Wuthering Heights Tops Box Office with $34.8 Million Debut

Emerald Fennell's bold reimagining of the classic novel draws large female audience

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Emerald Fennell's new take on the classic novel "Wuthering Heights" debuted at #1 at the box office this weekend, earning $34.8 million in its first three days. According to audience polling, an estimated 76% of the film's ticket buyers were women. The romantic drama starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the star-crossed Catherine and Heathcliff had its biggest day on Valentine's Day, earning $14 million.

Why it matters

The strong opening for "Wuthering Heights" highlights the continued box office power of female-driven stories and the audience demand for diverse, reimagined takes on classic literature. It also comes at a pivotal time for Warner Bros. as the studio faces a potential takeover bid.

The details

"Wuthering Heights" cost a reported $80 million to produce and is expected to earn an additional $42 million internationally, bringing its global debut to around $82 million. While the film received mixed reviews from critics, with a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences gave it a less enthusiastic B CinemaScore, with only 51% saying they would "definitely recommend" it.

  • The film opened in theaters on February 16, 2026.
  • Its biggest day was Saturday, February 14 (Valentine's Day), where it earned $14 million.
  • It is expected to open in Japan and Vietnam on February 27, and in China on March 13.

The players

Emerald Fennell

The director who reimagined the classic novel "Wuthering Heights" for the screen.

Margot Robbie

The actress who stars as Catherine in the film.

Jacob Elordi

The actor who stars as Heathcliff in the film.

Warner Bros.

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

Paramount

The company 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 (wklh.com)

What’s next

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

The takeaway

The success of "Wuthering Heights" demonstrates the continued audience demand for female-driven stories and diverse takes on classic literature, even as the future of Warner Bros. remains uncertain amid a potential corporate takeover.