Sarah had been waiting months for this moment. As a devoted fan of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, she’d circled February 14th on her calendar the moment she heard Margot Robbie would be bringing Catherine Earnshaw to life. When she finally settled into her theater seat last weekend, she wasn’t alone—millions of moviegoers worldwide were making the same choice, propelling a brooding Gothic romance to box office victory.
That collective decision has created one of the most surprising box office stories of the year. While audiences typically flock to action blockbusters and superhero films during holiday weekends, they instead chose passion, obsession, and the windswept moors of Yorkshire.
The results speak for themselves: Wuthering Heights didn’t just win the weekend—it dominated with authority, leaving industry analysts scrambling to understand how a period drama outmuscled major studio competitors and claimed the biggest global opening of 2026 so far.
How Wuthering Heights Conquered Global Theaters
The Wuthering Heights box office performance exceeded all expectations, earning a stunning $82 million worldwide in its opening weekend. This impressive total came from $42 million across 76 international territories and $40 million during the four-day domestic holiday stretch in North America.
Warner Bros. is celebrating these numbers as validation of their $80 million investment in Emerald Fennell’s vision. The director, known for her provocative work on “Promising Young Woman,” has transformed Brontë’s 1847 masterpiece into a visually striking adaptation starring Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as the brooding Heathcliff.
“What we’re seeing is audiences craving authentic storytelling,” says box office analyst Maria Rodriguez. “In an era of franchise fatigue, Wuthering Heights offers something genuinely different—raw emotion and literary depth that resonates across cultures.”
The film’s success wasn’t limited to English-speaking markets. International audiences embraced the Gothic romance with enthusiasm, particularly in Europe where the story’s origins struck a deeper chord.
Breaking Down the Weekend Numbers
The Wuthering Heights box office victory becomes even more impressive when you examine the competition it defeated. Here’s how the weekend stacked up:
| Movie | Studio | Weekend Gross | Market Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wuthering Heights | Warner Bros. | $82M Global | #1 |
| GOAT | Sony Pictures | $28M Global | #2 |
| Crime 101 | Amazon MGM Studios | $22M Global | #3 |
The international breakdown reveals interesting patterns in audience preferences:
- United Kingdom: $10.3 million—the strongest market, reflecting cultural connection to the source material
- Italy: $4.4 million—European audiences embraced the passionate romance
- Australia: $4.3 million—strong showing in another English-speaking market
- Germany: $3.8 million—solid performance despite subtitled release
- France: $3.2 million—art house appeal drove attendance
Industry insider Tom Bradley notes, “These numbers prove that audiences are hungry for adult-oriented dramas. Wuthering Heights filled a gap in the market that studios have been ignoring.”
The domestic performance, while strong, faced some uncertainty with rival studios suggesting the North American total might settle closer to the mid-$30 million range rather than the reported $40 million. However, Warner Bros. remains confident in their tracking data.
What This Victory Means for Hollywood
The Wuthering Heights box office success sends shockwaves through an industry that has increasingly relied on established franchises and familiar properties. Here’s a period drama—admittedly based on a beloved novel—proving that original storytelling still has massive commercial appeal.
For Warner Bros., this victory validates their strategy of investing in filmmaker-driven projects. Emerald Fennell’s track record with “Promising Young Woman” made her an attractive choice, but the studio still took a significant risk with an $80 million budget for a period romance.
“This changes the conversation about what audiences want,” explains entertainment journalist Lisa Chen. “Studios have been afraid to greenlight anything that isn’t a sequel or remake, but Wuthering Heights proves there’s still an appetite for fresh adaptations of classic material.”
The film’s success also highlights Margot Robbie’s continued box office draw. Following her acclaimed performances in “Barbie” and other recent hits, Robbie has proven she can open a movie across multiple genres and demographics.
For competing studios, this weekend serves as a wake-up call. Sony’s “GOAT” and Amazon MGM’s “Crime 101” both carried significant marketing budgets and star power, yet neither could match the cultural conversation generated by Wuthering Heights.
The ripple effects will likely influence upcoming release strategies. Studios may reconsider their reluctance to finance adult dramas, especially those with literary pedigree and strong female leads.
Looking Ahead: Can the Momentum Continue?
While the Wuthering Heights box office opening weekend was undeniably impressive, the real test comes in the following weeks. Period dramas often face steeper drops than action films, as their core audience tends to concentrate their viewing in the first few days.
However, several factors work in the film’s favor. Critical reception has been largely positive, with praise for Fennell’s bold visual choices and the chemistry between Robbie and Elordi. Word-of-mouth appears strong, particularly among the key demographic of adult women who drive attendance for romantic dramas.
“The challenge now is maintaining momentum,” says box office tracker Jennifer Walsh. “If Wuthering Heights can hold well next weekend, it could have serious legs through Oscar season.”
International expansion continues this week with releases in key markets including Japan, South Korea, and Brazil. These territories could add significant revenue to the global total, potentially pushing Wuthering Heights toward the $150-200 million worldwide range that would make it a clear financial success.
The film also faces less direct competition in the coming weeks, with no major romantic dramas scheduled until late March. This clear runway could allow sustained box office performance, especially if awards season recognition builds additional prestige.
FAQs
How much did Wuthering Heights make at the box office?
Wuthering Heights earned $82 million globally in its opening weekend, with $40 million domestic and $42 million international.
Who stars in the new Wuthering Heights movie?
Margot Robbie plays Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi portrays Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation.
What movies did Wuthering Heights beat at the box office?
The film defeated Sony’s “GOAT” and Amazon MGM’s “Crime 101” to claim the number one spot worldwide.
How much did Warner Bros. spend making Wuthering Heights?
The studio invested approximately $80 million in the production budget for the period drama.
Which international markets performed best for Wuthering Heights?
The United Kingdom led with $10.3 million, followed by Italy ($4.4 million) and Australia ($4.3 million).
Is this the biggest movie opening of 2026?
Yes, Wuthering Heights achieved the largest worldwide opening weekend of the year so far with its $82 million global debut.
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