(Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images for Warner Bros.)
Emerald Fennell’s bold and heavily debated take on Emily Brontë’s classic Wuthering Heights has exploded at the global box office, delivering the biggest opening weekend of the year so far.
The Warner Bros. romantic drama, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as Catherine and Heathcliff, pulled in a massive US$76.8m (£56m, A$108m) in its debut weekend. The strong start immediately positions the film as one of 2026’s early box office powerhouses, even as critics and audiences remain split on the adaptation’s creative choices.
In North America, the film earned US$34.8 million from 3,682 locations. Studio projections suggest that the number will rise to $40m once the President’s Day long weekend is fully accounted for, giving the release an even stronger domestic boost.
Internationally, the results were even more impressive. The film brought in US$42m across 76 territories, outperforming early expectations. With additional long weekend ticket sales still being counted, the worldwide total is expected to climb even higher in the coming days.
The opening weekend success is especially notable given the film’s reported $80m production budget. With its global debut already nearly matching that figure, Wuthering Heights has effectively recouped its initial costs early in its theatrical run, though marketing expenses are not included in that total.
Australia proved to be one of the film’s standout markets. With both Robbie and Elordi enjoying what many are calling a “home field advantage,” the film earned A$6.07m (US$4.3m) locally, making it one of the strongest openings of the year in the region.
Warner Bros. is also expected to see even more gains once the film opens in additional major markets. Upcoming releases in Japan, Vietnam, and China are expected to add momentum and push the global numbers higher, potentially giving the film a lengthy and lucrative run.
However, the financial success has not erased the fact that Fennell’s reimagining has sharply divided viewers. The film currently holds a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, signaling a mixed critical response. Audience reaction has been similarly lukewarm, with a B CinemaScore and only 51% of viewers saying they would “definitely recommend” the movie.
Polling also revealed a notable split among those buying tickets. PostTrak data showed that women made up 76% of North American moviegoers, while men were reported to dominate the overseas audience, an unusual contrast that suggests the film may be resonating differently depending on region.
The film’s success arrives at an interesting moment for Warner Bros., as reports swirl about a possible takeover bid from Paramount. At the same time, the studio is riding an undeniable hot streak. Wuthering Heights marks Warner Bros.’ ninth consecutive No. 1 opening, following other major hits including A Minecraft Movie, Final Destination Bloodlines, and Weapons. Even with its polarizing reception, Wuthering Heights is proving that controversy can still sell tickets.
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