanced reception among the public.
Strong International Performance and Future Prospects
The film's financial achievements extend well beyond North American shores. Internationally, Wuthering Heights is anticipated to generate an additional $42 million from 76 territories, contributing to a robust global debut of around $82 million over the four-day period. With forthcoming releases scheduled in Japan and Vietnam on February 27, followed by a Chinese premiere on March 13, the production's revenue trajectory appears promising.
Reportedly produced on a budget of $80 million, excluding substantial marketing expenditures, the Warner Bros./MRC collaboration faces the ongoing challenge of recouping its investment. However, the strong opening figures provide a solid foundation for future profitability.
Weekend Competitors and Industry Milestones
Wuthering Heights outperformed several other new releases during the weekend. In second place, Sony's animated feature GOAT, produced by basketball icon Stephen Curry, garnered an estimated $26 million from 3,863 locations. Projected to reach $32 million by Monday, this family-friendly film marks the most significant animated debut since Elemental in 2023 and earned a favourable A CinemaScore from audiences.
Meanwhile, Amazon MGM Studios' heist thriller Crime 101, starring Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, opened with an estimated $15.1 million from 3,161 theaters. With a reported production budget exceeding $90 million, the film faces an uphill battle to achieve profitability. Audiences, predominantly male at 56%, awarded it a B CinemaScore.
Further down the charts, Briarcliff Entertainment's sci-fi comedy Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die, featuring Sam Rockwell and Haley Lu Richardson, collected an estimated $3.6 million from 1,610 locations.
In a separate industry milestone, The Walt Disney Studios celebrated becoming the first studio to surpass $1 billion at the global box office in 2026. This achievement was largely driven by the enduring success of Avatar: Fire and Ash, with additional support from Zootopia 2, which continues to hold a position in the top ten after twelve consecutive weekends.
