Get ready to be swept off your feet—Wuthering Heights has stormed the global box office, raking in a staggering $77 million during its opening weekend. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite its massive haul, the film has divided critics and audiences alike. Is this bold reimagining of Emily Brontë’s classic a masterpiece or a misstep? Let’s dive in.
Emerald Fennell’s daring adaptation, starring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie, has shattered expectations, pulling in $76.8 million globally. In North America alone, it grossed $34.8 million across 3,682 locations, making it the biggest opening of the year so far. While this fell slightly below early projections of $40–50 million, Warner Bros. predicts it will hit $40 million by the end of the President’s Day weekend. And this is the part most people miss: internationally, the film exceeded forecasts, earning $42 million across 76 territories, with a surprising twist—audiences outside North America skewed more male, compared to the 76% female majority in the U.S.
In Australia, the film’s stars enjoyed a home field advantage, drawing A$6.07 million (US$4.3 million) in its debut weekend. Globally, the film is on track to surpass its $80 million production budget, even before its highly anticipated openings in Japan, Vietnam, and China. But here’s the kicker: while it’s a financial hit, only 51% of opening-weekend viewers said they’d definitely recommend it, and it scored a modest B on CinemaScore. So, is it a triumph or a missed opportunity?
The film’s success comes at a critical time for Warner Bros., which is facing a hostile takeover bid from Paramount. With Wuthering Heights as its ninth consecutive No. 1 opening—following hits like A Minecraft Movie and Final Destination Bloodlines—the studio is fighting to stay independent. But Fennell’s liberties with Brontë’s novel have sparked debate, earning a mixed 63% on Rotten Tomatoes. Is this creative freedom or disrespect to the source material? Weigh in below!
Meanwhile, the box office saw other strong contenders. Stephen Curry’s animated film GOAT landed in second place with $26 million, projected to reach $32 million over four days—the biggest animated debut since 2023’s Elemental. Crime 101, starring Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, took third with $15.1 million, though it faces an uphill battle to recoup its $90 million budget. And Disney crossed a monumental $1 billion globally in 2026, thanks to Avatar: Fire and Ash and the enduring success of Zootopia 2.
As the industry buzzes, one question remains: Can Wuthering Heights sustain its momentum, or will it fade like a ghost on the moors? Share your thoughts—do you think this adaptation soars or stumbles? The final numbers for the four-day weekend drop Tuesday, but the debate is just heating up.
