LOS ANGELES – Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” debuted to an estimated $38 million domestically over the four-day Valentine’s Day/Presidents Day weekend, and a global launch of $83 million, according to Warner Bros. Pictures. The film, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, arrived slightly below the studio’s projections of $40 million domestically and $80 million globally, but outperformed initial concerns that emerged late in the holiday frame.
The period romantic drama faced a competitive weekend, with Sony Animation’s “GOAT” exceeding expectations with a $35 million domestic opening. Amazon MGM Studio’s “Crime 101” also posted a solid $16.4 million debut, even as Angel Studios’ “Solo Mio” rounded out the top five with $6.4 million.
Warner Bros. Had initially tempered expectations for “Wuthering Heights,” sticking with a forecast of $40 million domestically and $80 million globally, despite some tracking services predicting a potential $50 million stateside opening, fueled by Robbie’s star power and her recent success with “Barbie.” As the weekend progressed, rival studios began to worry the film might fall to between $33 million and $35 million, citing mixed reviews, a B CinemaScore, and moderate exit polls.
“GOAT,” inspired by a story from Stephen Curry’s childhood, proved to be a strong competitor, earning an A CinemaScore and near-perfect PostTrak exit scores. The animated film follows a small goat named Will who dreams of playing professional roarball, a high-intensity sport. It debuted to $15.6 million overseas in 41 markets.
“Crime 101,” starring Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, and Mark Ruffalo, appealed to an older demographic, particularly women, and garnered a Rotten Tomatoes score of 86 percent. The film, based on Don Winslow’s novella, follows a detective investigating a series of jewel heists. It opened to $12 million overseas in 60 markets.
The success of “Wuthering Heights” underscores the willingness of Warner Bros. Chiefs Pamela Abdy and Michael De Luca to take risks on auteur-driven projects and original films. The studio is currently enjoying critical and commercial success with Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” and Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” both of which faced initial skepticism.
While the film’s marketing campaign targeted older female audiences, it also aimed to attract Gen Z and younger Millennials. The audience for “Wuthering Heights” was 53 percent between the ages of 18 and 34, though the R-rated film received a B CinemaScore from a demographic the filmmakers anticipated would be more receptive. Women comprised 76 percent of all ticket buyers.
Critical reception to Fennell’s adaptation has been divided, with the film currently holding a 63 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, while the audience ranking stands at 84 percent. Warner Bros. And MRC paid $80 million for global rights to the project, reportedly outbidding Netflix, which offered $150 million.
Disney became the first Hollywood studio to surpass $1 billion in global ticket sales for 2026, driven by the success of “Send Help,” “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” and “Zootopia 2.”
