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

The bold reimagining of the classic novel marks the year's biggest opening so far.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Emerald Fennell's take on 'Wuthering Heights' debuted at No. 1 at the box office this weekend, earning $34.8 million in its first three days in North American theaters. According to studio estimates, around 76% of the film's opening weekend audience were women. The Warner Bros. release topped the other new releases, including the animated 'GOAT' and the heist thriller 'Crime 101'.

Why it matters

The strong performance of 'Wuthering Heights,' which cost $80 million to produce, comes at a pivotal time for Warner Bros. as the studio faces a potential takeover. The film's success, driven by a predominantly female audience, highlights the continued demand for diverse, female-led stories in Hollywood.

The details

Directed by Emerald Fennell, 'Wuthering Heights' is a bold reimagining of the classic Emily Brontë novel. The romantic drama stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the star-crossed Catherine and Heathcliff. While the film received mixed reviews from critics, it resonated with audiences, earning a B CinemaScore. The movie's biggest day was Valentine's Day, where it earned $14 million.

  • The film opened in North American theaters on February 16, 2026.
  • It is expected to earn an additional $42 million internationally from 76 territories.
  • The film will open in Japan and Vietnam on February 27, and in China on March 13.

The players

Emerald Fennell

The director of 'Wuthering Heights' and the bold reimagining of the classic novel.

Margot Robbie

The actress who stars as Catherine in 'Wuthering Heights'.

Jacob Elordi

The actor who stars as Heathcliff in 'Wuthering Heights'.

Warner Bros.

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

Stephen Curry

The basketball star who produced the animated film 'GOAT'.

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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

What’s next

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

The takeaway

The success of 'Wuthering Heights,' driven by a predominantly female audience, highlights the continued demand for diverse, female-led stories in Hollywood and the power of women in shaping the entertainment landscape.