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 as the iconic Heathcliff and Catherine, has shattered expectations. Domestically, it pulled in $34.8 million across 3,682 locations, making it the biggest opening of the year so far. While this fell slightly short of early projections ($40–50 million), Warner Bros. predicts it will hit $40 million by the end of the President’s Day weekend. Internationally, the film exceeded forecasts, earning $42 million across 76 territories. Interestingly, while North American audiences were predominantly female (76%, according to PostTrak), international crowds skewed more male—a surprising twist for a romantic drama.
Australia, in particular, embraced the film with open arms, contributing A$6.07 million (US$4.3 million) in its opening weekend. Deadline credits this to Robbie and Elordi’s “home field advantage,” but could it also be a testament to the story’s universal appeal? And this is the part most people miss: with a global total of $82 million (including the full US long weekend), the film has already recouped its $80 million production budget—though marketing costs remain unaccounted for. Plus, major openings in Japan, Vietnam, and China are still on the horizon, promising even bigger numbers.
But here’s the kicker: Fennell’s version takes significant liberties with Brontë’s novel, and critics are split. Currently sitting at a 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has sparked heated debates. While audiences turned out in droves, only 51% of opening-weekend viewers said they’d “definitely recommend” it, and it earned a modest B CinemaScore. Is this a case of artistic freedom gone too far, or a refreshing take on a timeless tale? Weigh in below—we want to hear your thoughts!
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. is riding high on this success, marking its ninth consecutive No. 1 opening, following hits like A Minecraft Movie and Final Destination Bloodlines. This comes at a critical time for the studio, as Paramount intensifies its hostile takeover bid against Netflix. With Oscar contenders Sinners and One Battle After Another also under its belt, Warner Bros. is proving it’s a force to be reckoned with.
Elsewhere at the box office, Stephen Curry’s animated film GOAT landed in second place with $26 million, projected to reach $32 million over the four-day weekend—the biggest animated debut since Elemental in 2023. In third place, Crime 101 earned an estimated $15.1 million, though it faces an uphill battle to recoup its $90 million production budget. And let’s not forget Disney, which crossed the $1 billion global mark this weekend, thanks largely to Avatar: Fire and Ash and the enduring success of Zootopia 2.
As we await the final four-day box office figures (dropping Tuesday), one thing’s clear: Wuthering Heights has reignited the debate over adapting classics. Does Fennell’s vision honor Brontë’s legacy, or does it stray too far? What do you think? Share your hot takes in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
