Steamy 'Wuthering Heights' Adaptation Targets $50 Million-Plus Debut

Director Emerald Fennell's gothic romance aims to dominate the President's Day box office.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Director Emerald Fennell's steamy adaptation of the classic novel 'Wuthering Heights' is poised for a strong box office debut, targeting $50 million to $55 million in North America and an additional $30 million to $40 million internationally over the President's Day holiday weekend. The R-rated romantic drama, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, will tower over several new releases, including the animated sports adventure 'GOAT' and the heist thriller 'Crime 101'.

Why it matters

The success of 'Wuthering Heights' would continue a strong box office run for Warner Bros., which had several hits in 2025 including 'A Minecraft Movie' and 'Final Destination Bloodlines'. The film is also positioned as the de facto choice for female audiences around Valentine's Day, similar to past romance-driven hits like the 'Fifty Shades' trilogy.

The details

With an $80 million production budget, 'Wuthering Heights' is Emerald Fennell's third feature film following the Oscar-winning 'Promising Young Woman' and the provocative 'Saltburn'. The gothic drama follows the toxic relationship between a high-society woman named Catherine Earnshaw (Robbie) and a pariah she calls Heathcliff (Elordi). Reviews have been mixed, but Variety's critic praised Fennell's 'erotic take' that 'amplifies' the passion in the classic source material.

  • The film is targeting a strong debut of $50 million to $55 million from 3,600 North American theaters over the President's Day holiday weekend.
  • An additional $30 million to $40 million is expected at the international box office.

The players

Emerald Fennell

The director of 'Wuthering Heights', who previously helmed the Oscar-winning 'Promising Young Woman' and the provocative 'Saltburn'.

Margot Robbie

The actress starring as Catherine Earnshaw in 'Wuthering Heights'.

Jacob Elordi

The actor portraying Heathcliff in the film.

Warner Bros.

The studio backing 'Wuthering Heights', which had several box office hits in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Wuthering Heights' seizes on something passionate in the material that was always there but never made explicit, amplifying what has gone largely unrequited all these years.”

— Peter Debruge, Variety's chief film critic (Variety)

The takeaway

The success of 'Wuthering Heights' would further cement Warner Bros.' status as a box office powerhouse, while also demonstrating the continued appeal of steamy, romance-driven stories for female audiences around major holidays like Valentine's Day.