Steamy 'Wuthering Heights' Adaptation Soars at Box Office

Director Emerald Fennell's controversial take on the classic Emily Brontë novel grosses over $80 million globally in its opening weekend.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The 2026 film adaptation of "Wuthering Heights" directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi has exceeded box office expectations, grossing over $80 million globally in its opening weekend. The steamy and visually alluring take on Brontë's classic story about revenge, obsession and social class has drawn both praise and criticism from audiences, with some literary purists panning the filmmakers for "smut-ifying" the iconic novel.

Why it matters

The strong box office performance of "Wuthering Heights" comes as a relief to Hollywood studios, which have been grappling with declining theatrical revenues in recent years. The film's success validates the decision by Warner Bros. to greenlight a wide theatrical release over Netflix's offer of a $150 million deal for streaming rights, and demonstrates that audiences are still willing to turn out for the right kind of cinematic experience.

The details

Directed by Emerald Fennell, the 2026 adaptation of "Wuthering Heights" features a steamy, bodice-ripping take on the classic love story, with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi starring as the ill-fated lovers. While some literary purists have criticized the filmmakers for straying too far from the original text, the movie's visually alluring approach and the stars' sizzling on-screen chemistry have clearly resonated with audiences, who have flocked to theaters over the opening weekend.

  • The film was released in theaters on February 14, 2026, timed to coincide with Valentine's Day.

The players

Emerald Fennell

The director of the 2026 adaptation of "Wuthering Heights", known for her controversial and visually striking approach to the classic novel.

Margot Robbie

The Australian actress who stars in the lead role of the 2026 "Wuthering Heights" adaptation, and also served as a producer on the film.

Jacob Elordi

The rising Hollywood heartthrob who plays the male lead in the 2026 "Wuthering Heights" adaptation, and has been praised for his portrayal of the story's "inherently romantic" yet "toxic" elements.

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What they’re saying

“For me, it's about the unapologetic nature in which each character feels the way that they feel. Even though it can be dark and scary and violent, they're not afraid to look each other in the eye and say, 'I love you and I need you.' … It might be toxic and it might be jarring, but that's how we are as human beings.”

— Jacob Elordi (USA TODAY)

What’s next

The film's strong box office performance is likely to spur further adaptations and reimaginings of classic literary works, as Hollywood studios seek to capitalize on the public's appetite for visually striking and emotionally charged love stories.

The takeaway

The success of the 2026 "Wuthering Heights" adaptation demonstrates that audiences are still drawn to cinematic experiences that offer a fresh and bold take on beloved source material, even if it means straying from the original text. This film's ability to balance artistic vision with commercial appeal could serve as a model for future literary adaptations seeking to captivate both critics and mainstream audiences.