Powered by women, 'Wuthering Heights' tops box office with $34.8 million debut

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

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Emerald Fennell's new adaptation of 'Wuthering Heights' topped the box office charts with a $34.8 million debut, making it the year's biggest opening so far. According to PostTrak polling, an estimated 76% of the film's opening weekend audience were women. The romantic drama starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the iconic Catherine and Heathcliff also performed well internationally, earning an additional $42 million from 76 territories.

Why it matters

The strong opening for 'Wuthering Heights' demonstrates the continued demand for female-driven stories and the power of women moviegoers. It also comes at a pivotal time for Warner Bros. as the studio faces a potential takeover, making the film's success an important win for the company.

The details

The Warner Bros./MRC production, which cost a reported $80 million to make, won out over the weekend's other new releases, including the animated 'GOAT' and the heist thriller 'Crime 101.' 'Wuthering Heights' had its biggest day on Valentine's Day, earning $14 million. The film has several more major international openings on the horizon, including in Japan, Vietnam, and China.

  • The film opened in North American theaters on February 14, 2026.
  • It earned $34.8 million in its first three days.
  • By the end of the Presidents Day holiday on February 17, the total could rise to $40 million.

The players

Emerald Fennell

The director who helmed this bold reimagining of the classic 'Wuthering Heights' novel.

Margot Robbie

The actress who stars as Catherine in the film.

Jacob Elordi

The actor who plays Heathcliff opposite Robbie.

Warner Bros.

The studio that released 'Wuthering Heights' and is facing a potential takeover bid.

MRC

The production company behind 'Wuthering Heights' alongside 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 (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

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

The takeaway

The success of 'Wuthering Heights' highlights the continued demand for female-driven stories and the power of women moviegoers, which could be an important factor as Warner Bros. navigates its uncertain future.