Powered by women, 'Wuthering Heights' opens at No. 1 with $34.8 million

Emerald Fennell's bold reimagining of the classic novel draws big crowds, especially women, in its debut weekend.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Emerald Fennell's new adaptation of 'Wuthering Heights' opened at No. 1 at the North American box office, earning $34.8 million in its first three days. According to PostTrak polling, an estimated 76% of the film's opening weekend audience were women. The Warner Bros. release, which stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, had its biggest day on Valentine's Day, earning $14 million.

Why it matters

The strong opening for 'Wuthering Heights' demonstrates the continued power of female-driven stories and the appeal of classic literary adaptations when done with a fresh perspective. It also comes at a pivotal time for Warner Bros. as the studio faces a potential takeover.

The details

The $80 million production cost, not including marketing, is expected to be recouped by the film's strong global debut of $82 million. 'Wuthering Heights' is also performing well internationally, where it's expected to earn an additional $42 million. While the film received mixed reviews, with a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, that didn't deter audiences, though only 51% said they would 'definitely recommend' it.

  • The film opened on February 14, 2026, earning $14 million on Valentine's Day.
  • It is expected to open in Japan and Vietnam on February 27, 2026, and in China on March 13, 2026.

The players

Emerald Fennell

The director who has reimagined the classic novel 'Wuthering Heights' for the big screen.

Margot Robbie

The actress who stars as Catherine in the new 'Wuthering Heights' film.

Jacob Elordi

The actor who plays Heathcliff in the new 'Wuthering Heights' adaptation.

Warner Bros.

The studio that released the new 'Wuthering Heights' film, which is currently facing a potential takeover by Paramount.

Paramount

The studio that is making a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros.

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What they’re saying

“This was a solid if not record-breaking Presidents Day/Valentines weekend. But that was to be expected without an MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) film.”

— Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore marketplace trends expert (The Associated Press)

What’s next

The film still has several big international openings on the horizon, including in Japan and Vietnam on February 27, 2026, and in China on March 13, 2026.

The takeaway

The success of 'Wuthering Heights,' powered by a predominantly female audience, underscores the continued demand for diverse, female-driven stories and the enduring appeal of classic literary adaptations when given a fresh, modern treatment.