Wuthering Heights' Scores $34.8 Million Box Office Debut

Emerald Fennell's reimagining of the classic novel tops the weekend box office charts.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Emerald Fennell's bold reimagining of 'Wuthering Heights' brought crowds of women to movie theaters this weekend, topping the box office charts with a $34.8 million debut in North America. The romantic drama starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the star-crossed Catherine and Heathcliff, won out over the weekend's other newcomers, including the animated 'GOAT' and the heist thriller 'Crime 101.'

Why it matters

The success of 'Wuthering Heights' comes at a pivotal time for Warner Bros. as the studio faces a hostile takeover bid from Paramount. The film's strong opening, driven largely by female moviegoers, demonstrates the continued appeal of classic literary adaptations and the power of star-driven romantic dramas.

The details

The Warner Bros./MRC production cost a reported $80 million to produce, not accounting for the millions spent on marketing and promotion. If the four-day totals match the estimates, that makes for a strong $82 million global debut. The film is also performing well internationally, expecting to rake in an additional $42 million from 76 territories.

  • The film opened in North American theaters on February 16, 2026.
  • Its biggest day was Saturday's Valentine's Day holiday, where it earned $14 million.

The players

Wuthering Heights

A romantic drama film directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.

Warner Bros.

The studio that released 'Wuthering Heights' and is facing a hostile takeover bid from Paramount.

Margot Robbie

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

Jacob Elordi

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

Emerald Fennell

The director who reimagined the classic novel 'Wuthering Heights' for the film.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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 (cleveland.com)

What’s next

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

The takeaway

The success of 'Wuthering Heights' demonstrates the continued appeal of classic literary adaptations and the power of star-driven romantic dramas, particularly among female moviegoers. This could be a positive sign for Warner Bros. as it navigates a potential takeover bid.